Peterson. Greg Andrews, Frank Ginther, Lori Zierl, Diana Alfuth, 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair LeRoy Peterson at 8:33 a.m.

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1 Pierce County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee MEETING MINUTES Friday, February 25, :30 a.m. Conference Room C, Pierce County Office Building 412 West Kinne Street, Ellsworth # Action Committee Members Present: Staff Members Present: Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, Don Rohl, Jim Ross, LeRoy Peterson Greg Andrews, Frank Ginther, Lori Zierl, Diana Alfuth, 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair LeRoy Peterson at 8:33 a.m. 2 Adopt Agenda Move by Pittman seconded by Rohl to adjust agenda to move items 7 and 8 to follow item 3. Motion passed. 3 Public Comment There was no Public Comment. 4 Discuss State WACEC Conference Lori Zierl shared information on the bus transportation to the Conference. Supervisors will plan to meet and carpool to the bus pick-up point. Committee members planning to attend must register by March 6. Supervisors will need to make their hotel arrangements, an information packet was provided. A tax exempt form for the county will be sent in advance. There are legislative visits scheduled for this conference. 5 Discuss/Take Action on National Conference attendance request for Greg Andrews, Agricultural Agent Move by Rohl, 2 nd by Pittman to approve request for Greg Andrews to attend National Association of County Agricultural Agents Conference and cover conference registration cost only. Motion passed. 6 Discuss/Take Action on Approval of December 17, 2010 AEEC Minutes 7 Committee will convene into closed session pursuant to Sec (1) (c), Wis. Stats. for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility: Family Living Agent - Annual Performance Evaluation Agricultural Agent - Annual Performance Evaluation Motion to approve the minutes of December 17, 2010 by Rohl, seconded by Pittman. Motion passed. Motion by Kosin to go into closed session pursuant to Sec (1) (c), Wis. Stats. for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Seconded by Rohl, roll call vote LeRoy Peterson yes; Mel Pittman yes; Jerry Kosin - yes, Don Rohl yes; Jim Ross yes.

2 Horticulture Educator - Annual Performance Evaluation 4-H Youth Development Agent Annual Performance Evaluation 8 Committee will return to open session and take action on any closed session items if necessary Closed session. Motion by Ross, seconded by Rohl to return to open session, roll call vote LeRoy Peterson yes; Mel Pittman yes; Jerry Kosin - yes, Don Rohl - yes, Jim Ross - yes. Motion by Mel Pittman and 2 nd by Don Rohl to recognize all agents for very good performance reviews. Motion passed. 9 Future Agenda Items Consider discussing of the Maple Tap agreement. WACEC state meeting report. WACEC district meeting. Jim Ross report on PILD. 10 Next meeting date The next Agriculture and Extension Education Committee meeting will be Friday, April 29 at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Pierce County Office Building. 11 Adjourn Motion by Kosin to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 a.m., seconded by Don Rohl. Motion passed. F:\Users\AG-AGENT\AEEC - DH\2011\Minutes\Min-Feb-25, 2011.doc

3 Pierce County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee MEETING MINUTES Friday, April 29, :30 a.m. Lower Level Meeting Room Pierce County Office Building 412 West Kinne Street, Ellsworth # Action Committee Members Present: Staff Members Present: Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, Don Rohl, Jim Ross, LeRoy Peterson Greg Andrews, Frank Ginther, Sarah Johnson Guest: Dennis Boettcher 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair LeRoy Peterson at 8:33 a.m. 2 Public Comment Pittman shared the magazine Hoards Dairyman noting an editorial on Extension Cutbacks as a Threat. 3 Discuss/Take Action on Approval of Motion to approve the minutes of February 25, 2011 by February 25, 2011 AEEC Minutes Jerry Kosin, seconded by Jim Ross. Motion passed. 4 Discuss/Take Action on County Demonstration Woodlot Agreement Andrews introduced the agreement, last approved May 2009, between Dennis Boettcher and Pierce County. Boettcher maintains the County Cemetery for the opportunity to tap maple trees in the county woodlot. This season 124 gallons of syrup was created from this woodlot. Move by Pittman, 2 nd by Kosin to continue County Demonstration Woodlot Agreement for another 2 years. Motion passed. 5 Report on PILD Conference Ross reported on his attendance at the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference in Washington DC April 3 & 4. Monday meetings focused on the Smith Lever Funds, ultimate cut only $750,000. Ross and the Wisconsin delegation met with Senator Kohl for 30 minutes, Kohl is a strong and aware proponent of UW-Extension. Ross and the Wisconsin delegation met with Representative Kind s staff for 30 minutes, Kind was in caucus. Ross encouraged members to attend the PILD Conference, well worth the time & energy invested. Trip paid through WACEC auction funds. 6 Discuss/Take Action on Wisconsin Idea Partnership resolution forwarded by WACEC Pittman shared that he, Peterson & Rohl attended the WACEC Conference. Discussion on the WI Idea Partnership vs. the Badger Partnership Plan was a conference focus. WACEC Board members drafted resolution option 1 supporting the WI Idea. Florence County drafted resolution option 2 also supporting the WI Idea Partnership. Motion made by Ross, seconded by Rohl to approve option 2 and recommend adoption by the Finance and Personnel Committee and County Board of Supervisors. Motion passed unanimously. 7 Plans for June District WACEC Meeting Ginther reminded board members of the June District WACEC Meeting. Registration due date May 25. Pittman and Rohl plan to attend. Kosin and Ross may attend. 8 Report from State WACEC Conference Pittman, Peterson, Rohl and Lori Zierl, UWEX Family Living Educator and Co-Department Head, all attended the State

