We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities.

Preparing Wisconsin’s rural communities for extreme weather events

Sherri Congleton, Vilas County Emergency Management Director, has seen the impact of changes in weather extremes over time. “Even as a kid, I remember we had winter. It was cold, you had snow, you did those things.” But that’s not always the case these days. “Last winter we didn’t have enough snow to even open […]

Wisconsin’s agricultural industry tops $116.3 billion in increase from previous years; dairy sector represents 6.5% of state’s economic activity

Wisconsin’s agricultural production and food processing sectors represent 14.3% of the state’s total economic impact, contributing $116.3 billion in industrial revenues – an increase of 10.9% from 2017. Agricultural businesses in Wisconsin constitute 353,900 jobs (9.5% of jobs in the state) and $21.2 billion to labor income. Additionally, the dairy sector and its significant dedication […]

Encouraging Financial Conversations: Equipping local helping professionals with knowledge, tools, and confidence

In her role with Early Head Start, Keri Kraus works with families from pregnancy until children turn 3, visiting them in their homes for 90 minutes each week. Kraus brings activities for the children, encouraging the parents to join in. Part of that time is spent supporting the entire family and helping them set and […]

A Legacy of Leadership: Melanie Miller’s Journey to the National 4-H Hall of Fame

Melanie Miller, a lifelong advocate of 4-H in Wisconsin, will be inducted into the 2024 National 4-H Hall of Fame this weekend in Boise, Idaho. Among 15 distinguished honorees, Melanie’s story is one of passion, commitment, and a deep-rooted connection to 4-H that spans generations. Growing up in a family with over a century of […]

Local coalitions in five counties begin new rural entrepreneurship program

Coalitions in five counties are partnering up with UW–Madison Extension on a new effort to engage rural entrepreneurs and strengthen community connection. As part of a grant-funded program from Compeer Financial, Extension is providing coaching and guidance for local groups to spur sustained entrepreneurship. The groups selected for this program recently moved into a phase […]

Three graduates hold the Command College flag displaying patches from each department represented

Leading with purpose- Providing executive leadership training for law enforcement

After a 25-year career working for the Milwaukee Police Department, Jim MacGillis was planning to retire and try something new. Then the position of police chief opened in Wauwatosa, his hometown. “I’ve got family here, and I had seen the good human beings in this department have a front-row seat during the worst of times…and […]

Adam Riley posing for a photo in the mountains of Peru

4-H: Preparing youth for what’s next

During 4-H Week, we’re celebrating some of the ways that 4-H is building a ready generation in a changing world. 4-H members show they are two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active than other youth; and four times more likely to contribute to their communities. And, […]

Supporting health care navigation: Covering Wisconsin recognized, awarded grant

Covering Wisconsin received a Service to the Citizen Award, given to state and federal government agencies to honor exemplary public service. They were recognized for developing and implementing a WebChat digital outreach and enrollment tool. In addition, they have once again been selected as a Navigator grantee for Wisconsin, reinforcing its crucial role in helping […]

Wisconsin youth raise their voices to impact peer mental health

Before becoming an anthropology student at UW–Madison, Decilyn Clark was part of the Raise Your Voice Club at Merrill High School. “I joined Raise Your Voice my sophomore year after COVID because things were getting a little weird around that time,” said Clark. She initially signed up because she was a mental health advocate and […]

Extension Staff Awarded Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Grants

Five UW-Madison Division of Extension staff have been awarded Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment grants for 2024, funding three projects that share knowledge and co-create solutions to benefit Wisconsin communities. Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea in its mission to connect people with campus, creating key connection points for families, communities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government. These […]