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 […]

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 […]

A grandfather and 2 boys sit at a round table while the teacher stands beside them watching

From pixels to parks: Turning Minecraft skills into community action at Grandparents University

When it comes to Minecraft, Camdyn and Dawson consider themselves builders. After going to Grandparent’s University (GPU) with their grandmother, Sara Draeger, they see Minecraft in a whole new way. As part of this year’s GPU, UW-Madison Extension Community Development educators debuted a new course called “Using your Minecraft skills IRL* to make your community […]

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

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’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 […]

New reports highlight growth and challenges for business owners of color in Wisconsin

Despite growth and success, business owners of color face key challenges, including access to financing, business locations, and anti-Asian racism stemming from the pandemic. A series of new reports out of UW-Madison’s Community Economic Development program highlight the growth and challenges faced by business owners of color in Wisconsin. The four special reports provide a […]

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 […]

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 […]