Extension’s year in review: Melissa summarizes water testing, election training and outreach

An extension educator identified as Melissa presented a year‑in‑review to the committee outlining programming and outreach across multiple counties. She said she trained over 600 election workers during the year—about 200 in Trempealeau County—and designed the curriculum that meets the three‑hour training requirement for election workers.

Melissa described water testing in Trempealeau County that involved nearly 120 households and said a water education program is planned for participants in the following month. She also noted receipt of a dean’s grant to expand water testing to employer‑provided farm housing across multiple counties.

Her report covered emergency management grant deliverables, technical assistance to regional partners on outdoor recreation and parks, clean‑sweep funding and presentations to statewide forums on rural pharmacy closures and farm water testing. She said in‑person outreach and surveys inform future programming and that she has been providing training and technical assistance to clerks and municipal officials.

Why it matters: Melissa emphasized that local water testing, election worker training and emergency management support are part of extension’s civic‑service role in Trempealeau County and neighboring counties.

She closed by outlining goals for 2025—more community development work, downtown revitalization projects, additional water testing follow‑up and technical assistance for emergency management plans—then answered member questions. The committee proceeded to staffing and scheduling items.