The Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance held its annual meeting on Jan. 26, bringing together over 30 farmers, supporters, and community members to discuss the group’s ongoing conservation efforts and celebrate progress made over the past year.
Discovery Farms, a farmer-led research and outreach program within UW-Madison Extension, has been conducting studies with farms in Calumet County, measuring nitrate leachate using lysimeters. Lindsey Hartfiel, UW-Extension Research Project Manager, shared results and explained how monitoring of soil and nutrient loss from fields will continue to improve the understanding of the timing and magnitude of nitrate leachate in the area.
Dean Heimermann, owner of Countryside Aviation, discussed the benefits of aerial seeding cover crops. It helps reduce soil compaction and lessen crop loss or damage throughout crop fields.
Farmers for Sustainable Food strategic account manager Marti Viste shared results from CCASA’s 2025 Member Conservation Practice Survey. The survey involved 23 farms and showed an increase in conservation practices compared to 2024 and 2023.
“Our annual meeting is always a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow farmers and supporters,” said CCASA president John Schwarz of Schwarz Farms. “We value your ongoing support and input to expand our group and its impact.”
During the business portion of the meeting, members re-elected four CCASA board members: Bob Danes, Paul Meyers, Kurt Schneider (vice president), and Ken Rach. Other board members include: John Schwarz, president; John VandenBoom, treasurer; Lauren Danes, secretary; Jim Casper, and David Geiser.
Learn more: https://calumetcounty.org/978/Calumet-County-Ag-Stewardship-Alliance
