WISCONSIN CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SELECTED TO ADMINISTER 2008 FLOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM

IN WISCONSIN

Program to Provide $6 Million of Support to Homeowners

 

Sun Prairie, WI, November 10, 2009 – The Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church, working in partnership with Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WIVOAD), has been selected to administer the 2008 Flood Recovery Program (FRP) by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services. In total, the Wisconsin Conference will manage a budget of $6 million, which will primarily be used to help homeowners in Southern Wisconsin whose residences were damaged during the flooding and storms in 2008.

 

Wisconsin was one of several states throughout the country that received part of a $600 million Federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Service. A total of $15.9 in SSBG funds was granted to Wisconsin which must be distributed by September 30, 2010. The other $9.9 million of the SSBG will be going toward initiatives such as the Outreach Services administered by Lutheran Social Services: Project Recovery, system upgrades for

2-1-1 Wisconsin, Inc., and the hiring of a local flood coordinator for Gays Mills through the Wisconsin Emergency Management.

 

According to Karen Timberlake, Secretary of the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, “there are thousands of families and their dwellings still suffering from the damage caused by the floods of 2008. It is our goal to ensure these people, many who did not have flood insurance, receive the badly needed resources that we can provide through this grant money.”

 

The funds awarded to the 2008 Flood Recovery Program will be distributed to help repair damage to primary residences, replace items such as furnaces and appliances, and provide case management support to homeowners affected by the devastating floods and storms that ravaged the 30 counties in the summer of 2008. Residents must meet financial qualifications and other requirements in order to be eligible to receive FRP funds.

 

The Wisconsin Conference UMC Bishop Linda Lee is pleased that her organization was selected to administer the program. “United Methodists believe that our God-given purpose in the world is to bring transformation by living our faith enthusiastically,” said Lee. “We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to put our faith into practice, side-by-side with our ecumenical partners, including Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (WIVOAD) and United Methodist Committee on Relief.”

 

Homeowners who need support and were victims of the flood and storms in the 30-county area are asked to call the FRP Call Center (either dial 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211). An operator will take the homeowner’s initial inquiries and prequalify those who may be eligible to receive assistance. Homeowners will then be referred to FRP Case Managers throughout the Southern Wisconsin region for follow-up responses. Additional information about the program is available at: www.2008floodrecovery.org.

 

About the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church is headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. It provides a connection for ministry linking all United Methodist clergy and the 480 congregations across Wisconsin. For more information visit: www.wisconsinumc.org or contact Director of Communications, Michele Virnig at: mvirnig@wisconsinumc.org or 888-240-7328.

 

About the Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WIVOAD)

Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is a coalition of more than 25 voluntary, nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. WIVOAD members share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle -- preparation, response and recovery -- and help disaster survivors and their communities return to stability. Some of the members of the Wisconsin VOAD include: the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Impact 2-1-1, Lutheran Social Services, MN-WI Baptist Convention, Presbyterian Disaster Response, The Salvation Army, United Methodist Committee on Relief, WI Council of Churches, Aid Matrix, and more. For more information, contact Keith Lang, President of WIVOAD, and Director of Project Recovery, at: klang@lsswis.org or 608-834-4444.

 

The 30 counties in Southern Wisconsin designated as disaster areas in 2008 include: Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago.

Dear VSN members,

I would like to extend an invitation to each of you to attend our first annual Harvest Challenge Tasting Gala and Reception on Friday December 11, from 6-8 PM to support the Vernon Area Farm to School program. The event is open to the public and will be held at the Viroqua High School Cafeteria.

The Harvest Challenge is a competition and unique event that brings students, teachers, farmers and local chefs together to learn about the National School Lunch Program and to work creatively to plan healthier and tastier school lunches.

Join us to sample a portion of each team's prepared school lunches at the reception from 6:00–7:00PM, participate in a silent auction, learn about the importance of incorporating fresh, local foods into school lunches and vote on your favorite menu! The judges will announce the winning school lunches at 7:30PM. Tickets are $10/individual, $3/student (under 18).

Competitors include Westby, Viroqua, Laurel and Youth Initiative High Schools. Teams will compete to win via votes in three categories: a panel of celebrity judges on predetermined culinary and nutritional criteria, peer votes for a favorite student menu, and popular vote, by those attending the Gala event.

Featured speakers include: Dr. Robert Knadle, Viroqua School District Administrator, Rufus Hauke of Keewaydin Farm and Marilyn Hurt, former Food Service Director of La Crosse Schools and school lunch historian. Her presentation "Agriculture is at the Root of the School Lunch Program"will tie together the rich history of school lunches with present day efforts to bring homegrown farm products back into today’s school cafeteria.

Participating local chefs are encouraging the students to learn about nutrition, the importance of local agriculture, and the culinary arts, while also emphasizing creativity in order to envision a future for school lunch in Vernon Area Schools. The four local chefs involved are Frank Wildingway of Driftless Cafe, Kristen Woodhouse of Organic Valley, Julie Ruef from Organic Valley and Marty Di Sciascio from Di Sciascio's Restaurant in Coon Valley.

