Posted: 07.25.2010

Matt Hanson is just one example of busy Univeristy Extension agents that wear many hats in their community.  Hanson just returned from Oklahoma where he was a recipient of three national awards from the National Extension program.

Hanson, Dodge county crops and soils agent, came away with the "Distinguished Service" award, a "Search for Excellence" commendation and a special certificate for his committee work on the national scene.

In a conversation with Pam Jahnke during Farm Technology Days, Hanson said the awards come after several years of concentrated efforts on research in field.  For example, Hanson has spent more then ten years on field research measuring the economic optimum on nitrogen rates in Wisconsin farm fields.  He began the work in 1999.  That research won the national "Search for Excellence" in crop production in teaching and educational technology work. 

Hanson's dedication to extension work crosses many different lines.  In 2009, Hanson's role with Wisconsin's Farm Technology Days was far more involved then this year.  "I'm happy to help - but it feels good that somebody else is making all the decisions," he said while making his way onto the 2010 FTD site just outside of River Falls.

Hanson said he's not the only extension staff member that was recognized in Oklahoma.  Wisconsin traditionally is a strong leader in overall extension programs.

Hanson also noted that extension education nationwide is under stress.  In Illinois, for example, essentially all 1,200 extension educators were dismissed because of state budget shortfalls. Now, county boards in Illinois will have to decide if they can pick up the additional costs of extension staff, and repopulate those county and regional offices.  North Dakota extension is currently about the only state that's not battling with budget cuts on their extension staff.

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