Manitowoc County’s Agriculture agent for the past 33-years has announced his intention to retire later this summer.
Scott Gunderson says he will step-down effective Monday August 3rd, but is torn on his decision. “I love what I do, but at the same time I am able to retire,” he told SeehaferNews.com. “I’ve known too many people in my position that have not been able to enjoy their retirement because of illness or sadly passing away. Clearly I’m not sick, but at the same time I want to do things, whether that be volunteering, traveling, or spending time with family.”
Gunderson, a native of northwestern Wisconsin’s Rusk County, spoke about relationships he built over the past 3 plus decades. “Every day is a challenge. Every day is different. I have never been bored,” he said. “That’s just a phenomenal thing to be able to say, and it’s not me, it’s the people I work with. The credit is given to them, whether they’re farmers, agribusiness people such as dairy nutritionists, or crop consultants, veterinarians, agricultural lenders, the list goes on and on. We have such a great group of people.”
Gunderson is very proud of his role in the formation of Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in 2018, although he praised the “late great Norval Dvorak” for heading that up prior to his death in 2015 at the age of 95. “He got a few of us together and said ‘You know, we really should do something like they have in Fair Oaks Indiana,’ which is the poster child for showcasing agriculture to the public. We have many gems around here and I think the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center is one of those. It just adds to spectacular visitor and agri-tourism” aspect of the area.
The longtime county ag agent said the naming of his successor is far from certain. ”The state of Wisconsin has a hiring freeze through Extension,” Gunderson explained. “ There are 7 other agriculture agent positions very similar to mine open throughout the State of Wisconsin, so I cannot tell you when a successor will be named.”
County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer had high praise for Gunderson & congratulated him on his retirement. He said, “Agriculture is very important in Manitowoc year after year. Scott was perfect for developing farms, and efficiencies in farms, and investments in farms.”
Gunderson earned his undergrad degree in agriculture education from Wisconsin-River Falls followed by a Master’s in animal science from Colorado State University.
Scott recalled, “I was 25 when I started this job and really didn’t know what the future held. I think it’s the best job I could’ve ever asked for.”
