Discovery Farms Summit Agenda preview

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

9:00 a.m.
Registration
10:00 a.m.
Beginning at the beginning: The start of Discovery Farms
Dennis Frame, Discovery Farms Co-Founder, and Joe Bragger, first Discovery Farms participant
In the early 2000s, researchers, policymakers and farmers were grappling with rules and regulations necessary to achieve water quality goals in Wisconsin. To address questions about the impact of agricultural practices on water quality, Wisconsin needed research data from real, working farms. The idea for an on-farm research program was born and is now operational in multiple states across the US. Dennis and Joe will take us back to the beginning of the program and share an inside perspective from the creators of the program. 
11:00 a.m. 
Funding credible on-farm research panel
Brenda Murphy, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
Adam Birr, Minnesota Corn Growers
Terry Quam, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association
Discovery Farms Programs would not exist without our supporters. This panel of Wisconsin and Minnesota key Discovery Farms funders will share their candid reasons why they started supporting this type of on-farm research. The group will also share the value in continuing to support the programs and how the information produced is used in their messaging to farmers and consumers.
12:00 p.m.
Here we are: Data summary from 100+ site years of surface runoff data
Tim Radatz, Discovery Farms Minnesota, Coordinator
The day began with our roots, Tim will share how the Discovery Farms tree has branched and where the program still has room to grow. Here’s your first chance of the day to get a peek at data from Wisconsin and Minnesota’s combined 100+ site years of data from edge-of-field surface runoff on agricultural fields of all varieties. 
12:30 p.m.
LUNCH
1:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
1. Discovery Farms participants: the farms behind the dataset
Farmer participants from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Arkansas
These data are collected on-farm, how do they apply to the farm? Hear from farmers that have participated in Discovery Farms research and used the information to make decisions on their farms.
2. Incorporating Discovery Farms science into best management practices
Sara Walling, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Dustin Goering, National Weather Service
Laura Good, UW-Madison, Department of Soil Science
Drew Kessler, Houston Engineering
Eric Hurley, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
On-farm research isn’t just important to the farmer, but also those who create tools and policies that are used by agriculture. Data from Discovery Farms have improved models and tools and added more science into policy. 
3:00 p.m. 
BREAK
3:15 p.m.
Here we are: Data summary from 100+ years of tile drainage data
Eric Cooley,  Discovery Farms Wisconsin, Co-Director
Even though Discovery Farms started with only surface water monitoring, it quickly became apparent that tile drainage was just as important to understanding agricultural water quality. With monitoring on over 30 farms, the combined Wisconsin and Minnesota dataset gives a new look at the similarities and differences in tile systems. 
4:00 p.m.
Breakout sessions
1. Discovery Farms data as a basis for publications and projects
Matt Ruark, UW-Madison, Department of Soil Science
Jeppe Kjaersgaar, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Kevin Kuehner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
The Discovery Farms dataset has a tremendous possibility for peer-reviewed publications and to reference in related projects. These examples are sure to spur many more ideas.
2. Part of the team: Invaluable local and state partnerships
Dennis Fuchs, Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District
Chuck Bolte, Ag Source Laboratories
Todd  Stuntebeck, United States Geological Survey
Scott Matteson and Katie Rassmussen, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
We can’t do it alone, and we don’t. Discovery Farms maximizes the reach and value of our research together with partners, both local and statewide. From monitoring to community outreach, partners are one of the engines that drive our work.
5:30 p.m.
BREAK
6:15 p.m.
DINNER