Sheboygan County Posted 2/10/18 12:35 PM

NOTICE OF MEETING

PLANNING, RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION COMMITTEE

February 27, 2018 - 4:15 PM

UW Sheboygan Campus 5 University Drive

Sheboygan, WI 53081

UW-Extension Office - Room 5024

*Agenda* Call to Order Certification of Compliance with Open Meeting Law Approval of Minutes PRAE Committee – Regular Meeting – January 23, 2017 4:15 PM Public Input and Comments on Agenda Items/Non-Agenda Items Correspondence Planning & Conservation Discussion on Harvesting Timber at the Marsh UW-Extension

Consideration of UW-Extension Impact Report Consideration of 4th Quarter Variance Report 2017 Annual Report Update on nEXT Generation Reorganization

Register of Deeds Consideration of 4th Quarter Variance Report 2017 Annual Report

Approval of Attendance at Other Meetings or Functions Travel Report and Report of Meetings and Functions Attended Review and Approve Vouchers Adjourn Next scheduled meetings March 13, 2018 at 4:15 PM (Planning & Conservation Focus) March 27, 2018 at 4:15 PM (UW-Extension Focus) Prepared by: Ann Herzog Keith Abler Recording Secretary Committee Chairperson NOTE: A majority of the members of the County Board of Supervisors or of any of its committees may be present at this meeting to listen, observe and participate. If a majority of any such body is present, their presence constitutes a "meeting" under the Open

Sheboygan County Posted 2/10/18 12:35 PM

Meeting Law as interpreted in State ex rel. Badke v. Greendale Village Board, 173 Wis. 2d 553 (1993), even though the visiting body will take no action at this meeting. Wis. Stat. § 19.84 requires that each meeting of a governmental body be preceded by a public notice setting forth the time, date, place, and subject matter of the meeting. This Notice and Agenda is made in fulfillment of this obligation. Electronic versions of this Notice and Agenda may hyperlink to documents being circulated to members in anticipation of the meeting and are accessible to the public for viewing. Additions, subtractions, or modifications of the hyperlinked materials do not constitute an amendment to the meeting agenda unless expressly set forth in an Amended Notice and Agenda. Members of the public are encouraged to check from time to time before the meeting to see whether the hyperlinked content has been changed from what was originally posted. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend or participate are asked to notify Sarah Tarjeson, 920-459-5915 prior to the meeting so that accommodations may be arranged.

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UW-Extension Sheboygan County February 2018 - IMPACT REPORT

Sheboygan County Planning, Resources,

Agriculture & Extension Committee

Keith Abler Chairperson

Fran Damp

Vice-Chairperson

James Baumgart Steven Bauer Curt Brauer

Board Members

Stanley Lammers Citizen Member

UW-Extension Sheboygan County

Use your phone, iPad or tablet camera to scan the code above to find UWEX on the web! (Barcode Reader or Google Goggle

apps may be needed.)

 UW-Extension

Sheboygan County 5 University Drive

Sheboygan, WI 53081 920-459-5900

University of Wisconsin,

United States Department of Agriculture, and

Wisconsin Counties cooperating.

University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employ-ment and programming, including Title IX & ADA.

Agriculture and Natural Resources 

4‐H Youth Development 

Sarah  Tarjeson,  4‐H  Youth  Development  Educator  and  Linda  Robson,  4‐H Youth Development Program Coordinator  

T he  life  skills  members  learn  in  4‐H  relate  to  leadership,  teamwork,  critical thinking, and communication; and they will do it while engaging in fun, hands‐

on 4‐H activities. 4‐H  is able  to help youth  learn  to express  themselves and  listen  to the needs, concerns, and  ideas of others. Being able  to effectively communicate with your head, heart, hands, and health is a lifelong skill that is refined through practice.    

According  to  the Communication Activities: For 4‐H Clubs and other Youth Groups literature,  there  is  value  in  helping  youth  learn what’s  involved  in  communicating effectively.  The four H’s show why good communication skills are significant:  

Head: It is important that as communicators we think about what we want to say and how we wish to behave.

Hands: Communication skills enable people to reach out and respond supportively to the needs and concerns of others in their families and communities.

Health: Human communication is so important that its presence or absence affects our physical and emotional health.

Heart: Effective communicators are those who care about the relationship.  

Throughout  the  4‐H  year,  youth  learn  and practice  life  skills  tied  to  communication, typically at their community club meetings. The 4‐H Communication Arts Festival, where youth will  be  using  various  forms  of  art  to communicate, is on February 25, 2018. This year, 38  youth will  be  exhibiting  nearly  100  entries. 

The  Festival  gives youth  an  opportunity to  use  several strategies  and  tools  to communicate a message to the general public.  Youth will be critiqued  by  skilled  judges  on  speeches,  demonstrations, interpretive  readings, photography, posters,  art pieces,  and creative writing. The  judges 

provide both verbal and written feedback to the youth on their exhibits.  The judges will  talk  with  the  youth  on  delivery, composition,  how  visual  appealing  it  is, and other criteria that relate to the skill of communication.  This  event  truly  is  a great  way  for  youth  to  practice  their communication  skills  in  relation  to  their head, heart, hands, and health! 

