Agriculture Visioning Session - Extension Vernon County · Agriculture Visioning Session Vernon...
Transcript of Agriculture Visioning Session - Extension Vernon County · Agriculture Visioning Session Vernon...
Agriculture Visioning Session
UW-Extension
Vernon County
October 2014
Attendance: Visioning Session Participants:
17 Producers / Farmers
6 Agri Business Representatives
4 Financial Loan Officers
4 Agriculture & Extension Committee Members
3 Other Vernon County Board Supervisors
4 Agency Personnel (Excluding UW Extension Staff)
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UW-Extension Cooperative Extension Colleagues:
Matt Hanson Southwest Regional Director
Dave Williams Agriculture & Natural Resource Program Area Co-Director Greg Andrews Agriculture & Natural Resource Program Area Co-Liaison Karen Ehle-Traastad Vernon County UW Extension Department Head Jennifer Whitty WNEP Nutrition Educator
Agriculture Visioning Session Vernon County – October 2014 Overview and Purpose An “Agriculture Visioning Session” was held on October 9, 2014 to identify the critical needs, issues and opportunities facing agriculture and natural resources in Vernon County. An agenda for the meeting is located in Appendix A. As part of the process community stakeholders helped identify needs, issues and opportunities for agriculture and natural resources. Matt Hanson led this process and discussion. These prioritized needs/issues/opportunities will be considered in the development of the position description for the Agriculture Educator and will provide direction for the new hire in this position. These needs are not meant to be totally inclusive, but representative of current high priorities to be considered. A general overview of county demographics was presented by Karen Ehle-Traastad (Appendix C). An overview of the statewide Agriculture & Natural Resource Extension (ANRE) Program Area as well as an overview of agriculture in Vernon County was presented by Greg Andrews and Dave Williams (Appendix D & E). Process: Identification and Prioritization Participants were asked to generate as many ideas as they could think of to this question – “What are
the critical needs, issues, and opportunities facing agriculture & natural resources in Vernon County?” They were encouraged to think broadly and consider all aspects related to agriculture. Participants were given time to generate individual responses. As a group, responses were presented and clustered by theme, with time for collective discussion around each theme. After all responses were collected, individuals were given the opportunity to vote for the 5 or 7 highest needs / issues / opportunities in the county. Results In the process of identifying the high priority issues, responses generated rich discussions among visioning session participants. Over 19 themes were identified in the process. The need/issue/opportunity that ranked first in the vast listing of issues was “Dairy / Livestock” with dairy modernization and animal health sited with that theme. More than half of the participants listed this as a priority for Agriculture in the county. “Value Added Agriculture” was the second need/issue/opportunity ranked at the session. Opportunities were identified in local regional foods and in agriculture production.
The “Link to UW-Extension Resources” was the third need/issue/opportunity identified. Unbiased information distribution with demonstrations and field trials were given as important examples. Ideas also given were on-going educational meetings to help farmers be in compliance with federal and state regulations by working with other agencies on these topics, as well as the opportunity for developing technology for all levels of agriculture. One participant summarized it well by adding UW-Extension can serve as a resource for answering questions from community members and bringing those resources together to find solutions or options available. Tied for the fourth place ranking was “Erosion Control / Soil conservation & Nutrient Management” and “Farm Succession / Mentorship & Apprenticeship”. Both diverse topics reflect concerns of the participants. Concerns were identified from preserving Vernon County’s natural resources while continuing to farm the land profitably to transition planning for farmers wanting to bring in family members. Tied for the fifth place ranking was “New Enterprise Development & Value Added” and “Marketing” topics. Other frequently identified needs were: organic production marketing and research, support for cooperatives and ag business sector, support advocacy to non-farm public, farm bill / farm management education, pasture and grazing, vegetable / greenhouse production, grape production, farm women and small land owner support, to working with diverse groups. Although these topics may not have collected as many votes as some of the top themes, we recognize the value and importance of these themes. The complete list of unedited responses can be found in Appendix B.
Appendix Selection
Appendix A – Visioning Session Agenda
Appendix B – Visioning Session Results
Appendix C – Vernon County Demographics
Appendix D – State Ag and Natural Resources Program Area Review
Appendix E – Vernon County Ag Economic Impact Study
Appendix A
UW-Extension Vernon County Agriculture Visioning Session
October 9, 2014 ~ 1:30 pm-3:30 pm Erlandson County Office Building
Agenda
1:30 Welcome & Introductions- Kevin Larson, Extension Education Committee Chair
Purpose of Visioning Process- Matt Hanson, Southwest Regional Director
Vernon County Demographic Overview
Karen Ehle-Traastad, Department Head
Overview of Statewide Agriculture and Ag. Business Program
Dave Williams, Agriculture & Natural Resource Program Area Co-Director Greg Andrews, Agriculture & Natural Resource Program Area Co-Liaison
Needs Identification & Prioritization- “What are the critical needs, issues and opportunities facing agriculture and natural resources in Vernon County?” Matt Hanson, facilitator Greg Andrews, recorder
Next Steps Matt Hanson
3:30 Conclude
Suggestions for a productive visioning session
Active participation is needed All ideas are welcome Be concise so everyone has an opportunity to participate Only one person talks at a time
APPENDIX B
Priority Issues / Concerns / Opportunities – listed by number of votes for highest priority
Throughout the visioning process was expressed a desire to hire an Agricultural Educator who could
ideally “Assist the Very Diverse Farm Community of Vernon County – From Small Vegetable Growers to
Large Dairy & Crop Farms With Business and Financial Planning.
