October 16, 2025 Minutes

Weld County Extension Advisory Council Minutes

October 17, 2024

IN ATTENDANCE:

Kali Benson, Extension Director
Larry Hooker, Livestock Specialist
Commissioner Kevin Ross
Pat Kindvall
Dr. Darin Lickfeldt
William Nelson
Carole Pitre
Gary Schaneman
Sean Short
Lori Stevens
Rick Bowen
Jill Matlock
Michelle Langston, Minutes

ABSENT:

Amy Cooksey
Erin Mathews

Call to Order

Darin called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m.  

Board Member Update/Share Out

The Advisory Board went around and introduced themselves and stated what they have been up to the past couple of months. 

Approve October Minutes

Darin moved that the August minutes be approved, and Sean seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Director Update

Kali Benson gave a director’s report.  A lot has happened.  Cindy has retired.  We (Kali, Cheryl and Michelle) are learning about finances and Banner and QuickBooks.  We are getting ready to open the Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeping and Horticulture Program Assistant positions. 

We have approximately 20 Colorado Master Gardener applications and 4-H enrollment is open.

I am getting my feet under me and learning a lot about the county and the systems. 

The biggest aha moment is living with my husband.  Also, what can I contribute and how can I dovetail my skills.

Commissioners Report

Commissioner Ross gave the Commissioner’s report.  We are busy in October because we are in the middle of budgets. 

We have the State of County address with Public Works and Sheriff’s Department.  It was recorded and the Commissioners voicing over.

Justice Center is moving forward.  We are looking at the end of February for demolition.  Cascadia – working on Highway 34 and County Road 17 for traffic.  They will have a new hockey arena.

COGA (Colorado Oil and Gas Association) is predicting oil for 4 years at $150.00 per barrel.  There are other options to decrease production to lengthen the time oil will still be available with adjustments to the price per barrel.

New Building for Extension – the county is still having meetings to see what the future looks like. 

Livestock Program Update-Larry Hooker

I have the responsibility of youth programming and adult programming. 

For youth programming:

  • Breeding Goat and Market Goat Superintend at National Western Stock Show
  • Animal ID – we are continuing to retinal image for County Fair and Southeast Weld County Fair. Colorado State Fair has switched to DNA. There is one location on one day for Market Beef ID Day and three locations on three days for Market Goat and Market Sheep ID Days. For the Briggsdale location for Market Goat and Market Sheep, we use black out curtains on the trailers to help darken the environment to capture the retinal image.
  • Market Hog exhibitors come into the office to pick up ear tags and paperwork. We stop having market hogs attend ID Days due to PEVD (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus). Exhibitors will tag their own hogs, take pictures, fill out paperwork and turn in by the last day of the Market Goat and Market Sheep ID Day.
  • Livestock Judging Contest was held on April 12, 2025
  • Goat Extravaganza is for youth and adults. This program started in the Livestock Barn and has grown to include the Exhibition Building and 4-H Building. There are shows, educational programming and a social.
  • Dairy Extravaganza is for youth only. The entries are down due to Avian Flu.
  • Livestock Record Book Interviews – Members will start their record books early, develop interview skills starting at a young age of 8.We are in five different locations on five different days. We had 388 interviews with 38 volunteer judges.
  • Record book judging – Once Weld County Fair is over, members will turn in their record books to be graded. We have an overall Outstanding Record Book award for Juniors (8-10 years old), Intermediates (11-13 years old) and Seniors (14-18 years old).
  • New Family Meetings – I host three meetings for new livestock families. The first one is Understanding Deadlines, the second is Animal Care and Nutrition and the third is Prepare for Fair.
  • County Fair:
    • I help with the Livestock and Small Animal shows
    • Carcass Contest – Ultrasound data is sent to CSU for ranking
  • Jingle Bell Jackpot is now the Fall Brawl Jackpot and will be held in November. This year it is just for swine.

For Adult programming:

  • I conduct farm visits at least twice a week around the county. It is nice to visit with producers.
  • Network with Weld County Livestock Association
  • Help with Colorado Farm Show with the education portions of Beef Days and Sheep Days
  • Have a Zoom Poultry Series for producers
  • Goat Extravaganza might not happen in 2026 due to building availability

Next Meeting – December 11th

The next Council meeting will be on December 11, 2025 at noon at the Extension Office.  Jen Rushton and Kat Caswell will give an update on Horticulture/Master Gardener Program and Agronomy Program.

Adjournment

With no further business or new business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. 

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