Agriculture With over 59,000 dairy cows in Fond du Lac county, ensuring high-quality forage production is critical to sustaining milk production and farm profitability. Helping growers meet forage quality goals for their farm means lower outside feed costs, healthier cows and improved sustainability of that farm. Furthermore, given the key role Spanish-speaking workers play, providing […]

Diana is learning about best practices when working with young people who have disabilities. Here are some guidelines you may be able to use in your work, family, and volunteering time.  Disabilities can be visible or invisible, related to sensory experiences (ex: autism), mental health (ex: anxiety), physical functioning (ex: blind), or intellectual functioning (ex: […]

Shared from Washington County 4-H On November 5, 2025, thirty-three 4-H members from Washington, Ozaukee, and Fond du Lac Counties traveled to UW–Madison for the annual Tri-County Science Expedition. This hands-on STEM adventure brings youth directly into university research spaces, giving them a chance to explore real science, meet experts, and envision themselves in future […]

Undercooked holiday dishes can carry foodborne risks. Using a thermometer is the safest way to confirm doneness. Turkey, stuffing, and casseroles should reach 165°F throughout. For help with cooking charts or reheating visit go.wisc.edu/answerline or call 1-866-540-4636. UW-Madison Extension has partnered with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s AnswerLine to give Wisconsin residents access to […]

Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Program Educator Do you know how to do simple car maintenance, crochet/knit, or sand and paint a piece of wood? Have you ever decorated a cake, grown vegetables, or created scale models of trains/cars? Would you be interested in learning with youth how to build a rocket, how to work with animals, […]

Inflation, widespread tariffs and the price uncertainty of items seem to be on everyone’s minds lately. Stress levels are high due to the impact that inflation has on groceries, fuel, heating costs and credit card interest rates. This depressing news is making people feel that they have little control of their finances. As we enter […]

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announces the release of the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program Request for Proposals for 2026. In addition to nitrogen rate trials, this year’s RFP includes new opportunities for first-time applicants to explore nitrogen management on their farm using simplified research approaches. NOPP staff from DATCP and UW […]

Are you new to the world of nonprofit fundraising? Join us and learn the basics at Extension’s free Nonprofit Financial Development Workshop hosted by Extension and CLA on Thursday, November 13. This workshop is designed to help new nonprofits and people new to nonprofits develop the tools and strategies needed to thrive in today’s competitive […]

When can I start to let my child stay home alone? How old should my child be? How long can I leave my child home alone? If you’ve been thinking about these questions since the new school year started, you are not alone. Many parents ask these questions when their child seems too old for […]

National 4-H Week is the first full week in October, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers, and alumni across the country celebrate everything 4-H. Area 4-H clubs observed National 4-H Week this year by showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people and highlighting the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work […]

Are you a nonprofit, business, or government leader in Wisconsin in need of grant writing skills? Sign up for this informative and hands-on virtual training on grant writing. There are two sessions available, click here to go to our Grant Writing Basics sign-up page.  Monday, September 22 from 6PM-8PMTuesday, September 23 from 12PM-2PM Can’t make […]

The Junior Master Gardener (JMG) families went on their annual summer field trip. This year’s trip was to Green Bay to visit Bay Beach’s Wildlife Sanctuary and the Green Bay Botanical Gardens. At Bay Beach’s Wildlife Sanctuary, Naturalists presented on animals native to Wisconsin and the area. JMG families were able to interact with live […]

On July 23, twenty-eight eager Cloverbuds embarked on a day filled with cosmic creativity and hands-on learning during our “Out of This World” themed day camp. Guided by two youth leaders, two adult volunteers, and two staff members, campers explored space-themed STEM activities and interstellar art projects that sparked curiosity, fostered teamwork, and encouraged imaginative […]

Fond du Lac County 4-H’s 2025 Foodie Camp welcomed 11 youth for a three-day culinary journey rooted in experiential learning. The camp, held in June, blended hands-on cooking with lessons in food safety, nutrition, and teamwork—led by a dedicated team of a Youth Leader, Adult Volunteer, 4-H Summer Intern, and 4-H Program Educator. Participants engaged […]

