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Walworth County committee honors extension awards, hears reports on 4‑H, crop, dairy and horticulture programs
Summary
The Agriculture & Extension Education Committee congratulated UW‑Extension staff on recent awards and received program updates on 4‑H activities, pesticide training, a nitrogen trial, bilingual dairy outreach and popular horticulture workshops; next meeting set for May 18, 2026.
Walworth County’s Agriculture & Extension Education Committee on March 16 congratulated extension staff for recent statewide awards and received staff briefings on a range of upcoming programs for farmers, youth and gardeners. Vice‑Chair Brian Holt opened the meeting and a quorum was recorded; the committee approved the meeting agenda and the Nov. 17, 2025 minutes before taking up reports.
Area UW‑Extension Director Christine Wen highlighted three honors awarded to county extension employees: Amanda Merchlewitz received the Wisconsin Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science Rosalie Powell Financial Management Award for the county’s Financial Futures Incentive Program; Maria Nelson received the Memorial Joan Keup Para‑Professional Award; and Debbie Harris received a Meritorious Service Award from the Wisconsin Association of Extension 4‑H Youth Development Professionals and NAE4‑HYDP. The committee offered congratulations and appreciation.
Janel Heidelmeier, 4‑H Program Educator and Associate Area Extension Director, reviewed 4‑H programming and volunteer-led projects, noting adult volunteers lead the Shooting Sports, Horse and Pony, and Dog projects and that a pollinator program for 4‑H Cloverbuds is being run in collaboration with Horticulture Outreach Specialist Julie Hill. 4‑H Positive Youth Development Educator Debbie Harris described classroom activities and Clover University offerings aimed at youth development.
Regional Crop Educator Josh Kamps outlined farm-focused outreach planned for the season. He said Pesticide Application Training (PAT) will be offered in Walworth County, described a nitrogen management trial underway in the county’s northwest, and said the Badger Crop Connect webinar series will resume in April as a one‑hour bimonthly agronomic webinar. Kamps also noted that field days in the outdoor classroom will begin in April.
Regional Dairy Educator Alison Pfau summarized dairy programs including Animal Welfare & Handling, Milk Quality Certification and a Farm Safety Toolbox, all of which will be offered in English and Spanish. Pfau reported that a statewide survey on calf raising currently includes approximately 30–35 farms and said she will collaborate with Josh Kamps on a Field to Feed workshop.
Human Development and Relationships Educator Amanda Merchlewitz said staff are increasing efforts to train local professionals to deliver programs and are developing an Independent Living curriculum tailored to Walworth County to broaden reach. Horticulture Outreach Specialist Julie Hill reviewed recent and upcoming county workshops, cited strong community interest in the "Gardening With Nosy Neighbors" series (expanded to four dates), and highlighted continuing volunteer service by the Master Gardeners program.
The committee confirmed its next meeting for Monday, May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and adjourned at 2:38 p.m. on a motion by Citizen Member Kathleen Papcke and second by Chair Rick Stacey.
Meeting minutes were submitted by Administrative Assistant Sarah Larsen and later approved by the Agriculture & Extension Education Committee at its May 18, 2026 meeting.
