HomeMy WebLinkAboutAg & Extension 01-06-09 NOTICE OF MEETING AND
ST. CROIX COUNTY AGRICULTURE & EXTENSION COMMITTEE
January 6, 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 — February 3, 2009
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
• Federal Budget
• State Budget Report
• County Budget Report
• WACEC
• Personnel
• Strategic Planning
• Other Administrative Items
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS:
AGENT'S REPORTS:
• Horticulture Agent
• Resource Agent
• 4 -H Youth Development
- Update on Educational Programs for 4 -H Youth Development
• Ag Agent
- Educational Program Updates
• Family Living Report
• WNEP Update
ADJOURN
SUBMITTED BY: Pete Kling
DATE: December 23, 2008
Copies to: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD
COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS
(Items may be taken in different order)
12/23/2008 10:36 AM
Agriculture & Extension Committee
January 6, 2009
Agricultural Services & Education Center
Baldwin, Wi. Convened: 9 am
Adjourned: 10:30 am
Present: Gene Ruetz, Bill Peavey, Linda Luckey, Richard Marzolf, Lee Milligan, Pete Kling,
Marie Witzel, Martha Mabis, and Mary Lestrud.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ruetz.
Date of next meeting was set for February 3, 2009. Chairman Ruetz will not be present for the
February 3 rd meeting. Vice Chairman Peavey will be in charge of the meeting
Peavey moved that the previous meeting's minutes be approved. Marzolf seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Peavey moved that the vouchers be approved. Ruetz seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Ag Agent's Report
Milligan discussed the problem with profitability in agriculture at this time due to reduced output
prices and increased input prices. The focus of his educational efforts in the next several months
will be on improving the efficient use of farmer's resources to increase profitability. There will
be programs focusing on crop, tillage, dairy and livestock best management practices.
Educational meetings have been scheduled in each of those areas.
4 -H Youth Development Agent's Report
Witzel shared with the committee information about the new data program 4 -H Plus. It is a time
of transition to use the new program, but also offers expanded opportunities in the future for
youth to complete online enrollment and volunteers to have access to club information as they
need it on the web. It is also a time of preparation in some of the animal projects. December
was beef weigh in for members planning to show market steers at the county fair. It was also a
time of transition with the llama project. The project has been active for 10 years and the
committee chair resigned. December was an opportunity for re- organization when parents and
leaders came together to determine their goals for the project and elect some leaders to help carry
out those goals.
Civil Rights was an opportunity to look at outreach to underserved audiences. After the review
an expansion and review meeting has been scheduled for February to begin to further identify the
needs and opportunities for youth development in St. Croix County.
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The Gateway Academy has been scheduled for August 10 -14, 2009 at New Richmond High
School. The partnership has been expanded to include Polk County 4 -H Youth Development
and WITC. They are hoping to focus on some aviation and robotics with the middle school
youth.
The 4 -H Summer Intern applications will be going out soon. One committee member is needed
to help with the interviews scheduled for March 13 from 10 a.m. -noon. Linda Luckey agreed to
help with the interviews. The committee is also invited to join 4 -H families to learn about
Internet Safety on Monday, February 2 at 7 p.m. at the UW- Extension office.
Nutrition Education Report
Lestrud and Mabis discussed the work that they are doing with racial minorities and other
underserved audiences such as those with low - incomes, mental health issues, and men at WIC.
Mabis worked with 3000 teaching contacts at WIC this past year, seeing the average family 6
times during the year. Her current focus, "Dinner in a Dish" teaches family members to prepare
nutritious meals that are inexpensive and quick. Many of these families have poor planning and
cooking skills and have been appreciative of the help from Extension. As one mom said, "I am
embarrassed to say I didn't know any of this. If you hadn't given me this at WIC I never would
have learned it. I have a real concern of feeding my family healthy. I didn't realize /think so much
about what I was putting in our bodies when my teen sons were little, but now I do with these
guys (3 and 4 years old). I am turning over a new leaf."
Lestrud and Mabis will also be collaborating with groups in Hudson that are sponsoring the
annual Empty Bowls program to raise money and awareness about local hunger issues. Lestrud
also teaches New Richmond High School students about hunger awareness and helps them make
educational contributions to New Richmond's Empty Bowls program.
Meeting adjourned by Chairman Ruetz
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Marzolf
Secretary
pmh
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