4 9 Discuss/Take Action on National Conference attendance request for Lori Zierl, Family Living Agent 10 Discuss/Take Action on WNEP Agreement Letter 11 WACEC Award presentation for Supervisor Kosin 12 Agent Reports Reporting Agent Greg Andrews, Agriculture Agent WACEC Conference. Pittman met with two of Governor Walker s aides for one hour. New UW-Colleges and UW- Extension Chancellor Ray Cross addressed the Conference group. Auction raised $4,200, proceeds fund county board members to attend PILD Conference in Washington DC. Move by Ross, seconded by Rohl to approve request for Zierl to attend the National Conference and cover $395 for registration. Motion passed. Motion by Pittman, seconded by Ross to approve Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program (WNEP) Agreement. Motion passed. Wisconsin Associated County Extension Committees (WACEC) Award was presented to Kosin for 10 years as a WACEC member. Rohl also received an award for his 5 years as a WACEC member. Picture followed meeting. Andrews presented a power point on Renting Farm Assets describing current work with farmers/landowners including a survey. Discussion ensued. 13 Agent and Supervisor Announcements Ginther announced a 4-H Fun Night tonight at the Seyforth Building, targeting middle schoolers. All welcome. Johnson announced the Elmwood Food Pantry Open House, 3-5 pm May 4 th. Andrews announced the upcoming Dairy Breakfast on May 21. The summer 4-H assistant begins May Future Agenda Items Deb Jones, UW Extension Western District Director, would like to attend our next meeting, if possible. 15 Next meeting date The next Agriculture and Extension Education Committee meeting will be Friday June 10, at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Pierce County Office Building. 16 Adjourn Motion by Kosin, to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 a.m., seconded by Rohl. Motion passed. F:\Users\AG-AGENT\AEEC - DH\2011\Minutes\Min-April doc

5 Pierce County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee MEETING MINUTES Friday, June 10, :30 a.m. Lower Level Meeting Room Pierce County Office Building 412 West Kinne Street, Ellsworth # Action Committee Members Present: Staff Members Present: Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, Don Rohl, Jim Ross, LeRoy Peterson Greg Andrews, Frank Ginther, Lori Zierl, Diana Alfuth, Sarah Johnson, and Deb Jones, Paul Barkla Guest: 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair LeRoy Peterson at 8:34 a.m. 2 Public Comment 3 Discuss/Take Action on Approval of April 29, 2011 AEEC Minutes 4 Report on District 5 WACEC Meeting 7 Discuss Take Action on State and County CNRED Agent Partnership 5 Discuss/Take Action on Overtime Request for Support Staff at Fair Motion to approve the minutes of April 29, 2011 by Jim Ross, seconded by Don Rohl. Motion passed. Mel Pittman reported about the District 5 WACEC meeting held in Warrens. Mel Pittman, Jim Ross and Lori Zierl attended. The business meeting was held in the morning along with an update from Dean Rick Klemme. Jerry Kosin made a motion to move from Agenda item #4 to #7 on request from Paul Barkla. Seconded by Don Rohl. Motion carried. Deb Jones gave a brief history about the CNRED agent position in the past few years. Deb offered Pierce County the first right of refusal for state funds for the CNRED position. Another county is interested in filling a CNRED position and those funds will likely be used for that position. Paul Barkla recommended that for now we put the position in our staffing plan/personnel request. The decision will be contingent on the upcoming budget deliberations. Barkla recommended that we maintain the current relationship with the state. Frank Ginther presented an overtime request for Extension support staff at the fair. All three support staff has requested comp time, and Sandy Radkey requested payment up to 28 hours. Mel Pittman moved to approve, Jerry Kosin seconded. Motion passed. 6 Discussion with Western District Cooperative Extension District Director Deb Jones Deb Jones thanked the committee for their support of the Wisconsin Idea Partnership. Deb reported on some of the new agents in our district. Jim Ross expressed his support for retaining the CNRED presence in Pierce County. Ms. Jones updated the committee on the fringe