This past school year, the state FoodWIse program partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to improve the school cafeteria environment for elementary school students across the state. They reached out to local Nutrition Educators in Fond du Lac County to partner with specific schools within the Fond du Lac School District.  Melanie […]

Extension’s Financial Wellness at Work program offers a comprehensive suite of free, research-based financial education resources that Fond du Lac County employers can share with their employees. These tools include downloadable flyers, personal finance workbooks, short educational videos, and interactive workshops led by UW-Extension financial educators. Topics range from budgeting and saving to credit management, […]

Nonprofits across Wisconsin are doing critical work every day to build communities where everyone can thrive, but fundraising can feel like an obstacle for many organizations and leaders. Gain the expert insights and tools you need to effectively navigate the intricacies of fundraising in 2025. Join Extension’s expert educators for hands-on training tailored to the […]

It is alarming and surprising to know that many children do not know where their food comes from. If asked, they may answer with “the grocery store.” Farm to ECE (or Early Childcare Education) programs play a vital role in promoting food literacy, supporting local agriculture, and teaching young children and their families to appreciate […]

As the school year winds down, 4-H is gearing up for an exciting summer filled with hands-on learning and personal growth. June brings a variety of enriching opportunities, including the annual Foods Revue, Cloverbud & Foodie Day Camps, dairy judging practices, Area Animal Science Days, and engaging project meetings. Each experience allows youth to develop […]

The Arc of Fond du Lac provides support and resources for individuals with varying physical and cognitive disabilities. They serve all populations, including youth, adults, and caregivers. They have multiple housing units where residents live. They also have a main center with drop-in (respite care) and day and evening program classes. The center is a […]

Extension’s Rent Smart focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience. It challenges participants to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as know and understand the rights and responsibilities of their landlord. Emphasis is on forming a strong partnership between the tenant and landlord. Establishing […]

Nonprofits across Fond du Lac County are doing the critical work every day to build communities where everyone can thrive, but they are not immune from economic uncertainties. Like so many of us who live and work here, these organizations are being asked to do so much more with less. As uncertainty about federal funding […]

Welcoming a new baby can be a big adjustment. Want quick tips and tricks grounded in research? Look no further. Just in Time Parenting now offers one-page newsletters for parents and caregivers with newborns to 4-month-old babies. You can read or listen to the audio recordings for each newsletter. The newsletters are available to read […]

Are you looking for ways to get more involved in your community? Do you have a hobby, skill, or career that you would love to share with youth? Fond du Lac County is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join the growing list of 4-H project leaders. A comprehensive project leader training program is being offered to […]

More than a year ago, a Fond du Lac team presented in Madison at Wisconsin’s very first “Community Health Shark Tank”. The community health shark tank, led by the Wisconsin Community Health Empowerment Fund, brought business leaders and public health leaders together to solve local health issues in ways using approaches from both disciplines. The […]

The Arc of Fond du Lac provides support and resources for individuals with varying physical and cognitive disabilities. They serve all populations, including youth, adults, and caregivers. They have multiple housing units where residents live. They also have a main center with drop-in (respite care) and day and evening program classes. The center is a […]

Seven Fond du Lac County youth leaders were part of 40 youth from 8 different counties attending Winter Leadership camp. Over the course of the weekend Extension educators facilitated Leadership Summit- Hike your Leadership Trail from Nebraska Extension. Friday night youth arrived at Camp Spencer Lake in Waupaca. After checking in, youth had the opportunity […]

Empowering Futures: A Flourishing Partnership with 4-H and Roberts Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac The Boys and Girls Club Roberts location partnership with 4-H was established in January 2024.  Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Program Educator, worked with Anna Koepsell, Roberts Extension Director, to establish some afterschool club offerings on various topics of interest […]

All of us are members of different communities. When we think of the word community, we probably think of a physical space, such as the place you live or the places you go like a place of worship. However, community can mean so much more than that! Community can also be found from a shared […]

