Ag & Extension - October 7, 2026 — Agenda

Please Note: Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities through sign language, interpreters or other auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request the service, contact the Green County UW-Extension Office at 608-328-9440 Committee Members – Erica Roth, Dawn Sass, Susan Knox, Franz Varga, and Paula Vestin Green County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, October 7th, 2026-- 8:00 AM Green County Justice Center, Multi-Purpose Rooms-Lower Level, 2841 6th St, Monroe, WI 1. Call to Order & Meeting Voucher 2. Public Comment - (time limit not to exceed three minutes per person or thirty minutes total) 3. UW Extension Educator Reports – Written Report 4. Approve Minutes of the September Meeting 5. Review and Approval of September Bills 6. Area Extension Director Informational Items a. Staffing Update b. County Leadership Conversation 7. Business Manager Informational Items a. Department Head Update 8. Any other business – (New topics for discussion to be put on future agendas) 9. Set Time and Date for Next Meeting -- Proposed November 4th, 2026 at 8:00 AM 10. Adjourn Regional Crops & Soils Educator Jordyn Sattler Regional Dairy Educator Jackie McCarville Regional Livestock Educator Casey Lobdell Extension Green County October 2026 Educator Report Insect Trapping Network Participating in an insect trapping network to assist Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DA TCP) and the UW entomology lab monitor incoming pest populations and forecast potential damage to crops. Through this effort, timely notifications will be distributed to producers who will then have local  information to help guide their pest scouting and make more timely and effective pest management decisions. (Sattler)   Anaplasmosis and Theileriosis: Similar Signs, Different Responses A research-based article for the Wisconsin Agriculturist Magazine, Livestock Insight column to help readers increase their understanding of biosecurity management between two diseases, both of which have significant impact to the farm's profitability and sustainability. (Lobdell)   Farm Experiences with Dairy T ech, Sept. BDI A webinar for dairy farmers and advisors that featured a panel of dairy farmers sharing their real-world experiences with technology for dairy production.  The purpose of this webinar was to provide participants with real-world experiences and a peer-learning opportunity regarding practical uses of technology on dairy farms for animal and production system management and monitoring. (McCarville)   Transition Cow Management-WI Shopper A regular column that rotates between the Livestock, Crops and Soils, and Dairy educators in the Wisconsin Amish Shopper newspaper, which reaches Amish and Mennonite families in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.  An article on transition cow management was written.  (McCarville)   Wisconsin Extension Weed Management Workshop A workshop for farmer and agronomists, where attendees learned how to better manage herbicide resistance and use pesticide adjuvants. Through this workshop, farmers and agronomists will have gain knowledge to improve weed management efforts. (Sattler)   Regional Crops & Soils Educator Jordyn Sattler Regional Dairy Educator Jackie McCarville Regional Livestock Educator Casey Lobdell August Artificial Insemination Course An artificial insemination course for dairy and beef producers, where they learned how to breed their own cattle. Through this program, producers will be able to save money and increase reproductive rates by breeding their own cattle in a timely fashion. (Lobdell & McCarville) Beef Cow/ Calf Pasture Walk A pasture walk aimed at beef cow/calf producers that are interested in a rotational grazing system. Participants learned about weed control to optimize forage, fly and tick updates to keep their cattle healthier, and some economic benefits to production or management practices in beef cattle. Altogether participants were reminded that management practices and different operation styles can work in each of their enterprises, and change can be a good thing to make beef more efficient. (Lobdell, McCarville & Sattler) Southwest Wisconsin Grazing Network Planning and developing the Southwest Wisconsin Grazing Network in collaboration with local Land Conservation Departments and other grazing groups. The goal is to establish a network of farmers who are interested in pasture and grazing management to share experiences and information to improve grazing efforts throughout the region. (Sattler) Wisconsin Agriculturist Article An article for beef producers on the grazing of corn stalk residue on crop fields post-harvest. Articles such as this one keep relevant and up to date research and findings within the industry at the producers' fingertips. Producers can take this information and utilize it on their operations as they see fit to make economic impacts, better manage cattle, and make environmental use of land. (Lobdell) Extension Green County October 2026 Educator Report Green County Leaders Session 1: Leadership & Growth Mindset This was the first