Agenda Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee meeting June 5, 2017; 8:30 a.m. Assembly Room, Sawyer County Courthouse

Transcription

1 Carol Williamson, Sawyer County Clerk Main Street, Suite 10 Hayward, Wisconsin Phone Toll free j sawyer CO UN T_x Agenda Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee meeting June 5, 2017; 8:30 a.m. Assembly Room, Sawyer County Courthouse 01. Meeting agenda 02. Minutes of May 5, 2017 meeting 03. Audience recognition. 04. Sawyer County Agricultural Fair Association report 05. Broadband Update by Don Semler from Broadband Committee 06. University of Wisconsin-Extension Department report 07. Northwest Regional Planning Commission report 08. Bike/Ped Citizens Advisory Committee report 09. Hayward Area Visitors and Convention Bureau report 10. Economic Development Corporation report 11. Other matters for discussion only cw Carol Williamson Sawyer County Clerk ed to: Sawyer County Record, Sawyer County Gazette, WRLS, WHSM, AND WOJB, Hayward Library, and Village of Winter for posting on Thursday, June 1, 2017, 12:10 p.m. by Carol Williamson

2 Draft Minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee Sawyer County Board of Supervisors May 8, 2017; 8:30 a.m.; Assembly Room; Sawyer County Courthouse Members present: Tom Duffy, Brian Bisonette, James Schlender, Marc Helwig Others present: Stacey Hessel, Joan Cervenka, Lisa Wydra, Julie Keown-Bomar, Kevin Schoessow, John Saunders, Lori Laberee, Lori Baltrusis, Carol Williamson, Ariga Grigoryan, Frank Zufall, Linda Zillmer Motion by Helwig, 2nd by Bisonette, to approve the agenda. Motion carried Motion by Helwig, 2nd by Bisonette, to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2017 Committee meet ing. Motion carried Stacey Hessel updated the Committee on the Fair Association. The fair board is renting out the fair grounds for $500 with a $200 deposit. One fund raiser and three weddings are scheduled for this summer. Lisa Wydra requested continued county support for Fc:lOdWise. The FoodWise grant requires county support in the form of office space, lights, telephone, and internet. The grant totals $150,000 for 1.8 fulltime employees: Lisa Wydra and Kim Clark. The grant covers supplies and mileage. The nutrition education program brings value to communities working with counties and tribes. Motion by Helwig, 2nd by Bisonette to approve continued support of the FoodWise program and authorize Administrator Tom Hoff to sign the letter of support. Motion carried Julie Keown-Bomar, NW Region Director gave an update on next Generation Cooperative Extension. Regional directors and department head positions will end in December Total reorganization of the Extension staff and services is scheduled for completion January An Area Extension Director will be hired for a five county area including Sawyer, Barron, Washburn, Burnette, and Rusk. The state will hire and budget for 18 area directors. The state will be divided in two sections with the northern section ofthe state assigned to Assistant Dean, Dave Berard. The Extension faculty offer professional development opportunities to employees and the community and has acquired grants in excess of $250,000. Sawyer County Extension department head, Lori Laberee is retiring on June 9, Lori Baltrusis will take over department head duties through December 2017 when reorganization is completed. Area Ag Agent, Otto Wiegand is retiring July 4, Cooperative Extension Reorganization is on the 2017 WCA Annual Conference agenda, Tuesday, September 26. John Saunders provided the 1st quarter Bike/Ped Citizens Advisory Committee report. May 10, 2017 is National Walk & Bike to School Day. Saunders is working with County Administrator Tom Hoff. The Bike/Ped Master Plan will change its name to the "bicycle-pedestrian plan". The county has an Outdoor Recreation Plan and a Comprehensive Plan. A link to the website may provide the requirements needed for future TAP applications. Motion by Schlender, 2nd by Helwig to adjourn. Minutes prepared by Carol Williamson

3 University of Wisconsin-Extension UW-Extension Agriculture Educators provide community-based and needbased education & information to Burnett, Washburn and Sawyer Counties. Kevin Schoessow, Area Agriculture Development Educator Otto Wiegand Area Agriculture Educator While their offices are located at the Spooner Agriculture Research Station, they routinely hold meetings, workshops, conferences and provide on-site consultation to Sawyer County farmers, businesses and residents in their communities. They serve a variety of clientele including full-time farmers, part-time and hobby and life-style farmers, community organizations, non-profits, schools, tribal entities, small businesses, local governments, and the general public. Our niche is our connection to research-based information and our non-biased approach to helping people make informed decisions. Kevin and Otto can be reached via phone at (715) or or via at kevin.schoessow@ces.uwex.edu or otto.wiegand@ces.uwex.edu. They both have open-door policies for people wishing to stop by for an office visit. Their office is located at the Spooner Agriculture Research Station, W6646 Hwy 70, -1/2 mile east of Spooner. For more information visit the Spooner Ag Research Station website or Facebook page at http ://ars. wise. ed u/spooner/ or https :// You can find the latest copy of the North Country Gardeners Newsletter here: You can find the latest copy of the Agriculture Newsletter here: pdf

