ABOVE PHOTO: From right, Fred Subke, Clark County conservationist, and Jesse Susa, Clark County agronomist, talk about their new roles and the Chippewa Valley Technical College education that got them there.
Fred Subke has never stopped reinventing himself.
Subke worked road construction jobs, constructed prefabricated homes, and had a brief career in map-making and survey work.
When an injury sidelined him, he returned to Chippewa Valley Technical College where he earned a degree in agronomy in 2020.
But his transformation didn’t end there.
After graduation, Subke, of Neillsville, accepted the agronomist position with Clark County Land Conservation Department, where he created nutrient management plans and oversaw farmland preservation inspections.
In that role, Subke was mentored by Jim Arch, director of the department. In May 2024, Arch died of cancer. Through his grief, Subke had a realization.
“I decided that I should probably step up and keep moving (Arch’s) conservation practices forward on soil health and conservation and everything that he was involved with,” Subke said.
He was named Clark County Conservationist in late summer 2024 – a role typically held by people with four-year degrees.
Subke was nervous the committee might not consider him because of that, but he credits his CVTC education, the mentoring he received, and his passion for helping him land the role.
“I just can’t say enough things about CVTC and their programs,” he said.
It’s one of the reasons he filled his own former agronomist position with replacement Jesse Susa, 20, a Greenwood native and fellow CVTC Agronomy program graduate.
Susa stepped into the role armed with knowledge from CVTC. He works with farmers’ nutrient management plans, land inspections and other programs for farmers in Clark County.
“I’m pretty much working with farmers every day,” he said. “We go out and check for erosion issues and manure leaching. Every day is different.”
Susa grew up on a farm with a herd of beef cattle. He always knew he wanted to do something in agriculture, whether it be farming or the ag industry.
“Growing up with that background and being around it every day, you never lose it,” he said.
Just as Arch mentored Subke, Subke is taking on the role of mentor to Susa.
“Fred (Subke) being here has been a great help. Any questions I have, he is more than willing to help me and figure anything out that I need with nutrient management plans and really anything,” Susa said. “I picked up so much at CVTC.”
Susa credits CVTC Instructor Brent Christianson with giving Susa and his classmates the best education.
“Brent (Christianson) was always enthusiastic about the material and made sure we were staying awake,” Susa joked. “The hands-on aspect of the program was great. You not only get to play farmer, but you also get to play tax person, accountant, agronomist, and that was a big part of it.
“We got to see what worked and what didn’t. It wasn’t just one-sided. We got to see everything.”