 The Vernon Area Farm to School Initiative is a collaboration of local schools, farmers, distributors and community supporters with the goal of incorporating fresh produce and locally-grown foods into the Vernon area public schools.

To Purchase Tickets Please Contact: Bjorn Bergman PH 608-637-1540 or email at

berbjo@viroqua.k12.wi.us

For questions or to get involved, please contact:

Nicole Penick
Farm and Food Initiative Cord.
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 South Main St.
Viroqua WI 54665
www.kickapoovsn.org

608-637-3615
vsnnicole@gmail.com

Linking farmers and community for sustainability.

Hello,

How fitting that as the Driftless Region is enveloped in two beautiful Indian summer days, we send you our fall newsletter. This newsletter is a celebration of our 10th Birthday and includes memories of our past and a vision for our future. Enjoy this issue and if you would like more information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the VSN office at 637-3615.

 

We have some new faces in the VSN office and also some new email addresses. Here is a list of current VSN staff emails and we would love you if could update your contact list with the most recent information.

 

Emily Joy Rozeske, Office Manager

vsnemily@gmail.com

 

Nicole Penick, FFI Coordinator

vsnnicole@gmail.com

 

Gary Thompson, WQM Coordinator

vsngary@gmail.com

 

VSN General Email (or Email Emily Joy Rozeske)

vsngeneral@gmail.com

 

All Vernon County residents, the Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing will be Monday November 9th from 6-8pm at Western Technical College and Tuesday November 10th from 9-9:30 am at the Vernon County Courthouse. Please attend if you can and pick up a copy of the plan at County Clerk’s office in the Courthouse Annex.

 

Thank you and have a beautiful weekend!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Emily Joy Rozeske

Office Manager
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 S. Main Street
Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665

 

(608) 637-3615
www.kickapoovsn.org

 

Join others concerned with stewardship of the Kickapoo Watershed
Become a member of the Valley Stewardship Network for all those who live, work and play in the Valley

This feature first ran on http://www.wisbusiness.com

WisBusiness: Cranberry co-op station adds to good harvest for Wisconsin
11/2/2009

By Gregg Hoffmann
For WisBusiness.com

Cranberry producers are wrapping up their harvest season and all indications are that Wisconsin will top the country in cranberry production for the 15th straight year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service has estimated that Wisconsin will yield 4.0 million barrels of cranberries. That would be below last year’s record harvest, but will still put the state at the top of the list.

“Wisconsin growers are pleased with the outlook for this year’s harvest,” said Tom Lochner, executive director of WSCGA. “This is good news for a leading Wisconsin industry that continues to grow.”

A collection of producers, the Wisconsin Cranberry Cooperative, contributed to this year’s harvest, and had a new, state-of-the-art receiving station to work through near Warrens.

The Copper Road Receiving Station, owned by Kurt and Jill Rutlin, processed several thousand pounds of cranberries in its first year of operation.

“Overall, it was a nice crop,” Kurt Rutlin said during a recent tour of the facility. “We started here with some early varieties and were busy throughout the harvest season.”

Cranberries processed through the station via the co-op are marketed directly to customers around the world. “A lot of the berries through here went to bakeries that add cranberries to their baked goods,” said Rutlin. “We also sold to places that make dried fruit foods out of the berries and to pharmaceutical firms that make vitamin tablets.”

Some of the markets for the berries are as far away as Japan. Ocean Spray and other large cranberry producers buy berries from the co-op and also processed some of their berries at the Copper Road station. But, Rutlin emphasized that the co-op also markets to smaller, niche markets that some of the big producers are not that interested in.

“Ocean Spray and other big companies deal with very large volumes of fruit,” Rutlin said. “We also deal with smaller volumes and some smaller markets, through our own brokers.”

The new station allows the segregation of berries by individual producers when the fruit first comes to the loading area. The berries are then kept in a batch during the washing, drying and packaging processes.

“If a customer has a question about the berries they receive we can check back to the specific truckload, even to the marsh, where those berries came from,” said Rutlin, adding that quality control is very important to the station and the co-op.

Rutlin said similar stations were located to the east of Black River Falls and near Tomah.

Wisconsin cranberry producers provide nearly 60 percent of the nation’s supply of cranberries. They comprise the state’s largest fruit industry, contributing $350 million annually to the state’s economy and supporting, 7,200 jobs, according to the WSCA.

In recent years, the industry has lobbied the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other state and federal agencies to allow more marshes to be opened for growing of cranberries. The review process for such expansion is at various stages of approval, depending on the agency.

Industry spokesmen cite a growing market in Europe and Asia, where the fruit is not readily grown. In September, 18 representatives from 12 countries toured Wisconsin marshes at the start of the harvest season to learn more about the industry.

