Leading in Nature or Natural Leadership? SCIL class learns both
Hillpoint, WI On Thursday, April 13th the participants of the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) participated in a day of learning at White Mound County Park. The group was addressed by Paul Wolter, Paul Dietmann, Serge Koenig, and Morgan McArthur on several topics that impact Sauk County.
Paul Wolter, Executive Director of the Sauk County Historical Society, gave a presentation on the history of tourism in Sauk County. Wolter revealed that Sauk County has four state parks and four National Historic Landmarks along with many other historical sites, museums, and points of interest.
Paul Dietmann, Senior Lending Officer from Compeer Financial and former Sauk County Ag Agent, presented information on the agriculture picture in the county. Agriculture lending, marketing, and what keeps farmers going were discussed in the presentation. Farmers control two thirds of the land in Sauk County with approximately 1,600 farms ranging in size from single independent to large corporate farms. Dietmann used census and survey information to show changes in farm sizes, ages of farmers, crops, and livestock. There was discussion about how this has and will continue to affect the landscape, value and future of Sauk County.
This was an appropriate lead-in for Serge Koenig, Conservation Technician for Sauk County Land Resources and Environment. Koenig explained his role working with farmers to present and encourage environmentally sustaining farm techniques such as rotational grazing and no-till planting. His program revealed the quantities of run-off water and soil that are saved by using these techniques over time.
Following lunch, participants took unguided walks within the park with the task of “finding leadership in nature.” The day concluded with presentations on the fear of change and the power of changing perspectives given by UW-Madison Extension Educator Morgan McArthur.
Final thoughts for this, the eighth of nine SCIL sessions, included: “Be Prepared; Be Passionate; Be Persistent; Be Aware; and Be Grateful.”
Sauk County Institute of Leadership is now accepting applications for the session beginning next September. Interested participants can learn more by visiting https://saukcountyinstituteofleadership.org/
Written by Logan Littlegeorge and Mari Jo Burri