Sheboygan County UW-Extension Staff

920.459.5900

Michael J. Ballweg Agriculture Agent

Jane E. Jensen

Family Living Educator

Sarah J. Tarjeson 4-H Youth

Development Educator

Linda Robson 4-H Youth Development

Program Coordinator

Kevin Struck Growth Management

Educator

Amanda Miller FoodWIse Coordinator (shared with Fond du Lac)

Janeth Orozco

FoodWIse Nutrition Educator

Administrative

Assistants

Ann Herzog

Tammy Zorn

Nancy Brown

Area Extension

Director

Cindy Sarkady

Mike Ballweg, Agriculture Agent  

Nearly 40 farmers, industry nutritionists, and  area  agronomists  attended  the  All Things  Corn  Silage  program  held January  19,  2018  at  Chissy’s  in Waldo. This  program  was  developed  and sponsored  by UW‐Extension  Sheboygan County,  along  with  the  Sheboygan County  Forage  Council.  The  Forage Council’s purposes are: 1) To learn about and  promote  the  production  and utilization  of  quality  forages  as  a prime agricultural  resource  in  Sheboygan County,  and  2)  To  help  identify  local educational needs in forage management.    

All Things Corn Silage – Understanding the Choices  Agronomic Practices to Optimize Yields and Quality  Understanding Corn Silage Quality and Management for          Increased Profits and Cow Health 

 

Numerous positive comments were shared regarding the quality and usefulness of this educational program. 

Dr. Joe Lauer teaches about the best forage options for high animal performance.

About the speakers:   

Joe Lauer, UW‐Extension / UW‐Madison Corn Specialist Our mission  is  to  generate  science  based  solutions  and  develop  corn management  educational  programs  that  address  needs  expressed  by Wisconsin farmers. Specific objectives focus on: grain crop productivity, corn  silage  yields  and  quality,  and  production  system  efficiencies including  hybrid  selection,  rotational  benefits  and  tillage  practices. Emphasis is on impact of cropping practices on grower profitability, the environment, and natural resource conservation. 

 

John Goeser, Research Director & Animal Nutritionist, Rock River Labs, Watertown John  Goeser  grew  up  in  the  agriculture  industry with  his  family’s dairy near Plymouth, WI. After earning B.S. degrees  in Dairy Science and  Agronomy  at  UW‐Madison,  Goeser  earned  an M.S.  degree  in Plant Breeding & Genetics,  as well  as  an M.S.  and  a Ph.D.  in Dairy Science from UW‐Madison. In his current role with Rock River, Goeser oversees  animal nutrition,  technical  support,  and  research—focusing on  carbohydrate  digestion,  forage  management,  and  feed  hygiene. Goeser also holds an adjunct assistant professor appointment with the 

UW‐Madison Dairy Science Department.  

PROGRAM TOPICS  

INCLUDED: 

UW-Extension Sheboygan County UW-Extension Sheboygan County Family Living and FoodWIse Community Growth Management Education 

Jane Jensen, Family Living Educator   

T he Livable/Age Friendly City of Sheboygan Taskforce asked Jane to join the taskforce to bring university resources  to  the  table.  The  taskforce  includes  the Mayor’s  office,  City  Administrator,  Transportation Director, City Planning, Aging & Disability Resource Center, Senior Activities Center, and others. The multi‐year project will assess the livability of the city of Sheboygan to create and implement a plan based on qualities that include: inclusiveness, sustainability, health, accessibility, interdependence, and engagement.   

It  is  important  to  analyze  available  data  to  address  the gaps between what city  residents need and what  the city can provide  to  create  a  city  that matches people’s  needs and  fulfills  their  hopes  and  aspirations  at  each  stage  of their  life.  According  to  a  mayor  interviewed  by  AARP Livable Communities, “We need a  community where  it’s possible  to  stay.”    Jane will provide  secondary data  and share pieces of the toolkit that she created with a statewide university work  group  on  creating  livable  communities. The data sources and community engagement strategies in the  toolkit  are  ready‐made  pieces  that  will  move  the process forward.   

The assessment  tools  in  the  toolkit have been piloted  throughout  the  state of Wisconsin and are available  in hard copy and electronic format.  The 13 characteristics in the assessment tool include:  housing; transportation, accessibility,  parking,  sidewalks  and  pedestrian  crossings;  community  and  health  care  services;  family caregiving; nutrition and wellness; arts, culture and lifelong learning; employment and workforce development; public  safety  and  emergency  planning;  respect  and  social  inclusion;  community  connectedness,  civic engagement,  and  volunteering;  taxation,  finance,  and  protection  against  fraud;  community  leadership;  and intergenerational collaboration.    Amanda Miller & Janeth Orozco, FoodWIse  

In Sheboygan County  the estimated poverty  rate  in 2016 was 7.1%, which  represented a 1.9%  increase  from 2000. With a  significant number of households  living  in poverty,  the need  for a variety of programs  to help make ends meet becomes more evident. Securing adequate and nutritious food becomes a struggle for families living  in poverty. Households with  limited  incomes  look at  state and  local agencies  to help  them meet  their nutrition needs.   

