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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAg & Extension Committee 01-04-2000 x ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Tom Dorsey, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Claris Bethke, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Extension Ag Committee/Resource& Education Committee DATE: January 4, 2000 TIME: 12:30 p.m. LOCATION: Agricultural Services&Education Center,Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: ACTION ON FREVIOUS MINUTES ACTION ON VOUCHERS UNFT ISHED BUSINESS: ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT • Federal Budget Update • State Budget Update • County Budget Update • WACEC Meeting Report-- Chris Bethke and Leon Berenscb.ot • Agent Performance Appraisals • Family Living Position 4-H& YOUTH AGENT'S REPORT • 4-14 Enrollment Educational Programs scheduled by 4-PI Project Committees • New Family Newsletter PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S REPORT • Newsletter Printing Services • 2000 Collection Programs: Appliance,Hivardous Waste,Tires,TV-Computers RESOURCE AGENT'S REPORT • Small Business Management Programs • TTigh Growth Community Workshop • Drinking 'Water Testing Programs AG AGEN'T'S RE'PORT • Educational Program Update • Dairy Quality Assurance Concept 1 X Ag& Extension/Resource&Education/Planning Committee 14-2000 Agricultural Services & Education Center Convened: 12:35 p.m. Baldwin, Wi. Adjourned 2:30 p.m. Present: Leon Berenschot, Ronald Raymond,Art Jensen, Chris Bethke,Lois Bum, Dave Fodroczi, - Lee Milligan, Jim Janke,Mary Lestrud, Kim Reaman,Diana Alfuth. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Chris Bethke. Date of next meeting was set for February 1,2000 Berenschot moved that the agenda be adopted as presented. Bum seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jensen moved that the previous meeting's minutes be approved. Berenschot seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jensen moved that the vouchers be approved. Bum seconded the motion. Motion carried. Administrative Report Federal Budget Update—No report. State Budget Update—No Report. County Budget Update—Three unexpected line items are over budget: postage, office supplies and copies. Reaman is researching the cause and will report to the committee. WACEC—Berenschot, Janke and Reaman attended the District 5 WACEC meeting in Black River Falls. Bethke was unable to attend due to illness. Berenschot reported on the needs identification process which was completed in small groups of staff and WACEC members. Berenschot was elected president of District 5 WACEC. He also announced his selection on the National Leadership Seminar sponsored by WACEC and UW-Extension. Agent Performance Appraisals—Reaman reminded the committee that performance appraisals will be conducted at the February committee meeting. The procedure will be the same as it has been in the past. Perkl will meet individually with the committee to review each program area and will then meet individually with the agents. Family Living Position—Lestrud has expressed a desire to increase her appointment from the current 75% time to 100% in 2001. She highlighted additional programming that could be offered if she were working full time. The cost share with the University would be the regular 60 (university)/40 (county) split for the additional 25%time. The cost to the county-,ould be approximately $5000. Moved by Berenschot, seconded by Burri to support the Family Living 1 position increase to 100%. Passed. Reaman will contact Deb Kathan and Mike Perkl to identify the proper procedure to follow. Other Business—Reaman distributed the Office Chair Appointment letter to be signed by the committee members. Reaman will continue as the Office Chair for the 2000 calendar year. 4-H Youth Development 4-H Enrollment—Current 4-H re-enrollment is at 720 members and 225 leaders. New enrollments are accepted until the end of January so those numbers are likely to increase. Reaman reported on the members who did not re-enroll. There is a perception that many 4-H'ers leave the program in the 8-9th grades when they become more active in school ac tivities. This report indicates that is not the case in St. Croix County. There is not a mass departure in those grades but in fact, the numbers of members not enrolling in each grade is fairly consistent. It ranges from 11 to 20 members. Reaman is developing a survey to determine why members do not re-enroll. The reasons could range from "just too busy", which the Leaders' Council can't do anything about, to "didn't have a good project experience", a reason the Leaders' Council could do something about. Educational Programs Scheduled by 4-H Project Committees-4-H project committees, consisting of adults and youth offer many educational programs for 4-H members. Their efforts reach many more youth than the 4-H agent could alone. Upcoming programs are 4-H Mini Talent Explosion (public speaking, interpretive reading, drama, music, demonstrations; arts/crafts and photography); llama project members will learn about history of llamas in their native lands and how to care for the wool on and off the animal as well as a chance to spin wool from the llama; meat animal project members have the opportunity to attend a beef feeding clinic and an ultrasound workshop for goats and sheep; the photography committee and cultural arts committee are also planning workshops for the spring. 