The Berry Drop In Center, a part of Robert E. Berry House, Inc., is a community center designed to provide support and resources for individuals experiencing mental health conditions and/or recovering from substance abuse. The drop-in center has a long history in Fond du Lac County having opened in 2007 under NAMI (National Alliance for […]

Misty Jimenez, 4-H Associate Educator, partnered with the Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club Roberts location to continue a 4-H Art club within the Boys and Girls Club. Jimenez worked with Anna Koepsell, Robert’s Director, to build out the 6-week Art Club for 3rd-5th grade members. The club had 11 youth members. Jimenez started […]

The Executive Director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (SEWISC), a regional nonprofit, contacted Paul requesting resources to strengthen the organization’s board.  The organization’s mission is “working to reduce the impact of invasive species.”   Paul taught a 1.5-hour workshop to 14 board and staff members.  Content included an overview of the non-profit sector in […]

The annual 4-H Cloverbud Pumpkin Contest was held on Saturday, October 21, at UW Oshkosh Fond du Lac Campus. Cloverbud members, 4-H youth grades kindergarten to second, were able to enter a pumpkin in the contest.  The morning of the contest Teen Leaders and volunteers helped weigh, measure, and judge the pumpkins.  While pumpkins were […]

Manuel is the new Regional Dairy Educator for Sheboygan, Fond Du Lac, Dodge, and Ozaukee Counties. He is originally from Duitama, a small city in Colombia, 3 hours north of Bogotá, the capital city. He received his bachelor’s degree on Animal Science at Universidad Nacional de Colombia. In the last semesters he worked for a […]

October is all about recognizing the importance of local producers and farms. The month is designated “National Farm to School Month” as communities, schools, early care and education sites, organizations, and farms come together to celebrate food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients. For more information on National Farm to […]

Are you a Fond du Lac County nonprofit looking for funders? Please consider using this table of available grants to organizations in Fond du Lac County. If your organization offers grants or has applied for local or state grants not listed here, please let us know. We will add them to the list. If you […]

Fond du Lac County recently held its very first food summit on Wednesday, September 18th. The event was open to any community members and community organizations. It was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral as a half-day event from 8:30 am -1:00 pm. Nearly 50 participants joined to network and learn, with representation from most of […]

Planning AHEAD is a course from UW-Madison Division of Extension that takes a comprehensive approach to end-of-life planning. The course guides participants through examining health care wishes, handling financial changes, legal requirements and documentation, distribution of personal property, end-of-life decisions, dealing with grief, and the emotional ramifications of all of the above. Fond du Lac […]

National 4-H Week is the first full week in October, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers, and alumni across the country celebrate everything 4-H. Area 4-H clubs observe National 4-H Week this year by showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people and highlighting the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work […]

Sign-up today for our next offering from our Wisconsin Nonprofit Connect to Learn Team: Evaluating Outcomes. This four-week mini-course will equip nonprofit leaders with the skills to assess and communicate the effectiveness of their programs and services. Participants will identify what outcomes they want their programs and services to achieve, develop a plan to evaluate […]

Fond du Lac County 4-H wrapped up the summer finishing off with four summer day camps in August.  Art Camp, Cloverbud Day Camp: Teddy Bear Adventure, Cardboard Camp: Zoology, and LEGO camps were the last of the 4-H Summer Camps. The camps were well attended and the youth all shared things that they learned from […]

According to the USDA, 11% of U.S. farmers don’t have health insurance coverage. For dairy farmers, the number is even higher—a staggering 41%. Recognizing how complex and confusing the health insurance system can be—and how crucial health coverage is to people’s well-being—Covering Wisconsin helps Wisconsin residents navigate the system. A program of UW-Extension and a […]

The ‘FDL Fresh 5’ is a food donation program that connects farmers’ market vendors with local food pantries. Amanda Miller worked with local sellers, Bill and Lynda Zeleske, to create and implement the program many years ago. All are members of the Fond du Lac Farmers Market Steering Committee.  The program is designed to be […]

