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

Rural Livability Resources

Losing critical institutions and services makes it more difficult to have a thriving community and live in rural places. For communities in Wisconsin, there are planning tools and resources that are focused on increasing livability. The Rural Livability Project (Coming soon) “Livability” is what makes somewhere a good place to live and work. But what […]

Extension and AmeriCorps build community capacity to serve youth through new partnerships

This past summer in Richland County, youth had new opportunities to interact with science and art thanks to Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps members who joined Extension under a special grant. Through a partnership with the Brewer Library in Richland Center and UW–Madison Extension’s 4-H program, AmeriCorps members Izeah Currier and Autumn Carter offered a six-week series […]

2026 Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference

Registration is now open for the Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference: HelpingChildren Thrive When Life Gets Tough, happening Tuesday, February 4, 2026.This free, virtual conference provides practical, research-based strategies for parents,caregivers, and professionals supporting children and teens. Topics include resilience,emotional regulation, mindfulness, preventing burnout, and supporting teen mental health. The Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference is a […]

Sally Schoenike Honored Nationally for Lifelong Dedication to 4-H

Sally Schoenike, a retired 4-H Youth Development Educator from Dodge County who now lives in Oconomowoc, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony held in Atlanta on Oct. 27.

OneOp Recognized for Innovation and Collaboration by NEAFCS

OneOp, a professional development resource for military family service providers, recently won multiple awards from the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences. Jessica Beckendorf, a Community Economic Development Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, contributed to these award-winning efforts through her work on the 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy, an […]

Gov. Evers declares National 4-H Week in Wisconsin

It’s official — the entire state is celebrating National 4-H Week! By proclamation of Gov. Tony Evers, Oct. 5-11, 2025, is National 4-H Week throughout Wisconsin. See the proclamation, also signed by Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, below.

A community visioning exercise maps out community goals

Design Wisconsin Named Outstanding Program by International Community Development Society

Design Wisconsin, a community visioning program, was named the 2025 Outstanding Program by the International Community Development Society. A program of the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Community Economic Development Program, Design Wisconsin was recognized for exemplifying best practices in community development and empowering communities through the approach it brings to the community visioning process. Design […]

National 4-H Week: Celebrating youth college, career, and life-readiness

Starting his 4-H journey as a member of the Clinton (Mo.) Cool Cats, John Zumbrunnen, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UW–Madison, has a lot to say about the role that 4-H played in preparing him for his career. “I was the emcee at New Student Convocation with literally thousands of new […]

Gleaning with purpose: FoodWIse builds bridges between farmers and families in need

Thanks to a new gleaning program, food pantry guests in Watertown are taking home locally grown, fresh produce on Tuesdays. Gleaning is collecting excess fresh foods from farms, gardens, grocers, or any other sources to provide it to those in need. Through a collaboration between the Watertown Farmers Market, the Bread Basket Food Pantry, and […]

A wagon full of squash, boxes of cucumbers and beans, and bundles of broccoli and rhubarb next to colorful zinnias and greens growing in garden beds

FoodWIse: Growing valuable community resources in Oconto Falls

Access to healthy food is challenging in rural areas, and many Wisconsin families struggle to afford healthy food on a limited budget. As food prices increase, more families are turning to emergency food providers, like food pantries, to help put food on the table. Emergency food providers also face challenges in procuring food, particularly healthier […]