The tour was timed right after reports from the U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee that exports increased by more than 18 percent in the last year. About 45 million pounds of berries were exported last year, and more than half of that supply came from Wisconsin.

Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington -- as well as Canada and Chile -- grow and export cranberries. Germany, France, Australia and Mexico are big markets for berries.

Rutlin said the industry’s marketing of research on health benefits of cranberries has been one reason worldwide interest has grown. “We sell to markets that made a powder of the berries and then make vitamin supplements in tablet and powder form,” he said.

The exact count of the 2009 harvest should be available in the next few weeks.

This feature first ran on www.wisbusiness.com

Hospital combines with brewery to "energize health care"

By Gregg Hoffmann

LA CROSSE - It might seem like a stretch to combine beer and health care in one idea, but City Brewery and Gundersen Lutheran Health System have accomplished just that with a unique renewable energy partnership.

The two companies have combined efforts to generate 8 to 10 percent of the electricity used on Gundersen Lutheran's campuses in La Crosse and Onalaska by using waste biogas from the brewing process.

The project launched Oct. 7 and has been operating effectively. It is projected to generate about 3 million kilowatt hours per year. As Corey Zarecki, the project engineer and efficiency improvement leader for Gundersen Lutheran, puts it, that's the environmental impact equivalent of planting 490 acres of forest or removing 395 cars from the road. It is enough electricity to power about 300 homes.

"One reason we have done this is to cut energy costs and move toward our goal of being energy independent by 2014," Zarecki said. "But, we also feel it is healthy for the community, the right thing for our patients and fits in with being good stewards of the environment.

"You've seen the emphasis in the country on the economy, health and energy. We feel this project and our overall goal includes all three."

City Brewery has had to pre-treat wastewater from its plant, which brews beer, energy drinks and other beverages, since the mid-1980s at its own treatment facility, before sending it to the La Crosse municipal treatment plant.

In the pre-treatment process, solids are removed and used for fertilizer and other uses. Biogas, including methane, is given off during the process, and the brewery flared the gas to dispose of it for several years. "People around here called it the eternal flame," Zarecki said. With that flame came some air pollution.

The combined project captures the biogas, cleans it and sends it through an engine at the City Brewery site. The engine generates electricity that is then sent to the area power grid. Xcel Energy pays Gundersen Lutheran for the electricity that is produced.

This can allow Gundersen Lutheran to reduce overall costs, savings which could be passed to customers and patients. The company states that it believes "part of the answer (to stemming health care costs) lies in finding solutions to our rapidly rising energy costs."

In addition, heat generated from the engine is captured and recycled back to the City Brewery's waste water treatment center to make it more efficient.

"This type of gas-cleaning system, as well as the partnership, is to our knowledge the first of their kind," Zarecki said.

The statewide efficiency group Focus on Energy also has been a supporter of the project. "They've been very helpful from the start," Zarecki emphasized.

Of course, methane projects have been undertaken around the state, region and country, using manure digesters, landfill emissions and other raw material sources. Using water from a brewery has its own set of challenges, Zarecki said.

"We've had to make adjustments based at times on what they are brewing," Zarecki said. "The volume of water changes on the weekends and at night. So, you are making adjustments daily, hourly at times."

Such adjustments are necessary in all pioneering technology applications, added Zarecki, an engineer by trade. "We've made a lot of adjustments in our overall program on energy as we develop it. All I know is that we will reach our goal of becoming 100 percent independent," he said.

Gundersen Lutheran is in various stages of discussions and development of wind energy projects, in part with Organic Valley cooperative and Western Technical College, and possible environmentally-friendly energy projects in the Mississippi River.

A new parking ramp on the La Crosse campus includes solar panels on the roof. The electricity from the panels could power six to seven homes.

Gundersen Lutheran also has undergone a program of "retrocommissioning." Retrofitting of light fixtures in six buildings on the two campuses led to energy cost savings of $245,000 per year. Air handlers that blow warm or cool air through the buildings were adjusted to run only when needed, at a cost savings of $78,000.

Adjustments to how boiler systems work, to allow for the capturing of some of the heat produced, led to $64,000 savings. A process called chiller/tower optimization programmed into the cooling system on campus buildings realized an estimated $65,000 in annual savings.

"Some of the changes we're making seem obvious, but the way the space is used in buildings over the years has changed," Zarecki said. "That's why retrocommissioning is important. It takes a look at how the building's needs have changed to make sure your systems are being used in the most energy efficient way."

Gundersen Lutheran has issued the following "promise" as part of its "Energizing Healthcare" program: "Gundersen Lutheran is committed to environmental stewardship and energy management programs that promote a healthy environment for our patients, their families, our employees and the communities we serve. We are dedicated to solutions that make environmental and economic sense, creating a healthier environment and lowering health care costs."