The FoodWIse Program  looks  for opportunities  to empower  families with  limited  resources  to make healthy food  choices  and  be more  food  secured  by  utilizing  their  resources  to  the  fullest. With  this  goal  in mind, Sheboygan County FoodWIse Program is partnering with Salvation Army Sheboygan to provide nutrition and food budgeting education to families that participate and benefit from Salvation Army’s programs.   

Janeth will be  teaching a  series of  six  lessons at  the Salvation Army. Lessons will  include  information on 1) creating an expense plan and a food budget, 2) meal planning, 3) decreasing food expenses, 4) shopping on a budget, and 5) healthy eating on a budget. Classes will be piloted starting in early March.  

Kevin Struck, Growth Management Educator  

T he Town of Holland asked Kevin  to work with  the Plan Commission  to revise  three provisions of  its Zoning Ordinance in an effort to protect landowner property rights. 

 

The first of the three provisions  involves accessory structures. Almost all local zoning ordinances require a principal structure—typically a house—to be under construction before a garage, shed, or similar building is allowed. Historically,  this  provision was  included  in  ordinances  to  prevent  a  cash‐strapped  owner  of  a property  from building  a  structure  like  a  shed  and  then  living  in  it despite  inadequate  sanitary  facilities, heating, and so forth. In one case, an  individual was discovered  living  in a chicken coop. There was also a concern  that  if  for  whatever  reason  a  house  was  never  built  on  a property, that a prior accessory structure might eventually be neglected and abandoned, which could become an aesthetic and safety issue.  

Over  the  years,  however,  towns  like  Holland  have  received  many legitimate requests for sheds on vacant properties, and they have had to turn  them down. Meanwhile,  the  reports of people  living  in accessory structures have been rare. Local officials began to think that maybe the provision against accessory structures was an over‐reaction. To address this  issue,    Holland  worked  with  Kevin  to  create  language  for  its Ordinance that would allow an accessory structure prior to the construction of a residence if the structure 1) lacks electrical or gas service; 2) lacks heating or cooking devices that use propane, pellets, or similar fuels; 3) lacks a foundation other than a slab three inches thick or less; and 4) does not exceed 100 square feet in size.  

The second and third provisions are similar to each other. Holland’s Ordinance, like almost all other zoning codes,  specifies  a minimum  lot  size  /  residential density  for A‐1 prime  agricultural  land.  In Holland  this 

minimum is 20 acres. Consequently, a landowner who has been receiving a tax bill for years  indicating  he  is  being  taxed  on  a  40‐acre  property would  naturally  expect  to someday  be  able  to  divide  the  property  into  two  home  sites  (40  acres  ÷  20  =  2). However,  after paying  for  an  expensive  certified  survey map, which  is  required up‐front  for  land divisions,  such  a  landowner  could  suddenly discover  that  through no fault of his own he has, say, only 39.8 acres and has “lost” one home site.    In reality, very rarely  is a “quarter‐quarter” or a “40” exactly 

40  acres;  this  is  due  to  the  geometric  shortcomings  of  trying  to  lay  a square grid across a spherical earth, as was done when the Public Land Survey System was first laid out in the 1800’s.  

A similar situation exists when a landowner has land along a county or state  highway  where  right‐of‐way  has  recently  been  purchased.  The landowner had little or no choice in whether to sell the strip of land, but such a subtraction of one or two acres can easily drop the total acreage of the property below its original total of 40, 80, etc.  Again, the number of potential home sites is decreased through no fault of the landowner.  

To  address  these  two  situations,  language was  crafted  to  ensure  such properties would retain the residential density the owners reasonably expected to have. 

VARIANCE REPORT FOR DEPARTMENT -- UW EXTENSION

FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 12/31/2017

G/L CATEGORY VARIANCE FROM

BUDGET EXPLANATION OF VARIANCEPOSITIVE/ NEGATIVE

Interest and Other Revenue

Other Misc. Revenue 1,061.08 Positive variance due to reimbursements for postage. Positive

Operating Expenses

Purchased Services 11,863.14 Due to timing of state (FY July 1 - June 30) billing county (CY Jan 1 - Dec 31) for Extension agents salaries. County billed 2 times per year in different county annual budgets. Lab analysis costs were less than anticipated.

Positive

Repairs and Maintenance 4,506.45 Positive variance due to maintenance costs being less than budgeted. Positive

General Operating 26,635.70 Positive variance due to mileage, lodging, training, postage and programming supplies being less than budgeted.

