SCIL Group Turns to Nature for Leadership Lessons

Hillpoint, WI On April 11th the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class met at White Mound County Park for a day themed “Leadership in Nature.” Matt Stieve, Parks and Recreation Manager for Sauk County, started the day with a discussion about the importance of vision, planning and communication in his work. He told several remarkable stories about the acquisition of, vision for and popularity of White Mound Park. 

Paul Wolter, Executive Director of the Sauk County Historical Society, talked about the history of tourism in Sauk County. He shared a timeline of the early days of tourism at Devil’s Lake, the Ringling Brothers circus, and changes that have morphed Wisconsin Dells from the settlement of Kilbourn to what it is today. 

Paul Dietmann gave an overview of agriculture in Sauk County. Today Dietmann is an agricultural lender with Compeer Financial. He was a popular Agriculture Agent for UW-Extension Sauk County for many years and had a stint as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Wisconsin before going to Compeer. He not only gave a snapshot of what agriculture looks like in the county but he showed the importance of partnering with an ag lender. Compeer is very involved with the farming community in the county. One example of that is their support of Farmer Angel Network; a mental health resource to farmers (call, text, or chat 9-8-8 24/7).

Serge Koenig, Conservation Technician from Sauk County Land Resources and Environment, spoke about ways to protect the land and environment while improving crops. Concepts like No-Till Planting and Rotational Grazing make big differences for conservation without adding cost to the farming enterprise. Koenig shared how powerful it can be to participate in a Sauk County Pasture Walk. Pasture walks, started by Serge, are an educational walk through a local pasture, to learn about sustainable farming. 

A walkabout on the property after lunch gave SCILsters a chance to discuss what they had learned in the morning as well as experience the restorative power of nature. 
To end the day SCIL facilitator Morgan McArthur from UW-Madison Extension Sauk County talked to us about bringing some heat in the chill of change. McArthur urged participants to see change as a positive, not a negative, and that it is a sign of growth.

SCIL is a nine-month leadership program. Applications are being taken for the 2024-25 program. For more information: www.saukcountyinstituteofleadership.org

Written by Jessica Herrewig, Brenda Miller, and Travis Helms

More photos from the day: