By Katie Drewitz
University of Minnesota
Extension
Caledonia, MN, March 8, 2022 — Hello! My name is Katie Drewitz, and I am your new local Extension educator for Agriculture Production Systems in Fillmore and Houston counties. My first day was March 7, 2022. I will be splitting my time equally between the two counties and can be reached by calling Extension in either county or by email at wins0115@umn.edu. I am looking forward to conversations in both counties to get a broader understanding of how I can best serve you.
Previously, I spent 3.5 years in central Minnesota as the Local Extension Educator for Horticulture, Small Farms, and Local Foods in Stearns, Benton, and Morrison counties. In that role I provided technical assistance to home, garden and land owners on a wide variety of topics. Some of these areas include soil testing, tree health, produce production, and on-farm food safety. I also had the opportunity to work with the Stearns and Benton County Extension Master Gardener programs.
I grew up on my family’s 6th generation farm outside of Fountain in Fillmore County. My family raises hogs and grows corn and soybeans. I attended school in Chatfield and was active in 4-H and FFA. Those programs instilled in me a passion for agriculture and led me to the University of MN – Twin Cities where I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Education. My career has allowed me to travel throughout the state and country, but Southeast Minnesota has always been home to me. I am looking forward to being back in my home community and giving back to programs that have given so much to me.
Please reach out to Fillmore or Houston County Extension for any farm, yard, garden or land questions you may have at (507) 765-3896 (Fillmore County), (507) 725-5807 (Houston County) or wins0115@umn.edu.