Positive

Interdepartmental Charges

Employee Related Insurance (10,013.36) Negative variance due to employee changes in health insurance coverage from single to family coverage.

Negative

System Operation Charges 1,979.97 Positive variance due timing of anticipated copy and paper needs. Positive

TOTAL 36,032.98 Positive

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY Cindy Sarkady UW Extension

February 5, 2018 Honorable Members of the Sheboygan County Board and County Administrator Adam Payne, I am pleased to submit the 2017 Annual Report for UW Extension, Sheboygan County. Our goal is to provide quality educational programs and empower the people of Sheboygan County, to gain knowledge, build capacity, strengthen collaboration and develop our relationship with key partners in the community. Highlights of the various educational outcomes in 2017 include increasing youth development opportunities in leadership, citizenship, and service learning; research projects included the gypsum study to improved soils physical conditions and the potential benefit for gypsum application to reduce dissolved reactive phosphorus moving from area fields into area waterbodies and clover cover crops as cover third and final year of this study, conducted by UW-Extension Sheboygan County and the UW-Madison Soil Science Department; Supporting Healthy Families evidence-based, seven-part Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 was facilitated for the 8th time in Plymouth. The family skill-building program saves nearly $10 for every $1 invested in the program in future costs for drug treatment, lost earnings, and time in the juvenile justice system. In 2017, the University of Wisconsin Extension nEXT Generation restructuring started on July 1, 2017, with Area Extension Directors transitioning in the role of Administrative Leadership. Educators who served as part-time Department Head returned to their program area focus 100% at the end of December 2017. I am proud to work with the UW Extension Sheboygan team and value the support of the Sheboygan County Administrator and County Board. Respectfully Submitted,

Cindy Sarkady Area Extension Director

Mission Statement and Summary of Responsibilities Through UW-Extension, the people of Sheboygan County and beyond can solve their most pressing issues and uncover their most promising opportunities through hundreds of programs and initiatives. Fundamental to this mission are UW-Extension’s partnerships with Sheboygan County government, UW Sheboygan campus, and other public and private organizations. UW-Extension’s wide-ranging initiatives impact 1.5 million people every year by providing access to university resources and engaging people in learning, wherever they live and work. Summary of responsibilities include the following:

Integrating a scholarly approach to outreach into Sheboygan County focusing on Youth Development, Growth Management, Family Living, Nutrition, and Agricultural education

Addressing the specific educational needs of under-served populations in our community Empower area residents to make informed decisions, become more self-sufficient, to improve their

lives and add value to the communities in which they live.

Goals and Objectives Achieved in 2017

Wisconsin statutes require community comprehensive plans to be updated not less than once every 10 years. In 2017, the towns of Herman, Mitchell and Wilson, and the village of Howards Grove all faced update deadlines and risked losing the legal standing to rezone property. Growth Management Educator Kevin Struck made the four communities aware of the requirement, explained their planning options, and helped them make an informed choice of which update option was best.

Engaging Youth in Citizenship Sheboygan County Youth Government Day program took place on April 19, 2017 in collaboration with Sheboygan County Government and the Sheboygan County American Legion Posts. Approximately 145 students from Cedar Grove, Oostburg, Random Lake, and Plymouth High Schools participated in the day-long program where they toured various county departments and participated in experiential learning to increase knowledge of the services, roles, and responsibilities of elected officials; increase their knowledge and confidence of students when engaged in voting at the polls; and increase confidence in engaging in government decision making.

This past year’s emphasis has been of building new relationships, both internally and

externally. On October 1, the FoodWIse program realigned to be with Fond du Lac County. FoodWIse also developed external relationships with new partner agencies that share in the goal of a healthier community, including six local food pantries, an elementary school, a low-income housing site, an after-school agency, and the Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition (SCAN) coalition. These relationships resulted in an additional 130 classes to be taught by FoodWIse in 2018.

Research partners have included: UW-Madison - Soil Science Department, Nutrient & Pest

Management Program; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Sheboygan County Planning and Conservation Department; and The Nature Conservancy. Approximately 250 people attended Extension educational programs in 2017 to learn about cover crops and other best management practices. Research results will be disseminated throughout Sheboygan County

and across the state.

The evidence-based, seven-part Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 was facilitated for the 8th time in Plymouth to provide outreach. The family skill-building program saves nearly $10 for every $1 invested in the program in future costs for drug treatment, lost earnings, and time in the juvenile justice system.