DAIRY / LIVESTOCK 24 VOTES
Dairy Modernization
Animal Health
VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE 18 VOTES
Opportunities – Local Regional Food
Value Added Agriculture Production
LINK TO UW – EXTENSION RESOURCES 17 VOTES
Unbiased Info Distribution / Demonstrations / Field Trials
On-going Educational Meetings To Be In Compliance With Federal & State Regulations As It
Pertains To Such Matters As Pesticides & Water / Environment Standards
Co-operate / Work With Other Agents – Land & Water / Grants
Opportunities – Develop Technology To All Levels Of Agriculture
Serving As A Resource For Answering Questions From Community Members & Bringing Those
Resources Together To Find Solutions Or Options Available
Vision
Uplink To UW – Extension Info In All Areas
Need Education: Webinars / More On Farm Events
Vernon County Is A Diverse Agricultural County – Need To Be Able To Address/Assist Most All
Areas & Types of Farms
Resource For Information
EROSION CONTROL / SOIL CONSERVATION & NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT 15 VOTES
Need / Opportunities Stewards Of Environmental Standards
Perennial Agriculture
Data Collaboration For Assembling Information When The County Experiences A Weather
Related Condition Causing Damage & Reporting Damages That Could Result In Possible Disaster
Declarations
Nutrient / Manure Management
Need To Provide Education For Grazing In The County As The Driftless Topography Supports This
Model
Animal Based Ag To Protect Land & Water Resources
Technology To Help Reduce Pollution
Preserving Vernon County’s Natural Resources (our diversion land resource) While Continuing
To Farm The Land Profitably
Soil Conservation For Grain Farmers & Nutrient Management
Erosion Of Land, Row Crops, So-Called No-Till Practices
Erosion Control
FARM SUCCESSION / MENTORSHIP & APPRENTICESHIP 15 VOTES
Keeping Young People Interested In Farming
Education & Access To Capital For Young & Beginning Farmers – Training Programs –
Keeping Farms in Family-Own Status. Rewarding Long Term Ownership. Sliding Scale On Tax
Rate
Transition Planning For Farmers Wanting To Bring In Family Members
Coordinate A Mentor Program For Matching Beginning Farmers With Successful Older Farmers
Keeping Agriculture Thriving, Despite The Fact That The Average Age Of Farmers Is On The Rise.
= Young Farmer / Beginning Farmer Programs
Available Machinery Operators Training. Hired Labor With Machinery Skills
Maintain / Attract Young Farmers – Next Generation
Estate Plans For Farmers & Land Owners
NEW ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT + VALUE ADDED 12 VOTES
More New Business In Dairy & Meat Animals
Directives For New Enterprises
MARKETING 12 VOTES
Educate Farmers On Finances
Money Used To Do Studies Of Marketing Farm Products, Instead Of Getting Money To The
Farmer. If We Grow It, They Will Buy It.
More Of A Need Going Forward For Risk Management Practices & Training
Assist Farmers With Marketing
Long – Term Marketing Strategy To Preserve Farms
Need For Marketing Assistance
ORGANIC PRODUCTION MARKETING AND RESEARCH 11 VOTES
Growing Organic Industry
Need For Organic Dairy Producers To Satisfy An Expanding Market
Organic Crops & Dairy
Organic Production Methods
Helping To Increase The Dairy Industry in Vernon County
Ongoing & Conventional Education For Dairy, Beef, Crop & Garden Producers
Need / Opportunities Organic Research
Education for Organic Producers on Cropping Practices to Improve Yields & Control Weeds. #1
Employer is CROPP
SUPPORT FOR COOPERATIVES & AG BUSINESS SECTOR 11 VOTES
Opportunities: Continue To Build On Cooperative Business Model
Keep Agriculture A Strong Sector In Vernon County
Business – Employers, Jobs
SUPPORT ADVOCACY TO NON – FARM PUBLIC 9 VOTES
Global Understanding of Competition
Understanding Markets – Supply & Demand
Understanding Growing Population & Demand Growth
Advocacy Programs – How We Can Be Informing the Public About Their Food Options
Helping the Non – Farming Communities Understand Why Farmers Do What They Do
FARM BILL / FARM MANAGEMENT EDUCATION 8 VOTES
Promote Business Plans to Accommodate Individual Efficiencies To Match a Broader Business
Goal / Help Provide Frame Work To Enhance Efficiencies
Overall Education of 2014 Farm Bill Programs in Co-Operation With The Farm Service Agency /
Provide The Opportunity To Educate The Public As To Potential Programs Generating Income,
And Also Providing a Safety Net
Ag Business Training
Business Knowledge & Practices / Business & Financial Knowledge
ORGANIZE MEETINGS 8 VOTES
Organize Various Committees & Meetings – Dairy Breakfast, Various Producer Meetings
PASTURE AND GRAZING 7 VOTES
Continued Farm Equipment & Worker Safety Programs
Better Pasture Utilization & Renovation Ideas
More Effective Use Of Pasture Resources (in light of USDA new pasture requirements for organic
milk & beef)
Ideas For Large & Small Farms To Both Work Well Together & Grow In Vernon County
Dairy – Large & Small Farms / Grazing
VEGETABLE / GREENHOUSE PRODUCE 7 VOTES
County Extension Agent – First Place To Go For Answers For Agriculture, Produce And
Greenhouse Questions
Understanding Of Science And It’s Need For Growing Demand
As a Produce Grower – Dependent On U.W. Extension For Information On My Needs
Input For GAP (vegetable production) Certification
Vegetable Production
Assisting The Very Diverse Farm Community – From Small Vegetable Growers to Large Dairy &
Crop Farms With Business & Financial Planning
Opportunities – Expand Fruit / Vegetable
SMALL LANDOWNERS 7 VOTES
Land use Options / For Small Land Owners, Who Don’t Want Grain Production Due To Highly
Erodible Land
FARM WOMEN 7 VOTES
Are Farm Women Getting The Support They Need? / Programs For Them?!
