UW Farm & Industry Short Course

Nominations are now open for CALS Honorary Recognition! These awards are some of the highest honors for alumni and supporters given by the college and Dean Glenda Gillaspy. We're looking for outstanding CALS alumni whose leadership and achievements are making an impact on Wisconsin and the world. If you know anyone who is living the Wisconsin Idea, nominate them today at https://cals.wisc.edu/about-cals/awards/honorary-recognition/. Nominations are due April 6.

In January, UW–River Falls Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) students made a trip down to Madison for the annual UW Farm & Industry Short Course Ag Forward short course! At Ag Forward, FISC students toured the Dairy Cattle Center, campus's working dairy farm, and learned about the wide range of research that the herd participates in. They also learned about the Dairy Innovation Hub, a state-funded research and development partnership between UW–Madison, UW–River Falls and UW–Platteville, and UW's system of agricultural research stations.

Learn more at https://news.cals.wisc.edu/2026/02/16/ag-forward-brings-uwrf-fisc-students-to-uw-madison-campus/

Registration for the UW Beekeeping Short Course closes on Sunday, February 8! 🐝

From Feb. 13–15, you'll learn:
• The basics of beekeeping and disease management
• The business and financial knowledge to build your business
• How to marketing and promote your products
• The regulations and insurance requirements for the sale of non-honey bee products

This course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Entomology, UW Farm & Industry Short Course, and the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association with support from a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) grant. Learn more and register at https://pollinators.wisc.edu/honey-bees/beekeeping-short-course/.

Are you a beekeeper interested in building or growing your own beekeeping business? The UW Beekeeping Short Course has you covered. 🐝

From Feb. 13–15, you'll learn:
• The basics of beekeeping and disease management
• The business and financial knowledge to build your business
• How to marketing and promote your products
• The regulations and insurance requirements for the sale of non-honey bee products

This course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Entomology, UW Farm & Industry Short Course, and the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association with support from a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) grant. Register by Tuesday, January 13 for the best pricing! Learn more and register at https://pollinators.wisc.edu/honey-bees/beekeeping-short-course/

📸: Zelin (Tony) Shen

Registration is now open for the UW Beekeeping Short Course! 🐝 Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale up, you'll learn how to build a thriving beekeeping business — from sustainable hive management and bee health to writing a business plan and marketing your products.

The course runs from Feb. 12–15 and is offered in collaboration with the Department of Entomology, UW Farm & Industry Short Course, and the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. Register by Tuesday, January 13 for the best pricing! Learn more and register at https://pollinators.wisc.edu/honey-bees/beekeeping-short-course/.

📸: Zelin Shen

You can still register for Spanish for Dairy Industry Level 2! This 4-week online course begins at the start of February is open to people who have completed Spanish for Dairy Industry Level 1 or have previous Spanish language experience. Learn more and register at https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/sfd-s25-l2/reg/Site/Register.

Wednesday, January 8 is the last day to purchase tickets for the 2025 UW Farm & Industry Short Course reunion and RSVP for the optional afternoon activities! Will we see you on Friday, January 24? Tickets are $45 per person. Learn more, buy your tickets, and RSVP at https://fisc.cals.wisc.edu/fisc-reunion-2025/.

Registration is still open for Spanish for Dairy Industry Level 2! This 4-week online course is open to people who have completed Spanish for Dairy Industry Level 1 or have previous Spanish language experience. Learn more and register at https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/sfd-s25-l2/reg/Site/Register.

Happy New Year, Badgers! CALS wishes you a joyful and exciting 2025. Here's to an amazing year ahead!

Have you registered for the 2025 FISC Reunion yet? Tickets are $45 per person. Join us for dinner, drinks, a reception, and an optional networking lunch and campus tour earlier in the afternoon. Guests are welcome! Learn more, buy your tickets to the reunion, and RSVP to the optional activities at https://fisc.cals.wisc.edu/fisc-reunion-2025/.

Save the date! The 2025 FISC Alumni Reunion is coming soon. Join the UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences and your fellow FISC alumni on Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Pyle Center on UW–Madison’s campus. Enjoy drinks, dinner, and a reception. Find more information and RSVP here: https://fisc.cals.wisc.edu/fisc-reunion-2025/