(NOVEMBER) HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS

The Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Workshop Roadshow will start in November with workshops titled “Making Decisions About Local Food Sales Opportunities Using the Holistic Management Framework” in four locations.

The workshops will be in Platteville Wednesday, Nov. 11; Madison Thursday, Nov. 12; Wisconsin Rapids Friday, Nov. 13; and Eau Claire Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The workshops will center on a new framework for decision-making called “holistic management.” Holistic management is a systems-thinking approach to farm management that strives to build biodiversity, improve production, build financial strength, and improve the farmer’s quality of life.

Dane County Farmers Market manager and veteran holistic management educator Larry Johnson will lead the workshops, with assistance from long-time University of Wisconsin-Extension agent and holistic management expert Andy Hager.

The cost to attend either the Nov. 11 or Nov. 12 workshop is $50 for the first farm partner and $20 for additional farm partners. The workshops will also take place as a part of two larger conferences: “Connecting Threads: A Conference for Women Farmers” on Friday, Nov. 13 in Wisconsin Rapids; and the “12^th Annual Value Added Agriculture Conference” on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 in Eau Claire.

For more information and to register for the workshops or the conferences, go to www.datcp.state.wi.us and look under “online services.” Information and registration materials are also available by contacting Kenny Monroe, kenneth.monroe@wi.gov, phone 608-224-5112.

Additional Buy Local Buy Wisconsin workshops will be offered in early 2010, including Quickbooks 101 for Farmers, Post-Harvest Handling for Vegetable Production Quality and Success, and Food Safety on the Market Farm.

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