Gardening offers many benefits. It’s an enjoyable form of exercise and provides physical activity that helps increase strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. Just being outdoors surrounded by greenery can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Plus, for vegetable growers, there are the added benefits of having easy access to fresh, home-grown produce and the satisfaction of having grown it yourself.

Want to be a better gardener? Whether you're new to gardening or looking to deepen your skill set, “Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening” is the course for you!

Registration is open for the Fall 2026 course, which runs from Sept. 6-Dec. 12. This online, self-paced course covers the fundamentals of growing and caring for plants in Wisconsin. It also serves as an approved learning opportunity to become a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener. 

Learn more and get an Early Bird registration discount at: go.wisc.edu/9v9t76 

Can you believe we're already heading into August? I hope the gardening season is going well for all of you. So far, it's been a great year for my tomatoes! This month, I thought I'd share links to fact sheets on issues that may be popping up in your garden or landscape.

Diseases

Powdery Mildew – Herbaceous Ornamental

Powdery Mildew-Vegetable 

Septoria Leaf Spot - tomatoes

Tomato Disorders 

 Blossom End Rot

Insects

Japanese Beetle 

Elm Zigzag Sawfly 

Squash bugs

Also, here is information on harvesting and storing home garden vegetables. If you have extra produced this season, please consider donating it to a local food pantry. If you'd like more information about donating fresh produce, feel free to reach out to me.

Lastly, keep an eye out for soldier beetles. August and September are the months we see the adults most active in the garden. Some gardeners may become concerned when they see large numbers of these beetles landing on their flowers, but soldier beetles are not an insect to worry about. In fact, they are considered beneficial and harmless to both plants and humans.

Find more horticulture articles at Wisconsin Yard & Garden, a weekly horticulture column by Bruce Spangenberg Horticulture Outreach Specialist. Plus, visit Wisconsin Horticulture – Division of Extension website where you’ll find: Ask Your Gardening Question

Margaret Murphy

Email: margaret.murphy@wisc.edu

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire Counties

Join us for the Beef Cow-Calf Field Day on July 28 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at Starck Century Farm near Cadott. Learn practical strategies for pasture management, breeding decisions that improve cow longevity, and marketing options for fall calf crops. Connect with fellow producers and Extension specialists while gaining ideas you can put to work on your operation right away. This free event is open to all interested producers; registration is requested by July 23. For more information or to register, call 715-232-1636 or visit https://go.wisc.edu/d0778z.

With cattle prices at record highs, margins remain tight, and good management is critical to successful cattle finishing. Join UW-Madison Extension Regional Educators and Specialists for a workshop addressing timely topics, including a chute-side discussion, feed and silage management, feedlot facilities, and handling. The twilight field day will be hosted by the Jensen Family, E3677 370th Ave., Menomonie, WI. The Jensen’s will discuss their farming operation as well as tour their new mono-slope cattle feeding facility. Registration at 5:45 PM with the program starting at 6:00 PM

Save the Date!

Join us for a High-Oleic Soybean Field Day on August 18th.

This field day will focus on practical information for dairy farms interested in incorporating high-oleic soybeans into their feeding programs.

The day will begin with educational presentations and lunch at the Chippewa Valley Tech College Energy Education Center. In the afternoon, participants will tour the on-farm roasting setup at Five-Star Dairy near Elk Mound.

Topics for the Day

- Background of high-oleic soybeans

- Growing and agronomic considerations

- Handling and identity preservation

- Economics and best practices for roasting and processing

- Farm and industry Q&A

- Tour of an on-farm roasting system

Register at https://go.wisc.edu/hosb26

Registration will be required for accurate meal counts. Questions? Contact Ryan Sterry or Katelyn Goldsmith 

Livestock producers and veterinarians are invited to attend a free Holding the Line Premises Biosecurity Mapping Workshop. Learn practical strategies to protect your animals from disease by managing access to, within, and from your operation. Participants will leave with a draft premises biosecurity map and valuable tools to strengthen farm preparedness. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Workshops will be held in Menomonie, Spooner, Tomah, and Gays Mills. Register today at https://forms.office.com/g/byXGdk499r?origin=lprLink

Take the Biosecurity Situational Analysis Survey and help shape future biosecurity programs designed for Wisconsin producers. The survey takes just 15 minutes, is completely anonymous, and your input will make a difference. Complete the survey at https://go.wisc.edu/yrpc88.

Check out our statewide website to explore research-based resources and expert guidance that support animal health, herd management, and sustainable livestock operations.

Ryan Sterry

Email: ryan.sterry@wisc.edu

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire Counties

Discover Practical Solutions for Soil Health and Nitrogen Management
Farmers, crop advisors, and agricultural professionals are invited to attend the Nitrogen and Soil Management Field Day on August 5 in Menomonie. Learn from UW-Madison Extension specialists and industry experts as they share real-world strategies to improve nutrient use efficiency, enhance soil conservation, and increase farm profitability. The event also offers 1.5 CCA credits and valuable opportunities to connect with others in the agricultural community.

Join UW-Madison Extension and project partners for a Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Project Field Day on August 19, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. north of Chippewa Falls. Learn from Extension specialists and local conservation leaders about irrigation and fertigation efficiency, water quality protection, soil conservation practices, local on-farm nitrogen research, and updates from the Chippewa Valley Farmer-Led Watershed.

Location: Seymour Cray Blvd., directly across from Lake View Drive (Field Site: 44.960483, -91.356770)

Check out our statewide website to explore research-based resources and expert guidance that support managing soil health, improving crop production, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Jerry Clark

Email: jerome.clark@wisc.edu 

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire Counties

Farm stress is real, and ag service providers are often considered a trusted first line of support. Join our Mental Health First Aid for the Agriculture Community training this summer to gain practical skills for recognizing and responding to mental health challenges.
 

📅 July 28–29 | 🕒 12:30–3:30 pm (virtual)
👉 For more information and to register, visit: go.wisc.edu/MHFAJuly2026 

The 2026 Badger Crop Connect webinar series returns for 2026!

This twice-monthly series provides Wisconsin-specific data and research to help you manage your or your clients’ field and forage crops. Webinars are held at 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from April through October.

To register for the series, sign up for email reminders, or watch prior webinar recordings, visit go.wisc.edu/BadgerCropConnect.

Extension, DATCP, and the SnapPlus Team are hosting a free six-part webinar series on SnapPlus Version 3, running April through August. Each session includes a tutorial on a new feature, plus one-on-one office hours. Registration is free.

Register: go.wisc.edu/841xe6 

The statewide Extension website is your go-to place for helpful information, classes, and events offered across the state. Whether you’re interested in farming, gardening, health, youth programs, or community resources, you can quickly find tools and programs available in your area. Visit the statewide event calendar to find upcoming events happening in your area!

Chippewa

chippewa.extension.wisc.edu

Dunn

dunn.extension.wisc.edu

Eau Claire

eauclaire.extension.wisc.edu

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.