6 8 Agent Reports Reporting Agent Sarah Johnson, WNEP Nutrition Educator 9 Agent and Supervisor Announcements rate increase from the state. The Dean of Cooperative Extension has agreed to reimburse 1.5% of that increase to counties in Sarah Johnson presented an educational piece entitled Hunger Close to Home that detailed local statistics about food insecurity in Pierce County. Greg passed out information about a Conservation and No-Till Field Day on June 21 st. Lori Zierl reported bout the Wisconsin C.A.R.E.S. project that she will be working on over the next 18 months. Frank updated how the camping program is really a youth leadership program. Frank and the rest of the staff are preparing for the fair. There are a number of educational workshops being facilitated leading up to the fair. One example is the MAQA Workshop. Ginther is also working on the Gateway Academy with the River Falls School District during July. Sarah Johnson presented at the UW-RF Eat Right and Educate Conference. Diana Alfuth provided numerous classes this spring on growing vegetables. There are many weatherrelated calls she has had to respond to - commercial and homeowners. Diana and Frank are also working on a Junior Master Gardener project. Mel Pittman reminded the committee about the Legacy Farms Dedication that will happen on June 17 th. Jim Ross reported that on May 21, Penny the Cow mascot made an appearance at the Dairy Breakfast. Over 1600 people were served breakfast at the event. There were a number of educational opportunities for people to take part in. 10 Future Agenda Items Budget 11 Next meeting date The next Agriculture and Extension Education Committee meeting will be Friday, August 26, at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Pierce County Office Building. 12 Adjourn Motion by Mel Pittman, to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 a.m., seconded by Don Rohl. Motion passed. F:\Users\AG-AGENT\AEEC - DH\2011\Minutes\Min-June doc

7 Pierce County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee MEETING MINUTES August 26, :30 a.m. Lower Level Meeting Room Pierce County Office Building 412 West Kinne Street, Ellsworth # Action Committee Members Present: Staff Members Present: Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, Don Rohl, Jim Ross, LeRoy Peterson Greg Andrews, Frank Ginther, Lori Zierl, Diana Alfuth 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair LeRoy Peterson at 8:32 a.m. 2 Public Comment Mel showed an article about a flight he took. 3 Discuss/Take Action on Approval of June 10, 2011 AEEC Minutes 4 Report on WACEC Board Meeting Motion to approve the minutes of June 10, 2011 by Mel Pittman, seconded by Jerry Kosin. Motion passed. Mel reported that the WACEC Board met in August. The WACEC conference was a success, but auction proceeds were down about half from two years ago. Dean Klemme talked at the meeting about budget status & that there have been a lot of retirements due to state budget changes. June 25 & 26, 2012 will be the next WACEC Conf. in Green Bay. WACEC will celebrate its 100 th year. 5 Report on 2011 County Fair Jerry reported attendance was good, but they had a few electrical problems before & during the fair; they will be replacing transformers. Frank reported that Thursday s power outage affected 4-H food stand. Jr. fair entries were good. Frank thanked help from support staff & agents. Earlier entry check in helped things run smoothly. Photography exhibits are very high. Wine is also popular but some departments in the Home Economics Building were down. 6 Discuss/Take Action on 2012 Budget Greg went through the budget line by line. Proposed 2012 budget is.4% below 2011 adopted budget. Motion by Mel Pittman, seconded by Jim Ross, to approve 2012 budget and recommend approval to Finance & Personal Committee, motion passed unanimous. 7 Discuss Signatures for 133 Contract Amendment 8 Report on attendance at 2011 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Conference 9 Agent Reports - Written reports provided by agents Greg is waiting for approved contract from Brad Lawrence and will coordinate signatures of AEEC members. Greg reported that he attended the NACAA National Conference in Kansas. He described extensive training in bio-energy education and how he will be using the curriculum in Pierce County. Greg received a Distinguished Service Award at the conference. Agents had provided written reports & responded to questions from AEEC Members.

