2024 WWASH Impact Report

Bridging Research and Applied On-farm Knowledge

The 2024 Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference brought together over 395 attendees to engage with the latest in agronomy, water quality, and soil health. Over two days, attendees gained valuable insights, practical knowledge, and increasing confidence to try new things on their own farms or the farms they work with.

The WWASH conference effectively bridges research with practical on-farm experience to equip farmers, agronomy, and conservation professionals with the tools for continued discussions, practice adoption, and collaboration opportunities that successfully reach beyond the two-day event.

Who Attends WWASH?

The WWASH committee makes a concerted effort to ensure the voices of farmers, agronomists, and conservation professionals are represented and direct the planning process by convening various planning committees with farm, industry, and agency representatives across the state.

40%

First-time attendees

60%

Returning attendees

Pie chart showing Farmers 51%, Agency Staff 23%, Extension Educators 14%, Other 9%, Retailers 3%.

51% Farmers
- 42% Cash Grain
- 24% Beef Cattle
- 18% Dairy
- 8% Organic farmers
- 8% Vegetable
23% Agency Staff
14% Extension Educators
9% Other
3% Retailers

Respondents were allowed to choose more than one category.

What Attendees Find Most Valuable

Sharing applied, on-farm experiences.

Gaining actionable insights.

Strengthening network connections.

Building community, collaboration, and confidence.

Practical Takeaways

More ways to manage cover crops with manure applications

Interseeding and adding wheat into the rotation

Environmental benefits of cover crops and extended crop rotations

Managing for interactions between predators, pollinators, and pests on cover crops

Using cover crops for nitrogen management

Trying field border strips to improve profitability

What do Attendees Learn at WWASH?

94%

of survey respondents reported learning about opportunities and projects to partner or gain information about soil health and water quality.

95%

of survey respondents reported learning about land management and nutrient application strategies to minimize runoff, soil loss and leaching risks.

95%

of survey respondents reported learning about how to adapt farming practices to implement soil health and conservation practices.

92%

of survey respondents reported increased confidence implementing or suggesting practices discussed at the conference.

What WWASH Attendees are Saying

People seated at round tables in a conference room.

“WWASH is a great place to reassure you that you are not alone on this journey!”

2024 WWASH Attendee

Large conference room with attendees at round tables, a presenter on stage, and a projection screen behind them.

“This conference is genuinely great for networking and problem solving issues as a group.”

2024 WWASH Attendee

“As a farmer/landowner it was valuable to hear the stories and strategies of other farmers and their journey of what was successful and not successful.”

2024 WWASH Attendee

We want to hear from you! How has WWASH impacted you? Share your thoughts with us at agwater@extension.wisc.edu.