Ann Kowenstrot, Extension Diversified Vegetable and Specialty Crops Educator
Ann Kowenstrot serves as the UW–Madison Division of Extension Diversified Vegetable and Emerging Crops Educator for Racine and Kenosha Counties. She works with small- and medium-scale diversified fruit and vegetable growers, particularly farmers who sell directly to consumers through CSAs, farmers markets and on-farm stands. Her work helps growers address production challenges, explore new opportunities and make science-based decisions that support farm profitability, sustainability and resilience.
She was drawn to Extension because of its public-service mission and its role connecting Wisconsin communities with the expertise of the land-grant university.
“I believe in the public-service mission of Extension to be the conduit between communities and the land-grant universities,” she said. “I love being in the community and listening to the challenges that our neighbors face and being able to offer recommendations to make their lives better and more financially viable, while keeping an eye toward sustainability and resiliency.”
Her work focuses on an audience that has traditionally been underserved by Extension resources. While resources are available for backyard gardeners and large-scale vegetable processing farms, small- and medium-scale direct-market growers face unique challenges based on the size, diversity and business models of their operations.
One of her current priorities is strengthening resources for these growers. This includes updating valuable but outdated publications, creating new resources such as pest and disease pocket guides, and reimagining the popular Wisconsin School for Beginning Market Growers as a Canvas course. The course will connect growers with Extension resources while complementing programs offered by partner organizations.
She also helps growers explore emerging and underutilized crops, such as rhubarb and small berry fruits, that could provide new opportunities to diversify their operations and remain economically viable during uncertain times.
For her, the impact of this work often starts with a conversation. This year, several diversified fruit growers in her area experienced late-season frost that resulted in significant crop losses. One grower began exploring other options and found Extension resources through the website, webinars and podcasts. After several conversations by phone and email, the grower developed a relationship with Extension as a trusted source for science-based information.
That relationship has also led to local farm and orchard visits, where the grower could see potential new crops firsthand and connect with other farmers who could share their experiences.
Her work is supported by the Extension Specialty and Emerging Crops Team, a small team serving an increasingly diverse and evolving community of growers. By combining university research with local knowledge and farmer-to-farmer connections, the team helps growers find practical solutions to production and business challenges.
“I love sharing the story of Extension and the Wisconsin Idea to community members, emphasizing the important connection between the Land-Grant University and Wisconsinites,” she said. “Looking for ways to overcome challenges and offer solutions to specialty crop growers feeds my interest in farmer innovation and the resourcefulness of our community of farmers.”
To contact Ann or an Extension agriculture expert or ask a question, visit:
go.wisc.edu/ContactExtensionAgriculture