4 Some examples of how UW-Extension's supports Sawyer County small businesses, community organizations, schools, families, tribal entities and local governments 1. Connecting people to people, and promoting local resources and services to help local residents and businesses address needs and concerns. Our extensive network within local communities and throughout the region and state along with our access to information impacts how people make informed decisions We are the yellow/white page, the call-center, or sometimes a counselor for people in need of help 2. Helping farmers and local food entrepreneurs participate in the local food economy with information and business counseling on: Production practices, direct marketing, Farmers Markets, agri-tourism, licensing and regulations, and food safety 3. Helping farmers and livestock producers make informed decisions on ways to improve their profitability through: Business planning, farm succession, dairy modernitization, livestock facilities improvements, pasture and forage management 4. By training volunteers and other community groups to sharing their knowledge and research-based information with others. Master Gardener Volunteers, peer-to-peer learning groups/networks such as Northwest Graziers Network 5. Helping farmers understand best management practices to reduce and minimize impacts on the environment through: Nutrient management education, soil testing, and other BMP in crop and livestock production 6. Provide training to help keep farm workers and youth safe when working on farms or in rural areas. Pesticide Applicator Training and Tractor and Machinery Safety Training 7. Conducting on-farm research and demonstrations to help farmers and producers explore new methods and to help validate and/or add to our current understanding. Forage and vegetable crop variety trials, grazing and field crop demonstrations 8. Helping farmers and the general public understand the economic impacts and cost of production of various agriculture/horticulture enterprises. Crop and livestock budgets, land rents, leases, value of agriculture land and various agriculture and products 9. Help residents make informed decisions on managing their properties in a sustainable way that protects the environment and their ability to enjoy and potentially generate income from their land.

5 Kevin and Otto provide outreach, community service and support through a wide-range of venues and methods. These are accomplished through: Organizing educational workshops, field-days, pasture walks, seminars and conferences Having educational displays and posters and personal conversations at various local community events, fairs, tribal and local government meetings or events Arrange farm and site-visits to meet with farmers or local business owners Share information through newsletters, Facebook, s, websites, press releases with local newspapers and interviews and PSA with local radio By giving presentations to local groups/organizations and at conferences and trade shows Write articles for state trade magazines and state newspapers Provide crop reports and serve as a contact for local information to the Wisconsin Agriculture Statistics Service Serve as a resource and provide educational information to Wisconsin Public TV (University Place, Around the Farm Table) and Wisconsin Public Radio (On Garden Talk) Promoting local agriculture and the people associated with local agriculture through pictures and video Serving as advisors or ex-officio members to local and state organizations and committees Facilitate and proctor meetings, public hearings or other public discussions Teach and mentor students Host local, state, national and international dignitaries Serve as advisors and a resource to tribal and local government boards, departments and agencies Communicate and work closely with State, Federal and Tribal entities (Wis. DNR, Wis. Dept of Agriculture, Department of Public Instruction, USDA, FSA, NRCS, LCOOCC, LCO Extension) E.:li'Ension University of Wisconsin-Extension

6 f.xcension Sawyer Co. UWEX Extension Committee Report, June Otto Wiegand Major Program Area Summary Focus Areas Dairy Modernization, Programming Currently 75 dairy farms in Otto's three counties, 15 in Sawyer Modernization assistance from Dr. Dave Kammel, UW-Madison Ag Engineer 100 total farm visits, 20+ farm visits in Sawyer Estimated 20 freestalls or additions, 5 calf-housing units, 10 milking parlors, 8 manure pits, 2 cattle-handling facilities, 6 feed-storage units, numerous other building ideas influenced by these visits 3 years, coordinated State Dairy Road Show, 400+ total attendees, local meetings in Rice Lake 6 CAFO conferences, Rice Lake & Barron, 300 attendees, organizer, speaker 11 World Dairy Expos, Madison, Extension booth 8 Farm Tech Days, around the state, Extension/ Grass Works booths NW Graziers Network Coordinator, event planner, grant-writer, speaker 6-county area - Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Polk, Barron, Rusk Multiple grants from GLCI and State, $280,000 from annual conferences, 1,200 attendees, 3 conferences held at LCO College 80 pasture walks, over 3,000 attendees, 10 walks in Sawyer 200 grazing plans, over 12,000 acres, 29 plans in Sawyer, + 10 plans by other networks Grass Works Advisory Board since 2016 Beef Programing 250 beef farms, 50+ in Sawyer Beef farmers represent 2/3 of grazing plans and 2/3 of pasture walks 12 cow-calf meetings, 400 attendees, 4 meetings held in Sawyer 12 years, member ofn. Wis. Beef Producers Beginning Farmer Program 14-session program, webinar, grass-based dairying, small ruminants, conservation, technology 10 years, 70 students, over $8,000 generated for UW-Madison and Extension, 2 programs at LCO College, 20 students from Sawyer, scholarships provided by LCO 1

