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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAg & Extension 04-07-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND ST. CROIX COUNTY AGRICULTURE & EXTENSION COMMITTEE — revised agenda April 7, 2009, 9:00 a.m. Agricultural Service and Education Center 1960 a Ave., Baldwin, WI CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING DATE OF NEXT MEETING — May 5, 2009 APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: • Federal Budget • State Budget Report • County Budget Report • WACEC • Personnel • Strategic Planning • Other Administrative Items • Civil Rights Report OLD AND NEW BUSINESS: AGENT'S REPORTS: • Resource Agent — Working Lands Update • 4 -H Youth Development — Educational Programs for 4 -H Youth Development • Ag Agent - Update • Family Living Report — 3 rd Year Report • WNEP Update ADJOURN SUBMITTED BY: Pete Kling DATE: March 26, 2009 Copies to: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS (Items may be taken in different order) 4/1/2009 12:16 PM Agriculture & Extension Committee April 7, 2009 Agricultural Service & Education Center Convened: 9 a.m. Baldwin, WI Adjourned: 10:25 a.m. Present: Gene Ruetz, Bill Peavey, Linda Luckey, Richard Marzolf, Dan Raebel, Lee Milligan, Pete Kling, Joan Sprain, Marie Witzel, Mary Lestrud, Chuck Whiting, and Martha Mabis The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ruetz. Date of next meeting was set for May 5, 2009. Marzolf moved that the previous meeting's minutes be approved. Raebel seconded the motion. Motion carried. Raebel moved that the vouchers be approved. Peavey seconded the motion. Motion carried. Administrative Report The WACEC conference is June 15 -16 in La Crosse. Deb Jones, western district director, will be attending the May meeting. Federal Budget: Sprain reported the federal budget shows a slight increase. State Budget: For the first year of the biennium, Sprain reported the budget shortfall will impact UWEX state budgets but not the part shared with counties. WACEC: Sprain shared information regarding the state conference to be held in La Crosse on Monday June 15 & Tuesday June 16 Ruetz will get approval to attend. There was no Strategic Planning or Civil Rights Report. Family Living Agent's Report Family Living 3 year Report: Sprain shared program accomplishments achieved during the last 3 years. (See power point handout shared at meeting.) Resource Agent's Report Kling and Bob Heise updated the committee about the March 11 Western Wisconsin Working Lands Workshop that was held at WITC. Over 100 people participated in the event that was intended to provide information about the WI Working Lands Initiative as well as testimonials from area landowners and agencies that have participated in land preservation programs. The workshop was planned by those that participated in the fall 2008 Ultimate Land Use Tour. The group's next step is to invite citizens and key leaders to participate in identifying issues to guide educational efforts aimed at the preservation of working lands in Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Counties. 1 4 -H Agent's Report Witzel discussed the numerous cultural arts activities that took place in March, from the Mini Talent Explosion held in Baldwin on March 7 to the District Talent Explosion held in River Falls on March 21. The district event is held for 7 counties with approximately 500 youth participating. The cultural arts area, especially photography, is one of the largest projects in the state with over 11,000 members. Here in St. Croix County there are 258 people making it the largest project for the past few years. She also announced that Sarah Joseph from Ellsworth accepted the summer 4 -H assistant position. The part time position has been re- opened with the applications on the extension 4 -H website. It was presented in a different way since it is not just for college aged people and we have had a renewed interest from people with a wealth of experience. Also the Gateway Academy will be held August 10 -14 in New Richmond. The program has limited registration as it is almost half full with registration just going out in March. Extension committee members will be invited to attend an event at the end of the week. Nutrition Educator's Report Lestrud discussed the current WNEP grant and the amount of federal money that it contributes to the county. Federal dollars coming into the three - county project for last year exceeded $207,000. UW Extension is doing a series of articles for the local newspapers on Living With Less. Lestrud wrote the first article highlighting local issues related to tough times. The article appeared in newspapers last week. Fliers for Hudson's Empty Bowls program where passed out, and Lestrud discussed the role that the nutrition program plays in supporting these programs throughout the county. Lestrud and Mabis recently participated in a Webinar on the latest research on Vitamin D and shared some of the key findings with committee members. The current teaching focus for WNEP is Re -Think Your Drink, helping young families learn the impact of high sugar drinks on their family's health, including obesity rates. Young families are encouraged to breast feed their babies for economical and health reasons. Meeting adjourned Respectfully submitted, Richard Marzolf Secretary mh 2 • ,� .. ..