8 10 Agent and Supervisor Announcements Jim Ross reported on IS meeting & computer replacement cycle. UWEX sometimes provides computers & equipment so that the county does not incur that expense. Technology changes are happening quickly. Master Gardener training starts in Sept. and Jr. Master Gardener training should start in Oct. Frank is planning Farm Safety Day for 4 th graders in September. Frank will be helping clubs adjust to new federal tax exempt rules. National 4- H week is Oct Future Agenda Items Next meeting date The next Agriculture and Extension Education Committee meeting will be Friday, Oct. 28, at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Pierce County Office Building. 13 Adjourn Motion by Mel Pittman, to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m., seconded by Jerry Kosin. Motion passed. F:\Users\AG-AGENT\AEEC - DH\2011\Minutes\Min-Aug doc

9 Pierce County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee MEETING MINUTES December 2, :30 a.m. Lower Level Meeting Room Pierce County Office Building 412 West Kinne Street, Ellsworth # Action Committee Members Present: Staff Members Present: Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, Don Rohl, Jim Ross, LeRoy Peterson, Deb Jones Greg Andrews, Frank Ginther, Lori Zierl, Diana Alfuth, Deb Jones Guest: 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair LeRoy Peterson at 8:31 a.m. 2 Public Comment Jim Ross shared letter in response to positive comments received regarding the sign language interpreter. 3 Discuss/Take Action on Approval of August 26, 2011 AEEC Minutes 4 Report on attendance by Lori Zierl at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference 5 Update from UW-Extension Cooperative Extension Western District Director 6 Discuss State WACEC meeting for Discuss/Take Action on Revision of 2012 UW- Extension Department Staffing Plan and Support Staff Position Merger Motion to approve the minutes of August 26, 2011 changing box 4, striking the word WACEC and changing it to UW-Extension so that it reads UW-Extension will celebrate its 100 th year. by Mel Pittman, seconded by Jim Ross. Motion passed. Lori Zierl is current president of the Wisconsin Ext.-Assn. of Family and Consumer Sciences. Lori Zierl attended programs on a Master Wellness Volunteer program, Balanced Living, the Financial Boot Camp, Advanced Health Care Directives, and on First Time Home Buying. Fellow Extension educators share their materials and resources so the programs are often adaptable for our local county situation. It is a cost share opportunity with support coming from the UWEX agents, personal funds, UWEX District Office, and county. Deb Jones shared the exercise UWEX is going through to reduce base funds in each district by 5%. Counties across the district are showing strong support for UWEX programs currently due to better than expected budgets. Information was shared regarding the financial support that the UWEX Cooperative Extension Dean Klemme will provide each county to cover an increase in the fringe rate. The fringe rates are manageable due to UWEX being part of a fringe benefit rate pool with UW system campuses. UWEX is changing their district structure reducing the total number of district directors to four and adding 8 new counties to our Western/Northern region. The State Wisconsin Associated County Ext. Committees conference is in June and Lori Zierl sent around a save the date reminder for supervisors. Mel Pittman discussed the possibility of bus transportation. The event is planned for Green Bay and will have some focus on commemorating the 100 th anniversary of UWEX. Due to an announced retirement of a 32 year support staff colleague the proposal is to revise the 2012 UWEX staffing plan to reflect a merger of two support staff positions currently 1.4 FTE into a 1.0 FTE position. This action would result in a net savings of 13% to the 2012 budget.

10 8 Agent reports - Reporting Agent-Diana Alfuth and Written reports provided by other Agents 9 Agent and Supervisor Announcements Motion by Mel Pittman, and seconded by Jim Ross, to recommend approval to the Pierce County Finance and Personnel Committee for the revision of the 2012 UW-Extension Department staffing plan and merger of two Extension Support Staff positions (currently 1.4 FTE) to a (1.0 FTE) filled by Sandy Radkey, the.4 FTE position would not be re-filled. Motion passed. Agents provided written reports & responded to questions from AEEC Members. Diana Alfuth reported on the Master Gardener program and the topics covered. Master Gardeners is primarily a volunteer program and they contribute a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer service and 10 hrs. of education each year to be certified. With over 200 members in the St. Croix Valley Master Gardener Assoc. representing the largest number of Master Gardener volunteers per capita (Pierce and St. Croix counties) in the State. In 2011, 6,494 hours of community service have been contributed to our communities in Pierce and St. Croix Counties. Frank Ginther invited all to attend the County 4-H leadership event at the Courthouse tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 3. The event will feature parliamentary procedure, 4-H project leader and teamwork training along with a guest speaker from the UWRF Agriculture Ed. Department. 10 Future agenda items Next meeting we will plan for Agent performance reviews. 11 Next meeting date The next Agriculture and Extension Education Committee meeting will be Friday, February 17, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Pierce County Office Building. 12 Adjourn Motion by Mel Pittman, to adjourn the meeting at 10:53 a.m., seconded by Don Rohl. Motion passed. F:\Users\AG-AGENT\AEEC - DH\2011\Minutes\Min-December 2, 2011.docx