Resident urges Sawyer County to explore restoring University Extension agricultural support

Linda Zmer, identified in the transcript as a resident of the village of Birwood, told the Sawyer County Board during public comment that local farmers and livestock producers are losing critical support after Extension staffing was reduced.

Zmer said Extension programming — including webinars on solar installations and a new seven-week “planning ahead” series covering end-of-life and caregiving topics — is helpful, but that agricultural assistance has weakened as positions were consolidated. "Right now you have one agent covering four counties," she said, and she urged the committee to place a review of Extension services on a future agenda to consider restoring animal-agriculture support.

Zmer described the Northwest Wisconsin Grazers Network, which she helps volunteer for, as an example of local demand: the group’s spring conference drew more than 100 attendees and more than 20 vendors, and the network and university partners have provided veterinary instruction that local producers otherwise lack access to. She said regional programming and connections to technical assistance help producers stay current on animal-health and production practices.

The board did not take formal action on Zmer’s request during the meeting. The public-comment item preceded routine business, including approval of the prior meeting minutes.