Summary Information
Margaret Krome Papers
1987-2015
Mss 1192
1.0 cubic foot (1 records center carton)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers, 1987-2015, of Margaret Krome, policy director, administrator, and writer, documenting her professional work with the Wisconsin Rural Development Center (WRDC) and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), her role in establishing the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her role as a grassroots coordinator who works to involve farmers, environmental advocates, and consumers in sustainable agriculture policy advocacy.
Forms part of the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Collection.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss01192 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Margaret Loomis Krome was born in 1956. She graduated in 1979 from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in English literature and studies in botany and biological sciences. From 1979 to 1983, she worked for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association in Washington, D.C., as an administrative assistant and lobbyist with the Access to Justice Project and Office of Congressional Relations. From 1983-1985, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in agroforestry for the Cameroonian Reforestation Service in Cameroon, West Africa. In 1989, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an M.S. from the Land Resources program of the Institute for Environmental Studies.
From 1986 to 1995, Krome served as Project Associate, Agricultural Policy Coordinator, and then Director of Sustainable Agriculture at the Wisconsin Rural Development Center (WRDC). She worked to establish a $2 million, 4-year farmer demonstration program at the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) that began in 1986. In 1987-1989 she was involved in establishing the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to foster sustainable agriculture research programs that would be driven by farmer, academic, and citizen input. Other activities at WRDC included a multi-year, on-farm economic analysis project (1988-1992) and a statewide high school sustainable agriculture curriculum project (1988-1995). In 1988-1990, she served as an Advisory Council member for the Wisconsin Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Program. She also conducted a pesticide reduction survey of Wisconsin farmers (1988-1990), and mobilized a farm coalition to gather funding for the Wisconsin Pesticide Risk Reduction Project (1997). She has held listening sessions for farm bills since the late 1980s, and since 1992 she has coordinated grassroots advocacy in support of sustainable agriculture appropriations for various sustainable agriculture organizations, including the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Since 1995 Krome has served as Policy Program Director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), where she oversees programs supporting sustainable agriculture, including farmer education and assistance programs and sustainable agriculture policy internships. On the state level, she works to ensure long term funding for sustainable agriculture initiatives. From 1995 to 1996, she also served on a DATCP advisory committee for the sustainable agriculture program. In 1999 the School of Natural Resources of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison awarded Krome the Wisconsin Idea award for Natural Resource Policy development. Other activities at the state level include service on the Governor's Livestock Siting Task Force (2003-2005), the Governor's Working Lands Initiative (2005-2006), Wisconsin's Green Tier Advisory Council (2005-2012), Wisconsin Integrated Pest and Crop Management group (2004-present), and UW-Madison's Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Committee (2009-present).
At the local level, Krome was involved in the establishment of the community-supported agriculture organization, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC, currently known as FairShare CSA Coalition) in 1992. She initiated a consumer education and outreach program called Healthy Meats! that promoted purchases of locally raised, sustainably produced meat, and served as its steering committee chair and project supervisor in her role at MFAI in 1998-1999. From 2000 to 2002, she collaborated on Wisconsin Pasturelands, a local meat marketing initiative. Krome also served as co-chair of a Subcommittee on Sustainable Agriculture of the Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee of the Dane County Board, in 2009-2010. Four workgroups (Farm Profitability, Farmland Preservation, Beginning Farmers, and Urban Agriculture and Food Security) made policy recommendations for local initiatives for education and technical assistance in support of sustainable agriculture.
Krome has served on a number of boards, including Wisconsin Citizen Action (1995-1999), Wisconsin's Environmental Decade (1991-2004; chair, 1993-1995), the Wisconsin Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (2003-2013), the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT, 2004-present), and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters' Board for the Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin project (2005-2007). She was a founding member of the Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group/Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and a member of its first Coordinating Council (1988-present). Krome also gives presentations on farm bill issues, federal support programs available to farmers, and food system education for consumers. She has served as a grants program reviewer (1988-present) and has led grant writing workshops across the state (2002-present). She has also written several publications and, since 1995, contributes a regular editorial column on agriculture and other issues for the Capital Times newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin.
Scope and Content Note
The Margaret Krome papers are arranged in three series: BIOGRAPHICAL, WORKING FILES, and SUBJECT FILES.
The BIOGRAPHICAL series consists of a folder with a University of Wisconsin state residency application.
The WORKING FILES series documents major projects on which Krome worked, including her role as Policy Program Director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, her involvement in the establishment of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her work coordinating grassroots support for agriculture appropriations for the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, and several other projects with which she was involved. While not comprehensive, the papers offer representative documentation of Krome's extensive professional activities.