in-person session of the 2026-2027 Green County Leaders (GCL) program year. We spent the day at New Glarus Home, learning about New Glarus, demographic trends, effective communication, strengths, and team building. Participants shared the following comments and reflections on the day: • "Met some new people! It was a lot of information, loved the colors and teambuilding." • "The day was great and I learned a lot about the different personalities." • "Great advice on leadership and insight about my personality." • "Don't be afraid of new people. Know how to support and work with other personality types." Extension Green County October 2026 Educator Report Community Development Educator Victoria Solomon 4-H Record Books: Plan, Reflect & Recognize 4-H Record Books are a valuable educational resource that offers opportunities for our members to reflect on their learning, develop life skills of planning and record keeping, and be recognized for their growth. Green County 4-H believes in this tool so strongly that the program policy, which is regularly reviewed in consultation with 4-H leaders, requires that all returning members in 3rd grade and older complete a 4-H Record Book to remain a member in good standing. 4-H members also have an option to submit their 4-H Record Book for county review, where youth receive feedback on their book and are considered for recognition based on the overall quality of their book, project learning and 4-H participation. Over the last few years, concerns from leaders, parents and youth had arose that the current 4-H Record Book resources were no longer adequately meeting our members needs. There was a strong desire for the books to be less confusing, more developmentally appropriate and more focus on educational growth. In August 2025, 4-H Educator, Ellen Andrews, pulled together a committee of interested leaders, parents, grandparents and youth to explore how improve the Green County 4-H Record Book tools. The committee had participation from 7 different clubs across the county, with an array of 4-H Record Book and professional experiences. Andrews worked closely with the committee to develop four new 4-H Record Book tools, specifically designed to build off of one another and be developmentally appropriate for each age group: grades 5K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-13. The committee gathered feedback on the newly develop tools and made revisions, before publishing them for use in 2026. The committee also worked with Andrews to revise the 4-H Record Book recognition process to align with the new Record Book tools. The new 4-H Record Book tools have been very well received. Numerous parents have expressed how much they and their children have appreciated the new format. We have also seen an over 70% increase in the number of 4-H Record Books that have been submitted to the county for review, including 47 Cloverbud books and 100 books of youth in 3rd grade and older. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of at least 7 youth leaders and 20 adults, each book is being reviewed and provided personal feedback. Y outh who received awards for the Record Book reflection and record keeping efforts will be recognized in a 4-H Awards Ceremony on November 15th. Through the 4-H Record Book process, the youth members also provide us with important feedback on their 4-H experiences at the club and county level. This compiled data is shared with 4-H club leaders and used to help us improve 4-H programming. 4-H Promotion at Green County Cheese Days Green County 4-H participated in the Children's Parade and Kid's Street activities, where Cheese Days participants could learn about the opportunities for youth to get involved with our 4-H program. Extension Green County October 2026 Educator Report 4-H Youth Development Educator Ellen Andrews Financial Coaching Extension's financial coaching program provides one-on-one support that helps residents create their own plans to manage expenses, pay off debts, and save money for emergencies and to reach their goals. The three main categories of outcomes anticipated through financial coaching are that participants will: • Learn about local resources they didn't have in the past, e.g. how to apply for F oodShare benefits • Learn about Extension resources they didn't know of in the past, e.g. spending plan worksheets • Learn financial management steps (process to reach goals) that they didn't know before In 2025 Wisconsin residents who received our financial coaching reported many positive changes. 