Budget The UW-Extension Sheboygan County 2017 approved budget was $459,416, with actual expenses of $423,408. The 2018 levy amount is $431,936. The total approved budget for 2018 is $467,836. Our budget more closely reflects our expenses and revenue than in past years due to the accountability in financial management. The 2017 budget goals were accomplished primarily by responsible operations, pursuits of matching funds, sustainable program revenue, and support from community, county, and state stakeholders. Issues and Challenges Ahead Many UW Extension programs leverage substantial local, state and federal dollars to enhance the quality of life for residents in Sheboygan County. The state’s 2015-17 biennial budget reduced the University of Wisconsin System funding by $250 million. Cooperative Extension’s portion of the cut is $3.6 million per year – 8.3 percent of its ongoing state funding. The nEXT Generation Cooperative Extension movement has implemented the start of the regionalization of counties by creating 22 Areas. Local programming continues in all 72 counties. The regionalization structure instituted Area Extension Directors starting in July 2017 with the responsibility of Administrative oversight of an area consisting of 2 to 5 counties. The nEXT Generation model continues to move forward and now will moving under the UW Madison structure starting in July 2018. The commitment to local needs and education is still the driving mission of the UW Extension system. Goals and Objectives for 2018 UW-Extension Sheboygan County has identified the following shared goals: � Identify at least two populations of protected audiences throughout Sheboygan County, and

implement at least two new strategies to meet the needs that are unique to these communities. � Develop educational programs in crop science aimed at improving the profitability of cropping

systems while implementing practices that protect natural resources. � Support area farmer led groups to successfully implement useful on-farm demonstrations, and

provide information and educational resources as requested. � Provide technical assistance to Greenbush, Glenbeulah, Mosel, Rhine, Waldo, and Adell as each

works on and adopts the required 10-year update to its comprehensive plan. With price quotes from consultants as high as $20,000 per plan update, these communities will save substantial money

partnering with UW-Extension. � Provide groundwater and private well education through 1) year-round availability of homeowner

testing kits at our UW-Extension Office, and 2) a local well water testing event to be held in cooperation with Sheboygan County Planning and Conservation, and the certified lab at UW-Stevens Point.

� By October 2018, at least 50% of participants will report an intent to spend their FoodShare dollars

more wisely by using food resource management strategies they have learned from FoodWIse classes.

� Strengthen relationships and increase the capacity of youth serving agencies by offering at least two

opportunities for professional or organizational development (e.g., parliamentary procedure, youth-adult partnership) to nonprofits throughout Sheboygan County.

Sheboygan County  

UW‐Extension Staff 

920.459.5900  

  Michael J. Ballweg 

Crops & Soils Agent  

Jane E. Jensen 

Family Living Educator  

Amanda Miller 

County Coordinator 

(Sheboygan &  

Fond du Lac County) 

FoodWIse   

Janeth Orozco 

Nutrition Educator  

FoodWIse  

Linda Robson 

4‐H Youth Development  

Program Coordinator 

 

Kevin Struck 

Growth Management  

Educator 

 

Sarah J. Tarjeson 

4‐H Youth  

Development Educator  

 

Cindy Sarkady 

Area Extension Director  

 

Support Staff 

Nancy Brown 

Ann Herzog 

Tammy Zorn 

UW‐Extension Sheboygan County 

2017 Annual Report 

MISSION STATEMENT & SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES  

We  teach,  learn,  lead,  and  serve,  connecting people with  the University  of Wisconsin,  and engaging with  them  in  transforming  lives and communities.    

Through  UW‐Extension,  the  people  of Sheboygan County and beyond can solve their most  pressing  issues  and  uncover  their most promising  opportunities  through hundreds  of programs and initiatives.    

Fundamental  to  this  mission  are  UW‐Extension’s  partnerships  with  Sheboygan County  government, UW‐Sheboygan  campus, and other public and private organizations.  

UW‐Extension’s  wide‐ranging  initiatives  impact  1.5  million  people  every  year  by providing access to university resources and engaging people in learning, wherever they live and work.   

Integrating  a  scholarly  approach  to  outreach  into  Sheboygan County  focusing  on Youth  Development,  Growth  Management,  Family  Living,  Nutrition,  and Agricultural education  

Addressing  the  specific  educational  needs  of  under‐served  populations  in  our community 

Empower area residents to make informed decisions, become more self‐sufficient, to improve their lives, and add value to the communities in which they live. 

 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED IN 2017  

Sheboygan County Master Gardener Volunteers Build Community UW‐Extension Master Gardener Volunteers  (MGVs)  are  trained  individuals who  help  UW‐Extension  Educators.    During  2017,  111  MGVs  provided  nearly  4,500  hours  of horticultural expertise to Sheboygan County residents. Since 2000, MGVs have provided  68,672  volunteer hours at a value of over $1,306,520.   

Project highlights included:   MGVs  partnered  with  Above  and  Beyond Children’s Museum  to develop  Eat, Play and Grow, weekly  programs  to  teach  children  about gardening; 

Sensory Plants added to Yankee Garden in  the  heart of Sheboygan Falls;   

Composting at UW‐Sheboygan.  

