Pierce w/out full-time ag agent since 2016

When full-time Pierce County/UW-Extension Agriculture Agent Greg Andrews retired in 2016, it left a hole in the agricultural education fabric of the county. Prior to Andrews’ retirement (he began his role in 1985), Pierce County had not been without an ag agent in nearly a century.

The Pierce County Agriculture & Extension Education Committee will vote on a new model proposed by UW-Madison Extension to provide a more regional approach to agriculture agent coverage. The next meeting is at 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 16.

Currently, Pierce County shares agriculture agent Michael Travis with Pepin County. Travis, who has served Pepin County as its agriculture and natural resources educator since 2013, has served Pierce County part-time in the same capacity since Jan. 1, 2019. He splits his time 20 percent in Pierce, 80 percent in Pepin. Prior to this arrangement, Pierce County went without

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an agriculture agent between Andrews’ retirement and Travis coming on board.

According to Area Extension Director Kristen Bruder, there is more demand for agriculture education positions across the state than can be co-funded by UW-Madison Extension. Counties can fully fund their own educator, but many do not. Typically, Extension positions are a mix of state and county funding.

In 2017, the UW Board of Regents adopted a resolution to restructure Extension as a division of UW-Madison. At that time, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel noted that Pierce County had chosen not to fill its vacated ag agent position, citing state funding uncertainty. The Extension restructuring was fully completed by July 2019.

In a news release on Oct. 11, 2017, UW System President Ray Cross had said the change was needed to closer align research and practice. He also cited demographic challenges and budgetary constraints. Many area lawmakers expressed concern that moving Extension back under the UW-Madison umbrella would further alienate counties hundreds of miles from Madison from Extension resources.

Current proposal

Wisconsin currently has 52 Extension educators spread across its 72 counties.

Extension is exploring a new model to provide a more regional approach to agriculture educator coverage which would allow for more specialization and focus, according to Bruder. Extension is looking at a new pilot model, consisting of two agriculture educators covering four counties: Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Barron. One educator would be a dairy/livestock expert, the other a crops/soils expert.

Heidi Johnson, the Agriculture Institute Director at UW-Madison Extension, said a COVID hiring freeze allowed them to take a pause and examine staffing state-wide, making decisions to use budget resources more efficiently.

“In ways that serve farmers the best,” Johnson said. “There used to be one single education/ ag agent in each county, but things have changed so much over the years. It’s hard for one person to be an expert in all areas.”

St. Croix County Ag Agent Ryan Sterry is full-time, Johnson said. A possibility would be to enlarge his area (in dairy only) to the four counties, then hire a complimentary position for crops. This would allow for more coverage by geography, but more specialization, Johnson said.

UW-Madison Extension is planning to add some regional ag specialist positions fully funded by UW Madison Extension that would help with providing education and resources to local counties. Discussions about local needs, support staff, regionalization and specialization have been taking center stage, Bruder said at the April 16 AECC meeting.

“Dairy and crops are the biggest industries in the state,” Johnson said. “We are also considering hiring staff to cover half or one-third of the state, when it comes to things like farm labor and beef production. Farmers often use a variety of consultants, so why is Extension trying to do all of the jobs? We are still sorting through those bigger questions.”

When Extension began its self-examination, it had two options, Johnson said.

•Let all staff go and start completely over. That hardly seemed humane, she said.

•Examine understaffed areas and reshape how staffing is spread out.

Dean Bergseng, chair of the Pierce County Agriculture & Extension Education Committee and a dairy farmer himself, said more farmers could be helped and a lot of things could be improved if this staffing proposal is approved. If it passes the AECC, it would move on to the Finance & Personnel Committee before going before the Pierce County Board.

“A crops person would help with production, tillage and cover crops,” Bergseng said. “A dairy person could help improve dairies. Pesticide application training could be handled by one or both. I would think this would help out the Land Conservation Department too.”

Pierce County Land Conservation Department Director Rod Webb said the benefits for Pierce County residents would be significant.

“Interaction between my department and UW-Madison Extension could include educational field events and seminars that focus on conservation topics,” Webb said. “An agent has the contacts for UW specialists that are key speakers for any research-based educational events. Ground water sampling events and follow- up informational meetings, as well as groundwater educational outreach to residents is another area that UWEX could partner with Land Conservation and Public Health departments.”

Johnson said the staffing change would cost Pierce County about $15,000 in additional funding annually. Bergseng said $159,000 that has been budgeted for Ag Extension has been sent back to the county’s general fund or to other committees over the last six years.

Pierce County Board and AECC member Mel Pittman said the demand or need for agents isn’t the same as it used to be as the dairy and farming industries have evolved. However, that doesn’t mean the need for ag agents has gone away; it’s also evolved.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Pittman said of the proposal. “I asked UW, is this the right number (of agents) or not? This will be fluid as we move forward and will depend on the needs of the area.”

The biggest hurdle, Pittman added, is how to fund an increased position or positions, while balancing that with the area’s needs.

“I think we can fine tune this as we move forward,” Pittman said. “For the most part we can agree we need the services, but can we find the funds to make that happen?”

Ninety percent of services county governments provide are mandated, Pittman said.

“So those are taken care of first, which leave 10 percent that aren’t,” Pittman said. “Optional ones are left to find a way to make it happen if we can.”

According to Pittman, Pierce County Administrator Jason Matthys said Pierce County will be receiving additional federal COVID relief funds, which could possibly be used to fund other needs, freeing up dollars to go to the ag agent proposal. However, that needs further examination, he added, because the funding needs to be sustainable in the future.

At the Farm Bureau picnic last month, 25 of 28 people raised their hands in support of the proposal, he said. That confirms there is interest.

“At the last Ag meeting, I said we need to make a decision before the next budget cycle,” Pittman said. “Let’s bring the proposal forward. We’re on a precipice here. We’re either going to move forward or we’re not.”

If the proposal doesn’t get approved, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “dead in the water,” Pittman said.

What do Extension agents do?

Extension agents are teachers and experts in their fields. Extension educators are jointly employed by UW-Madison Extension and counties to develop and deliver practical educational programs tailored to local needs, based on university knowledge and research. These county-based extension agents are University of Wisconsin faculty and staff with expertise in a wide range of topics: agriculture, natural resources, community development, economic development, youth and family living, soils, conservation and more.

Extension agents provide outreach and educational programs, applied research for problem- solving, and invaluable knowledge from a wide network of UW experts.

Extension specialists not only make homeand- farm visits to offer advice on family living, nutrition, crops and livestock, but they teach classes in the community as well. This gives all residents access to university resources.

To give your opinion on this matter before the vote, you can reach out to AECC committee members:

•Chair Dean Bergseng: 715-425-6404 or 715-307-4976; [email protected]

•Vice-Chair Kris Sampson: 651-269-7902; [email protected]

•Jerry Kosin: 715-262-5677; [email protected]

•Mel Pittman: 715-647-5023; [email protected]

•Daniel Puhrmann: 715-497-2547; [email protected]