UW-Extension has long outreach
Over the past number of weeks this column has reviewed for our readers a number of departments and agencies that fall under the responsibility of the Sheboygan County Board. Most of these, such as the office of county clerk, treasurer, and register of deeds, are required by state statutes; but a few are optional. The University of Wisconsin-Extension is a case in point.
Many years ago (1915 to 1919) the University of Wisconsin reached out to all corners of the state to provide support for rural farm and farm communities and developed a UW-Extension program to bring together, train and educate people locally. While technology and knowledge has changed greatly since its inception, the mission of providing local outreach services continues.
Sheboygan County teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Extension long ago. With some exceptions, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides 60 percent staff funding and the county provides 40 percent. Unlike county hires, the University Extension sets the staff standards and plays a major role in the employees hired. When a hire needs to take place, the university will go through the selection process, receive input from the county’s Planning, Resources, Agriculture and Extension Committee, which can select one or reject all of the three top recommended people. It is, as intended, a cooperative effort.
The county does hire and pay for four staff people to work in the University of Wisconsin-Extension office. Two extension employees are fully funded by the federal government. Each summer interns are hired, often from a variety of fund sources.
Who are some of these employees currently? Tina Kohlman is an agriculture agent in dairy and livestock. She works with and develops educational programs and discussion groups for farmers and agribusiness professionals in herd health, dairy modernization, milk quality; conducts research and performs a host of other duties. Kohlman has hosted many farmwomen’s focus groups targeting a wide range of important issues facing the family farm.
Mike Ballweg is also an agriculture agent dealing heavily with crops and soils. When issues develop such as the gypsy moth, alfalfa quality monitoring program, hay sales, emerald ash borer, tomato or potato blight, vegetable gardens or tree issues, it’s Ballweg who is called. It is estimated that about 2,000 horticultural-related questions were handled in 2009. Among his many duties, he also supervises the master gardeners program in Sheboygan County.
David Such is the community resource and development educator, and supervisor of the UW-Sheboygan Extension offices. His work, along with Kevin Struck, growth management educator, has saved local units of government hundreds of thousands of dollars in developing their recent smart growth programs. They are always working with different local communities in their planning processes. Struck splits his work between Sheboygan and a neighboring county.
Sarah Tarjeson is a 4-H youth development educator and Amber Rehberg is program coordinator. They work with the 35 4-H community clubs, provide leadership training and support to 434 certified 4-H volunteer leaders. Sheboygan County has the second largest and most active 4-H program in the state.
Melissa Giebel is the nutrition education program coordinator and Betsy Warmus is nutrition education educator. These programs are mainly federally funded and cover many local social issues dealing with the needs of family and nutrition. Jane Jensen is the Sheboygan County UW-Extension family living educator and chairs the county’s new Family Caregiver Alliance.
The UW-Extension in Sheboygan County was relocated to the UW-Sheboygan Campus about a year ago and its offices are located on the northeast part of the campus. Their address is 5 University Drive, Sheboygan, WI 53081 and telephone number is (920) 459-5900.
