Farm Viability
Research, tools, and information on how farmers can build and maintain an economically viable farm business.
Compass tools
Compass Tools help farmers with data-driven decision-making to become more profitable and sustainable. The CIAS Compass Toolbox contains a suite of whole farm profit management spreadsheet tools to help farmers understand their costs of production, identify what products and markets are best for them, and identify ways to improve profitability. Compass Workshops help train farmers and service providers to use these tools.
Veggie Compass
Livestock Compass
Fruit & Nut Compass
Pasture-Based Beef Enterprise Compass
OGRAIN Compass – NEW 2023 VERSION
Hemp Compass
Grassland 2.0 Grazing Compass Tools
These tools, built in collaboration with the Grassland 2.0 Program, evaluate a transition from a confinement to a pasture-based system of raising animals. They analyze the financials of the grazing season to estimate cost and labor savings. They help estimate the amount of land needed, paddock establishment and operating costs, and also include an evaluation of the nutritional composition of a feeding plan focused on grazing.
Heifer Grazing Compass
Beef Grazing Compass
PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES
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Building Knowledge about Wisconsin’s Cover Crops
A farmer research project: The Wisconsin Cover Crop Survey is kicking off a fourth year after reaching nearly 100 farms surveyed to date. They are […]
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Organic Alternative Cured Hot Dog Sensory Testing
July 25th-27th, 10:30am-3:30pm Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery – 1933 Observatory Dr. Madison, WI 53706 Come taste up to four samples of ready-to-eat hotdogs. […]
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Teaching, Research, and Extension Experiences in Agroecology and Organic Agriculture in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with Anelise Dias
July 21st, 2023 – 10:30am-11:30am Room 594 – Russell Labs Please join us for this seminar to learn more about organic agriculture and agroecology in […]
CIAS PARTNERS
Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN)
Ellen Polishuk, Plant to Profit
Jim Munsch, Deer Run Farm
NEWS
These tools, built in collaboration with the Grassland 2.0 Program, evaluate a transition from a confinement to a pasture-based system of raising animals. They analyze the financials of the grazing season to estimate cost and labor savings. They help estimate the amount of land needed, paddock establishment and operating costs, and also include an evaluation of the nutritional composition of a feeding plan focused on grazing.
- AI tools for democratizing food networks: scaling national, regional and localwith Dr. Song Gao, Michelle Miller and Dr. Alfonso Morales,University of Wisconsin Madison, May 21, 2026 The University of Wisconsin-Madison hosted a collaborative web presentation… Read more: AI tools for democratizing food networks: scaling national, regional and local
- Who Shops at Farmers Markets in the US?Who shops at farmers markets? In a new article in The Conversation U.S., CIAS Faculty Associate and Professor Bret Shaw (Life Sciences Communication and Division… Read more: Who Shops at Farmers Markets in the US?
- Food Flows and Digital Twins: Making Food Network Information Actionable (Summary)Food flows and digital twins: making food network information actionable with Dr. Kushank Bajaj, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Dr. Bajaj presented a comprehensive… Read more: Food Flows and Digital Twins: Making Food Network Information Actionable (Summary)
- Earth Fest: Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present and Future of the Self-Provisioning CityMonday, April 20th, 5pm @ Conrad A. Elvehjem Building, Room L140, 800 University Ave, Madison, WI Register for a chance to receive a free copy… Read more: Earth Fest: Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present and Future of the Self-Provisioning City
- INVITE: Introducing the Super Transport CoopThursday, April 30, 5-9pm, 2026 @the Eight10, 810 Churchill Street, Waupaca WI This event formally introduces the STC vision, its intended impact and opportunities for… Read more: INVITE: Introducing the Super Transport Coop