Farming in Dane County, Wisconsin

Broader context

Without reviewed regional crop guidance for Wisconsin, the most reliable next step is the state's Extension service, which publishes crop, forage and livestock information for its own regions and can tell you what is commonly grown in Dane County. The links below cover the essentials for any county.

• USDA NASS Quick Stats for crops historically produced in the county (statistics, not a suitability test)
• USDA plant hardiness map for winter cold limits on perennials (not annual crops)
• NRCS Web Soil Survey for mapped soils (a map is not a soil test)
• Crop and enterprise guides for what each enterprise needs from the land

Local help for Dane County

County offices are best found through each agency's locator. Our directory is curated, not a complete list of local providers. All Wisconsin resources

• University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of ExtensionWisconsin

  Wisconsin's Extension service. It has an agriculture section and a county office finder for local farm questions.

  Cooperative ExtensionServes: Statewide (Wisconsin), through county officesFind a local officeVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• UW Soil and Forage LabWisconsin

  The University of Wisconsin soil and forage analysis lab in Madison. It tests farm and vegetable soils, lawn and garden soils, forage, manure and liming materials.

  Tests listed by the lab: farm and vegetable soil test, soil nitrate, food plot and wildlife soil test, plant tissue, forage, manure, lime

  Sampling and submission instructions · Current fees

  Soil and plant testing labsServes: Wisconsin soil, plant, forage and manure samplesOffice: Madison, WIVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• NACD Conservation District DirectoryNationwide

  National Association of Conservation Districts directory page with a way to find your local conservation district. Districts are local groups that often work with landowners and NRCS on soil, water and conservation questions.

  Soil and conservationServes: NationwideVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher CoordinatorsNationwide

  List of state coordinators who help new farmers and ranchers find USDA programs. The page asks you to reach out with details such as the location of your operation, so have a county or parcel in mind.

  USDA offices and programsServes: NationwideVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• USDA Service CentersNationwide

  Farmers.gov explains what a USDA Service Center is and how to get started there. Service centers are where a buyer or new farmer can reach Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development staff.

  USDA offices and programsServes: NationwideFind a local officeVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

Farm and ranch listings in Dane County

No participating listings in Dane County right now. See listings across Wisconsin.