Extension director reports staff hires and flags statewide AI forums for local governments

Mary Pardee, Area Extension Director for Area 1 (Iron, Bayfield, Ashland and Douglas counties), gave staffing updates and shared programming opportunities. She said Bayfield County and Ashland County 4‑H educator positions “have now been filled” and that Stephanie Bakker was hired as Bayfield County Health & Wellbeing Educator at 80% time. Pardee also described Extension AI Forums being held around Wisconsin for local government staff and encouraged committee members to consider attending; she said the nearest forum is in Lac Du Flambeau.