Farmers’ Market Liaison

Summer Intern 2009

Connie Eisch, FLE

UWEX Wood County

Farmers’ Market Liaison-Wood Co.

Situation: FM in Wood County was revived 2001, Market has grown to 42 vendors in 2009

Majority are Hmong and may not speak English well

Problems with marketing, and misunderstandings with market policies and procedures; no knowledge of UWEXas a resource for soil conservation

Farmers’ Market Liaison-Wood Co.

Response: SAAIP (Summer Affirmative Action Intern Program) funds secured covering 50% of salary for intern

Central District innovative grant secured for remaining salary + travel and supplies

Advertised and interviewed 6 candidates

Farmers’ Market Liaison – AyLee

Radio programs and newspaper articles in Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield promoting FM

Hosted a Farmers’ Informational Workshop for Hmong farmers with Matt Lippert, UWEX Ag, Kate Carlson, Wood Co HD, and Jack Chang, Dept of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection

Presented Hmong culture and history to 4-H campers

Visited FM weekly to speak with farmers

Farmers’ Market Liaison - AyLee

Worked on good communication strategies between farmers and market organizers

Introduced UW Extension as a resource to the farmers

Energy Conservation InitiativeUW-Extension, Outagamie County

Presented by:

Jim Resick, Community Development Educator

Zen Miller, Dairy/Livestock Agent

UW-Extension, Outagamie County

Funding A Budget

• NE District Resource Management Grant-$5000• Mellissa Hansen - Outreach Specialist• 528 Light bulbs – Focus On Energy

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY

Booth at County Fair

• 1) Handout• 2) Energy Bicycle• 3) Staffed by Agents

and Focus On Energy

• Results: 360 people contacted

Agriculture

• 75 dairy farms in target area sent letter

• 31 farms with energy audits

• 4 with no recommendations

• 14 turned down or just did something

• 30 farms not contacted

Audit Summary

• Only recommend if 4.5 year or less payback

• Grant amount: $36,950

• Cost: $205,400

• Year Savings: $72,243.59

• Payback: 1.88 years

Recommendations

• Switch to natural gas water heater• Scroll compressor• Variable speed vacuum pump• Heat recovery unit• Water heater from electric to Propane• 2nd heat recovery• Variable speed milk pump• Commercial washer/dryer

Phone Survey N=9 Farms

• Learned to save• Packet was useful• Eight felt they saved energy• Two bought more light bulbs (12)• One installed variable speed milk pump• Two rewire programs• Three plan on changes in next 12 months

Community Resource Development

• 2 Green Blitz held 4 days

• 60 Business & Nonprofit energy audits

• 4 Village Board presentations

• 3 Town Board presentations

• 3 Public events

Business Energy Audits

• 144.3 KW saved

• $67,293 grant/incentives

• $49,472 Year Savings

• ? Payback

Phone Surveys

Businesses N=54• 68.8% (33 of 48) used follow-up report• 48.1% implemented conservation measures• 38 changes in 26 buildings (lighting)• 35.2% (18) plan on changes in next 12 months• $14,430 incentives in hand, 5 clients

Family Living

• 2 Home & Community Education

• 4 Group agency meetings

• County: Maintenance, County

Executive, Finance Director

• Made contact with librarian

(display & meetings set)

4-H & Youth

• 6 clubs visited

• Developed youth oriented presentation

• Packets and CFL lightbulbs delivered

• Packet and CFL lightbulbs delivered to

4-H Livestock & Dairy Committees

Phone Surveys

Households N=128• 82.8% (106) had installed free CFL’s• 29.3% (36) used coupons to purchase 254 bulbs• 60.2% (77) partial switch to energy efficient lighting• 12.0% (12) plan to get energy audit on house

Evidence of Success• 4-H Leader Comment: “Your presentation was the best we ever had. It was fun and interactive, and it kept our attention.”

• Business Owner: “My energy bill dropped $150 per month after implementing the recommendations.”

• City Clerk: “We are using the report in plans to remodel City Hall.”

Conclusion

• Round 2 planned in other targeted county areas

• Large saving possible / On going• Reduces operating costs• All staff can participate• Easy to show $ saved