People interested in learning more about the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers, or applying for this year’s upcoming class, can visit with the coordinator, Dick Cates, at a series of public events this fall.

In survey responses, many private woodland owners say that scenery, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities are more important to them than timber harvests. Now a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has come up with a method to estimate just how valuable those non-market goods are.

Whether you’re looking for winter-resistant finery for the front yard or fillings for next summer’s salad bowls, you’ll find ideas at Urban Horticulture Field Day, Saturday, Aug. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station.

The red carpet will be out for Urban Horticulture Field Day Aug. 19, but wanderers are welcome all summer long at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station’s gardens. The gardens are open to the public from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week. Self-guided tour booklets are available at the mailbox near the entrance to the Trial Gardens or in the station headquarters office. Station staff are usually available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions regarding the plants.

The 7th annual twilight tour for plant lovers will be held at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station Monday, Aug. 14.

The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has announced the appointment of five people to its Citizens Advisory Council. The new members will help set the agenda for Wisconsin research on food production, marketing, and distribution systems that are profitable, environmentally friendly, and good for local communities.

Some Wisconsin farmers harvest red clover three times during the summer, as if it were alfalfa; others take two cuts that are often made too late for optimal forage quality. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers say neither of those approaches is best.

A cell membrane protein thought mainly to bind “bad” cholesterol and remove it from circulation also plays a major role in reducing the production of that cholesterol, according to a study published this February in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The year 2000 began with some of the lowest commodity prices we’ve seen in decades. These depressed prices are making for difficult times in Wisconsin agriculture, and many farmers are re-examining their goals for their operations.

A Verona town-hall meeting to discuss community growth and land-use issues will be held at 7 p.m., February 24th at Verona City Hall, 111 Lincoln St. A town-hall Web site designed to inspire political discussion (www.cybercivic.com), and Verona cable station VHAT 12 will simulcast meeting. Citizens unable to attend can ask questions via the Web site or tune in to cable channel 12 and phone in questions.