Division of Extension Dean and Director Karl Martin tells Mid-West Farm Report that Extension has lost about 20 percent of its staff in the past decade. He points to funding challenges as the reason for the loss of agents. Most recently, Iowa County has had to cut Extension funding. Martin says this is often because essential services, such as EMS, take precedence in a county's small budget. To reverse the trend, Martin says the Division of Extension is actively seeking out more funding opportunities. Extension has also been restructured to reduce the need for local general educators and instead has statewide or regional specialists. Soon, Extension will post a position for a specialist to guide rural entrepreneurs in Southwest Wisconsin. This short-term, pilot position is funded by a $300,000 donation.

Division of Extension Dean and Director Karl Martin tells Mid-West Farm Report that Extension has lost about 20 percent of its staff in the past decade. He points to funding challenges as the reason for the loss of agents. Most recently, Iowa County has had to cut Extension funding. Martin says this is often because essential services, such as EMS, take precedence in a county's small budget. To reverse the trend, Martin says the Division of Extension is actively seeking out more funding opportunities. Extension has also been restructured to reduce the need for local general educators and instead has statewide or regional specialists. Soon, Extension will post a position for a specialist to guide rural entrepreneurs in Southwest Wisconsin. This short-term, pilot position is funded by a $300,000 donation.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!