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

“Pathways to Prosperity” article examines new ways to measure community well-being

Extension events key to a successful Money Smart Wisconsin Week

This article is a guest post from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions: Since 2006, the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), has organized the Money Smart Wisconsin campaign. This year, Governor Tony Evers proclaimed April 5 – 12, 2025, as Money Smart Wisconsin Week. UW-Madison Division of Extension Educators from […]

Farmers install practices to protect local waterways and make videos to help other farmers do the same through Good Idea Mini-grants

Six teams of farmers and farm advisors in the Midwest are demonstrating their leadership in conservation agriculture with the completion of their Good Idea Mini-grant projects, a program run by a multi-state collaboration of Land Grant University Extension staff. Each grantee team installed an edge-of-field conservation practice on the farmer’s land to reduce nutrient and […]

Wisconsin Rapids Water tower and treeline

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference: Hands-on learning for spurring economic development

UW-Madison Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, a hands-on, immersive conference aimed at strengthening rural Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, will be held June 16-18 in Wisconsin Rapids. Unlike other entrepreneurial conferences, CEC focuses on what works in small towns and addresses the distinct challenges and opportunities that these communities face in bolstering entrepreneurship. Designed for economic […]

Baldwin, Hurley, Medary, and White Lake join Extension program to ‘REV’ up small town economies

Four rural Wisconsin communities are joining the second cohort of Wisconsin Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV), an entrepreneurial development program designed to advance small town economies through a targeted business approach. Baldwin-Woodville, Hurley, Medary, and White Lake-Wolf River were selected as part of a program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Extension of Division. REV is a […]

Extension student named UW-Madison Student Employee of the Year

Each year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison recognizes the outstanding contributions of its student employees through the Student Employee of the Year award. With nearly 10,000 students working in thousands of roles across campus, this honor highlights the invaluable work completed by students each day, impacting the entire campus community. This year, we are proud to […]

Group of AmeriCorps members hold sign that says "Serving Here"

AmeriCorps and Extension: Expanding access to 4-H youth development

After his graduation from UW-Milwaukee, Jack wanted to find a way to give back to his hometown of Milwaukee. He found the perfect opportunity as an AmeriCorps member serving UW–Madison Extension’s 4-H program. Since starting his service in 2024, Jack has developed creative lesson plans and led groups for youth focused on STEM programming, including […]

Extension’s Paul Roback wins Distinguished Teaching Award

Paul Roback, professor and Extension educator in Ozaukee County, was named the 2025 recipient of the Van Hise Outreach Teaching Award. Paul, seen above receiving an Extension award for excellence in education and outreach at the 2022 Extension All Colleague Conference, was given the honor for his work to exemplify the guiding philosophy of UW–Madison’s […]

Beyond Produce: National Survey Reveals Diverse Benefits of Farmers Market Attendance

A new national study reveals that farmers markets are much more than just a place to buy fresh produce; they are vital community hubs that boost health, foster social connections, and support local economies. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Farmers Market Coalition, and published in the Journal of Agriculture, […]

Extension receives 2024 Partners in Giving Award

UW–Madison Extension will receive the 2024 Partners in Giving Award for having seen the greatest percentage increase in participation and contributions to the 2024 campaign. Extension will be recognized at a ceremony on March 11 at Union South. Extension had 33 donors and raised a total of just over $14,500. Extension piloted several initiatives in […]