NEW ULM — Brown County farmer Ralph Stadick says he and others need Wayne Schoper.
“He knows the county like the back of his hand,” Stadick says of the University of Minnesota agriculture Extension educator for Brown County, whose job faces elimination in 2010.
A petition drive has been started to retain the post, which the County Board is opting to cut as a cost-saving measure.
County commissioners voted to eliminate Schoper’s half-time position with the county for 2010, a measure that would save $41,000 in salary, office support and related expenses.
He’ll continue to serve as half-time ag educator for neighboring Nicollet County, but that’s no consolation to his supporters.
“It’s a slap in the face against agriculture, especially the small independent farmers. They’re the ones that use (the service) the most,” Stadick said.
Brown County Administrator Charles Enter said state-mandated levy limits are hitting counties hard, hence the need to tighten belts. He said Brown County must make budget reductions totaling $228,000 for 2010.
He said the County Board’s decision was based on a couple of factors: The Internet and various ag industries can supply much the same information an ag educator does, and Minnesota counties are increasingly doing without the position.
Enter cited a survey showing that 14 of 23 southwestern Minnesota counties no longer have Extension educators, formerly known as Extension agents.
Randy Krzmarzick, secretary/treasurer of Brown County Farmers Union, suggests that the job elimination may be penny wise but pound foolish.
“There is so much information available compared to 20 years ago, but the conduit to that information is just something we shouldn’t sever.”
Krzmarzick said the $41,000 saved by the county pales beside the money an ag educator can save farmers.
“We can have that amount in losses to insect disease in the county in a matter of hours.”
He said an Extension educator can stave that off by advising farmers on such things as the most effective spraying regimens.
Stadick said an Extension educator provides personal contact and expertise that can’t be matched electronically.
He said he was in Schoper’s office one day when a woman walked in with a box containing a maple leaf and an insect.
“She asked him, ‘What’s happening to my maple tree?’ You can put that leaf and that bug in a computer and it won’t be able to tell you anything,” Stadick said.
Schoper is vacationing out of state and unavailable for comment. He told the New Ulm Journal last week that he thinks Extension educators fill a valuable niche. He has held his Brown County position more than 20 years.
Brown County Commissioner James Berg said elimination of the position has nothing to do with Schoper’s job performance.
“It’s not Wayne’s fault. He’s been a very good educator for us. It’s just a matter of dollars and cents.”
The board will make its final decision on cuts in December.
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Brown County farmers fight to save Extension job
A petition drive has been started to retain the Brown County University of Minnesota agriculture Extension post, which the County Board is opting to cut as a cost-saving measure.
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Brown County farmers fight to save Extension job
Wayne Schoper's position slated for elimination
By Brian Ojanpa
NEW ULM — Brown County farmer Ralph Stadick says he and others need Wayne Schoper.
“He knows the county like the back of his hand,” Stadick says of the University of Minnesota agriculture Extension educator for Brown County, whose job faces elimination in 2010.
A petition drive has been started to retain the post, which the County Board is opting to cut as a cost-saving measure.
County commissioners voted to eliminate Schoper’s half-time position with the county for 2010, a measure that would save $41,000 in salary, office support and related expenses.
He’ll continue to serve as half-time ag educator for neighboring Nicollet County, but that’s no consolation to his supporters.
“It’s a slap in the face against agriculture, especially the small independent farmers. They’re the ones that use (the service) the most,” Stadick said.
Brown County Administrator Charles Enter said state-mandated levy limits are hitting counties hard, hence the need to tighten belts. He said Brown County must make budget reductions totaling $228,000 for 2010.
He said the County Board’s decision was based on a couple of factors: The Internet and various ag industries can supply much the same information an ag educator does, and Minnesota counties are increasingly doing without the position.
Enter cited a survey showing that 14 of 23 southwestern Minnesota counties no longer have Extension educators, formerly known as Extension agents.
Randy Krzmarzick, secretary/treasurer of Brown County Farmers Union, suggests that the job elimination may be penny wise but pound foolish.
“There is so much information available compared to 20 years ago, but the conduit to that information is just something we shouldn’t sever.”
Krzmarzick said the $41,000 saved by the county pales beside the money an ag educator can save farmers.
“We can have that amount in losses to insect disease in the county in a matter of hours.”
He said an Extension educator can stave that off by advising farmers on such things as the most effective spraying regimens.
Stadick said an Extension educator provides personal contact and expertise that can’t be matched electronically.
He said he was in Schoper’s office one day when a woman walked in with a box containing a maple leaf and an insect.
“She asked him, ‘What’s happening to my maple tree?’ You can put that leaf and that bug in a computer and it won’t be able to tell you anything,” Stadick said.
Schoper is vacationing out of state and unavailable for comment. He told the New Ulm Journal last week that he thinks Extension educators fill a valuable niche. He has held his Brown County position more than 20 years.
Brown County Commissioner James Berg said elimination of the position has nothing to do with Schoper’s job performance.
“It’s not Wayne’s fault. He’s been a very good educator for us. It’s just a matter of dollars and cents.”
The board will make its final decision on cuts in December.
December 23, 2009
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September 24, 2009
The Minnesota Republican Party will be running a TV ad beginning today and lasting for a week on KEYC mocking Democratic attempts to reform the nation’s health care system.
August 11, 2009
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