NEW ULM - A group of Brown County farmers will ask the county commissioners today to reconsider a decision to stop funding Wayne Schoper's agriculture Extension educator position as of Dec. 31.

A week ago, Ralph Stadick of rural New Ulm requested an appointment at today's county board meeting to discuss the issue.

By a 4-1 vote at its Sept. 15, meeting with Commissioner Deb Dove dissenting, the board approved a motion to discontinue the 0.5 FTE Agriculture Local Extension Educator position for contracted services between Brown County and the University of Minnesota as of Dec. 31.

The cost including salaries, office space, telephone service, computer and network connections, support staff and office supplies to Brown County for the half-time position this year was $41,700.

In recent years, Schoper has held the position in Brown and Nicollet counties.

Nicollet County commissioners recently funded their portion on Schoper's position through 2010.

Other agenda items include:

Eight drainage ditch repair requests.

The fate of Bridge 23, located in Section 35, Cottonwood Township.

A Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BYTR) Minnesota National Guard Power Point Presentation.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Commissioner's Room at the courthouse in New Ulm.

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).