PATS is an applied research and extension unit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We have two permanent staff members and four official faculty affiliates, though we work closely with many other researchers and policy makers in the state. PATS also meets annually with a program advisory committee composed of a diverse group of 15-20 individuals, including university researchers, farmers, business owners, and state agency employees. This group helps guide our work and outreach efforts, as well as provide networking assitance as needed. While we all gather once per year, we rely heavily on many of the members of this committee as project partners throughout the year.

In our work, we primarily study the impacts of technological change and public policies on Wisconsin farms. This work is wide-ranging, and includes current projects that analyze:

• Causes and impacts of a growing immigrant labor force on Wisconsin dairy farms


• Expansion of alternative dairy production systems (e.g. organic, grazing, Amish)


• Land use trends


• Biotechnology adoption


• Economics and environmental impacts of biomass production

To distribute the findings from these research activities, we speak at conferences and other group gatherings as well as produce high-quality publications in formats ranging from in-depth reports to brief summaries emphasizing practical implications for public and private decision-makers. Please search or browse our publication on this website and contact us if you need any assistance.