What is called the Gundersen Lutheran "Envision Program" includes energy management through efficiency and renewable energy, recycling, waste management and control and sustainable design of new facilities."

Zarecki, while holding a soda can, said the effort begins with developing a "green" mindset. "As one of our company leaders says, I could throw this (the can) 'away', but away is someplace. You have to think of where that place is and what impact it has."

For more on the joint project with City Brewery and the overall Gundersen Lutheran initiative, go to: http://www.gundluth.org/green/

-- Hoffmann has written many columns and features for WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com over the years. He will write the GreenBiz column monthly.

Here is an upcoming event that offers insight about farming in the Driftless Region…

 

Farming in the Driftless Region—Success and Challenges

 

On Thursday, Nov 12 at 7:00 a panel of local farmers will present their experiences and opinions on the success and challenges of farming in Crawford and Vernon Counties. This free event will be held at the Soldiers Grove Community room, cosponsored by Crawford Stewardship Project and the Soldiers Grove Public Library.

 

The four farmers who have volunteered to offer their perspectives include Darin Von Ruden, an organic dairy farmer from Westby area, member of the Westby Coop, www.westbycreamery.com and Farmers Union Representative. Bob Molini is a Crawford County organic dairy farmer and member of Organic Valley, www.organicvalley.coop. Dean Zimmerman raises pastured and grass fed livestock and markets locally his chickens, eggs, turkeys, pork and lamb,

www.couleeviewfarm.com, as well as working with the Crawford Area Growers Local Food Alliance. Josh Engel is an organic produce grower in Crawford County, marketing locally and regionally, www.driftlessorganics.com

 

Please come to learn and to offer your ideas at this community event. There will be plenty of time for community discussion. Refreshments will be served.

 

Call CSP at 608-735-4277 or the Library at 608-624-5815 for more information.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Emily Joy Rozeske

Office Manager
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 S. Main Street
Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665

 

(608) 637-3615
www.kickapoovsn.org

Attention Creative Thinkers & Resource Providers
Upcoming November Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club Meetings for Inspiration and Innovation

Thank you to all of you who attended the I&E Club "preview" Business Workshop and Resource Fair with Lisa Kivirist on October 7 in Prairie du Chien! If you missed the workshop you can find more resources about Eco-preneuring on Lisa's website at http://www.innserendipity.com/ecopren/ecop...jane-resources.html View some pictures from the event at http://crawford.uwex.edu/cnred/IEClub.html We're also hoping to have the audio of Lisa's presentation available for you to stream online very soon. Stay tuned..

****************************************

President of 7 Rivers Region to Speak at New Prairie du Chien I&E Meeting Nov 4

The next Prairie du Chien Area Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club meeting will be held on Wednesday November 4th at Prairie du Chien City Hall on Blackhawk Ave in Prairie du Chien. Networking starts at 5:30, and the program begins at 6:00 pm. Prairie du Chien Area meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month. The topic will be ““Growing a Culture of Innovation: Finding Opportunity in Tough Times” with Terry Whipple, the Executive Director of Juneau County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) and President of the 7 Rivers Region. Read more about Terry Whipple below.

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Vernon Crawford I&E Club Hosts Holiday Party With Founder of Rural Route 1 Popcorn Nov 11

The next Vernon Crawford Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club meeting will be held on Wednesday November 11th at Western Technical College in Viroqua. Networking starts at 5:30, and the program begins at 6:00 pm.

The topic will be “What Makes An Idea POP” with presenter and successful local entrepreneur Brad Biddick, owner of Rural Route 1 Popcorn. Brad will share his expertise, stories, and lessons learned along the path of developing multiple agricultural and popcorn businesses. Participants will have the opportunity to sample Rural Route 1 Popcorn products as part of our holiday party. Friends and family of the Inventors and Entrepreneurs club are encouraged to join us for holiday refreshments and celebration. Read more about Brad Biddick below.


ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Terry has an extensive background in business development and a passion for creating a contagious environment for entrepreneurship. He is also adamant that the Midwest needs to foster a culture of entrepreneurism in order to compete economically in the 21st century. He will speak from his experience facilitating and nurturing the growth of successful entrepreneurial programs in west central Wisconsin. Terry will share his perspective on the Midwest’s entrepreneurial environment and culture; the characteristics of inventors and the constraints they face; what it's like to work with an inventor; how clubs provide a safe place to gather, explore ideas and gain education from peers; why a mix of inventors and entrepreneurs is important for critical networking to occur, what resources are available to assist inventors and entrepreneurs; and how to start a successful club. Economic developers will take home ideas, strategies and lessons to spur entrepreneurship. Terry received the SBA’s Region V and Wisconsin 2005 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award, the Wisconsin 2005 Innovation Champion Award for the development of innovative new programs, as well as the 7 Rivers Region Pyramid Award. He has served as an independent business consultant specializing in work with distressed small businesses and currently maintains his own private consulting business. He lives in rural Tomah, WI with his wife and 3 daughters.
_____

Brad Biddick learned his business savvy from a family of entrepreneurs that has sold seed corn in the area since 1906. He joined the family seed business in 1970 and led the business through expansion. Over the next decade, Brad developed interest in seed marketing and starting businesses and the popcorn business was added in 1983. Today the popcorn enterprise is a successful stand-alone business, and one of the region’s highlights on Route 18 in Montfort, Wisconsin with unique products sold nationwide.

