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County hears extension office return-on-investment figures; educators outline youth programs and a paused federal grant
Summary
Trempealeau County Extension staff told the county committee the local levy supports about $229,000 of extension work while UW–Madison contributes roughly $315,000; educators outlined Clover College, Farm Safety Day, a youth government day, and said a $350,000 agriscience grant is on pause at the federal level.
County extension staff gave a financial summary and program update at the Trempealeau County Extension Committee meeting, saying the county's annual levy pays roughly $229,000 for the county office while the University of Wisconsin–Madison invests about $315,000 to cover additional salaries and programming support.
An extension presenter said the $229,000 covers local salary and office costs and that UW–Madison pays the balance of several staff salaries and benefits. The presenter described volunteer contributions the office logged as approximately $87,000 in unpaid community hours and said extension work helped secure more than $4 million in external funds for a community building project in Independence.
Committee members asked for clarity about what the university funds cover; an extension staff member said the UW contribution pays the "above and beyond" portion of salaries and benefits and that the county contribution is the levy-funded portion.
Educators described upcoming and recent programs. Andrea (extension educator) said Clover College has 19 kids enrolled as of the meeting and detailed sessions ranging from goat-milk soap making to livestock judging and photography. She said she is reviving Farm Safety Day Camp and plans to partner with Independence summer school to bus students to Petrick Park for free safety instruction that could include UTV and tractor safety and involve local emergency services. Andrea said she is working with Beau Tibbets, the county emergency management coordinator, on that effort.
Adam (extension educator) described larger youth programming including an eighth-grade environmental day that brings students to local sites such as the wildlife refuge, Brady's Bluff and the lock and dam, and said those field trips typically serve 200–300 students. Adam also reported the county was awarded a $350,000 career pathways in agriscience grant through NC State, but he said USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has put the grant on pause; staff said there is no implementation guidance at the federal level while the pause remains.
The committee discussed scheduling: staff proposed moving the committee's August meeting to July 31 at Petrick Park at 11 a.m. so members could observe science-day programming; a member moved the change and another seconded it. Members responded "aye" and the committee chair declared the meeting date changed. The motion record in the transcript does not show a numerical roll-call tally.
Staff also outlined a youth government day (scheduled for the 24th of the month) to introduce students to county departments and voting procedures, and said former 4-H and FFA officers will speak. Extension staff asked the committee to consider attending for lunch during that event.
No budgetary vote on extension funding occurred at the meeting; the presentation was informational and included requests for future operational support and committee participation in youth events.
