1. Farmers’ Market Liaison
Summer Intern 2009
Connie Eisch, FLE
UWEX Wood County

2. Farmers’ Market Liaison-Wood Co.
 Situation: FM in Wood County was
revived 2001, Market has grown to 42
vendors in 2009
 Majority are Hmong and may not speak
English well
 Problems with marketing, and
misunderstandings with market policies
and procedures; no knowledge of UWEX
as a resource for soil conservation

3. Farmers’ Market Liaison-Wood Co.
 Response: SAAIP (Summer Affirmative
Action Intern Program) funds secured
covering 50% of salary for intern
 Central District innovative grant secured for
remaining salary + travel and supplies
 Advertised and interviewed 6 candidates

5. Farmers’ Market Liaison – AyLee
 Radio programs and newspaper articles in
Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield promoting FM
 Hosted a Farmers’ Informational Workshop for
Hmong farmers with Matt Lippert, UWEX Ag,
Kate Carlson, Wood Co HD, and Jack Chang,
Dept of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection
 Presented Hmong culture and history to
4-H campers
 Visited FM weekly to speak with farmers

6. Farmers’ Market Liaison - AyLee
 Worked on good communication strategies
between farmers and market organizers
 Introduced UW Extension as a resource to
the farmers

7. Energy Conservation Initiative
UW-Extension, Outagamie County
Presented by:
Jim Resick, Community Development Educator
Zen Miller, Dairy/Livestock Agent
UW-Extension, Outagamie County

8. Funding A Budget
• NE District Resource Management Grant-$5000
• Mellissa Hansen - Outreach Specialist
• 528 Light bulbs – Focus On Energy

9. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY

10. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY

11. Booth at County Fair
• 1) Handout
• 2) Energy Bicycle
• 3) Staffed by Agents
and Focus On Energy
• Results: 360 people contacted

12. Agriculture
• 75 dairy farms in target area sent letter
• 31 farms with energy audits
• 4 with no recommendations
• 14 turned down or just did something
• 30 farms not contacted

13. Audit Summary
• Only recommend if 4.5 year or less
payback
• Grant amount: $36,950
• Cost: $205,400
• Year Savings: $72,243.59
• Payback: 1.88 years

14. Recommendations
• Switch to natural gas water heater
• Scroll compressor
• Variable speed vacuum pump
• Heat recovery unit
• Water heater from electric to Propane
• 2nd
heat recovery
• Variable speed milk pump
• Commercial washer/dryer

15. Phone Survey N=9 Farms
• Learned to save
• Packet was useful
• Eight felt they saved energy
• Two bought more light bulbs (12)
• One installed variable speed milk pump
• Two rewire programs
• Three plan on changes in next 12 months

16. Community Resource Development
• 2 Green Blitz held 4 days
• 60 Business & Nonprofit energy audits
• 4 Village Board presentations
• 3 Town Board presentations
• 3 Public events

17. Business Energy Audits
• 144.3 KW saved
• $67,293grant/incentives
• $49,472 Year Savings
• ? Payback

18. Phone Surveys
Businesses N=54
• 68.8% (33 of 48) used follow-up report
• 48.1% implemented conservation measures
• 38 changes in 26 buildings (lighting)
• 35.2% (18) plan on changes in next 12 months
• $14,430 incentives in hand, 5 clients

19. Family Living
• 2 Home & Community Education
• 4 Group agency meetings
• County: Maintenance, County
Executive, Finance Director
• Made contact with librarian
(display & meetings set)

20. 4-H & Youth
• 6 clubs visited
• Developed youth oriented presentation
• Packets and CFL lightbulbs delivered
• Packet and CFL lightbulbs delivered to
4-H Livestock & Dairy Committees

21. Phone Surveys
Households N=128
• 82.8% (106) had installed free CFL’s
• 29.3% (36) used coupons to purchase 254 bulbs
• 60.2% (77) partial switch to energy efficient lighting
• 12.0% (12) plan to get energy audit on house

22. Evidence of Success
• 4-H Leader Comment: “Your presentation was the best
we ever had. It was fun and interactive, and it kept our
attention.”
• Business Owner: “My energy bill dropped $150 per
month after implementing the recommendations.”
• City Clerk: “We are using the report in plans to remodel
City Hall.”

23. Conclusion
• Round 2 planned in other
targeted county areas
• Large saving possible / On
going
• Reduces operating costs
• All staff can participate
• Easy to show $ saved