Agricultural Ecosystems Research Group

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June 2010 Visits to Central Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Field Sites

2010 Wisconsin Grasslands Bioenergy Symposium summary

Wisconsin Grasslands Bioenergy Symposium (Feb. 2010) flyer

Symposium program

Symposium podcasts

Symposium background

Charter Street Heat & Power Plant Requests for Information (due April 1, 2010)

The Agricultural Ecosystems Research Group (AERG) is a Wisconsin-based consortium of researchers, outreach and policy experts, educators, and practitioners (e.g., farmers) interested in whole-system approaches to pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Mission

We conduct research to improve understanding of agricultural ecosystems and to develop and deliver solutions to challenges of high priority within the state of Wisconsin.  We share these findings to encourage public policy and land management decision-making that: support agricultural production of high quality food, feed, fiber and fuel; enhance the natural resource base and the environment; sustain rural livelihoods; and benefit society as a whole.

Background and Description

Originally established in the 1990s, a 2009 Wisconsin Focus On Energy grant has revitalized the AERG. Participants perform field-based and interdisciplinary research and outreach projects focusing on bioenergy and grasslands in Wisconsin. Professional staff members under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and University of Wisconsin personnel, coordinate the AERG. Our Executive Committee advises us:

• Richard Cates, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  
• Scott Hull, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  
• Randy Jackson, Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  
• Laura Paine, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
  
• Pam Porter, Biomass Energy Resource Center
  
• Ken Ragland, Emeritus, Department of Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  
• Alan Turnquist, Program on Agricultural Technology Studies, U. of Wisconsin - Madison
  
• Dan Undersander, Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Click here for a description of current projects.

Contact us

AERG Coordinator:
	Carol Williams, research associate Department of Forest &Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin - Madison 1630 Linden Dr., Rm. 204 Madison, WI  53706-1598 (608) 890-3169 curriculum vitae
Supervisors:
	Christine Ribic, professor Forest & Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin - Madison (608) 263-6556 David Sample, grassland community ecologist Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources (608) 221-6351

Updated: 2010.07.28