4-H Web Page—A volunteer leader and a team of 4-H members will be developing a St. Croix County 4-H Web Page in the next couple of weeks. It will be located on the St. Croix County UWEX Web Page site at the University's server. 2000 Plat Books—Expected delivery is mid January. The cost will be $22 per book. The increase was necessary to help cover the dramatic increase in the cost of publishing the new book. Resource Agent Report Janke said that small business management counseling has been scheduled in Hudson on January 19. The most recent session was on November 30 with four clients. The January session will be the first using the new Small Business Development Center at UW-River Falls. New Richmond was one of the pilot communities for UW-Extension's "High Growth Community Workshop." The city council participated in a 3 hour session led by Janke and Extension specialists from the Local Government Center. Extension is providing a follow-up fiscal analysis of how New Richmond compared to other cities in the state. A similar workshop is scheduled for the Town of Hudson on January 18. Janke and the LWCD staff have scheduled 6 Drinking Water Testing and Education Programs for 2000. Janke will be meeting with the Town Boards in Kinnickinnic. Star Prairie, and Troy to see if they would be interested in hosting programs in March and April. Janke indicated that the cost of sending publicity to the residents in the participating towns in 1999 contributed to a shortfall in the postage budget. In order to avoid this problem in 2000, Janke suggested a surcharge of$1.00 be added to the charge for the laboratory fee for Homeowners Package. The committee agreed that the - surcharge was appropriate. Ag Agent's Report Milligan Organized the AAIMS record keeping meeting 'Ten people participated and learned how to use the computer program for keeping farm records. Wayne & Jane Van Beek,Richard and Mike Kamm and Ken-Rich Farms participated in the Profits Through Efficient Production Systems (PEPS) program this year. This is lowest cost per bushel contest. Corn yields ranged from 180—200 bushels per acre. Contest results will be announced in February. The Understanding Inunigrant Employees: Laws. Culture& Ethics seminar was developed by Milligan and Carl Duley, Buffalo County Agriculture Agent. Thirty-seven people attended. Evaluations indicate that four of the five speakers provided a significant amount of new information that would be utilized in the attendees farm business. Participants are seeking more information on English/Spanish language, finding Hispanic labor. and integrating Hispanic people into a community. Milligan and Duley are planning a follow-up program for spring. The St. Croix County Dairy Promotion Committee met with Milligan to develop their 2000 plan of work. Farm/City Day will be one of their activities. Milligan met with the West Central Croix Valley Graziers planning committee. They planned their demonstration project and summer meetings. Milligan taught at the UW-River Falls Dairy Outreach modernization meeting. About 30 people participated. Milligan discussed land use issues. The Western District Pathological Nutrition Seminar for Professionals was held in Baldwin. Fourteen Ag professionals attended. Ninety-three per cent of the participants indicated the seminar provided information they would use with clientele. A Western District Manure Management Seminar was held in Bald«gin. Twenty-six participated in the seminar. Participants learned odor management techniques, what is happening in the policy and regulatory areas and what people have done to manage odors, compost manure, and wastewater. A 2000 Western Wisconsin Crop Production Seminar was held in Baldwin. Twenty-eight producers and consultants participated. Producers learned about transgenic crops and policy implications, crop fertilization practices and weed and insect control methods. 3 Milligan and Dave Sander have been meeting with John Vrieze and Dean Doornink regarding the development of a dairy quality assurance program for dairy producers in St. Croix County. A transition cow survey was conducted by Milligan at the Baldwin Dairy. The information will be presented at the NRAES Conference on transition cow housing and care section of the conference. Farm visits have included dairy barn design,ventilation, farm management issues, and dairy herd health. The Ag Lenders Conference has been scheduled for January 5,'. Also scheduled is Agri-Business Seminar, 2000 Dairy.Management Symposium,Dairy Herd Operators Seminar, three Pesticide Applicator Trainings,Narrow Row Corn Conference, Western District Dairy Seminar, Pasture for Horses, and LCD-DHI Banquet. Other topics to be considered include: crop insurance/marketing and farm business management/analysis. Planning Department's Report Fodroczi reviewed a list of December vouchers totaling $3,311.88. Berenschot moved that the vouchers be approved as presented. Bethke seconded the motion. Motion carried. Newsletter Printing Services: Fodroczi reported on the response to request for two-year bids on printing and mailing services for the "YOUR WASTELINE" newsletter for 2000 and 2001. Requests were sent to six area printers serving the County in November. Bidders were asked to bid on color and size/format alternatives. Bids were received from Resco Print Graphics of Hudson and River Valley Printing in River Falls. Both printers have been awarded the contract in the past and performed successfully. Resco Print Graphics submitted lower bids on all color and size/format alternatives. Burn moved to approve the award of printing services for the "YOUR WASTELINE" newsletter to Resco Print