Warren Froelich retired from serving the public as Williams County Extension agent the end of August. He started his career June 5, 1967 as a trainee in Jamestown, spent several years in various locations in North Dakota, and ended up in Williston in March of 1981.
Reflecting on his years, Froelich said the biggest changes have come in agriculture, not in what extension does. “Extension still serves in a diverse capacity, serving the needs of its clientele. The primary objectives of the staff of the Williams County Extension office has been focused on improved agriculture profitability, quality of life and youth leadership development.” He laughed and added, “Extension has been asked to deal with anything that’s green or walks. We are the outreach arm of NDSU dealing principally in the field of agriculture, 4-H, family consumer science and community development.” Froelich viewed himself as a general practitioner in agriculture. “People look towards extension for information on problems in agriculture. If I didn’t know, I could make references to specialists on campus at NDSU.”
Froelich feels privileged to have provided leadership and hands-on learning experiences for Williams County 4-Hers. There have been huge changes in the program since he started in 1967. At that time 4-H was primarily an ag group. That has expanded to the urban community with multiple projects being offered. He has been heavily involved with a group of people wanting to be involved with animal projects. For the past 4 or 5 years they have been working to determine the internal traits and quality of an animal, using ultrasound technology. They can now gather information before they harvest the animal, increasing profit potential. Working with the 4-Hers and seeing advances in animal production have been rewarding.
The field of agriculture has changed dramatically in Froelich’s 40 years with extension. The farms were much smaller and diversified when he started. If there was an educational activity, extension avoided early mornings and evenings. “Most farms had livestock and lots had milk cows,” he said. “If we had an evening meeting, we started no earlier than 8 p.m. We worked around the farm schedule.”
Equipment and technology has also improved drastically. “In 1967 there were few cabs and no air conditioning,” Froelich said. “If you had a 4 or 5 bottom plow, that was big. Now you have 300 to 500 hp tractors and 40 to 60’ no till seeders and all the technology that goes with them. Because of that, regular field staff is becoming more specialized. It’s a challenge to meet the diverse needs of the public. The trick is to have a good resource list of people who can help with problems. That’s where the main office comes into play.” Extension is called upon to answer questions relating to plant and livestock diseases, insect pests on both plants and animals, plus weed control. They have become efficient facilitators, bringing people together to provide major educating opportunities. Extension is increasingly called upon by the urban community as well, to provide horticulture and forestry advice.
Froelich has been looking through the printed resource material he accumulated during his years with extension, and realizing how valuable it is. He views the internet as a valuable source of information but feels it really needs to be interpreted and converted to a local basis before it is a truly good resource.
Froelich’s involvement in the National Hard Spring Wheat Show held in Williston every February made the decision to resign more difficult. The directors and working committee are comprised of a diverse group of farmers and business people whose goal has always been to bring leading edge information to the area. “We have been way out front. I will miss that,” he said.
Froelich plans to spend more time with his horses and purebred cows in retirement. “I’ll have more time to give to them,” he said “When you retire you have things planned. I’ll keep working with my animals as long as my health allows. My home setting needs my attention.” His wife Mary is still working with extension and Warren plans to support her in her career as she has done for him all these years. Froelich wants to keep up with the livestock industry. He has devoted his time to plant and food production and now would like to help the industry make advancements in animal genetics.
Williams County is in the process of trying to fill the position held so capably by Froelich for so many years. “It’s difficult with the energy boom, trying to find housing, but hopefully they will find someone soon,” Froelich said. “The 4-H program needs professional people to move them forward. That’s dear to my heart,” he added. “My extension service career has been a good ride. It gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people.”
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