Posted: 07.01.2011

There are very few agriculture related programs in Wisconsin that won't be impacted by Wisconsin budget challenges, and Thursday John Shutske, Associate Dean on the UW-Madison campus, compiled some of the details.

Shutske said that many staff announcements weren't formalized until certain calendar benchmarks were made, and said that confidentiality and other binding agreements, had to be considered.  Shutske also told Pam Jahnke, that although the list may be daunting - in reality it's not substantially different then what the state sees many years because of retirements. Below are the staff changes that Shutske says he's aware of as of July 1st. 

Departures:

UW-Extension Agents
Denise Brusveen - Sauk
David Fischer - Dane
Tom Cadwalder - Lincoln-Marathon
Bob Cropp - Pepin

UW-Extension Researchers
Dick Wolkowski - Soils
Fred Madison - Soils-Geology
Bob Tomesh - Horticulture
Tom Kreigl - Center for Dairy Profitability
Roger Flashinski - Agronomy
Scott Craven - Forestry - Wildlife Management
Sue Nitzke - Food Science
Karen Talarczyk - Nutrient & Pest Management
Nancy Drummy - Discovery Farms
Dick Pederson - District Director
Elaine Andrews - Environmental Resources
Donna Menart - Youth-4-H
Pat Walsh - Ag Engineering
Pete Nowak - Soil & Water Management

Shutske said that they're at work now trying to be very proactive and responsive in thinking of the changes, departures, and retirements.  He admits, "We don't have all the answers, but urge continued engagement and participation in change related discussions."  Shutske said desptie the anxiety that's in the economy - agriculture is still a bright sector for the state and the programs that serve agriculture will remain critical.

Shutske said that administrators on campus and in the UW Extension system are concentrating on three critical areas in their game plan:

-Creating a Robust Ag Economy
-Supporting Healthy and Safe Food Systems, and
-Protecting Valued Natural Resources

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