Welcome to the Extension in the Valley Newsletter! This spring, discover the best herbs and flowers to plant, join our small ruminant webinar, learn about transitioning from dairy to beef operations, apply for watershed incentives, and participate in our alfalfa survey. Happy reading! 

Margaret Murphy

When planning my garden, together with vegetables and flowers, I always include herbs. The aroma of fresh herbs just seems to brighten the spirit.  Some of my favorite herbs to grow are often referred to as culinary herbs because they are commonly used in the kitchen for cooking.

Margaret Murphy

I came across this amusing question while looking through a Junior Master Gardener manual. Did you guess the answer? Soil. Sunflowers grow in soil, where they receive nutrients, water and support. Cows feed on plants that grow in soil and jeans are made from fibers that got their start in soil. We probably don’t spend much time thinking about the fact that many of the items we use every day or foods that we eat wouldn’t exist without soil but as gardeners we do need to pay attention to the health of our soil.

Soil is an intricate composite of minerals, organic materials, water and air. Healthy soil is teeming with life, much of which is microorganisms that include bacteria and fungi. Microorganisms are essential to decomposing organic remains and recycling soil nutrients. One key to healthy soils is organic matter. Almost all garden soils benefit from the addition of organic matter. It can improve soil texture and help build and stabilize soil structure. In turn, this improves root growth and increases the moisture absorption, aeration and nutrient-holding ability of the soil. Organic matter also helps to feed those microorganisms that work so hard in the garden.

Margaret Murphy

Here are a few flowers that tolerate cooler temperatures and light frosts. They can be transplanted in early spring (whenever that may be in Wisconsin).

Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) always seem to be described as flowers that will make you smile. I guess it’s because they come in so many festive colors. Not a fan of summer heat, pansies prefer cooler temperatures. They can tolerate frost and have been known to readily survive a late-season snowstorm. Pansies prefer moist, well-drained soils. Plant in a sunny or partially shaded location. The flowers are edible, and their petals are often used to color butter or to decorate cakes and pies.

One of my favorite flowers of all time are snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus). Sun-lovers, they come in a wide array of colors and sizes. Varieties range from only six inches high to almost three feet tall. Grown as an annual in Wisconsin, they are considered easy to grow and offer a long bloom time (though they may wane during the hot summer months). A great flower to plant for children as they love opening the “jaw of the dragon” and letting it snap shut. Snapdragons make a nice addition to a cutting garden as they look great in bouquets.

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is reported to tolerate temperatures down to 28ºF. Commonly found sporting white flowers, varieties of pink, lavender and blue can also be found. Alyssums are low-growing plants that work well in garden borders though some cultivars have a trailing habit that would work in a hanging basket. They prefer a sunny or partially shaded spot.

For an annual with interesting foliage, consider planting the Bells-of Ireland (Molucella laevis). The stems are thickly covered with bell-shaped structures called calyxes. Within the calyxes bloom petite, white flowers resembling the clappers of a bell. They can be planted outdoors once nighttime temperatures are above 40ºF. They favor moist soils, and full sun though will manage fine in part shade. Keep in mind they often self-seed in the garden if flower stalks are left on the plants until dried. Blooming stems make an excellent addition to dried or fresh cut flower arrangements.

Free Online Programs for Wisconsin Gardeners

2025 Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic Plant Disease Talks

Each month in 2025, the UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) will sponsor a Zoom presentation on a plant disease-related topic.  The presentations are free, but registration is needed. For descriptions and to register, go to PDDC Plant Disease Talks.

Looking for more gardening information? Or want to ask a gardening question?

Visit Wisconsin Horticulture – Division of Extension website at https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/ or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinGarden.

Margaret Murphy

Email: margaret.murphy@wisc.edu

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire Counties

Bill Halfman & Ryan Sterry

Creating beef-on-dairy calves can add additional revenue to your dairy operation, but if considering transitioning from a dairy operation to beef enterprise, there are several points to consider. This includes nutrition management, evaluating handling facilities, stockmanship and more.

The beef and dairy industries have long been interconnected, and all dairy producers are beef producers through the sale of market cows, bull calves and beef-on-dairy crossbred calves. Taking this one step further, we want to explore a few of the observations we have made as dairy producers have added a beef enterprise to their dairy operation or made the transition out of dairy.

