Caledonia Argus

Farmers asked to act on ag educator extension issue

Posted: 3/16/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Fred Arnold of Spring Grove appeared before the board on Tuesday, March 9 to clear up any questions regarding a letter that he had sent to commissioners pertaining to the future of animal agriculture in Houston County.

In the letter, Arnold reiterated that animal agriculture in Houston County is in trouble. He suggested that the county concentrate its efforts on the economic development aspect of the problem and let the education portion play out for the time being, referring to the county not re-hiring an extension agriculture educator.

He said, ìYou have a strong extension committee and a strong economic development organization. Could you work with these two groups to develop a plan of action to deal as quickly as possible with the situation?î

During the meeting, Arnold mentioned other duties that the agriculture educator had. ìHe was a coordinator for the pork and beef producers, Forage Grassland Council, Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) and the Dairy Round Table.î

Arnold noted that he had read that Wabasha County had recently created its own agriculture and livestock council and set a goal for growing and strengthening the industry. Arnold said he knows someone who knows quite a bit about it. ìHe knows whatís going on. I could easily get a hold of him. He knows how it was established.î

Arnold and Commissioner Ann Thompson discussed a bill that has been proposed in the agriculture house committee by Dean Urdahl, a republican of Grove City, that would transfer about $9 million from the university budgets into the county budget to help fund an ag position. Recent financial forecasts now show that the state has more money than it thought it had. ìIím sure itís probably a long shot,î said Thompson.

Arnold disagreed, ìI donít know. But weíll have more money than we thought.î

Thompson suggested that the extension and EDA havenít been meeting as frequently as they have in the past and perhaps should. ìThey should brainstorm what would be beneficial,î said Thompson.

Commissioners then suggested that Arnold look into how the council in Wabasha County was set up.

He responded, ìYou make me nervous. Iíve got a full time jobî

Thompson said, ìItís not going to happen unless the ag people do something. The extension is a tool, but it is not the answer.î

Extension update

Rebecca Price, 4-H University of Minnesota Extension Educator, appeared before board members to update the commissioners on what has been going on at the extension office.

The Equine Extravaganza horse workshops on March 13 were a highlight for March, said Price. Area horse experts presented sessions geared toward horse owners of all levels of interest and expertise.

There were 10 to 15 more participants for steer in the beef weigh-in in January .

Ideas were brainstormed for ways to encourage more youth to attend the Houston County 4-H Federation meetings. Price explained that attendance has been down because youth think the meetings are boring.

Price said they have decided to make the meetings more fun and interesting by playing games and having clubs come in to talk about what they have done.

Price noted that many farmers are coming into the extension office to receive information on private pesticides. ìThey are referred to the regional center (in Rochester) or can go directly to the web site,î she said.

The web site can be accessed through computer terminals located in their office.

Price said the extension office plans to come into the county board on a quarterly basis to provide updates on the affairs of the office.

Personnel matters

Personnel Director Tim Comstock received approval to hire Larry Cox and Steven Walter to be used as drop site supervisors as needed.

The board also approved to contract with Confidential Documents Inc. for getting rid of documents in a timely manner. Sealed 90 gallon containers are placed in the courthouse and picked up for a $45 fee.

Comstock said this saves the county time compared to the amount of manpower required to shred documents. ìItís important that we stay current with document destruction,î he said.

Crime costs county

Houston County Sheriff Mike Lee appeared before board members with deputy sheriff John Tveiten, who began with the county three weeks ago. Also in attendance was Chief Deputy Ken Frank .

They and commissioners watched a 10 minute tape produced by the AMC (Association of Minnesota Counties) which talked about some unfunded mandates.

Legislation will be considered this year that lowers the blood alcohol level for driving from .10 to .08. The effects of the new law will mean 1,500 more arrests by the end of the year and $1.5 million in increased costs. There is currently no funding to go along with this bill.

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