Agriculture & Extension

AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION EDUCATION COMMITTEE March 3, 2026 Members Present: Catherine Lemke, Tim Hansen, Jim Metz and Karen Cummings. Others Present: Julie Diepenbrock, Michelle Grimm, Kelly Phillips, Amber Rehberg, Sandy Stuttgen, and Nicole Hager from HR. Minutes by Phillips. Call meeting to order: Tim Hansen, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Approve the agenda: Metz moved to approve the agenda; Lemke seconded the motion. Motion carried. Approve minutes of the November 4, 2025 meetings: Cummings moved to approve the minutes of November 4; Lemke seconded. Motion carried. Approve bills and vouchers for November/December2025 and January/February 2026: Lemke moved to approve the bills and vouchers; Metz seconded. Motion carried. Educator Highlight Reports: Educators gave oral reports to supplement their written reports. Highlights were reviewed and discussed from: Julie Diepenbrock, Taylor/Price 4 -H Program Educator: Diepenbrock listed a variety of activities and topics covered during 4 -H monthly Community Club Meetings focused on community involvement and service opportunities. In January, Diepenbrock hosted an Annual Leadership Training workshop where 4-H Leaders talked about upcoming challenges, how to balance monthly meetings to ensure meetings are geared and hold interest for all ages, as well as shared activity ideas scheduled for the year. Next, Diepenbrock shared her activities and involvement in the counties after school programs with an emphasis on STEM activities. Lastly, Diepenbrock has finalized summer plans for overnight camp, day camps, library workshops and Huey’s Summer Programming. Sandy Stuttgen, Agriculture Education/Programming: Stuttgen just returned from WI Idea Conference in Madison where she and colleagues presented from recent research re: colostrum management differences for retained and non -retained calves. The WI Idea Conference seeks to bring together community-minded people from across the Madison area to discuss creative, mutually beneficial approaches to community -university partnership. Next, Stuttgen spoke about the importance of using the Likert Scale in her workshops to better understand participants’ knowledge prior and where they benefited most from attending; ultimately knowing they are making a difference. In January, Stuttgen presented NCWCA (North Central WI Cattlemen’s Association) Winter Event Pregnancy Diagnosis for Improving Reproductive Performance. Save a Calf, Save a Cow workshop was held in February with another workshop coming in April. Lastly, Stuttgen noted on March 30 th there will be a workshop focused on how to manage herd biosecurity with premises mapping assistance from DATCP. So far 6 farms from Taylor County will be in attendance. Michelle Grimm, Community Development: Grimm stated the Strong Bodies program enlisted a new instructor to sub the Rib Lake classes. Also, she conducted a semi -annual CPR training for all Strong Bodies instructors; and a new Strong Bodies class started at the REC Center on Tuesday’s and Thursday mornings. Grimm recently offered Tech Talk workshop at the REC Center focusing on electronic savviness with Grant Bub. Grimm updated the Broadband committee has been troubleshooting areas in which connection is lacking. The RESET Program recently offered forums regarding leasing of agriculture land with legal expertise offered by UW -Madison Extension. Grimm stated that NonProfit - Recruiting, Retaining & Managing Volunteers workshops are coming to an end with 3 participants from Taylor County. Lastly, Grimm provided an update on Gilman’s interest in housing and showed the recent article in the Counties magazine. Kelly Phillips, Program Assistant: Phillips talked about year -end budgeting and program wrap-ups she had been involved with and refocused on launching of 2026 marketing materials for upcoming Extension programs. Phillips maintains and sends out monthly communication correspondence to 4-H Members, and Dairy and Beef contacts on all upcoming workshops as well as informational articles. Website updates via Madison take place monthly due to technological changes. Phillips also assists with Statewide Extension Administrative teams monthly Zooms with upcoming changes, streamlined correspondence and institution updates to maintain uniformity amongst all Extension offices. Phillips noted foot traffic has been busy with new program sign -ups, plat book and farm record management book sales and commented how offering all registrations and payments on the web has been actively busy. Lastly, Phillips remarked that their marketing over the past several years has been very intentional not only to local media sources and social media platforms but within the community at local health clinics, chiropractic offices, schools, libraries, children museums and has noticed how Extension has benefited with increased participants and growing programs like Strong Bodies and 4-H. Area Extension Director Updates: Rehberg continues to provide leadership for both Area 3 and Area 4. There was a failed search for Area 4, but it was open again and we’re hoping for a successful hire this round. With several Tribal communities in Area 4, working with Tribal Governments is a requirement. Rehberg also stated new staff have been hired in Florence for Health and Well Being and a new Community Development Educator position will hopefully be filled in Forest County. Rehberg spoke about the recent training held for County Department Heads with Hager with assistance from UW -Extension personnel. Lastly, Rehberg shared that Midpoint Reviews have been done for all educators. Next committee meeting: Tuesday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. Adjournment: Metz motioned to adjourn at 9:55 a.m.; Lemke seconded. Motion carried.