Ryan Sterry

During the dark and cold of winter, it can be uplifting to think about the new season just around the corner. Spring represents new growth and renewal. The same is true of calving season for our beef operations. While in practice our beef calving seasons vary greatly from farm to farm, it’s always a good time to review your calving season preparation checklist.

Ryan Sterry

Email: ryan.sterry@wisc.edu

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire Counties

The 2025 Chippewa County Tree Sale is open! Deadline to order is April 7th, 2025. Please contact the Chippewa County Land Conservation and Forest Management Department for more information at 715-720-3643.

The Chippewa Valley Producer Led Watershed Council has once again received DATCP funding for 2025 watershed programming, and present the following incentive/cost-share programs:

A) Cover Crop planting with stackable practice options (up to a total of 50 acres in this practice): 

1. Single species/plant for $10/acre 

2. Add an additional $5/acre if planting multi-species of any variety (ex: rye plus clover, etc) 

3. Add an additional $10/acre if inter-seeding (into standing crop - no limits on mode of application) 

4. Add an additional $10/acre if no-tilling into cover crop

B) Haney Testing: Cost sharing 1 test per farm, includes the test and a consultation on the results. We would appreciate you sign up for this before May 1st to be sure it is properly taken before nutrient applications. We will work with you on that process.

C) Cover Crop Bio-Mass Testing: Cost sharing 1 test per farm, to see how your cover crops are improving and sustaining your soils. Apply early, this test will happen prior to termination in late April/early May. 

2025 DATCP funding is available on a first-come-first-service basis. To apply, please read through the document and fill it out completely. Please email, ilisaailts@gmail.com or mail 2226 County Road T, Deer Park WI  54007 the completed application to Ilisa Ailts.

Alfalfa weevil was major issue in western Wisconsin in 2024. The University of Minnesota is leading a Midwest Alfalfa Insect Regional Survey to gather farmer input on alfalfa pest issues.

This survey is primarily meant to assess how farmers are managing alfalfa weevil after reports of resurgences of this pest in some areas of the Midwest to help guide future research and extension recommendations. This survey is also being used to assess needs for other alfalfa insect issues that may need additional focus in the future.

Training manuals are only available for purchase through the University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training state office in Madison. Local county extension offices do not have manuals for sale for any training category. You need to purchase your training manual from the state office https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/17 and scroll down to the Private Applicator Training section and then “General Farming”, “Fruit Crops”, or “Greenhouse and Nursery. If you need to order via a paper form to order your manual, please contact the Extension Office.

Cost is $43.00 for the training manual. When you receive your training manual, you will also be provided more information about training options. These training options are also listed below. You must purchase the manual before taking any training or testing options.

1. Online Video Training. These online videos can take the place of in-person or ZOOM training for the General Farm category. They will cover the same material as the in-person sessions. You will need to have a computer, a good internet connection, email, and audio capabilities. You will be sent a link to the training. Once started you have 14 days to complete the training. You will receive one completion certificate that must be shown to the test proctor to be graded at 50%. You will need to take the Exam in person at a participating County Extension Office or online with Pearson VUE (see item 4.). You can register at here and need to have purchased the manual https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4DVfjmVBmP1ZRA You have 14 days to complete the training once you start the training.

2. A self-study option is also available. For this option, you need to order the manual and when ready to take the test, contact a county extension office to set up an appointment to take the certification test. This option requires a passing score of 70%.

3. If interested in taking the test online, an option exists with a private company. Pearson Vue provides your results immediately and you get your credentials within 3 business days. Tests with Pearson Vue are $45.00 per test. https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/17

NRCS Short-Term Perennial

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) added a scenario to the 328 Practice for Conservation Crop Rotation to include alfalfa as a “Short-Term Perennial” option. Currently, NRCS offices in sixteen states have adopted the practice and have released payment scenarios to inform farmers of the unit cost (per acre payment) for incorporating alfalfa into conservation crop rotations. Payments range from $60.44-$79.07/acre depending on state. More information about the program in Wisconsin is available at https://www.alfalfa.org/NRCSpayment.php

Resources for Making ARC and PLC Decisions for 2025

Resources for Making ARC and PLC Decisions for 2025

This website assembles resources to help farmers and those working with farmers make sign-up decisions for the commodity support programs ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year. The materials have a Wisconsin focus but apply not only to Wisconsin.

Jerry Clark

Email: jerome.clark@wisc.edu 

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire Counties

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.