You  will  find MGVs  helping  out  at  the  Old  Plank Road  Trail, Generations, Marsh  Park  Tower, Kohler Andre  State  Park, Meals  on Wheels  Gardens,  UW‐Sheboygan  Campus,  Plymouth  Art  Center,  John Michael Kohler Arts Center,  and  Sharon Richardson  Community Hospice to name a few.  Page 1

Mike Ballweg (center)  UW‐Extension Sheboygan County leads a discussion around cover crop  use at the 2017 Wisconsin Cover Crop  Conference.  

MGVs teach UW‐Sheboygan students how to construct composting bins on campus. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED IN 2017  

Educational  Approaches Addressing Community Needs Wisconsin  statutes  require  community  comprehensive  plans  to  be updated  not  less  than  once  every  10  years.  In  2017,  the  towns  of Herman, Mitchell  and Wilson,  and  the village of Howards Grove  all faced update deadlines and risked  losing  the  legal standing  to rezone property. Growth Management Educator Kevin Struck made  the  four communities  aware  of  the  requirement,  explained  their  planning options, and helped  them make an  informed  choice of which update option was best for them. Kevin then followed up with data related to demographics,  housing,  economic  development,  transportation, utilities,  and  natural  resources.  All  four  communities  ultimately adopted  official  updates  that will  help  guide  them  over  the  next  10 years.   

Other  educational  programs  for  local  officials  and  citizens  were provided as needed, and  information  requests were filled  throughout the  year.  Topics  included  groundwater  and  private wells,  land  use, zoning, and farmland preservation.   It’s all about Improving  Water Quality   Work  towards  improving  soil  health  and  improving water  quality continues  by  conducting  on‐farm  research,  holding  educational programs  and by fostering partnerships.    

Two highlighted research projects included:   

1.  Can Gypsum in Cropping Systems Improve Water Quality?  This gypsum  study  is  to evaluate  improved  soil physical conditions and the  potential  benefit  for  gypsum  application  to  reduce  dissolved reactive phosphorus moving  from area fields into area waterbodies.    

2.  Clover Cover Crops After Short Season Crops  Research  trials  in  Sheboygan  County  have  shown  that planting    annual  clovers    as  cover  crops  after wheat  can  be  quite beneficial.  The 2017 growing season marks the third and final year of this study, conducted by UW‐Extension Sheboygan County and  the UW‐Madison  Soil Science Department.  

Research partners have included:  UW‐Madison ‐ Soil Science Department, Nutrient & Pest Management Program; Natural  Resources  Conservation  Service;  Sheboygan  County  Planning  and  Conservation  Department;  and  The Nature Conservancy. Approximately 250 people attended Extension educational programs  in 2017  to  learn about cover  crops  and other best management practices. Research  results will be disseminated  throughout  Sheboygan County and across the state.   2017 Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Short Course  One hundred  thirty‐six  (136)  registered  for  the Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Short Course  in 2017. Over 99% of short course participants rated the class as either excellent or good. Comments included: Great speakers, Very interesting, Very good instructors, Great talk on soils, Excellent presenters & presentations—enthusiastic & informative. The goal of the short course is to provide timely information and education that will allow Green Industry professionals the  opportunity  to  improve  their  skills,  quality  of  services  offered,  and  the  profitability  of  their  horticultural businesses.     Engaging Youth in Citizenship Sheboygan County Youth Government Day program took place on April 19, 2017 in  collaboration  with  Sheboygan  County  Government  and  the  Sheboygan  County  American  Legion  Posts. Approximately 145 students from Cedar Grove, Oostburg, Random Lake, and Plymouth High Schools participated in the day‐long program where they toured various county departments and participated in experiential learning to increase  knowledge  of  the  services,  roles,  and  responsibilities  of  elected  officials;  increase  their  knowledge  and confidence of  students when engaged  in voting at  the polls; and  increase confidence  in engaging  in government decision  making.  Participants  visited  with  the  District  Attorney,  Register  of  Deeds,  Treasurer,  County  Clerk, Veteran’s Services, and participated  in  a mock  trial with  the Sheboygan County  Judge. 100% of  the participants reported that they either agree or strongly agree that they have greater understanding of county government as a result  of  this  program.  90%  of  participants  reported  an  increase  in  their  ability  to  engage  civically  in  decision making. Finally, 87% of participants reported that they are more likely to vote in local elections when they are of age than prior to participating in this program. 

Page 2

UW‐Madison Soil Science graduate students measure the rate of water infiltration to access the effectiveness of gypsum application for reducing soil surface water run‐off. (Plymouth) 

The redevelopment of Fireman’s Park in Wilson is one of the goals of the latest update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Developing Youth and Adult Leaders   Sheboygan County  4‐H  Base Camp  has  always  been  a  place where  youth  can  try  new  experiences,  practice valuable  social  skills  and master  new  skills. Often  this  learning  happens unintentionally,  however. This  year Sarah Tarjeson, 4‐H Youth Development Educator, prepared  staff  to  intentionally challenge participants  to  try something new, learn new skills, and be generous to others. As a result of this intentionality, youth were able to identify  times  and places  throughout  camp  that  they  achieved  these goals.  100% of youth participants  (n=76) indicated  they  felt safe at camp and were able  to  identify why  they  felt  this way. 100% were able  to  identify a time and place  they served another person or group at camp. 100% were able  to  identify a  time or place  they learned something new and  tried something new at camp. From  these  results program development staff and volunteers were able to see what experiences contributed to accomplishing these goals as well as which times and places at camp are not conducive to meeting these goals.   