Graphics of Hudson. Jensen seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2000 Collection Programs: Fodroczi gave a status report on all Spring, 2000 collection programs, including hazardous wastes, tires, appliances and TV/computers/electronics. Contracts are being prepared with the various contractors for Committee review and action at the February/March meetings. Fodroczi asked the Committee members if they would support a TV/computer/electronics collection to be coordinated with the other scheduled collections if it would be self-supporting like the appliance collection. There was unanimous support for such a collection, pending acceptable terms and conditions. Horticulture Educator Report Master Gardeners: Alfirth is working out logistics of organizing each county's master gardeners and creating appropriate mailing lists for the most efficient use of each county's resources and to avoid duplication. General master gardener training will begin at the end of January and run for 12 consecutive Tuesday nights. Training will be held at WITC,New Richmond. 4 Alfuth has met with the St. Croix Valley Master Gardeners Association to discuss their organization, newsletters, and educational efforts in Western Wisconsin. Master Naturalist: Planning is underway to offer Master Naturalist training and certification. Tentative plans are for training to be offered for 6 consecutive Mondays beginning March 13 at the Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp in Polk County. Advanced Landscaping and Maintenance: Plans are underway to offer an advanced landscaping and gardening educational program. It will be offered at WITC beginning January 25. Other Projects: Work has begun with a Clear Lake community group to design and implement a landscaping project around the Clear Lake Community Center. The project will include youth theme gardens, community gardens, and general beautification. Family Living Agent Report Lestrud reported on recent activities at the Family Resource Center. A new Executive Board will be installed this month, including county board member,Lois Burri. Lestrud continues to support activities at the center by consulting on grants,teaching programs for parents, helping design fundraising activities, and serving as President of the Board. The teen parent initiative funded by a UW Extension innovative grant is going well for the young moms and dads that participate. The teens are beginning to use one another for social support. A Fatherhood initiative will be started later this month. Lestrud is teaching a class called`Beating the Winter Blahs"for young parents in January. The center has reached 265 unduplicated individuals since its started in April, and 297 volunteer hours have been logged by non-board members. Lestrud shared a copy of her recent Peer Review with the committee. This is a chance for another Extension colleague to give evaluation input into Lestrud's job performance. Lestrud and Martha Mabis coordinated the Ag Services and Educational Center Christmas program for three families. Four hundred and thirty dollars were raised. Lestrud is hosting a satellite conference in January on Outcome Evaluation. Agencies and nonprofits which receive money from United Way will learn ho-,N, to conduct more meaningful evaluations. ` Lestrud will write three grants in January—two United Way grants for parenting newsletters and an =Marie grant to support a summer 4H sewing workshop Raymond moved to adjourn. Berenschot seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Art Jenen S ecretary pmh 5 UNOFFICIAL Convened: 9:00 a.m. Adjourned: 11:45 a.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND &WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE &EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI January 4, 2000 Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond Members Absent: Jim Cody Staff Present: County Conservationist-Charles Christenson, County Technician-Bob Heise, County Technician-David Sander, Kinnickinnic Project Manager-Tim Popple, Lakes Cluster Project Manager-Pete Kling, South Fork/Kinnickinnic Project Technician-Kyle Kulow, Secretary-Arlene Lier Others Present: Dale Gagner, Dave Vold-NRCS; Dick Gade-FSA; Eunice Post, Duane Popple-DNR; Dave Fodroczi-County Planning Meeting called to order by Chairman Art Jensen. Bethke made motion to adopt agenda. Raymond seconded. Carried. Berenschot made motion to approve December 7, 1999 meeting minutes. Seconded by Bethke. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. DNR Eunice Post(Water Regulations Specialist)reported: Wildlife - Bear application deadline is January 14. Air Management—Attempting to develop a consistent guideline for animal feedlots and hazardous air emissions. Private Lands Wildlife—Working on wetland restoration project in Town of Cylon. Vegetation Control Project—WDNR Potten Tract—In order to control and restore the vegetation on the proposed project area, Wildlife and Fisheries Management will be shearing undesirable woody vegetation along the Kinnickinnic River in preparation to restore a grass prairie. Will use heavy equipment such a bulldozer and hydro-axe to shear off the boxelder trees along the stream during the winter months to minimize soil disturbance and move large amounts of debris to be burned in preparation for replanting. This project will enhance the natural plant and animal communities along the stream corridor, restoring vegetation cover to types found during pre-settlement. Some spot spraying with herbicides maybe necessary to eliminate re-sprouting. Forestry- State