Beginning farmer course, Nov. 8

The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers course will be offered this fall and winter at the LCO College in Hayward beginning Nov. 8.

The course comes through the University of Wisconsin Farm and Industry Short Course and is co-hosted by UW-Extension and the NW Graziers Network.

Delivery will be done through interactive video and audio. Most of the subject materials apply to both grass-based and conventional farming and cover dairy, beef, sheep and goats.

An important aspect of the course is business planning. If desired, participants will be able to develop their own business plans by the end of the course.

Since the course began in 1995, over 450 students have enrolled and one-third have started their own farms.

There are 14 regular class sessions starting Nov. 8. The course is divided into three terms. Classes run from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays except for one class on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Participants who miss a class may catch it later online. The entire course can also be taken on line. Participants may opt to take individual class sessions.

The cost of the entire course is $240, or $15 per session. Scholarships may be available.

Subjects vary, but may include starting a livestock business, budgets, bio-fuels and farm energy, organic farming, and low-cost parlors, out-wintering, environmental stewardship, etc.

Registration is requested by Nov. 5 for those who plan to attend the entire course.

To register, contact Otto Wiegand or Kevin Schoessow, UWEX Spooner, at 715-635-3506, or Dick Cates, Madison, at 608-265-6437.

The course is a collaborative effort between the UW-Center for Integrated Agricultural Studies, UW Cooperative Extension, CALS, DATCP, the Technical Colleges and GrassWorks.