The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) files, 1987-2015, include background materials, proposal drafts and reviews, correspondence, meeting materials, budget negotiations, a strategic plan (2001), an annual report (1991), and files relating to UW-Extension's Nutrient and Pest Management program and UW sustainable agriculture research programs.
The Correspondence file includes a few miscellaneous incoming and outgoing letters.
The Dane County Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee materials, 2009-2010, include meeting materials, correspondence about a radio interview, and news clippings on local food issues.
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) files, 1986-1996, document Krome's advocacy for sustainable agriculture funding and service on a DATCP advisory committee through meeting agendas and minutes, proposal drafts, advisory committee materials, reports, and letters to state lawmakers requesting their support.
The Honest Talk about the Food System group materials relate to a planned test campaign in 1996 for the Madison, Wisconsin, consumer market by the Agricultural Council of America (ACA) to promote conventional agriculture and defend the safety of agricultural inputs such as pesticides. The Honest Talk about the Food System group marshalled a counter-campaign questioning the safety of agricultural pesticides and affirming the benefits of organic farming. These materials include meeting memos and public opinion research materials about pesticides.
The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) materials include a few documents relating to policy priorities, staffing, and fundraising (2011-2015), as well as for specific programs such as a report from a managed grazing project which Krome oversaw (2006); grant proposals, correspondence, and a project summary for the Healthy Meats! program (1998-1999); drafts and memos for the Integrated Farming Systems program (1997-1998); grant correspondence, reports, news clippings, and a directory for holistic resource management in Texas for the Nurturing the Grassroots project related to organizing for sustainable agriculture in Mississippi and Texas (1998-2004); three editions of a publication on federal programs for sustainable agriculture that Krome either edited or co-authored (2001, 2004, 2009); materials from a sustainable agriculture leadership institute (2002); and planning and financial documents from the Wisconsin Pasturelands meat marketing cooperative project (2000-2002).
The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture (NCSA) materials include several folders of action alerts (1995-1997, 1999-2000) urging supporters to write or call their U.S. representatives and senators and listing key points about needed funding for sustainable agriculture programs. The folder for 1996 includes a press release about House cuts to a research program, an update on appropriations results after House-Senate negotiations, and a press release publicizing an event honoring Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl's support for federal sustainable agriculture program funding. Researchers should note that NCSA and the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) merged in 2009 and was renamed the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). Individual folder titles were taken from the organization's name during the relevant periods. Included in the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) materials are charts of action alerts targets and an undated draft statement on racial equity.
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) board materials include materials from two board meetings in 2012 and 2014.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension network proposal materials from 1993-1995 related to a UW-Extension coordinated farmer-to-farmer network to support sustainable agriculture production and marketing include draft proposal versions, memos, budget requests, reports, meeting minutes, notes, and interview information for network coordinator positions.
The Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (WISA) files include materials related to program information, the organization's re-visioning process in 2009-2010, and background materials on other sustainability centers in the United States.
The Wisconsin Rural Development Center (WRDC) files, 1987-1993, include letters to officials in the Clinton administration on agriculture issues, a position statement on proposed legislation, three copies of the newsletter for the Wisconsin Farmers' Research Network, an essay on WRDC and its involvement with sustainable agriculture, and Krome's report on Wisconsin farmers' barriers to reducing agricultural chemical use (also the subject of Krome's M.S. thesis in 1989), including a few farmer surveys.
The Workshop evaluations, undated but possibly from a 2004 MOSES Organic Farming Conference session, include feedback from several workshop participants for information Krome presented on using federal programs to support sustainable agriculture.
The SUBJECT FILES series includes materials on projects related to those on which Krome worked, such as conservation and the environment, pollution, pesticides, grazing, other sustainable agriculture organizations, food security, and local food initiatives.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Margaret Krome, April 6, 2016. Accession Number: M2016-036
Processed by Julia Wong, May 2016.
Contents List
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Mss 1192
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Series: Biographical
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Biographical information, 1989
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Series: Working Files
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Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS)
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Annual report, 1991 September 3
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Beginnings, 1987-1995
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) funding, 1991-1992
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Nutrient and pest management program (NPM), 1989-1990, 2015
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Strategic plan, 2001
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Box
1
Folder
7
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University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) institutional analysis, circa 1992
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Box
1
Folder
8-9
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University research, 1987-1990
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Box
1
Folder
10
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Correspondence, 1994, 2011-2013
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Dane County Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee
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Box
1
Folder
11
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Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) radio interview, 2009 September
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Box
1
Folder
12
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Meeting materials, 2009-2010
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Box
1
Folder
13
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News clippings, 2002-2009
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Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
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Box
1
Folder
14
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$2 million for sustainable agriculture demonstration program, 1986-1990
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Box
1
Folder
15
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“Sustainable Agriculture Program of Wisconsin,” report, 1989 May
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Box
1
Folder
16
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Sustainable agriculture program funding, 1994-1996
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Box
1
Folder
17
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Honest Talk about the Food System group, 1996?
