The United States Department of Agriculture- Natural Resource Conservation Service is located at 440 N US HWY 14, Janesville, WI. We partner with USDA-NRCS to provide technical assistance to landowners as well as cost share for various conservation practices. 

 
USDA-NRCS phone number: 608-754-6617 extension 3

Mission statement of Farmers on the Rock:

"Farmers on the Rock is a farmer-led, nonprofit organization focused on using innovative production strategies with a focus on sustainable production practices that improve water quality and environmental sustainability. Through education, collaboration, and demonstrations we will share ideas that offer increased efficiency and sustainable production practices. As farmers we aim to be good stewards of the land and preserve our resources to provide a productive landscape for future generations to utilize."

Farmers on the Rock is a separate entity from the county government. For more information on Farmers on the Rock and to learn more about their conservation cost-share incentive programs and upcoming events, please visit http://farmersontherock.com or email farmersontherock@gmail.com.

The local UW-Extension office is located at 3506 N US Highway 51, Janesville, WI 53545. They have a variety of programs to support landowners and the community. 

Local Contacts:

• Julie Hill, Rock County Horticulture Outreach Specialist. 
  • julie.hill@wisc.edu 
  • 262-741-4958
• Josh Kamps, Regional Crops Educator
  • joshua.kamps@wisc.edu
  • 608-673-0680
• Alison Pfau, Regional Dairy Educator
  • apfau@wisc.edu
  • 608-220-4779

Not sure who to contact? Call or email Brad Meier, Office Coordinator (bradley.meier@co.rock.wi.us or 608-757-5066)

The Yahara WINS program focuses on the protection and preservation of soils and water quality in the Yahara River watershed. Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is leading community partners including Rock County in innovative strategies of watershed adaptive management, targeting phosphorus reduction. Rock County offers incentive payments to willing and eligible agricultural landowners for the purpose of soil and water quality conservation. Phosphorus reducing practices include but are not limited to vegetative buffers, row crop to perennial cover,  wetland developments, and waterway installations. Most practices allow harvesting for hay crop.

Eligibility for the Yahara WINS program includes being located within the Yahara River watershed of Rock County, owning agricultural lands with a minimum of two years of farm history, providing updated soil tests, and meeting other site-specific phosphorus reduction criteria.

Please contact Paul King at (608) 289-0877 or paul.king@co.rock.wi.us for more information.

The Rock River Coalition is a nonprofit organization focused on improving environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic resources of the Rock River Basin. 

 There are numerous volunteer opportunities through the RRC, including stream monitoring. Please visit their website for more information. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a variety of resources available to the public. The DNR also oversees a variety of permits related to water resources, excavation work, and more.  The DNR also has a public map viewer for citizens. 

The local DNR service center is located at 2514 Morse St, Janesville, WI 53545. Their phone number is 608-743-4800.

Rock County annually participates in the Wisconsin Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claim Program. This program is funded through hunting license fees, and is designed to help prevent crop damage due to deer, geese, bear, and turkeys. The program will provide abatement assistance, including shooting permits, to reduce damage and will also pay some compensation for damage to crops.

The program tries to deter as much damage as possible and the key to doing this is to act early. Deer can be damaging alfalfa crops as soon as the crown appears from under the snow. This damage to the crown can result in long-term yield reductions. Damage to corn can occur when deer pull out seedlings or bite off tender silks. Goose damage usually occurs during molting when adult geese are unable to fly. Small grain and corn are their favorite foods during this time. Geese pull young plants out of the ground to eat. Most of the reported damage occurring in Rock County is due to geese. The program can help if you are having damage or even anticipate damage based on prior years. Again, the key is to act early. Program administration is contracted to the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, known as APHIS. They can be contacted at 1-800-433-0663.

DNR Website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/damage