Through this business development Brad has gained expertise in marketing, the food business, and trademarks. He has traveled worldwide and is an officer of two corporations and several LLC’s for agricultural production and popcorn businesses. Brad’s passion for a “better way” has expanded his awareness and continues to drive to contribute and excel in a very dynamic and changing world of agriculture, food, seed, science, and people.
_____

Whether you have an idea or just like to think business, plan to attend the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club for a dynamic evening of networking with lots of creative people and plenty of resources to help you start or grow your business. Everyone is welcome. For more information about this and other I&E Club meetings, check out the website at www.driftlessentrepreneurs.com or contact Laura Brown 608-326-0223.

Hello,

Here is an update about the current hurdle that we must overcome concerning CAFO’s. We were not aware that the change to a general permitting process was underway. We should be encouraging everyone and anyone who cares about protecting our water and general community well-being to become a part of this process by contacting Tom Bauman to receive more information.

 

Thank you!

 

 

Begin forwarded message:

Dear ACES members and others,

Some of you may be aware that Petry has a WPDES permit in the works for his Darlinton Facility. According to the DNR’s fitchberg office, who met with the Petry contingent a few weeks ago, they are planning a major expansion there which will start next spring. Although Petry’s current focus is there, he may likey target Westby for a future cafo as it’s rumored that the calif. dairy men aspire to implement 10 new cafos here in wis.

As I stated in the below email to our state constituents, fighting the DNR proposed gen. Permit will be an imperative if we expect to keep the little local control that we have re. Cafo’s. I urge ACES, and others, to seriously consider taking aggressive action in opposing the Proposed DNR General permitting process for wis cafos. Please let me know if I can help out in any way.



Below is the text from that email about gen permiting:

Dear Concerned Citizens,

 I'm writing you regarding my concern about the proposed DNR WPDES/CAFO General Permitting process that is being proposed by the WDNR. I don't claim know a lot about this matter, only what I hear from the DNR, so if any of you have more info on it please reply with an update.

 I spoke with a DNR official from Fitchburg, Wis and he stated that the DNR hearing on this matter is just around the corner and if there's not strong op. to it, it'll likely go through and there will be "0" local control, and little local communication re. cafo permitting. The permitting process will all be "streamlined" and Madison will take care of it all. This is a DNR "program decision" so it's not a law proposed by the legislature. The DNR official emphatically encouraged me, if I'm concerned with local control, to get organized and promptly oppose this intuitive.

 You can bet that a number of business groups will be strongly supporting this general permitting initiative. However, I'm confident that it can be stopped by strong opposition. The only question is, are there enough people willing to voice there opposition to it?

 The DNR official told me that first step is to contact Tom Bauman, 608-266-9993 (Phone) thomas.bauman@wisconsin.gov, from the WDNR and tell him you want to get on the notification/mailing list about any meetings, hearings or updates re. the DNR's general permitting for WPDES/CAFO's. In the mean time, consider writing your state reps, organize, and plan on being present when this matter goes to hearing.

 Again, please reply to me if you have any updated info. on this matter.

 Thanks

John Fox

608.634.3786

 

Sincerely,

 

Emily Joy Rozeske

Office Manager
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 S. Main Street
Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665

 

(608) 637-3615
www.kickapoovsn.org

 

Join others concerned with stewardship of the Kickapoo Watershed
Become a member of the Valley Stewardship Network for all those who live, work and play in the Valley

Here is an update about the Vernon County Comprehensive Planning from Lynn
Chakoian the VCCP Commission Chair.


Hi Emily

Thanks for promoting comp planning. One correction though is that the
Vernon County plan is in two parts. You linked to the phase II (goals and
objectives) document, but the phase I document provides all the background
information that the phase II used to frame the goals. Phase I has the
following link:

http://www.co.vernon.wi.gov/VCCP/documents/PhaseI-Final.pdf

Also there will be a public hearing in Vernon County November 10 at the
daytime county board meeting for those who cannot get out at night.

thanks,
Lynn


> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Emily Joy Rozeske
>
> Office Manager
> Valley Stewardship Network
> 124 1/2 S. Main Street
> Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665
>
>
>
> (608) 637-3615
> www.kickapoovsn.org
>
>
>
> Join others concerned with stewardship of the Kickapoo Watershed
> Become a member of the Valley Stewardship Network for all those who live,
> work and play in the Valley

Good Afternoon,

The time has come for public review of the Comprehensive Plans that have been drafted for each county in Wisconsin by the Comprehensive Planning Commission. This has been a two year process culminating in the adoption of these recommendations by the County Board this fall and submission to the state of Wisconsin in January 2010.

