It is estimated that 66% of all households in the United States decorate their homes with at least one houseplant. This is not surprising since houseplants add beauty and interest to our indoor space as well as provide a boost of green cheer through the long winter months.

There are a few things to think about when it comes to winter care of houseplants such as home temperature, watering and fertilization.  

When it comes to temperature, the good news is that most houseplants are fine at temperatures that many of us keep our homes during the winter. The majority of foliage houseplants, for example, manage well with daytime temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees F and nighttime temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees. However, houseplants can be adversely affected by being exposed to temperature extremes. Avoid placing them near heat vents, fireplaces or radiators where they will receive blasts of hot air or too near windows or doors where they may encounter cold drafts.

UW-Extension Dairy Program "Reproduction Roadshow"

To help Wisconsin Dairy Farmers get the most current and up-to-date research information, the UW-Extension Dairy program has developed the “Reproduction Roadshow.” This roadshow is an update on UW-Madison dairy reproduction research, covering heifer reproduction, sexed semen, the high fertility cycle, and more. The roadshow features Dr. Paul Fricke, Professor and Extension Specialist in Dairy Cattle Reproduction, and Dr. JP Martins, DVM, Ph.D. from the Department of Medical Sciences – School of Veterinary Medicine UW-Madison.

February 20, 2024, 10:00 am UW-River Falls Dairy Learning Center (129 South Glover Rd. River Falls)

February 20, 2024, 1:30 pm Barron Electric Cooperative (1434 WI – 25 North Barron)

February 21, 2024, 10:00 am Edgar Family Restaurant (127590 Opportunity Ln. Edgar)

For more information and to register for the meeting, visit https://go.wisc.edu/repro.

Pesticide Applicator Trainings 

Jerry Clark

Crops & Soils Educator

Chippewa, Dunn & Eau Claire 

UW-Madison Extension

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.

Live Training / Review Sessions. These one-day sessions are meant to be a general review of material in your manual and DO NOT cover everything that might appear on the certification exam. At the end of the review session, the certification exam will be given. You can sign up for sessions in the online store. Space is limited. All start times are 9:00am. You need to register to attend these locations at https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/45 cost is $10.00.

January 24 – Augusta-Bridge Creek Fire Department, 745 Industrial Dr., Augusta

February 5 – CDR Farms, 19769 85th St, Bloomer

February 15 - Dunn County Government Center, 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Menomonie

February 27 - Dunn County Government Center, 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Menomonie

March 12 - Chippewa Valley Dairy Supply, 6055 County Rd G, Stanley

2024 CAFO Update

Chippewa County Extension Office

(715) 726-7950

Dunn County Extension Office

(715) 232-1636

Eau Claire County Extension Office

(715) 839-4712

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.