June 11, 2025

Producer-led watershed groups leading the way in conservation

48 minutes

Farmers are leading the way in conservation efforts through producer-led watershed groups, and today we are going to learn more about these farmer networks, common conservation practices and future goals. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Brody Stapel and Ricardo Costa discuss the following topics:

Backstory of producer-led watershed groups

Common conservation practices within the groups

Challenges

Opportunities to engage with the non-farming community

Test sites and research

Game-changing techniques

Conservation practices that have potential

Future goals and strategies

This episode is brought to you by The Nature Conservancy.

About the guests

Brody Stapel is a dairy farmer from Cedar Grove, Wisconsin milking 250 cows and farming 900 acres with his brother Jory, and Father Rudy, their wives, 10 kids and multiple employees!! They also own and operate 2 beef feedlots and recently launched a direct to consumer brand focused on glass bottled milk, beef and other Stapels from the farm. Brody is the President of the Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers, which is group of farmers in the Sheboygan river basin area that came together to test and explore farming strategies that improve soil health, allow greater farming efficiency, sustain profitability and lessen the impact on the environment.

Ricardo Costa serves as the Associate Director of Agriculture Strategy for TNC in Wisconsin. With a strong background in plant sciences and agronomy, he began his career as a Field Crops Educator and Plant Pathology instructor at Michigan State University Extension, where he worked directly with farmers to develop and implement conservation practices. He is a Certified Crop Advisor and a 4R Nutrient Management Specialist. In his role at TNC, Ricardo collaborates with farmer-led groups, private industry, and government agencies to advance conservation practices across Wisconsin.

Resources

Producer-Led Group Roadmap and more

Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Grant Program

Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers website

Farm Stapels website

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

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