Extension educators will remain in Brown County

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- All three Brown County Educators will continue to work out of the Brown County office as the University of Minnesota Extension Service restructures its staffing model to address state financial shortcomings.

In the new staffing model, 236 Extension educators will remain housed in county and university offices around the state. The difference is the educators will serve more than one county and specialize in one of five areas: 4-H and youth development; agriculture, food and environment; family development; natural resources and environment; and community vitality.

Forty-three Extension educators will serve as county Extension directors, covering one to three counties, ensuring communities receive services most needed from the university.

In Brown County, educator Wayne Schoper will specialize in agriculture, food, and environment; Gail Gilman Waldner in family development; and Katie Rasmussen in community vitality. Schoper will also be a county director, filling an administrative role to help connect with county boards and committees.

"The cuts weren't as deep as we anticipated," Rasmussen said. "We're very pleased to be able to stay working out of the Brown County office. We're excited about the challenges restructuring will bring and specializing in our areas of expertise over a larger area. We care about people and programs. We'll continue to provide the best service possible with a different delivery system than in the past."

Ninety percent of the Extension budget is now dedicated to personnel. Restructuring cuts will be made in administrative, collegiate, and field operation budgets, beginning July 1, 2002.

There will be 43 less Extension educator positions across the state. Twenty-three of the positions will be eliminated through retirement and attrition and 20 by non-renewal of appointments.