nursery has developed two "shoreland planting packets" for sale for spring 2000. Packets contain a mixture of trees and shrubs based on whether the land is sandy or fine textured. The packets do not appear on the official tree order forms because the forms were printed before the packets were developed. To order the packet, the name of the packet must be written on the tree order form. (Tree order forms printed for spring 2001 will include the "shoreland planting packet".) An informational pamphlet is available. Each packet costs $102.00 plus sales tax. Conservation Warden Dave Hausman has been named the new Warden Supervisor. He will be located at the Baldwin office. St. Croix River—Landowners advisory committee drafting language for management plan concerning cutting and pruning trees. Animal Waste staff—DNR, due to staff shortages, has decided to focus on units that would have the greatest benefit. Jeanne Calhoun—Issues WPS permits in the 18 counties. Works one-half time (20 hours)per week as NOD'S (notice of discharge) for manure handling operations. Department has decided that their staff would focus on specific areas to complete NOD's. Duane Popple reported: Area of responsibility is water quality management including areas within 1,000 feet of lakes and ponds; 300 feet of streams and rivers. WDPS —Covers areas concerned with animal waste problems causing immediate threats to human health. Tim Popple commented: He is part of the Nutrient Management Users Group. They are working on revising manure handling rules with focus on large facilities. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Gagner, acting D.C.,reported on NRCS activities and plans for CRP signup. Dave Vold reported: D.C. position will be advertised, agency wide, after position description has been completed. When panel of applicants is selected, he will be talking with LWCC members to get their opinions. Hopefully a new D.C. will be here in March or April. CRP—Sign-up is scheduled for January 18-February 11. Three temporary employees are scheduled to help. There is a continuous sign-up for field windbreaks, filter strips -Wetlands adjoining crop land to qualify. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Glickman has stated that nation needs to spend more money on conservation. Legislation providing funds to address needed work on aging watershed dams will provide funds starting in 2000. Legislation proposal that FSA staff convert to civil service status has been drafted. FSA CED R. Gade reported: He suggested that NRCS and LWCC consider working relations between agencies when filling the NRCS District Conservationist and LWCD County Conservationist positions. St. Croix County has had a history of excellent working relations. FSA program activity continues to be busy. Low commodity prices allow farmers to be eligible for loan deficiency payments on their 1999 grain. More than 1700 LDP applications have been processed generating $3 million to St. Croix County farmers. Forty-five commodity loans have been made using 1999 grain for collateral for$1.7 million. A new oil seed program will be available shortly which will include soybeans. Participants in the CRP received$2 million for their 1999 annual payments. A new CRP signup will run from January 18-February 11, 2000. Farm Loan Officer, Jerry Peterson has been detailed to Washington D.C. for two weeks at a time through March 2000 to review cases filed by black farmers which is a class action consent decree lawsuit against USDA alleging discrimination concerning loans and farm programs. More than 20,000 claims have been filed. CED Gade announced his plans to retire from FSA effective March 31, 2000. RC&D Berenschot reported: • North Central meeting changed to Oneida, March 22-24. • Will attend the state RC&D meeting on January 21. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Sander reported: This is the slow time of the year. He will be doing a talk on woodland animals. Kling reported: St. Mary's School working on grant to restore some prairies. Popple reported on plans for department to serve as a regional environmental resource center. Grant would be co-sponsored with River Falls School District to be used for Water Education Days and the resource center. Currently have to borrow hip boots, dip nets, chemistry kits, etc. from the Beaver Creek Reserve located near Eau Claire. FARMLAND PRESERVATION Sander reported: 1999 zoning certificates are now being issued. Program Update—Fodroczi summarized legislative changes proposed. Would have converted from a Farmland Preservation program to a conservation credit program. Land use planning would have been eliminated from program. If passed, local units of government adopting exclusive agriculture zoning ordinances would be required to specify a minimum lot size, which may be larger or smaller than the current 35-acre minimum. Was removed from the last budget bill. Suggested members read"On Common Ground"issue on farmland preservation. Something has to happen within next legislature on"land use." PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS South Fork—Kulow reported on the 1998 Pollution Reduction Incentive payments to 22 individuals. Goal was 50% of crop land. Upland incentive payments for 1998 is 29.6%, 1999 is 36% (in two years). Total payment for 1998 is $40,174(DNR reimbursement not received yet) and $48,656 for 1999. Berenschot questioned what landowners have to do: Nutrient management plans have to be developed and each field has to meet tolerable soil loss("T"). Lakes Cluster— Squaw Lake dock