The Youth Development Program Coordinator, Linda Robson, provided primary leadership and support for 33   4‐H  Community  Clubs  throughout  Sheboygan  County.  The  4‐H  Community  Club  Program  enrolled  968 members, grades K‐13, and  approximately  348 adult  leaders. Members participated  in  citizenship,  leadership, service,  teamwork,  and  decision‐making  through  their  participation  in  club  meetings  and  activities. Approximately 22,700 volunteer service hours were contributed to youth and communities in Sheboygan County in 2017 for an estimated value of over $534,800.  

Over  550  volunteers  and  consumers were  reached with  training  and  resources  regarding  literacy  skills,  food preservation,  food  safety,  and parenting  skills.  225  children  and  their parents  in Head  Start  classrooms were impacted by  these volunteers on a monthly basis. Over 1,650 volunteer service hours at an estimated value of $28,050 were contributed to families and communities in 2017.   

The 4‐H American Spirit Experience develops citizenship knowledge and skills through education and travel. Content  focuses  on  America’s  revolutionary  heritage  while  traveling  to  historical  locations.  Annually,  44 participants  increase  their  ability  to  express  values,  awareness  of  self  in  relationship  to  others,  and  identify historical and present day role models of civic leadership. Youth practice responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance while developing their sense of personal identity. These characteristics are essential first steps toward being engaged politically or at the community level (Van Camp, 2016). One participant in 2017 indicated, “being responsible for certain bus duties has taught me the importance of everyone doing their job.” Facilitated mixers and new  roommate assignments each night of  the experience are designed  to enable youth  the opportunity  to practice  caring,  compassion,  and  tolerance  as well  as  personal  identity  formation.  Preliminary  results  for  a longitudinal assessment of participants experience over the past five years indicate 100% of respondents agree or strongly agree  they gained an understanding about  the contributions of early  leaders  in American History and how this connects to roles and responsibilities as a citizen through the American Spirit Experience.  

Building on Community Strengths Family Living Educator Jane Jensen provided adult and family multi‐session caregiver education that increased family  caregivers’  ability  to  manage  caregiving  responsibilities,  delay  placement  of  their  care  recipients  in expensive  long‐term  care,  lessen  costly  hospital  stays,  and  balance  employment with  caregiving.  The  Family Caregivers Coalition in Sheboygan County, co‐chaired by Jane, provided monthly educational programs, access to  local resources, and quarterly newsletters  to almost 1,550  local  family caregivers and  the agencies  that serve them.  Jane also shared the results of a number of focus groups she conducted with family caregivers to identify ways in which the coalition can meet the needs of family caregivers in the next 3‐5 years.  

This past year’s emphasis has been of building new relationships, both internally and externally. On October 1,  the FoodWIse program  realigned  to be with Fond du Lac County. Amanda Miller (FoodWIse Coordinator) made efforts to bring together staff in  both  offices  to  build  a  strong,  unified  team.  FoodWIse  also  developed  external relationships  with  new  partner  agencies  that  share  in  the  goal  of  a  healthier community,  including  six  local  food  pantries,  an  elementary  school,  a  low‐income housing  site,  an  after‐school  agency,  and  the  Sheboygan  County  Activity  and Nutrition  (SCAN) coalition. These relationships resulted  in an additional 130 classes to be taught by FoodWIse in 2018.                                                       

Supporting Healthy Families The evidence‐based, seven‐part Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10‐14 was facilitated for the 8th  time  in Plymouth  to provide outreach. The family skill‐building program saves nearly $10 for every $1 invested in the program in future costs for drug treatment, lost earnings, and time in the juvenile justice system.  Jane provided leadership for the program. Trained facilitators instructed the youth and adults separately for the first hour and joined together for the family session. More series are planned for 2018.  

A farmer’s market survey was conducted to assess the ability of food insecure households throughout the county to access the fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market. Jane Jensen utilized the university research base to customize a survey instrument that was used to survey limited income users of the farmer’s market.  The results are being used by a variety of family serving organizations, including the food pantries.  Page 3

Photo: Janeth Orozco, Nutrition Educator, and a WIC client.   

Use your  phone, iPad, or 

tablet camera to scan the code 

above to find UWEX on the 

web!  (Barcode Reader or 

Google Goggle apps may be 

needed.)  

 

UW‐Extension 

Sheboygan County 

5 University Drive 

Sheboygan, WI 53081 

920‐459‐5900  

University of Wisconsin, 

United States Department of 

Agriculture, and  

Wisconsin Counties  

cooperating. 

