The University of Wisconsin – Division of Extension is moving to a Regional Agricultural Educators staffing model across the state. These positions will provide research-based education to dairy, livestock and crop producers by assessing the needs of farmers in their region and design and deliver educational programming and services to meet those needs.

Dairy, Livestock, and Crop production are the largest agricultural industries in the Southwest area of Wisconsin. The Regional Agriculture Educators have specializations in these areas and will offer their expertise to serve those industries and producers. Regional Agriculture Educators will:

• Design and deliver educational meetings and field days in a four county region that includes; Grant, Green, Iowa and Lafayette Counties.
• Provide consultation on production challenges to farmers and agricultural consultants.
• Contribute to outreach opportunities on agricultural topics through; workshops, virtual trainings, symposiums, websites, social media, and publications.
• Collaborate with other educators and specialists across the state and region.
• Engage with Agriculture Extension Committees on progress and planning.

We are excited to announce that our region includes Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties and will be served by: Dairy Educator – Jackie McCarville, Livestock Educator – Amanda Cauffman, and Crops and Soils Educator – Josh Kamps.  

Dairy Educator Jackie McCarville joined Extension in 2017. Her dairy programming will focus on dairy production management including dairy calves and heifer management, animal husbandry and well-being, nutrition, and dairy x beef crosses to help dairy producers improve productivity, profitability, and efficiency while maintaining animal well-being. “I’m excited to bring my passion and expertise of the dairy industry to our local area.”

Livestock Educator Amanda Cauffman joined Extension in 2018. Her educational programming will focus on Cow/Calf, Feeder Cattle, and Dairy x Beef cross production, Swine production, Small ruminants such as sheep and goats, as well as pasture management. “The regional staffing model allows for educators to specialize and develop areas of expertise and allows for more efficient sharing of unbiased, science based information.”

Crops and Soils Educator Josh Kamps joined Extension in 2018. His educational programming focuses on field crop decision-making that promotes soil health and limits pest resistance.  Specific areas of interest for demonstration and field research include cover cropping, forage crop rotation, manure processing technology, and weather resiliency practices. “For me the diversity within agriculture in Southwest WI is the most interesting part of Extension outreach service. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work within my specialized area of Crops and Soils while serving a diverse four county agricultural region,” says Josh.

To contact these Agricultural Educators please contact your local County Extension Office: Grant County (608) 723-2125, Green County (608) 328-9440, Iowa County (608) 930-9850 and Lafayette County (608) 776-4820.

For a printable copy of this press release, click here.