The University of Wisconsin Division of Extension is the outreach arm of the University of Wisconsin System.  The UW-Madison Division of Extension provides statewide access to the resources and research of the University of Wisconsin, other universities and the United States Department of Agriculture, so that people of Wisconsin can learn, grown and succeed at all stages of life.  The UW-Madison Division of Extension carries out the tradition of the Wisconsin Idea – extending the boundaries of the university to the boundaries of the state.   

Similar forms of outreach, scholarship and service are conducted by other, non-Extension faculty and staff throughout the UW System, including UW-Madison.  

UW-Madison Extension and outreach activities support educational programs for farmers, businesses, communities, families and youth. 

Extension/Outreach Links

• Field Crop Pathology
• Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC)
• Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab (TDL)
• UW Seed Potato Certification Lab
• UW Fast Plants
• What’s Eating My Plants?
• UW Integrated Pest Crop Management
• UW Vegetable Pathology
• International Plant Virology Lab (Archive)
• Software for the Public

Extension Specialists in the UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology

Extension specialists on campuses of the University of Wisconsin System teach, conduct original applied research and interpret research of other scholars in response to local and state needs. These specialists provide statewide educational leadership in their disciplines and serve as resources to extension offices, state agencies, the legislature, professional associations, business and industry and other state and national groups.

The department has six extension specialists:

	Area	Name	Detailed Area Description
	Crops, Field	Damon Smith	Epidemiology and management of field crop diseases
	Crops, Fruit	Leslie Holland	Etiology and integrated management of diseases of fruit crops
	Crops, Organic and Sustainable	Erin Silva	Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems
	Crops, Potato and Vegetable	Amanda Gevens	Diagnosis, biology, and management of fungal and other pathogens of potato and vegetable crops in Wisconsin
	Turf	Paul Koch	Turf pathology
	Plant Disease Diagnostics	Brian Hudelson	Identification of non-turf plant diseases and delivery of information on disease control

Extension Plant Pathology Programs and Resources

Field Crops Pathology

The UW Field Crops Pathology team focuses on the biology, epidemiology, and management field crop diseases. Information and potential solutions to disease problems are evaluated using both applied and basic research. Field studies include station and on-farm research to test epidemiological models, evaluate pesticides, and improve our practical and biological understanding of various plant pathogens. The information generated by research directly services the extension program.  We develop, evaluate, and disseminate solutions to many of the disease problems associated with soybeans, corn, and wheat. We work closely with county extension agents, crop advisors, agribusinesses, and commodity groups. We develop disease management fact sheets, outreach courses, and electronic education resources.  We take an integrated approach to disease management using improved host resistance, cultural management, and chemical control techniques. One of our main research and extension efforts is the development and improvement of disease forecasting systems that can be used to accurately advise fungicide applications. Reducing or eliminating fungicide applications through the use of integrated disease management is profitable for the grower, and is a positive step toward sustainability in 21st century agriculture.

Fruit Extension Pathology

The mission of our lab is to understand the etiology of diseases and the epidemiology of pathogens destructive to fruit crops in Wisconsin to provide management solutions to stakeholders. Our program specializes in applied plant pathology, mycology, chemical control, and stakeholder education.We work with fruit growers in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest to enhance crop protection practices by identifying disease concerns and optimizing management approaches using an integrated approach.

Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) offers an educational framework for developing organic grain production in the Upper Midwest. Whether you farm 10 acres or 10,000, are an experienced organic grower or just considering the transition to organic, OGRAIN provides learning opportunities to improve your organic row crop and small grain operation. From weed control to marketing, grain storage to termination of specific cover crops, the OGRAIN community of experienced growers, researchers, industry experts and others is here to support you.

OGRAIN works with university researchers, extension experts, and community partners to develop and share resources, build relationships, and connect with farmers and other organic grain stakeholders. UW-Madison partners include the Cereals Breeding and Quantitative Genetics and Seed to Kitchen Collaborative programs, as well as nonprofit stakeholders including the Artisan Grain Collaborative, MOSES, and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.

Turfgrass Pathology

The overall goal of the Koch Lab’s Extension Program is twofold:

1. To disseminate science-based solutions to current problems facing the turfgrass industry out to general public and to turfgrass managers in Wisconsin and elsewhere in an innovative and efficient manner.

2. To funnel current and anticipated future problems facing the turfgrass industry into the research program so that research can be developed to address those problems.

Future extension initiatives will include reduced-input or reduced-risk turfgrass management, and will rely heavily on collaborative input and discussion among people within and outside of the turfgrass industry to make them successful.

The Turfgrass Science Tools page provides tools for the public and commercial turfgrass managers to help understand and manage their turfgrass needs.

Vegetable Pathology

As the UW-Extension Potato and Vegetable Pathologist, my program supports vegetable growers by providing research-based recommendations for controlling diseases during production and in storage. My research program directly feeds into my extension work. Along with a team of UW vegetable production scientists across departments, I extend knowledge through grower educational meetings, through our UW Vegetable Crop Updates Newsletter (https://vegpath.plantpath.wisc.edu/category/newsletter/) distributed online and by email, through direct email or phone consultations, and through one-on-one visits and discussion. The connections between researchers and growers are strong in WI, with growers providing extensive intellectual and farm resources in contribution to world-class applied and basic agricultural research.

Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program

Healthy seed potatoes are the key to success for potato growers and seed potato certification helps growers raise a profitable crop.

Since 1913, the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP) has inspected and certified Wisconsin seed potatoes. The WSPCP, which is in the UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology, started as a collaboration between farmers and UW faculty. Both the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection also provide program oversight.

Our goal is to provide potato farmers with seed potato planting stock that is healthy and without varietal mixture.

We do this through inspections and laboratory testing of the seed potato crop and through the expertise of Wisconsin seed potato growers. Early generation seed potato stocks produced in our potato tissue culture laboratory and at the Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm aid in this endeavor by providing Wisconsin farmers with a reliable source of healthy seed potatoes.

UW Integrated Pest and Crop Management

The University of Wisconsin Integrated Pest and Crop Management (IPCM)  programs—Nutrient and Pest Management Program (NPM) and Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM)—work cooperatively to address critical issues regarding pest management, pesticide use, and nutrient management by Wisconsin farmers and landowners.

Diagnostic Labs

The department has two diagnostic labs.

Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic

The Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) provides assistance in identifying plant diseases and provides educational information on plant diseases and their control.

PDDC clients include agricultural and horticultural producers (e.g., farmers, nursery owners); agricultural and horticultural professionals (e.g., crop consultants, arborists); home gardeners; Extension staff and Master Gardener volunteers and state and local government (e.g., Wisconsin DNR, city and county foresters).

Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab

The Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab (TDL) provides fast and accurate diagnostic information and management recommendations for all turf health issues concerning both commercial turfgrass managers and homeowners. Proper diagnosis and management can provide a lush, healthy stand of turf with limited pesticide applications that will benefit the environment, increase property values, and allow for recreational activity. The Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab is a nonprofit service supported by faculty and staff in the departments of Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Soil Science, and Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Educating the Public

Wisconsin Fast Plants

Wisconsin Fast Plants provides learning materials and classroom activities for all ages to use. The materials have been used by K-16 teachers around the world for nearly 30 years as an educational model-organism.

What’s Eating My Plants? 

Founded in 2010 by Plant Pathology graduate students, the organization is dedicated to bridging the gap between the University and the greater Madison community. The students visit Family Science Nights at schools, community centers, and Saturday Science at the WID throughout the year.