 

University of Wisconsin‐

Extension provides equal 

opportunities in employment 

and programming, including 

Title IX & ADA. 

BUDGET  

The UW‐Extension  Sheboygan County  2017  approved  budget was  $459,416, with  actual expenses of $423,408. The 2018 levy amount is $431,936. The total approved budget for 2018 is $467,836. Our budget more closely reflects our expenses and revenue than in past years due  to  the  accountability  in  financial  management.  The  2017  budget  goals  were accomplished primarily by responsible operations, pursuits of matching funds, sustainable program revenue, and support from community, county, and state stakeholders.    

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES AHEAD  

Many  UW‐Extension  programs  leverage  substantial  local,  state,  and  federal  dollars  to enhance the quality of life for residents in Sheboygan County.  The state’s 2015‐17 biennial budget reduced the University of Wisconsin System funding by $250 million.  Cooperative Extension’s portion of  the cut  is $3.6 million per year – 8.3% of  its ongoing state funding. The nEXT Generation Cooperative Extension movement has  implemented  the start of  the regionalization  of  counties  by  creating  22 Areas. Local programming  continues  in  all  72 counties.  The regionalization structure instituted Area Extension Directors starting in July 2017 with  the  responsibility  of Administrative  oversight  of  an  area  consisting  of  2  to  5 counties. The nEXT Generation model continues to move forward and will now be moving under the UW‐Madison structure starting in July 2018. The commitment to local needs and education is still the driving mission of the UW‐Extension system.   

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2018  

The primary goal of UW‐Extension  for 2017  is  to continue providing quality educational programs  and useful,  research‐based  information  to  the people of  Sheboygan County  to help them gain the understanding, capabilities, and skills necessary for solving farm, home, family, business, and community issues and problems.  

UW‐Extension Sheboygan County has identified the following shared goals:   Identify  at  least  two  populations  of  protected  audiences  throughout  Sheboygan 

County, and implement at least two new strategies to meet the needs that are unique to these communities.    

 

Develop educational programs  in crop science aimed at  improving  the profitability of cropping systems  while implementing practices that protect natural resources.   

 

Support  area  farmer  led  groups  to  successfully  implement  useful  on‐farm demonstrations, and provide information and educational resources as requested.   

 

Provide technical assistance to Greenbush, Glenbeulah, Mosel, Rhine, Waldo, and Adell as each works on and adopts  the  required 10‐year update  to  its comprehensive plan. With  price  quotes  from  consultants  as  high  as  $20,000  per  plan  update,  these communities will save substantial money partnering with UW‐Extension. 

 

Provide groundwater and private well education through 1) year‐round availability of homeowner  testing kits at our UW‐Extension Office, and 2) a  local well water  testing event  to be held  in  cooperation with Sheboygan County Planning and Conservation, and the certified lab at UW‐Stevens Point. 

 

By  October  2018,  at  least  50%  of  participants  will  report  an  intent  to  spend  their FoodShare  dollars more wisely  by  using  food  resource management  strategies  they have learned from FoodWIse classes.   

 

Strengthen relationships and increase the capacity of youth serving agencies by offering at  least  two  opportunities  for  professional  or  organizational  development  (e.g., parliamentary  procedure,  youth‐adult  partnership)  to  nonprofits  throughout Sheboygan County.  

Page 4

Sheboygan County  

Planning, Resources, 

Agriculture &  

Extension Committee  

Keith Abler 

Chairperson  

Fran Damp 

Vice‐Chairperson  

Steven Bauer 

Secretary  

James Baumgart 

Curt Brauer 

Stan Lammers 

Members  

VARIANCE REPORT FOR DEPARTMENT -- REGISTER OF DEEDS

FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 12/31/2017

G/L CATEGORY VARIANCE FROM

BUDGET EXPLANATION OF VARIANCEPOSITIVE/ NEGATIVE

Public Charges for Services

General Government 87,714.83 Positive variance; revenue fluctuates due to real estate and encumbrance activity which is based upon the local, state and national economy.

Positive

Personnel Related Expenditure

Wages 25,730.61 Positive variance due to retirement of one employee. Positive

Benefits 4,942.41 Positive variance due to retirement of one employee. Positive

Operating Expenses

Purchased Services 1,280.11 Positive variance, cost for services less than anticipated. Positive

General Operating 6,029.11 Positive variance, Less travel/room expenses used for training purposes. Printing costs less than anticipated. Postage usage decreased due to electronic recording.

Positive

Interdepartmental Charges

Employee Related Insurance 2,600.89 Positive variance due to retirement of one employee. Positive

Operating Transfers In (5,156.00) Negative variance, back scanning project was delayed dollars were reallocated to go towards Life Cycle which was less than original back scanning requests. These funds will revert back to Land Records.

Negative

TOTAL 123,141.96 Positive