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Bragger Family Farm was selected as the first Discovery Farm because it represents the challenges of farming in the driftless region of Wisconsin.
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"One size does not fit all" when it comes to best management practices for Wisconsin's diverse agricultural landscape. From Wisconsin's driftless area to the Central Sands to the Great Lakes Basin, America's Dairyland encompasses a wide range of natural resources, agricultural enterprises and environmental challenges.
To address these issues, the University of Wisconsin-Extension Discovery Farms program was established in 2000 to develop on-farm research to determine the economical and environmental effects of agricultural practices on a diverse group of Wisconsin farms. From large dairy farms and beef operations to confined pig enterprises and poultry businesses, the program helps determine the impact of each farming system on the environment. For the state's natural resources and agriculture to thrive in the future, the Discovery Farm program provides solutions based on real scientific data—not myths or assumptions. Discovery Farms staff and cooperators challenge themselves to find the most economical and effective ways of complying with environmental regulations and protecting the environment, while also maintaining farm profitability.
Research done on real farms
The Discovery Farms program works with operating, commercial Wisconsin farms to conduct on-farm systems research, evaluations and demonstrations. Participating Discovery Farms program farms span the state's diverse soil types, physical and water characteristics, and livestock and cropping systems. Discovery Farms cooperators work hard to establish baseline data that can be used to determine environmental impacts of various farm management practices. Many projects evaluate nutrient management (manure) strategies and practices aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution, with the ultimate goal of protecting a bountiful and clean water supply today and in the future for people and animals.
"Discovery Farms data show that it's not the size of the farm operation that matters—it's the management that matters when it comes to water-quality protection," says Dennis Frame, Discovery Farms co-director.
The Discovery Farms program has provided accurate information to farmers, consumers, policymakers and agency personnel (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey and Natural Resources Conservation Service) so positive steps can be made to protect both the environment and production agriculture. Frame noted that farmers and conservationists want decisions about regulations to be based on actual data, rather than results from models or small research plots. The Discovery Farms program does that by taking real-world approaches to finding the most economical solutions.
"We became involved with the UW Discovery Farms program because we feel it's really important that we assess what challenges are really out there on working farms and not just perceived when it comes to the environment. We need to document and study these challenges, and find solutions that make sense, both environmentally and economically, and that work on real farms. All of us believe that it is important to be involved in shaping agricultural policies that will not only promote economic incentive and wildlife habitat, but also green space for all to enjoy."
~ Joe Bragger, Independence, Wis., Discovery Farms cooperating farm owner and manager
The Discovery Farms program is funded through a private-public partnership with money coming from a variety of sources, including the state of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, corn and soybean grower groups, poultry and pork producer groups, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Sand County Foundation.