GRAPES 3 VOTES
Grape / Wine Industry –“I believe our driftless area has largest acreage of grapes in U.S.” - Agent
Needs To Understand/Support Impact To Economics In Wisconsin.
State Legislation to Support (not discourage) “Newer” Crops (i.e. grapes and tobacco, which has
new grower near Stoddard) – Ag Agent Involvement
FOREST AND FOREST MANAGEMENT 2 VOTES
Promote Forest And Timber Business
WORKING WITH DIVERSE GROUPS 0 VOTES
Working With Many Diverse Group
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Vernon County Agriculture –
A Snapshot
Located in the unglaciated Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin, Vernon County offers a mix of farming styles—from Amish famers still milking by hand to grain farmers using their GPS units. It is home to the largest farmer-owned organic cooperative in North America. Small farms still make up the core of the county’s agriculture. Dairy farms range from larger free-stall operations to smaller purebred Jersey and Holstein herds. Grazing remains popular among the growing number of ranchers raising beef. Abundant deer, turkey and world-class trout streams make Vernon County a popular hunting and fishing destination.
On the farm.
2,228 farms in 2012; 2,492 farms in 2007
3,694 farm operators on these farms. Of these, 1,298 are women.
1,096 are full-time farmers.
Of all farmers, 1,017 work 200 or more days a year off the farm.
97.9% of farms are owned by individuals or some form of family ownership.
The average age of a Vernon County
farmer is 53.7.
555 farms hire employees. There are
1,665 hired farm workers. This
generates a payroll of $11,907,000
annually.
Size matters.
Farmers own and manage resources
on 68% of all land in the county –
345,892 acres in 2012. They farmed
357,090 acres in 2007.
155 acres is the average farm size,
up from 143 acres in 2007.
707 farms were less than 50 acres in
size; 93 farms were 500 acres or
more.
Diversity of agriculture.
1,235 farms with 69,864 cattle and calves
482 dairy farms in 2012; 524 farms in 2007
Dairy cow numbers were 22,979 in 2012, compared to 25,085 in 2007.
58,023 acres of corn for grain
27,748 acres of soybeans
58,691 acres of forages
911 acres of wheat
13,912 acres of corn for silage
146 farms produce vegetables on 591 acres
20 plus growers produce grapes on 55 acres
Agriculture is changing.
1,491 farm operations have internet
access. Of these, 1,481 have high
speed internet.
237 Vernon County farms generate
$2,689,000 in local food sales to
consumers in 2012. This compares
with 192 farms and $1,389,000 in
2007.
Tradition is important.
Milk and other dairy products retain
their position as the county’s
number one farm commodity. The
total economic impact is $133.6
million in business sales for on-farm
milk production annually. The
processing of milk into dairy
products accounts for $443.9
million.
Grains, cattle and calves, other crops
and hay round, and vegetables
round out the top five commodities
after milk and other dairy products.
Agriculture is an economic force.
Agriculture generates a total of $801
million in economic activity – 41% of
total economic activity in the
county.
Agriculture accounts for $258
million – 27.7% of the county’s total
income.
Agriculture provides 5,114 jobs –
35.1% of the county’s workforce.
On-farm production accounts for
3,747 jobs and agricultural
processing accounts for 1,367 jobs.
Farmers are stewards of the land.
As stewards of the land, farmers use
conservation practices, such as crop
rotation, nutrient management and
integrated pest management, to
protect environmental resources
and provide habitat for wildlife.
Prepared by: Ken Barnett, Extension Educator
September 30, 2014
Sources:
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/wisag/document
s/agimpactbrochVernonCoFINAL.pdf
2012 Census of Agriculture, USDA and
Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service