Youth leaders, volunteers, 4-H Summer Intern and the 4-H Educator helped plan out the camp. The youth leaders led activities with the groups all day under the supervision of the volunteer leaders. The youth started the morning off by learning everyone’s names with a couple of games. The participants were able to collect bugs and […]

UW-Extension recommends that well owners sample their well at least once per year, at a different time of the year. You can test your water through the Fond du Lac County Health Department, the UW-Extension lab in Stevens Point, the State Lab of Hygiene or other private laboratories in the area. Below are descriptions of […]

As we plan our outreach and engagement efforts, we must be intentional with centering the community members we hope to reach. We must create authentic, sustainable relationships with community members to implement our programming successfully. Whether you are part of local government, a public department, or a nonprofit, the tools included in our Community Engagement […]

FoodWIse has a long standing partnership with a low income senior housing site in Fond du Lac, Riverview Senior Apartments. FoodWIse works with the residents through a 6 week summer nutrition series and has recently added a strength training program for older adults, Strong Bodies, to the offerings. The residents form strong relationships with the […]

Consumers can help stop scammers and strengthen their own financial future by checking their credit report. By law, everybody can obtain three free credit reports each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. It is important to check your report regularly to make sure it is accurate and up to date. Scammers often desire to open credit in your name. […]

Fond du Lac County 4-H hosted a three-day Foodie Theme reaching 15 youth in June. The youth expressed an interest in learning and exploring culinary skills and the food and nutrition project. A Youth leader, Adult Volunteer, 4-H Summer Intern, and 4-H Program Educator led different cooking activities teaching basic cooking skills such as measuring, […]

Nonprofit organizations continue to take an increasingly critical role in providing needed services and programs within our community. As our local nonprofits take on critical roles, addressing key concerns of these community organizations becomes more important. According to a nationwide survey data of nonprofits published by Statista in April 2024, the two greatest challenges identified […]

According to the 2021 Fond du Lac County health assessment, 52% of adults and 35% of students consume at least two servings of fruit on a day and 23% of adults and 17% of students consume at least three servings of vegetables in a day. The goal is to increase the fruit and vegetable intake […]

The majority of people, 98%, wish to arrange their affairs to live well in their later years, and ensure that their end-of-life plans follow their wishes. Still, it is something that many people find challenging.  Only 23% follow through with documenting and sharing those plans with their loved ones to carry out those wishes.  However, […]

On May 4, 2024, youth involved in the Lemonade Day program finally set up their lemonade stands all across Fond du Lac County. The Lemonade Day program is about more than just a Lemonade Day stand. In the Fond du Lac Area it is a community tradition that has taken place for the past eight […]

Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Educator, partnered with the Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club Roberts location to continue a 4-H club within the Boys and Girls Club. Keifenheim worked with Anna Koepsell, Roberts Extension Director, to build out the 6-week Art Club for 1st and 2nd-grade members. The club had 9 youth members. Over 6 […]

Designed to empower organizations of all sizes, this mini-course will equip participants with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in today’s philanthropic landscape. Hosted over five sessions, this course dives deep into the essential pillars of successful fund development and donor relations. Nonprofits of all sizes and focus areas are encouraged to attend! This […]

Reaching out to your UW Extension Regional Crops or Dairy Educator is a great way to get your agriculture questions answered – but if you are not sure who to contact, use the new UW Madison Division of Extension Ask Your Ag Question form.  Connect with Extension experts from Wisconsin and receive research-based responses and […]

Countless research has shown that gardening with children has numerous benefits, including social, emotional, physical, and mental. Gardening has shown to improve nutrition, reduce obesity rates, increase physical activity, impact mental health, and even improve academic scores. The Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program kicked off the new series on April 11th with a newly renovated […]

Carol Bralich has joined the Fond du Lac Extension team as our new Human Development and Relationships Educator. Carol Bralich, Associate Professor, has been an educator in the Human Development & Relationships Institute for UW-Madison, Division of Extension for over 14 years. Carol’s teaching, research and outreach have included a focus on building financial capability […]

