Many of the positive things you see area farmers doing in their fields are because of the work of Sturgeon Bay’s Eric Cooley. Before his passing last month from pancreatic cancer, Cooley was the director of UW Discovery Farms, which did lots of research throughout the state that would later see conservation and sustainability take center stage. His work was especially important for farmers in Door and Kewaunee counties, which due to its shallow soils led to lots of work learning how to best care for the land while still being conductive. Brey Cycle Farms owner Tony Brey says his positive attitude was a welcome site for farmers.

UW Extension Regional Dairy Educator Aerica Bjurstrom echoed those sentiments, whether Cooley teaching kids at Kewaunee County’s Conservation Day or getting dirty at area farms.

According to his obituary, the Sevastopol alum was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and heavily involved in the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament. He was laid to rest this past weekend at the age of 51.

Picture courtesy of Extension Kewaunee-Brown-Door County Agriculture Program