will be moved to Pine Lake. New Bass Lake and Squaw Lake docks are here but not installed. Bass Lake needs added work by County Highway. Spring installation planned. Pheasants Forever and Squaw Lake Association combined money for purchase of land from Vern Teske. Kling discussed Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Committee meeting—Discussion covered GIS and how area will be managed. How to choose land? Second meeting scheduled for January 4. New grant program could provide up to $50,000. Grant application due in March. Propose Upper Willow River Watershed area. Cedar Creek Flume—Nothing new to report. Kinnickinnic—Popple: Summarizing practices on Kinni. Have paid out $70,000 EQIP funds in priority area. Did not turn any back. Federal were able to roll over ACRA money to next year. Steering Committee—Meet monthly. Working with Lynda Meyers on narrative for two different grants. There will not be any large cost to school district. Kinni Land Trust to serve as handler for grant funds. Nutrient management team—Meet at least every 2 months. Purpose is to get consistency in what counties are providing in writing nutrient management plans. Berenschot commended Popple's work. GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Heise reported: The composite map has been completed but does need minor changes. LWCC stated"Keep map simple." Informational meetings scheduled to review the draft flood plain zoning map: Town of Springfield (1/10 - 6:30 p.m.) and Town of Glenwood(1/11 - 7:30 p.m.). WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROGRAM—HAROLD FREY Presented one claim amounting to $403.00 for Harold Frey(town of Cady). Kulow and Dankemeyer have worked on this claim. Berenschot made motion to approve. Raymond seconded. Carried. AG BUILDING UPDATE Christenson reported that voice mail is in and operating. State electrical inspector spent time at the building determining what changes (corrections) have been - completed. Gade questioned the possibility of generator noise on northeast corner. He expressed his concerns about the location and plans. Would there be an underground storage tank? No problems with Y2K. COUNTY CONSERVATIONIST POSITION Christenson reported that the deadline for county conservation position applications is January 7. LWCC will work with Personnel Director Deb Kathan on screening and scheduling interviews. He plans to leave February 29. COUNTY LAND AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN Sander reported that the 2-year work plan is in draft form and is ready for the committee's review. A draft of the resource management plan will be taken to Corporate Counsel for review prior to public hearing. Public hearing date has been set for March 1, 7:00 p.m., at the Ag Service and Education Center. COUNTY HELD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS Kling reported: Going forward slowly. Meeting scheduled with Greg Timmerman on January 13 to discuss easements. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Glover Station Fifth Addition — 97.362 acres (Sec. 16, Town of Troy) - Heise presented Glover Station Fifth Addition subdivision(32 single family lots, minimum lot size 2.5 acres). Berenschot made motion to recommend that storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to Planning &Development Committee. Bethke seconded. Carried. Pine Acres— 112.4 acres (Sec. 13, Town of Star Prairie)—Heise presented Pine Acres subdivision(57 single family lots, minimum lot size 1.5 acres). Bethke made motion to recommend that storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning &Development Committee. Berenschot seconded. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot questioned the voucher for Corporate Express ($3,275.95). Christenson explained that $1,779.25 was for relocating Sander and setting up the engineering room. $1,418.35 was reimbursed by UW-Extension. Jensen made motion to approve the vouchers with the condition that we receive check from DNR before paying the South Fork watershed cost share vouchers. Seconded by Raymond. Seconded by Bethke. Carried. MISCELLANEOUS Kling reported that the conservation awards dinner/DHI awards dinner will be held on February 7 at the Coachman Supper Club. It is being held jointly for a one-year trial. Raymond made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:45 a.m. Seconded by Bethke. Carried. Arlene Lier Acting Secretary Jim Cody Secretary ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Chairman Thomas Dorsey St. Croix County Board FROM: Robert Boche, Vice Chair COMMITTEE TITLE: Finance DATE: Thursday, February 10, 2000 8 : 30 A.M. LOCATION: Government Center CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Friday, March 10, 2000 8 :30 A.M. ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS: 1 . Review of Vouchers 2 . Interim Administrative Coordinator' s Report A. Expansion Space for Register of Deeds B. Relocation of Victim Witness 3 . Finance Director' s Report A. Contingency Fund Transfer for Copy Machine 4 . County Clerk A. Tax Deed Bids B. Safety and Security Report 5 . Corporation Counsel A. Contingency Fund Request for Computer Upgrade 6 . Library Plan Discussion 9 : 00 A.M. 7 . Recycling Request 8 . Insurance Discussion 9 . Community Development Revolving Loan Fund 9 :30 A.M. *10 . Clerk of Court A. Exceeding Rate Limit for Hotel Accommodation CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) Date: 01/21, 01/27 COPIES TO: County Board Office News Media/Notice Board County Clerk County Board County Departments ADDITIONS/CHANGES/CORRECTIONS