 

Please review your individual county’s plan and contact your County Board Member with any questions. Each county is at a different point in the final review process.

I have included links for the following counties:

 

Vernon County (Public Hearing IS November 9, 2009 at WTC from 6-8pm)

Comprehensive Planning Home Page

2009 Phase I Final Draft for Public Review

 

Crawford County (Public Hearing WAS September 29, 2009)

Comprehensive Planning Home Page

 

Monroe County (Public Hearing IS scheduled for 2010)

Zoning Home Page

 

Richland County (Public Hearing IS scheduled for 2010)

Zoning Home Page

 

Please take part in this process and give your input for the future direction of your county!

 

Sincerely,

 

Emily Joy Rozeske

Office Manager
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 S. Main Street
Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665

 

(608) 637-3615
www.kickapoovsn.org

 

Join others concerned with stewardship of the Kickapoo Watershed
Become a member of the Valley Stewardship Network for all those who live, work and play in the Valley

Dances With Elk; Fishes With Asshole

By Gregg Hoffmann

I came to fly fishing somewhat late by some standards, taking it up in my late 30s. I’ve had an off and on love affair with it since then. I say off and on because it really is a tougher way to catch fish than just throwing a worm at them, or even a spinner.

Some fly fishermen consider those types of fishing heresy, a violation against the religion they have made of fly fishing for trout. I do not go that far, and in fact at times wonder why I make it as tough on myself as I do.

I am a catch and release fisher, even when it is not required. I don’t like cleaning fish, to begin with, and also believe the population of trout stays healthier if we release them. That’s good for them, and for those of us who go after them by trying to figure out what bug they want to eat that day.

There are times I have found fly fishing discouraging when I could not figure out the right bug. I also have been blessed to have great fishing days, with multiple catches of browns and rainbows and even brookies who put up a good fight.

Some of the best experiences, and ones which make me understand a little better those who treat fly fishing as their religion, have not necessarily come from catching a lot of fish, or the size of what I caught. They have come, instead, through interesting, in some cases humorous and almost bizarre, relationships with nature, with the environment and other species who inhabited it with me on these particular days.

At least three of those experiences involve elk, not a specie you ordinarily associate with fly fishing. The first came years ago when my wife and I were fishing in a high country lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. I was wading in the lake and my wife was on one of the shores. We both started hearing a high pitch sound that resembled that of a hawk or eagle. As we searched the air, Pauline looked behind me and started pointing past where I was standing.

I turned to see at least 4-5 elk cows, leading several little ones through a small stream that was an outlet for the lake. They were bleating to the young elk to not dawdle and to not fool around with that strange looking creature with waders and the long pole. I watched these families cross no more than 20-30 yards from me. As the last mother elk passed at the end of the line, she looked at me, almost as if to say, “thanks for not messing with our children.”

A few years later, while fishing in RMNP’s Moraine Park, which has a wonderful meandering stream that runs through it, I laid on my stomach, dangling my line over a rock, under which a large rainbow was hiding. I suddenly became aware of some movement behind me, stood up and saw a herd of about 10-12 elk standing about 40 yards away and looking at me. They didn’t seem hostile or alarmed, so neither was I.

I laid back down to once again go after that rainbow and scared him away. I then rolled over to see if the elk herd was still there. All 10-12 elk had laid down, no more than 20 yards from where I had been laying, and quietly watched me. Apparently, they had thought laying down was a good idea.

My final elk/trout story came recently, and is the most bizarre of the three. I was fishing in Sprague Lake, a rather shallow lake in RMNP that has some good evening fishing. I was catching a few fish when suddenly a bull spike elk, probably around two years-old, came to the shore to the right of where I was situated, almost in the middle of the lake. Pauline was on the opposite shore from him, and I motioned for her to take some photos, with me in the foreground and the elk in the background.

As she did, the elk first started to paw in the muck at the edge of the water. He then waded about 20 yards into the water, no more than 30 yards or so from where I was standing, and started to “dance.”

He would leap into the air, come down and bow his head and antlers into the water and shake his head, sending water flying all around him. Then, he would start bounding in circles. This went on for about 15 minutes, as I watched, not concentrating on fishing any more, and Pauline took some wonderful shots.

The young bull then tired of his dance and went into the woods. He emerged a little later and this time looked straight at me and started walking into the water, his eyes intent on where I stood. He got within about 25 yards before I decided to start retreating, still casting as I backed up. He eventually lost interest, turned and left the lake.

That experience happened in the same lake where only a few years earlier I had caught a big brown trout by hand. That time, I was fishing near one of the shores of the lake when I heard a commotion behind me. I turned to see the big brown trapped among some logs in a shallow outlet. He was a dead man, no doubt doomed to die either in the talons of an eagle or hawk or from not having enough water to breath. So, I decided to rescue him.

