Calvin Walker introduced the person all of Mower County was waiting to meet

at the Mower County Board of Commissioners' meeting

Tuesday.

Jerry Tesner will join the Mower County Extension Service on a part-time basis this summer.

Tesner, a Fillmore County Extension Service educator, will assume new duties in

Mower County this summer, when the University of Minnesota's revamping of the County Extension Service across Minnesota begins.

Walker, an Extension Service district director, updated the county commissioners on changes to come as the Extension Service takes on what Walker called a "regional approach."

Forty-three County Extension educators will lose their jobs, including nine in southeast Minnesota.

Lonnie Otterson, Mower County Extension Service education, saw his position eliminated. Otterson has since found employment in the private sector after he leaves his duties in May.

Meanwhile, Ann Walter, another Mower County Extension Service educator, will be reassigned to other duties with the Extension Service.

According to Walker, the reorganization of the Extension Service — i.e. elimination of jobs — will see each county realize a cost savings. In Mower County, the savings is estimated to be $7,825

However, the University is asking each county to fund its own 4-H coordinator component at the 60 per cent level.

But Mower County had a 4-H coordinator, Walter, and it appears those duties will be absorbed by someone else; possibly Carmen Thompson, an Extension Service specialist involved in both 4-H programming and family development responsibilities.

David Hillier, 3rd District county commissioner, said the Mower County Extension Committee met last week to discuss the pending changes.

According to Hillier, the Extension Committee is concerned that salaried Extension Service employees, who could not be paid overtime during the busy times of the year could be replaced by hourly employees, who will be paid overtime and, thus, the costs of funding the positions of 4-H coordinator will increase

Len Miller, 4th District county commissioner, said new fees may have to be charged to recoup expenses of the 4-H coordinator's position

Noting how much 4-H programming relies on volunteers, Richard P. Cummings, 1st District county commissioner, said "The county took a hit when the Extension Staff was reduced by one position" He wondered aloud if the volunteers and a new coordinator could sustain the program's impact on families .

Walker said the new regional approach to the Extension Service "means the educators will go further to help other counties outside their current clusters."

He said that will mean more expertise coming to more counties in such areas as crop and livestock production, which every Minnesota county did not previously offer Extension Service clients.

Tesner told the county board members he expects to spent two days of the work week in Mower County. Walker said, "The needs will dictate how Jerry spends is time."

Still upset over the upheaval in the Mower County Extension Service office, Cummings said he plans to contact the State Board of Regents about the pending changes