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Regional crop educator outlines nitrogen pilot, invasive-weed outreach and agrivoltaic demonstrations
Summary
Walworth County's regional crop educator described a county-focused nitrogen optimization trial, right-of-way weed management work, moth monitoring, a potential demonstration in a Janesville solar site with Alliant Energy, and a crop scout training series.
Josh, the regional crop educator, briefed the Walworth County Board of Agriculture Extension Education Committee on April 21 about multiple field programs and partnerships planned for the growing season.
Josh said the county will participate in the second year of a Department of Agriculture nitrogen optimization pilot this year. He described a replicated nitrogen-rate trial being established on a cooperating operation identified as Metcalfe Farm and said the project will assess nutrient availability in biosolids produced on-site in collaboration with a contact named Jared at Wall Comet. The educator said results will be shared when available.
He reported recent outreach on invasive-weed management and a meeting with a local highway department about right-of-way vegetation costs and potential control strategies, including occasional herbicide use or growth retardants to reduce mowing frequency.
Josh also said more Walworth County farms have joined a moth-trapping network to monitor early flights of pests such as true armyworm and black cutworm; he cautioned that moth captures precede any possible larval crop damage.
On demonstration projects, Josh said he has discussed using unused areas within a Janesville Alliant Energy solar site for specialty or perennial crops that might tolerate partial shade; planting could begin as soon as fall if approvals are completed. He described the site as a mix of community solar and cooperative ownership and said the proposal could include community-facing demonstration crops such as honeyberries.
Finally, Josh described a crop scout training program with virtual content followed by three in-person field locations in Lancaster, Arlington and Marshfield to support new scouts and crop consultants.
Committee members asked timing and next steps; Josh said the planting timeline depends on approvals and that outreach events will be scheduled as plans firm up. No committee action was taken.