Nearly a year ago, the White House hosted the first conference on hunger, nutrition, and health in 50 years. As a result, they came up with a big goal – to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity by 2030, so that fewer Americans experience diet-related chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. […]

The Online Youth-Adult Partnership (Y-AP) Training emerges as a beacon for youth empowerment. This self-guided program, tailored for both individuals and groups, offers a comprehensive roadmap for volunteers and professionals eager to nurture collaborative relationships between youth and adults. Comprising eight sessions, each segment of Y-AP Training integrates brief readings with illuminating videos featuring individuals […]

Every three years the health department and community partners collaboratively engage to conduct a Community Health Assessment (CHA) in Fond du Lac County. The main purpose of a CHA is to complete a comprehensive collection and analysis of data to identify health issues of primary concern. From the CHA, a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) […]

Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Educator, partnered with the Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club Roberts location to start a 4-H club within the Boys and Girls Club. Keifenheim worked with Anna Koepsell, Roberts Extension Director, to build out the 6-week LEGO Club. The club had 16 youth members averaging about 10 participants each week. Over […]

Regional Ag News and Updates Serving Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington Counties

Wisconsin will receive nearly $1.1 Billion from the federal government from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program to finance deployment of broadband internet services to underserved areas of the state. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension cooperative and local government specialists will describe how cooperatives are created, how broadband services might be successfully deployed by […]

Congratulations and farewell to our Regional Dairy Educator Tina Kohlman, who took a new position on February 1 in the private sector as a Training and Ag Business Development Manager for one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management, and groundwater application, in Cedarburg, WI. Tina has […]

The summer of 2023 taught us numerous lessons as our wet spring turned to a droughty summer across Wisconsin. While well-timed rains boosted yields for row crops and alfalfa fields, the same can’t be said for many of the pastures across the state, especially those under continuously grazed management. Many livestock producers found themselves sourcing […]

FoodWIse and Community Works are partnering to offer an 8-part cooking class series for teens as a part of their after school respite program. During the cooking class series, Community Works will join at the Extension office’s kitchen where Grace Gallagher, FoodWIse Nutrition Educator, is teaching Around the Table. Around the Table is designed to […]

Desiree Torres understands the value of being part of a supportive environment that encourages young people to be involved in their communities, something she witnessed firsthand with Youth Advocates for Community Health (YACH), a program of UW–Madison Extension. Christa Van Treeck, associate professor and youth development educator in Marquette County, is working with a group […]

The four Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development work together to ensure that youth work towards a better future for themselves and their world. The four Essential Elements are: Belonging was a huge piece of supporting new families in the 4-H program.  Keifenheim held a New Family Orientation in early December.  Families registered to learn […]

Raising replacement heifers in managed grazing systems provide economic savings and ecological improvements at the farm and watershed level, along with improved animal performance as they enter the milking herd. While there are many dairy farms that have successfully implemented dairy heifer grazing to their operation, many dairy farms have not. The session will feature […]

This event is open to the public. 4-H and community youth are invited to attend Family Learning Day at UWO Fond du Lac Campus. Learn a new skill or gain fresh ideas. It will be a fun, informative day. Parents are encouraged to spend the day with their child and help them find their sessions. […]

The FoodWIse program just completed a 10-week strength training class offered to Riverview Apartment residents.  The StrongBodies program is an evidence-based exercise program for midlife and older adults developed by Tufts University. The program includes progressive strength training, balance training, and flexibility exercises.  Grace Gallagher, FoodWIse Nutrition Educator, is a certified StrongBodies trainer and taught […]

On December 2 Club officers attended the countywide training. Youth got to know each other by participating in a few icebreakers and games. Special thanks to Teen Leaders for helping lead icebreakers and games. This year’s officer training featured a guest speaker Kelsey Beine, Campbellsport 4-H Alumni, who presented during the general main session of […]

This year’s dry summer had most of us constantly clicking refresh on our weather apps, wondering when we could count on the next measurable rainfall to keep our crops moving forward. Extension saw the need and benefit of providing updates from climate experts to ag producers and professionals to help make sense of where we […]