94% identified specific and measurable financial goals and 69.5%, feel empowered to tackle financial challenges independently, suggesting that these residents can now more successfully navigate banking and other financial services. Also, 71% say that they have increased hope, confidence, or motivation since participating in financial coaching. Two residents of the Green County Jail participated in two Financial Coaching sessions each. One is a resident of Green County and one is resident of Lafayette County. Scam and Identity Theft Prevention Many Wisconsin residents participate in programs offered by nonprofits and social service organizations that may include incentives or requirements to engage in financial education offered through partners such as UW-Madison Extension. Participants in these programs need to complete Extension’s financial education before receiving specific services provided by the social service organization (e.g. zero-interest auto loans). These lessons are to support educators' ability to meet requests from local partners for one-time financial education classes and to provide educators with a menu of lessons they can proactively suggest to them. Increase and/or maintain partnerships with local organizations through structured, research-based financial education classes that provide just-in-time information on topics like record keeping, saving on groceries, and preventing identity theft. Through these classes participants improve their ability to make financial decisions, achieve their goals, and effectively manage their money. F ocus on Fathers parenting program 2026 Despite recent advances in research on fathers’ roles and unique contributions within families, fathers remain underserved in family-based programming (Panter-Brick et al., 2014). This is due to barriers originating from community partners, cultural norms, legal structures, and fathers’ abilities or desires to participate. Y et, fathers’ contributions to child and family well-being are critical. After data analysis from a statewide fatherhood needs assessment, extension faculty, specialists and educators learned that fathers are interested in direct parenting education and opportunities to connect with and learn from other fathers. As a response a team created the F ocus on Fathers parenting program. Extension Green County October 2026 Educator Report Human Development & Relationships Educator Bob Wiegel Green County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee September 9th, 2026 MINUTES The September 9, 2026 meeting of the Agriculture and Extension Education Committee was called to order at 8:03 am by the Ag & Extension Chair, Erica Roth. The meeting voucher was circulated for signatures. Members present were: Dawn Sass, Erica Roth, Paula Vestin, Susan Knox and Franz Mussared Varga. Also present—Samantha Hougan, Extension Business Manager; Lynn Perkins, Area Extension Director; Ellen Andrews, 4-H Youth Development Educator; Jordyn Sattler, Regional Crops & Soils Educator; and Bob Wiegel, Human Development & Relationships Educator. Public Comment – No public comments were presented. Green County Educator Reports--Written Report for Educators Written Educator Reports were reviewed. No questions were presented. Green County Educator Report – Jordyn Sattler, Regional Crops & Soils Educator Jordyn Sattler delivered a report detailing her work with the On-Farm Evaluation of Nutrient Removal from Alfalfa project. She is partnering with a Green County producer to gather information about how nutrient uptake and removal in alfalfa differs at varying soil test nutrient levels and how those values compare to the basis of previous state fertilizer recommendations. This data will inform statewide fertilizer recommendation updates, ensure Green County is represented, build trust and relationships with local producers, and lead to future programming efforts centered on sharing project results and their meaning. Minutes Approval Sass moved to approve the August 2026 Ag & Extension committee meeting minutes with the correction of a spelling error and Vestin seconded. Motion passed. Bill Approval Sass moved to approve the August EFT payments of $154.43, seconded by Vestin. Motion passed. Sass moved to approve the August presented check payments of $4,073.64, seconded by Vestin. Motion passed. Area Extension Director Updates Area 15 Staffing Update – Perkins notified the committee of the vacant Lafayette County 4-H Educator position. Perkins handed out a job description to promote the position to anyone in mind. Perkins also discussed the PYD Associate Educator position that will be shared with Green & Lafayette Counties. She is hoping to have this posted in the next few weeks. County Leadership Conversation – Perkins shared an Extension needs assessment from UW Extension. This needs assessment includes a conversation about the local community needs and priorities in the County. This conversation will take place at the October Ag & Extension Committee Meeting. Perkins handed out a letter from the University that included four questions that will be asked during the conversation. Business Manager Updates Department Head Updates – No updates were presented. Review, Discuss, and Recommend Approval of the 2027 Preliminary Budgets for Tractor Safety, Fair, Pesticide Applicator Training, 4-H Member, and UW-Extension for presentation to the Finance Committee. Wileman presented the 2027 preliminary budgets and no questions were presented. Varga moved to recommend the preliminary budgets as presented, Sass seconded. Motion passed. Other Business No other business was presented. Next meeting: Wednesday—October 7th, 2026 at 8:00am. Motion by Sass, second by Knox to adjourn at 9:03 am. Motion passed. Minutes submitted by Knox/Hougan.