Of course, he had no way of knowing of my good intentions, and instead fought my grasps for a good five minutes. I finally was able to cradle him against my waders, carry him to the lake and release him. He disappeared into the cold, clear water in a flash, without a word of thanks.

After that incident, one of my trout fishing friends and mentor told me I had earned the “trout tribal name” of “Grizzly Hoffmann” because I had caught a fish with my “paws.” That nickname stuck for several years, until my friend heard the story of the dancing elk. I was thus dubbed “Dances With Elk.”

I really liked that nickname, having been a big fan of Kevin Costner in “Dances With Wolves.” I was ready to proudly wear that name tag for years, but it only lasted a few weeks.

After our return from Colorado, my friend and I fished in the West Fork, in the Kickapoo Valley of western Wisconsin. I consider the spring fed stream my “home field” and one of the top streams in the Midwest if not the country. With my friend about 100 yards up stream, I got into a nice size brown, who came out of the water and took me all over the stream.

Just about when I thought he was ready to concede, he went deep, and I suddenly saw my line coming straight at me. Before I could maneuver in the water, the line slammed into my crotch as the fish swam right between my legs! I could feel him splashing around near my butt, grasped for him (after all I had caught a brown by hand before) and then felt him strip my line of the fly and swim off to freedom.

As I stood in the stream, rearranging my line and laughing, my friend who had watched it all and also was laughing, informed me I had a new nickname -- Fishes With Asshole. I’ll never like it as much as “Dances With Elk.”

Just a week or so later, while fishing on the last day of the Wisconsin season, not far from where the humorous incident had occurred, I had yet another experience. This one made me realize again while some talk about fly fishing in sacred terms.

I caught a fish in a pool that was about 15 yards wide and maybe 25 yards long. As I was releasing him, I looked down into the crystal clear water to see about six fish race by my boots. At first I thought they were suckers, since they often hang in groups and move in unison. But, then a group 8-10 raced by, and this time I could see they were trout, even was able to distinguish between browns and a few brook trout who displayed their reddish bellies as they raced by.

Then, came another group of 8-10, then more and more and more. The exodus lasted for what I would estimate as 2-4 minutes and included dozens, if not hundreds of trout, all racing upstream in a frantic manner. I watched in amazement.

I saw nothing that could have scared that many trout into fleeing upstream. My friend/mentor said I might have witnessed a spawning run, which trout do almost like the better known runs of salmon. Whatever caused it, I felt privileged to have witnessed it.

All these experiences have enriched my fishing life greatly. They have made me marvel more at the wonders of nature. They have made me laugh, feel excited, feel part of something bigger. One species sharing an environment with other species, interacting with them by hand, sight, hearing, even an asshole. The experiences have made me feel more at home in the world. If that’s treating fly fishing as a religion, then I guess I am a convert.

##

Good Morning,

 

Here is a great FREE event coming up October 24, 2009 in Gays Mills. I hope that some of you can make it out to see this amazing film. Included below is the press release from Crawford Stewardship Project about the event.

 

 

Evening of Movie and Popcorn with Supporter Opportunities
 

The film “Fresh”, by ana Sofia joanes, will be shown at 7:00 on Saturday, October 24, at the Gays Mills Community Building, 212 Main St in Gays Mills, sponsored by Crawford Stewardship Project, www.crawfordstewardshipproject.org. This film brings inspiration with practical solutions for a revision of our food system.

 

The event is part of the www.350.org world wide project to promote awareness to reduce the CO2 levels from the present 387.81 to a goal of 350, which many scientists have determined to be a safe level. This platform of a global network connects people across the planet.

 

Film discussion, CSP update, and an opportunity to offer suggestion and volunteer for CSP efforts will follow. Popcorn and cider will be provided at this free event.

 

“Fresh” celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Among several main characters, “Fresh” features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, a 2008 McArthur’s “Genius Award” fellow; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin,, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”; and supermarket owner, David Ball, who is creating a new market model for our family farmers. “Fresh’s” focus on these inspiring individuals and their initiatives around the US provide us with actionable solutions. Go to www.freshthemovie.com for more film information. Contact Crawford Stewardship Project for more information on the event at 608-735-4277.

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

 

Emily Joy Rozeske

Office Manager
Valley Stewardship Network
124 1/2 S. Main Street
Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665

 

(608) 637-3615
www.kickapoovsn.org

 

Join others concerned with stewardship of the Kickapoo Watershed
Become a member of the Valley Stewardship Network for all those who live, work and play in the Valley

Hello VSN Members and Friends,

VSN's Food & Farm Initiative Kickapoo Harvest: Gleaning for Healthy Communities is looking for youth and adult volunteers to help us prepare fresh fruit and veggie boxes for our summer fresh food gleaning project. Fresh food boxes will be packaged with locally harvested fruit and veggies from Pat Slattery's Farm and Turkey Ridge. Boxes will be delivered to elderly residents at Parkview Manor in downtown Viroqua.

