On Farm Demonstration & Research Projects

SSWIG conducts on-farm demonstration and research projects to showcase practices and collect data about our area. The following are a few projects SSWIG collaborates on with other agencies, organizations, and farms that have shared interest and common goals.

Sauk County Farm Demonstration Fields

We began working on demonstration trials on two field plots at the Sauk County Farm in Spring 2023. The focus of the plots is to demonstrate ways to integrate cover crops into different rotations, and monitor the impact of various treatments applied. We work with the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department, UW Extension, and other community partners.

Rotational Grazing Cover Crops with the Sand County Foundation

Four famers from SSWIG are working with the Sand County Foundation and UW Madison Agroecology Department on a three year project, to demonstrate and better understand the conservation and economic benefits of rotationally grazing cover crops.

Disintegrated cotton underwear from the "Soil Your Undies" program, showing healthy microbial activity in farmland

SSWIG "Soil Your Undies"

The Soil Your Undies Challenge brings awareness to soil health. SSWIG members "planted" new cotton underwear in their fields, pastures, forests, prairies, and lawns. The undies are buried underground for 30-60 days. Organisms in the soil break down the cotton in the underwear during this time. The more broken down, the healthier the soil is due to greater soil organism activity.

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