MONROE - Area Extension Director Paul Ohlrogge, who oversees educator teams for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Green, Lafayette, Grant and Iowa counties, said Wednesday area directors were informed the system was nearly at capacity for filling new positions.
Ohlrogge informed members of the Green County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee directors were recently "a bit of a stunned audience" when they were told there are more requests for experts like agricultural agents than can be provided.
However, he said there are still roughly 10 fully budgeted agent positions open, as well as family living educator and community resource development educator positions.
He noted that counties in southern Wisconsin informed the Extension system that there was a need to have an agricultural agent in each county and that Extension officials "were surprised up north."
"People came back wanting an extension office fully operating, fully staffed," Ohlrogge said.
Member of the committee and Green County Board Chair Art Carter noted those in charge may not have "done their homework."
Ohlrogge promised to advocate for a replacement agricultural agent in Green County. He added that a single 4-H youth educator was also necessary in each county, noting that Extension staff in the area "had a vision to really be sharing our expertise," from the dairy industry in Green to crop growing in Lafayette County.
Former Green County agricultural agent Mark Mayer retired at the end of 2017 after being hired as the first county ag agent nearly 33 years ago. The position has remained vacant while the county awaits word from system officials of when the process can begin to hire a replacement.
In Grant County, applicants are being accepted for the position of ag agent, Ohlrogge said, adding the county received about nine applications. When asked when Green County could begin a similar process, Ohlrogge said he anticipated knowing more in the spring but did not have a specific date.
Committee member Kristi Leonard expressed concerns over waiting too long.
"The nuts and the bolts of it is we have this in our budget this year," Leonard said.
Ohlrogge said he understood committee members' possible frustration. In talks with Matt Hanson, assistant dean of Extension's southern region, Ohlrogge relayed a message.
"Hanson told me, 'Don't assume the positions won't be filled,'" Ohlrogge said.
Ohlrogge informed members of the Green County Agriculture and Extension Education Committee directors were recently "a bit of a stunned audience" when they were told there are more requests for experts like agricultural agents than can be provided.
However, he said there are still roughly 10 fully budgeted agent positions open, as well as family living educator and community resource development educator positions.
He noted that counties in southern Wisconsin informed the Extension system that there was a need to have an agricultural agent in each county and that Extension officials "were surprised up north."
"People came back wanting an extension office fully operating, fully staffed," Ohlrogge said.
Member of the committee and Green County Board Chair Art Carter noted those in charge may not have "done their homework."
Ohlrogge promised to advocate for a replacement agricultural agent in Green County. He added that a single 4-H youth educator was also necessary in each county, noting that Extension staff in the area "had a vision to really be sharing our expertise," from the dairy industry in Green to crop growing in Lafayette County.
Former Green County agricultural agent Mark Mayer retired at the end of 2017 after being hired as the first county ag agent nearly 33 years ago. The position has remained vacant while the county awaits word from system officials of when the process can begin to hire a replacement.
In Grant County, applicants are being accepted for the position of ag agent, Ohlrogge said, adding the county received about nine applications. When asked when Green County could begin a similar process, Ohlrogge said he anticipated knowing more in the spring but did not have a specific date.
Committee member Kristi Leonard expressed concerns over waiting too long.
"The nuts and the bolts of it is we have this in our budget this year," Leonard said.
Ohlrogge said he understood committee members' possible frustration. In talks with Matt Hanson, assistant dean of Extension's southern region, Ohlrogge relayed a message.
"Hanson told me, 'Don't assume the positions won't be filled,'" Ohlrogge said.