Ralph Johnson and Dan Ziegler were presented with the 2017 Friend of Extension awards at the recent Annual Meeting of UW-Extension and Green County Agriculture Instructors. This award has been presented annually since 1990 by the Green County University of Wisconsin-Extension office to recognize individuals that have provided outstanding support towards conducting UW-Extension educational programs in the county.

Ralph Johnson, Agriculture Instructor for the Juda School District, has assisted with UW-Extension programs and county youth activities for the past 26 years. Johnson has served as the longest tenured tour guide for the Cheese Day Farm Tours, along with assisting with the annual Dairy Day Cattle Show and Youth Tractor Safety Training each year. He has also served as Superintendent at the Green County Fair and is currently serving as Head Superintendent for the Junior Dairy Department. Johnson was instrumental in getting Green County to host the Farm Technology Days Farm show in 2007, and served as the Co-Chair of the Youth Committee for the show.

Dan Ziegler, Agriculture Instructor for New Glarus Schools, has assisted with UW-Extension programs and county youth activities for the past 34 years. Ziegler has also helped annually with the Dairy Day Cattle Show, and Youth Tractor Safety Training program. He has served as a Swine Superintendent at the Green County Fair for over 30 years and has also served as the Emcee for the Master Showman contest event since its inception. Ziegler is a current and founding member of the Green Country Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee and also served as a Co-Chair of the Youth Committee for the 2007 Farm Technology Days show.

"Ralph and Dan have always been there for us and willing to help with youth and other educational programs whenever asked. They both serve as a great role models for our youth and it has been a great privilege to have been able to work with these two gentlemen," said Mark Mayer, Green County UW-Extension Ag Agent and Department Head. "Both individuals recognize the importance of quality education, and the impact it can make in the lives of individuals and communities. Their leadership and volunteer efforts with UW-Extension in Green County are very much appreciated and have been instrumental in assisting us to continue to provide quality programs in the county."