MONROE - Mark Mayer, longtime Green County UW-Extension agriculture agent, was presented with the 2018 Friend of Extension award Nov. 14 at the Green County Board meeting. Presented annually, this award was started in 1990 by the Green County University of Wisconsin-Extension office to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding support towards conducting UWEX educational programs in the county. Mayer received a standing ovation from County Board members upon presentation of the award.
Mayer was recognized for his more than 32 years of continued service in the county and for going above and beyond the call of duty for the UWEX office in educational and research programs including community resource development, family living and nutrition, 4-H youth development and agriculture and natural resources. Mayer has consistently exemplified the Wisconsin idea by bringing UW resources to Green County to help solve problems, improve health, quality of life, the environment and agriculture for all.
Throughout the county, Mayer has been instrumental in hosting numerous crop and weed workshops, dairy modernization seminars and pesticide applicator and livestock trainings. He has coordinated many events for the Green County Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and Green County Dairy Days. He also successfully coordinated the Farm Technology Days held in Green County in 2007.
Mayer has organized tours on over 70 dairy farms, out of the 260 in Green County, that modernized their operations over the course of 15 years. Mayer has developed long-term relationships with many dairy farmers who have grown their dairy business.
Most recently, Mayer was instrumental in partnering with Revolution Plastics to establish ag plastics recycling in Green County and expanding it throughout Wisconsin. Green County served as the initial pilot program, implementing on-the-farm dumpsters to collect ag plastics for recycling into garbage bags. In Wisconsin, this program saves over 350,000 pounds of plastic from being burned or landfilled each year. Ag plastic recycling has expanded throughout most of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.
Mayer is well respected in the state by his fellow colleagues, including his Green County colleagues Ellen Andrews, 4-H youth development educator, and Victoria Solomon, community resource development educator.
Mayer was recognized for his more than 32 years of continued service in the county and for going above and beyond the call of duty for the UWEX office in educational and research programs including community resource development, family living and nutrition, 4-H youth development and agriculture and natural resources. Mayer has consistently exemplified the Wisconsin idea by bringing UW resources to Green County to help solve problems, improve health, quality of life, the environment and agriculture for all.
Throughout the county, Mayer has been instrumental in hosting numerous crop and weed workshops, dairy modernization seminars and pesticide applicator and livestock trainings. He has coordinated many events for the Green County Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and Green County Dairy Days. He also successfully coordinated the Farm Technology Days held in Green County in 2007.
Mayer has organized tours on over 70 dairy farms, out of the 260 in Green County, that modernized their operations over the course of 15 years. Mayer has developed long-term relationships with many dairy farmers who have grown their dairy business.
Most recently, Mayer was instrumental in partnering with Revolution Plastics to establish ag plastics recycling in Green County and expanding it throughout Wisconsin. Green County served as the initial pilot program, implementing on-the-farm dumpsters to collect ag plastics for recycling into garbage bags. In Wisconsin, this program saves over 350,000 pounds of plastic from being burned or landfilled each year. Ag plastic recycling has expanded throughout most of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.
Mayer is well respected in the state by his fellow colleagues, including his Green County colleagues Ellen Andrews, 4-H youth development educator, and Victoria Solomon, community resource development educator.