Committee gets updates

The Agriculture and Extension Education Committee met on November 2, to report on organizations throughout the area and what they have been working on to better serve Taylor County.

Agriculture Educator Sandy Stuttgen, gave a report about the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). This organization provides a research-based educational platform that demonstrates commitment to food safety and quality, while safeguarding the public image of the beef industry and upholding consumer confidence in beef products. Stuttgen also provided an in-person session for North Central Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association members to review data from their feedlot project in order to understand opportunities to improve their herd’s genetics and calf preconditioning and nutritional programs. She also participated with other educators in the design and teaching of a series Beef Quality Assurance Certification training for beef producers where they learn about farm-level safe food production practices to decrease animal and carcass bruising, injection site lesions and antibiotic/chemical residues.

Brenda Fierce, Foodwise Coordinator, distributed nutritional fact sheets to families to educate them on how they will be able to prepare and preserve their vegetables from this past year. She also distributed a fact sheet for parents of younger children on ways to introduce them to new foods, which in turn will get them to eat more vegetables. The handouts were also provided during the St. Paul’s Mobile Food Pantry food distribution. These fact sheets help pantry participants and their families to make healthier food choices.

Fierce also announced that she will be retiring in January.

4-H Educator for both Price and Taylor counties, Julie Diepenbrock, explained how the 4-H program has been connecting with the community to get the word out about their program. For example, 4-H collaborated with Huey’s Hideaway to provide programming during Harvest Days this past weekend. Students can develop social skills, and personal safety throughout these events.

Diepenbrock said “A recent brochure was just translated into Spanish, and is available at the Rib Lake Elementary School, as well as the Rib Lake Public Library.”

Michelle Grimm, Community Development Educator, has restarted the in-person classes of Strong Bodies. This season is finishing in the next few weeks, however, a new season is starting again in January.

A Gilman in-person instructor is needed, due to lack of availability of people to teach the course.

She added “The virtual classes will still remain as long as I have participants who are interested.”