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