Food insecure individuals are often faced with challenges to accessing healthy foods. Low income neighborhoods frequently lack grocery stores, individuals may have transportation issues, and healthy foods may be more expensive as opposed to quick, processed foods.  In 2017, Amanda Miller (Extension FoodWIse Coordinator and Health & Well-Being Educator) and Bill Zeleske (local farmer) partnered […]

Nearly a year ago, the White House hosted the first conference on hunger, nutrition, and health in 50 years. As a result, they came up with a big goal – to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity by 2030, so that fewer Americans experience diet-related chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. […]

Right now is peak harvest season and many home gardeners are interested in preserving their fresh produce. Amanda Miller, FoodWIse Coordinator and Health and Well-Being Educator, is available for office visits, phone calls, or emails from Fond du Lac County residents that have questions on food preservation or food safety. Both beginner and expert home […]

We hope you will join our Winter 2024 Wisconsin Nonprofit Connect to Learn cohort as we explore how to Build Belonging in Organizations! As challenges that nonprofits and institutions face continue to mount, it is more crucial than ever to build organizations where “Belonging” is prioritized. This multi-week course will begin on Wednesday, January 17, […]

Variable corn fields are common this year with delayed emergence and inconsistent moisture conditions. This means that tasseling and corn silage harvest is also likely to be widely variable across our 4 county region. This fall, proper silage harvest and management is necessary to maximize feed quality for the next year. There are some important […]

Countless research has shown that gardening with children have numerous benefits, including social, emotional, physical, and mental. Gardening has shown to improve nutrition, reduce obesity rates, increase physical activity, impact mental health, and even improve academic scores. The Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program had another successful season. A total of 21 children from 14 families […]

The Cloverbuds had several guest speakers throughout the day at Cloverbud Day Camp. The first guest of the day was Jerry with the Appleton and Eldorado fire departments. The youth learned about fire safety and the fire fighter’s gear and equipment. The K9 unit stopped in and visited the Cloverbuds, and they learned about what […]

As we navigate the dry conditions spread across Wisconsin this summer, the US Drought Monitor (USDM) maps have become a common sight in crop reports used by producers and ag professionals to navigate this year’s growing season. The Drought Monitor is released every Thursday, and compiles physical indicators, condition observations and reports of the impact […]

A family hits a benefits cliff when a small income increase makes them ineligible for public benefits they had been receiving (UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty). Many public benefits programs in Wisconsin have “benefits cliffs.” It is important for participants in these programs to be aware of benefits cliffs as they make financial and professional decisions […]

FoodWIse and the Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac County are partnering this summer to offer an 8-part cooking class series for teens as a part of their Healthy Habits program. Healthy Habits is a program adopted by the national Boys and Girls Club that emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity, and improving […]

Fond du Lac County 4-H hosted a one-day Cloverbud Day Camp- Foodie Theme reaching 23 youth in June. Youth expressed an interest in learning and exploring culinary skills and the foods and nutrition project. Volunteers and the summer intern led different cooking activities teaching basic cooking skills such as measuring, food safety, and using kitchen […]

Liz Gartman is our new Regional Crops Educator for Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Washington & Ozaukee counties. Liz spent the early part of her career as a livestock feed specialist for a local co-op, was most recently an Agriculture Instructor at Lakeshore Technical College, and spent most of her life living and working on a […]

Consumers can help stop scammers and strengthen their own financial future by checking their credit at annualcreditreport.com on 2/2, 6/6 and 10/10 each year By law, everybody can obtain three free credit reports each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. It is important to check your report regularly to make sure it is accurate and up to date. Scammers […]

Local dairy farmers want high quality alfalfa haylage for their cows, especially the first cutting of this 4-cut crop since it provides over half of the total haylage harvest for the year. Farmers wait 28-30 days between cuttings to harvest the optimal quality in haylage, but how do we determine when to cut the first […]

With schools finishing up the year 4-H is gearing up for many summer activities and programming. June is a busy month as youth can participate in the annual Clothing Revue, Foods Revue, Cloverbud & Foodie Day Camps, dairy judging practices, Area Animal Science Days, and many project meetings taking place. All these opportunities provide youth […]

