Burnett County Ag/Extension Committee Meeting
Monday, March 21, 2005
Minutes

I. The meeting was called to order by Charles Peterson at 9:30 am in Room 165 of the Burnett County Government Center on Monday, March 21, 2005.

Notice was posted according to open meeting law requirements.

Present: Charles Peterson, Mary Falk, Gene Olson, Douglas Stubbe, Marilyn Kooiker, Julie Yezek, Mike Kornmann, Marleen Seul, Kevin Schoessow.

II. Motion to approve the February 21, 2005 minutes made by Gene Olson; seconded by Mary Falk. Motion carried.

III. General Business:

Vouchers for the past month were approved and signed for submission to the Finance Committee.

A. Department Head Report: Doug Stubbe

1. The Strategic Plan presentation to the County Board by John Preissing was discussed. Mary Falk was named to the Strategic Planning Committee.
2. Stubbe advised the Committee he has scheduled the Annual Report for June 1.
3. Most of the discussion for the Dean's Wisline focused on the Governor's Budget.
4. Nothing significant to report for the 2005 County Budget because of the change of having committee members sign vouchers, which put a delay on payments. Changes will be seen next month.
5. The Community Partner Advisory Group (CPAG) will meet on April 19. Congratulations to Doug Stubbe and Marilyn Kooiker. Both will be receiving State awards for their newsletters from their respective associations.
6. Next month Kathy Miller (40% time District Director) is on the agenda; also John Haack, Basin Educator.

B. Agent Reports:

1. Julie Yezek
Yezek reported the State is asking how education is getting the message home to parents. Yezek showed the results of the taste tests that were done. This concept is a trial idea to see if budgeting lessons can be taught to families through the kids. Yezek reported she had 17 response cards returned out of 24.

Mary Falk wondered if lessons could be more on nutrition rather than finance considering obesity and the diabetic issues with children.

2. Kevin Schoessow
Schoessow asked to participate in the program to encourage good nutrition and explained a state-wide initiative to encourage gardening in schools and daycares as a means of encouraging better nutrition for children. Schoessow continued explaining the program is part of the Health Department's "Got Dirt" program and was brought into Extension late. The booklet is just now coming off the press. Schoessow added there will be a meeting regarding this initiative on Thursday, March 24 at the LCO Convention Center in Hayward. The DPI is also involved and has mini grants to help schools get involved and it would be OK to tell the schools about the options and the concept.

Schoessow went over his major projects that he has been involved with and circulated a check sheet he uses to go over with farmers. He is involved with seven farms in Burnett County and six farms in Sawyer County.

The subject of the Siren Farmers Market was initiated and discussion on Julie Yezek doing some educating at the market, since there are WIC vendors there.

The idea of changing the Farmers Market location to make it more visible was mentioned. Schoessow stated that could be a possibility. A suggestion was made to contact the St. Croix Tribe regarding having the Market at the South Winds mini mall.

Schoessow reported Otto Wegand is on a working vacation in Honduras.

3. Written agent reports were distributed by Doug Stubbe, Marilyn Kooiker and Michael Kornmann.

IV. Set Next Meeting Date

The next meeting date was set for Monday, April 18, 2005 at 9:30 am in Room 165 of the Burnett County Government Center. Maury Miller and Marilyn Kooiker will be in Washington D.C.

V. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn made by Gene Olson; seconded by Mary Falk. Meeting adjourned at 11:50 am by Charles Peterson.