Interested in joining us on the farm for some harvesting fun? We are looking for volunteers to help us harvest gleanable produce and fruit this Friday, October 16th from approximately 12:30pm-4:00pm. We will meet at the old Dahl Pharmacy parking lot and carpool from there to two, possibly three, farm sites. Please bring your own gloves, harvesting knife, clippers or scissors (may not be needed) and harvesting bucket or box. We will have some to share but depending on the number of volunteers we may run out.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us out on Friday, October 16th from approximately 4:00-6:30pm at the Viroqua High School Cafeteria. Volunteers will be washing, sorting and packing harvested food into boxes that will be delivered on the morning of Saturday, October 17th.

For those who may be busy on Friday, consider joining us on Saturday, October 17th from 10am-12:00pm. We are looking for volunteers who are interested in delivering fresh food boxes to those residents at Parkview Manor who are participating in the project. Food boxes will be delivered on Saturday morning at the kitchen of Parkview Manor. During this time (11am) a local chef Frank Wildingway will be providing a 1 hour cooking demonstration to the residents. Volunteers can also help with the cooking demo by handing out taste samples and helping the chef in the kitchen.

The Food & Farm Initiative needs at least 10 volunteers to help cover the Friday (harvesting and fresh food box preparation) and Saturday (box delivery) events. Please call Nicole Penick (608) 637-8568 or email vsnnicole@gmail.com if you are interested.

Our past three Gleaning Events have been a growing success and many of us agree that this is our most meaningful work to date! Many thanks to our farmers and our volunteers!

http://www.vernonbroadcaster.com/articles/...tures/01feature.txt

I hope to hear from you soon!

Nicole Penick

Food & Farm Initive Coordinator

Valley Stewardship Network

124 1/2 S. Main Street

Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665

 

(608) 637-3615

www.kickapoovsn.org

 

Join others concerned with stewardship of the Kickapoo Watershed

Become a member of the Valley Stewardship Network for all those who live, work and play in the Valley.

VSN thought you might be interested in this field-day just south of Gays Mills sponsored by our friends in the Kickapoo Initiative.

 

 

Kickapoo Neighbors,
 
Come join us Oct 17th at 9AM just south of Gays Mills for a hike and discussion with Jesse Bennet of Driftless Land Stewardship Llc. http://www.driftlesslandstewardship.com/
 
Jessie will lead a discussion on a wide range of issues of forest health and ecology of plant and animal communities including:
• pre-settlement conditions
• invasive plants
• clues to how our land has been managed in the past
• different management techniques to meet varied landowner goals
Please bring a bag lunch and water come with your hiking shoes and lots of questions. Our next gathering will be the third Saturday in January (Jan. 13th)-speaker to be announced.
 
DIRECTIONS:

From Gays Mills go south on River Rd (which follows Kickapoo's west
bank) to right turn onto O'Neil Ridge Rd to top of ridge and left onto
Gays View Rd. and follow flagging tape markers.

From the east, (County S and Hy 131), go North on 131 to left on Sand
Creek Rd, then right or north on River Rd, then left onto O'Neil Ridge
Rd., then left onto Gays View and follow flagging tape.


The Kickapoo Initiative
Jennifer M. Nelson Maggie Jones (mhjones@countryspeed.com)
49369 Hickory Lane 608-872-2297
Steuben, Wisconsin 54657
608-476-2301

Dear friends of Crawford County-

Please check out the latest issue of Community Development Connection below or view the pdf file with charts and graphics at http://crawford.uwex.edu/cnred/documents/O...ctionNewsletter.pdf For your convenience you will find newsletter text only below.

** This month I am formally introducing “Economic Snapshots” as a new feature of this newsletter. Avid readers of the Wisconsin State Journal will recognize these as regular articles produced by my colleagues at the Center for Community and Economic Development. I hope these Crawford County regional versions will help you better understand how our economy has changed and continues to change. The snapshots will cover everything from labor to housing to farming. If there’s a topic you are particularly interested in, if you’d like to see the data, or to reproduce these for a newspaper of community newsletter, please let me know! You'll find this month's snapshot attached separately as an image file. The snapshot archive may be found on my wesbite http://crawford.uwex.edu/cnred/index.html

This newsletter is intended to facilitate information sharing between elected officials, plan commissioners, community leaders, regional organizations, entrepreneurs and business owners in the Crawford County, Wisconsin area. You'll find local events and news related to community and comprehensive planning, economic development, land use, and local government. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to receive it monthly by email or post please email me at laura.brown@ces.uwex.edu.

Please pass this on to others who might be interested. Items for the Dec-Jan newsletter are due by November 15th .

Thanks and best
Laura Brown, Crawford County Community Development Educator, 608-326-0223