By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Walter Stevenson, University of Wisconsin-Madison, received the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award on Monday, March 10, at the 2003 American Agriculture Banquet sponsored by the Agri-Business Committee of the Portage County Business Council.
Several other awards, including Outstanding FFA Seniors, 4-H Leadership in Agriculture Awards and Agri-Business scholarships, were also presented during the annual banquet held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Stevenson was recognized for his commitment to the progress and success of the agri-business industry as a whole, and specifically to the agri-business community within Portage County particularly for his release of information about disease problems facing Wisconsin vegetable crops.
Chuck Kostichka, superintendent for Hancock Agricultural Research Station who nominated Stevenson for the award, said "I have never seen Walt turn down a request for assistance from a farmer or anyone else for that matter. He is a true practitioner of what was long ago termed 'The Wisconsin Idea' and the foundation upon which the University of Wisconsin Extension was built. That idea is taking the resources of the University of Wisconsin to every corner of the state to the people who need them."
Stevenson, a native of central New York state, received a bachelor's degree in biological science from Cornell University and his doctorate in plant pathology from UW-Madison. Appointed to the faculty of Purdue University in 1972, he conducted an active research and extension program on diseases of vegetable crops in Indiana.
He returned to the UW campus in 1979 as a member of the faculty of the Department of Plant Pathology.
His extensive research and extension programs include statewide responsibilities related to diseases affecting vegetable crops. Current programs focus on some of the more serious disease problems facing the Wisconsin vegetable industry, such as early blight and late blight on potato, seedpiece decay on potato, white mold on processing beans and foliar blights affecting carrot.
Stevenson remains active in the development of computer practices and in providing production recommendations that are research-based, effective, economically sound and environmentally friendly.
During his career Stevenson has published more than 500 research and extension publications, six book chapters and served as an editor for the widely-used second edition of the "Compendium of Potato Diseases."
Agri-Business Scholarship recipients were Jennifer Baeten, Plover, daughter of Earl and Virginia Beaten; Amber Adams, Bancroft, daughter of Larry and Mary Adams; and Lee Schulz, Rosholt, son of Cliff and Carol Schulz.
Outstanding FFA Senior Awards went to Josh Jensen of Amherst High School, son of Duane and Barb Jensen; Sara Grezenski of Rosholt High School, daughter of Allan and Carol Grezenski; and Amanda Werra of Stevens Point Area Senior High School, daughter of Ken and Deborah Werra.
The 4-H Leadership in Agriculture Awards were presented to Jacqueline Wolosek-Lincoln High School, daughter of Lynette and Nate Wolosek, and Kassandra Ferg-Rosholt High School, daughter of Krystal and Richard Ferg.
The American Agriculture Banquet is an annual event that celebrates Portage County individuals for their personal and professional contributions to agriculture in Portage County.
Jim Schuh, an agribusiness industry advocate who worked for area radio stations and is now a part-owner columnist of the Portage County Gazette, was the keynote speaker at the banquet.
He recalled his work with agriculture since moving to Stevens Point in 1963, including a stint as publicity chairman for Farm Progress Days at the Burns farm in the Almond area. "That meant living in a tent for a week," he said.
For years he included information for growers, something that today's broadcasters no longer provide. "Many farmers tell me they long for the days when they could turn on their radios at 6 o'clock for farm reports and polkas to make their cows happy."
Schuh talked about agriculture in New Zealand and gave a video presentation about the country, saying the major components of agriculture there are dairy, sheep production, grapes grown for wine and some red deer because venison is a popular meat.
"About 23 percent of New Zealand's total exports are for dairy," he said, adding that the country has about 16,000 dairy farms, compared to 17,800 in Wisconsin.
Sheep production is declining, he said, with the number down from 70 million in 1982 to about 39 million now, and vineyards are increasing, from 31,300 acres of grapes in 2000 to 43,000 now.
New Zealand also grows potatoes, he said, with 27,000 acres in 2000, slightly above Portage County's annual production.