Meet Our New Agricultural Outreach Specialist, Casey Bennett!
Please allow me to introduce myself; my name is Casey Bennett, and I am the new Agricultural Outreach Specialist for Columbia County’s Land and Water Conservation Department.
Just some background information on me: I did not grow up a farmer. I was a first-generation town kid. My parents both grew up farming and wanted to farm themselves, however, the early 80s farm crisis happened and there wasn’t a pathway at that time for them to get a start. As a child, I kept engaged in agriculture by participating in 4-H and FFA, where I was able to earn a state FFA degree. After high school, I attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, and completed a Bachelor’s degree in history, which I then followed up with an early education certificate. I spent 4 years teaching pre-K (ages 3-5) and summer school programs for 6- to 12-year-old children at a private childcare and preschool in Monroe, WI. Then, after the birth of my 2nd daughter, I transitioned out of the workforce to be a stay-at-home parent.
Once my daughters were old enough to attend school full-time, I decided to retrain for the workforce and enrolled in the Agribusiness program at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, WI. I was heavily involved in campus life during my time at Blackhawk Technical College, serving as the Vice President of Student Government, on the leadership board of PTK Honor Society, Treasurer and later President of Professional Agriculture Students, as well as the campus District Ambassador to the Wisconsin Technical College System for 2020. While at Blackhawk, I interned with Green County LWCD as an Earth Team Volunteer, a seasonal crop scout for Agri-Pest Consulting, and worked 2 years part-time with student services at Blackhawk. I was named Student of the Year for 2022, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Agribusiness and an Agriculture technical certificate with honors.
I now live with my wife and three daughters on our new (to us) small hobby farm outside of Evansville, WI, where we raise meat goats, chickens, and are currently looking to expand with a small-scale vegetable and berry production. I am excited to join the LWCD team, and to better serve and support the residents of Columbia County by fielding questions and finding solutions and information to your agriculture-related questions. I look forward to meeting you.
Why did Columbia County see the need to hire and Agricultural Outreach Specialist?
In August of 2021, you may recall receiving a survey from the Columbia County Land & Water Conservation Department (LWCD) regarding agricultural assistance, education, programming, and information distribution within our County. We were pleased to have an above average survey completion and return rate, which showed us just how important these topics are to Columbia County residents. As a result of the survey responses, Columbia County saw the need to create an Agricultural Outreach Specialist (AOS) position within LWCD, to help maintain a County-focused resource upon the retirement of UW Extension Agricultural Educator, George Koepp.
The Agricultural Outreach Specialist (AOS), will be housed in the LWCD office and is part of Columbia County staff. This position will have access to UW Specialists and public research in order to best serve Columbia County residents, producer groups, and growers operating here in Columbia County.
The AOS is similar in daily function to the UW Extension’s Ag Educator, but this position will be different in focus, being community-driven rather than research-driven. This will create an opportunity to try new things that may not have been possible under the past organizational structure. The AOS will attend field days, industry conferences, educational seminars, and trainings to remain current on issues, technology, and practices related to agriculture. Outreach will be the keyword moving forward.
Who does the Agricultural Outreach Specialist work with?
Residents in Columbia County who participate in grain farming, dairy and livestock production, vegetable and berry crop growing, pasture and forage production, and home gardening.
The Agricultural Outreach Specialist can assist with:
On-farm Consulting * Plant / Tree Disease Identification * Weed & Insect Identification
Soil Sampling & Results Interpretation * Producer-Led Group Events * Scheduling Expert Q&A Events Community Education & Training * Pasture Walks & Information Sessions * Youth Events * Mock Interviews for Ag Students * Ag Scholarship /Internship Help