BURNETT COUNTY AG/EXTENSION COMMITTEE
June 21, 2004
Minutes

I. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Maury Miller, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 165 of the Burnett County Government Center on Monday, June 21, 2004.

II. Notice was posted according to open meeting law requirements.

Present: Charles Peterson, Maury Miller, Gene Olson, Mary Falk, Steve Briggs, Mike Kornmann, Marilyn Kooiker, Charlie Wolden, Grace Gee and Wanda Hinrichs.

III. Motion to approve the May 17, 2004 minutes was made by Peterson, seconded by Olson. Motion carried.

IV. General Business

Charlie Wolden, Frederic Village President, spoke on the WITC Satellite Campus proposed for Frederic. Things are on hold at the moment until the new Village President is on board in July.

The question was posed by Mary Falk if Northwest Wisconsin has been ignored in this area, not wanting to put an educational facility of this nature here. Support for such a venture is being sought and justified by the needs of area businesses for education in various areas. Much discussion and information was shared on the issue.

Grace Gee, Burnett/Douglas County Nutrition Education Coordinator spoke about what WNEP is, where they work and the nutrition programming that is done through the program.

Money will be available this fall from a new 21st Century Grant that can be matched on through state and local fund. Nutritional programming at area Head Starts and during kindergarten screenings will be possible this year.

Goals for next year (2005) will be to have an active WNEP Advisory Committee formed with representation from all partnering agencies WNEP is involved with.

Much discussion was held on the role WNEP can play with the young population of our county with the obesity problem we face as a nation; what we need to see happen as a whole; what can be done within the schools; if WNEP can take the role as advocates and not just educators in Extension.

A. Agent Reports

Mike Kornmann, Community Resource Development - A brochure to encourage community support for the Leadership Program has been developed. A new model to go by for the Leadership Program is being worked on. Mike will be meeting with area business and community leaders over the summer to create support for the program. Youth participation will be explored with Doug Stubbe assisting in this area.

The Birding Festival went well considering the weather. There was a great turnout for the opening ceremonies. The Wisconsin Society of Ornithology loved the area and would like to come back. The event organizers will meet in July to finalize and review how things went. Much discussion took place on the event and the impact of the Birding Trail and festival.

The long range plan for the Grantsburg Fire Association is nearing completion. Mike will meet with the committee next week. The plan, when complete, will be forwarded to the association board for approval.

Mike attended a meeting in Madison for the CNRED "teams concept" that is being used to develop programming for his area.

Mike's has begun putting together a mini portfolio for his three year review will most likely take place in January 2005.

The Northwest Lake Leaders Conference is coming up on Friday, June 25 in Cable.

The June meeting for BCDA did not have a quorum. No business was conducted. The board has a plan for "regrouping" that they can take action on. Discussion from the Extension Committee determined the BCDA is basically dysfunctional. Discussion took place on economic development of Burnett County and which direction to go.

Another discussion took place on farming; hogs in particular. Gene Olson shared information on WACEC Conference he attended. Much discussion on farming and the future took place. Steve Briggs spoke with his opinion on the subject.

Doug Stubbe, 4-H/Youth Development - On June 6 the Wood River Beavers hosted a model rocket launch at the Grantsburg School's athletic field. Approximately 45 people attended and 35 rockets were fired. Youth from Bayfield County 4-H also attended this event and were provided the opportunity to fire their rockets.

Doug attended and participated in the Dairy Days held in Alpha on June 11 and at the Burnett County Dairy Breakfast held on June 19.

The State Youth Conference was held in Madison on June 21-24. Doug, along with three members, Robert Lake, Jade Johnson and Jena Coyour attended.

During June, two Burnett County 4-H members, Abby Coyour and Caylin Bowman will participate in the Citizenship Washington Focus, an annual leadership opportunity for 4-H members nationally in Washington DC.

On June 8-10, Doug joined with Tri-County Ag Agent Kevin Schoessow to teach tractor safety for the tri-county area. Unfortunately, there were no Burnett County youth in the course this year. The program conflicted with the last day of school for Grantsburg. This will be considered next year when scheduling the dates.

Doug registered for the NAE4-HA National Conference in Oklahoma City for October 30-November 5.

Upcoming Events: State Youth Conference, June 21-24; Community Partnership Advisory Committee Conference in Medford, June 29; Budget Development Workshop at the Palmquist Farms, June 30; Central Burnett County Fair, Webster, July 7-11; Burnett County 4-H Camp, Lake 26, July 21-24; 4-H Garden Tour, July 28; 4-H PA Exchange Trip, August 2-8; Grantsburg Fair, August 26-29; Dean Leholm visit, August 26.

Marilyn Kooiker, Family Living - Marilyn attended the District Family Living meeting in Price County on May 25. The topic was on "Understanding Child Temperament: Theory, Research and Application" and "Obesity Prevention: What We Know and Where Do We Go From Here?".

One male participant attended the three-part series parenting class being taught by Marilyn.

Marilyn attended the Hertel Head Start graduation on June 3.

Upcoming Family Living Activities: Northern District Family Living meeting, Tuesday, June 22, Sawyer County; Webster Fair, July 7-11.

B. Department Head Report

A resolution recognizing Doug Stubbe for military service in 2003 has been drafted. Marilyn read this to the Committee. A copy will be forwarded to the County Board for adoption. Motion to approve by Gene Olson, seconded by Steve Briggs. Motion carried.

The 2004 Financial Report through May was distributed and reviewed.

The Tri-County Ag position, housed in Spooner, final interviews will be held on Thursday, July 1. A representative from the Extension Committee is needed to be a part of the interview team. Mary Falk volunteered to participate.

The State WACEC Conference was June 6-8 in Eau Claire. Gene Olson and Marilyn attended. Marilyn attended the Poverty and Hunger workshop and went on the Chippewa County Jail, Hmong Mutual Assistance and Family Resource Center tour. Next year's state WACEC Conference will be hosted by our district on June 26-28, 2005. Marilyn purchased auction items at a total cost of $31.41. The committee members all donated $5.00 toward the items as done in previous years.

Gene Olson gave a brief report on the tours and sessions he attended while at the state WACEC conference. He highlighted the youth participation in Superior and Douglas County government. The committee plans on looking into the possibility of youth involvement in the county, at least within the Extension Committee. Gene distributed materials from the conference.

Doug Stubbe and Marilyn will attend a training session on June 29 in Medford on Community Partner Advisory Group initiative. The state WACEC delegation passed a resolution supporting this initiative.

Committee meeting dates for the year were distributed. They are the third Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in Room 165.

Upcoming Department Head Activities: Community Partner Advisory Groups, June 29 in Medford: County Budget Strategy Workshop, June 30 in Brantwood; Annual Report for UW-Extension will be presented at the next County Board meeting; Dean Arlen Leholm visits Burnett County, August 26.

V. Any Other Business

Charlie Wolden thanked the committee for letting him attend this meeting.

VI. Set Next Meeting Date

Next meeting date will be held on Monday, July 19, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 165 of the Burnett County Government Center.

Adjournment - Motion to adjourn the June 21, 2004 meeting was made by Briggs, seconded by Olson. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. by Chairman Maury Miller.