7 Women's Programs 6 Heart of The Farm Conferences, incl. Birchwood and Cable; 200 attendees 20% of graziers are women Annual Training Programs Pesticide Applicator Training, Spooner I Siren, 200+ attendees Tractor Safety, Spooner, 3-day course, 200 attendees Other Programming 11 years, Northern Safari Program- Spooner, Hayward, Siren, other counties attendees 5 years, Farming for Profit Series, 5 sessions - Spooner, Hayward, Siren, other counties - hay, beef, vegs, fruits, dairy 5 MAQA programs, youth fair exhibitors, Spooner, 125 attendees 1 BQA & 1 PQA program, Spooner, 60 attendees 2 irrigation seminars, Spooner, 40 attendees 2 years, forage plots, Spooner Station Achieved tenure in 2009 Newsletters, Databases, Press Releases, Articles 51 quarterly Extension newsletters, mailing addresses 2 grazing newsletters 850 names on an / phone list, 350 on current electronic lists Numerous releases 150 press releases written 12 magazine/ newspaper articles 20 radio / newspaper interviews Farm Calls 1,200 farm calls, 400+ in Sawyer Photos 10,000+ work photos, provided to colleagues 125+ have been used in brochures, newspapers, Power Pts, magazines Vacation Time- International Work since 2004 Farmer-to-Farmer Program-Honduras, Guyana, Nicaragua 4x, Kosovo, Kenya 2x, Mozambique, Mali Dairy cattle nutrition, milk quality, finances, forages, grazing, leather, sheep & goats, extension development Received Honorary Recognition Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2016 for international work 2

8 ~Ension University of Wisconsin-Extension Sawyer County Economic Development and UW-Extension Committee Hayward, Wisconsin June 5, 2017 I would like to thank the Economic Development and Extension Committee, the Sawyer County Board, the County Administrator, and past Committees, Boards and Administrators, as well as the people of Sawyer County for the opportunity to serve as an Extension Agriculture Agent for the past thirteen years. I would especially like to thank my Extension colleagues from the University and LCO, and the many collaborative institutions that have made my work more productive. Sawyer Extension has been a close-knit group as long as I have been here. The work has been very rewarding to me and hopefully to the farm community served. This is the best job I have ever had. I have made many friends in the County and enjoyed many of the county's amenities. As you may know, I plan to retire on July 4. I also plan to continue living at my residence in Spooner. You may see me at future dairy breakfasts and fairs. I plan to stay somewhat active with the grazing community, but my priority will be writing and international work. I would not rule out occasional paid consulting. Sorry, don't ask me to run for any office or join clubs. Too many of my retired professional colleagues seem to be working harder than when they were employed. Richard Otto Wiegand UW-Extension Ag Agent Sawyer, Washburn and Burnett Counties

9 Hayward Lakes Visitors & Convention Bureau Marketing Highlights Tourism Economic Impact Visitor spending in 2016 increased 3.4% from 2015 $ 10.2 million in state and local taxes Occupancy rate stated the same from 2015 to :1 return on investment. For every $1 spent on the state's advertising campaign, $8 came back to WI in the form of additional tax revenue. Website Update: Started a weekly Blog-fresh new content keeps Hayward at the top of the search engine. WI Department of Tourism Received Tourism Information Center Grant of $ we are using toward building improvements from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Held a Free Customer Service Seminar Participate in several co-op marketing opportunities. Social media campaign in May and our website hits increased 76% on the day it released. Hosted several international writers Marketing Goals: Continue to assess our customer profile Ensure the marketing plan is implemented Spend room tax income that most effectively markets the Hayward Lakes Area Promote our Brand platfotm... Woods... Waters... World Class Events Build the Hayward Lakes photo and video library Evaluate the results Sport Show Schedule Sport Show Date VG's Wisconsin State Fair Aug 3-13, St Paul Ice Fishing Show Dec Cabela's Musky Expo Jan Chicagoland Fish-Schaumburg Jan Cedar Rapids Boat & RV Sport Feb Show Lacrosse Sport Show Feb WI Fishing Expo-Madison Feb Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Mar Canoecopia-Madison, WI Mar Eau Claire Wisconsin Mar Northwest Sports/Mpls Mar I MN Golf Show Feb New Sport Show will be the Snowmobile USA show in Milwaukee in October. Discover Wisconsin episode aired "Northwoods Fun on the Flambeau" Highlighted the Winter Area including the greenhouse and Big Bear Rentals. Partnering with Bayfield County, American Birkie, Cable Chamber, Hayward Chamber and us on a Silent Sport Discover Wisconsin episode to air in Partnering with Washburn County, Burnett County and Bayfield County to advertise the Namekagon River. The National Park Service doesn't get any funds for advertising. Top 10 in America's Main Street Project. On Facebook alone we had over 10,000 views in the last push for voting.