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Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI)
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Box
1
Folder
18
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General, 2011-2015
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Box
1
Folder
19
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“The Future of Managed Grazing: Barriers to managed grazing in Wisconsin and how to overcome them,” report / by Jeanne Merrill, 2006 July
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Box
1
Folder
20
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Healthy Meats! SARE proposal, 1998-1999
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Box
1
Folder
21
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Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) program, 1997-1998
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Box
1
Folder
22
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Mississippi/Texas organizing (Nurturing the Grassroots project), 1998-2004
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Publications
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Box
1
Folder
23
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Building Better Rural Places: Federal programs for sustainable agriculture, forestry, entrepreneurship, conservation and community development / by Romana A. Vysatova and Laurie S.Z. Greenberg, revised by Valerie Burton and Jennifer Butler, edited by Margaret Krome, 2001 January
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Box
1
Folder
24
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Building Better Rural Places: Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Entrepreneurship, Conservation, and Community Development / by Margaret Krome, Susan LeVan, and David Zodrow, 2004 August
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Box
1
Folder
25
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Building Sustainable Places: Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Entrepreneurship, Conservation, and Community Development / by Margaret Krome, Teresa Maurer, and Katie Wied, 2009 October
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Box
1
Folder
26
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Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Institute, 2002 May
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Wisconsin Pasturelands
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Business plan
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Box
1
Folder
27
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2001 June
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Box
1
Folder
28
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2001 July
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Box
1
Folder
29
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Feasibility study, 2000 October
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Box
1
Folder
30
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Food Choices program kit, 2000
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Box
1
Folder
31
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Meeting agenda, 2001 August 6
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Box
1
Folder
32
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Rural business enterprise grant (RBEG), circa 2002
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Box
1
Folder
33
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Sales and payments, profit analysis, 2000-2002
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National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture (NCSA)
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Box
1
Folder
34
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Ag appropriations, 2000-2002
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Box
1
Folder
35-39
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Action alerts, 1995-1997, 1999-2000
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Box
1
Folder
40
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Correspondence, 1995-1997
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Box
1
Folder
41
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FY99 Agriculture Appropriations Priorities survey, 1997-1998
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Box
1
Folder
42
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Herd size limit rule, 1997
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Box
1
Folder
43
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National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) board materials, 2012, 2014
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National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
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Box
1
Folder
44
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Ag appropriations action alerts targets, Fiscal year (FY) 2008-2011
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Box
1
Folder
45
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Draft statement on racial equity, undated
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Box
1
Folder
46-47
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University of Wisconsin-Extension network proposal, 1993-1995
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Box
1
Folder
48
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Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (WISA), 2009-2010
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Wisconsin Rural Development Center (WRDC)
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Box
1
Folder
49
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Agriculture related issues, Clinton administration, 1993
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Box
1
Folder
50
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Plowsharing: Newsletter of the Wisconsin Farmers' Research Network, 1987-1988
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Box
1
Folder
51
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Sustainable Agriculture Policy Story, circa 1990
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Box
1
Folder
52
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Wisconsin Farmers' Constraints to Reducing Agricultural Chemicals: A Survey Analysis / by Margaret Krome, 1990 Winter
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Box
1
Folder
52 (continued)
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Farmer questionnaires, circa 1988
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Box
1
Folder
53
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Workshop evaluations, undated
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Series: Subject Files
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Box
1
Folder
54
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Agricultural Research Service (ARS) sustainable agriculture workshop, 1999
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Box
1
Folder
55
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Center for Rural Affairs (CRA) action alerts, 1997 May 8
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Box
1
Folder
56
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Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) publication: Federal Policy Advocacy Handbook / by Barrett Ebright in collaboration with Sarah Borron, circa 2006
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Box
1
Folder
57
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Conservation and environment, 1992-1997, 2011, 2015
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Box
1
Folder
58
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Grazing technical assistance, 2002-2007
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Box
1
Folder
59
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Livestock facility siting, 2010
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Box
1
Folder
60
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Sustainable agriculture working group (Midwest, Texas), 1990, 1993
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Box
1
Folder
61
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University of Wisconsin-Extension food projects, 2015, undated
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