FoodWIse and the Fond du Lac County WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program partnered to offer a family cooking class for parents and children participating in the FitFamilies program.  Both FoodWIse and FitFamilies are Supplemental Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed) programs. FitFamilies is for parents of 2-4 year olds enrolled in WIC and interested in working more […]

Alfalfa is an important part of a cow’s diet, having 4 crops grown in a year. Generally farmers will have 28-30 days in between cuttings for optimal forage quality, reducing the need to purchase feeds to increase protein in the diet. However, when is the optimal time cut the 1st crop? Determining when to cut […]

Cooking Matters is a national campaign to help end childhood hunger by inspiring families to make healthy, affordable food choices. It includes a variety of programs designed to teach parents and caregivers of young children, with limited food budgets, to shop for and cook healthy meals.  FoodWIse recently partnered with Parent LIFE of Badgerland Youth […]

The purpose of the Tri-County Art Club is to provide youth the opportunity to learn different art techniques and skills.  Ozaukee County Educator Jayna Hintz taught the group Printmaking at the last club meeting.  Keifenheim helped assist Hintz in walking the youth through three different printmaking techniques.  First youth made different prints using shaving cream […]

Pandemic relief for FoodShare (Wisconsin food stamps) and BadgerCare (Medicaid) has ended, as of March 1, 2023. This means that recipients of both programs need to pay close attention to what the changes are and how they will affect their families. The Fond du Lac County Health and Well-Being Educator and the FoodWIse program has […]

Join us on Tuesday, April 18th at 12PM for our next Lunch-n-Learn and put some “oomph” behind the numbers of Downtown Revitalization. Downtowns and business districts play a vital role in economic development by serving as the commercial heart of our communities. They not only generate revenue and employment opportunities but also enhance the overall […]

A parent may feel like preparing fast and easy meals in the kitchen free of hassles and interruptions, especially on busy work days. But, there are many benefits to including children in the kitchen during meal preparation. Studies have shown that children that are involved in growing, selecting during grocery shopping, and preparing foods are […]

Every other Tuesday, starting on February 28th at noon, the Community Economic Development Program will host an hour long webinar related to clean energy funding opportunities for Wisconsin communities.  This first webinar in the Clean Energy Funding Series will focus on agricultural producers and rural small businesses because Rural Energy for America (REAP) guaranteed grants […]

The Stephenson Scholarship Fund was established nearly 50 years ago in 1974 by the will of the late Hazel L. Stephenson of Fond du Lac. The purpose of the fund is to assist students of Fond du Lac County in attaining or completing an education at any one of the University of Wisconsin campuses. All […]

What does it mean to be “reentry ready”? Reentry refers to a person returning to their community after time in prison or jail. “Reentry ready” means that a person has the necessary resources to overcome the obstacles of successful return to their community.  Reentering a community after incarceration is not an easy task. It is […]

Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington & Fond du Lac County will have several opportunities for in-person “testing” with the online training program, and one in-person training & testing opportunity.   Under both federal and state laws, certain pesticide applicators must be “certified” before they can legally use and apply pesticides. Under FIFRA, the federal law that governs pesticide […]

According to the 2021 Fond du Lac County health assessment, 52% of adults and 35% of students consume at least two servings of fruit on a day and 23% of adults and 17% of students consume at least three servings of vegetables in a day. The goal is to increase the fruit and vegetable intake […]

As the calendar year comes to a close, many people start thinking about their New Year’s resolution. Maybe you’ve already decided that this is the year you are going to lose 20 pounds, quit smoking, or make a career change. If you haven’t made a resolution yet, consider working towards decreasing (maybe even eliminating) your […]

Enhance your leadership skills and gain tools to address issues impacting your local government. Explore and find solutions to generate results. Engage with other local government leaders to shape the future of your community. The Local Government Leadership Academy (LGLA) is a nine-month, cohort-based program blending in-person workshops, virtual sessions, online self-study, and goal-setting to […]

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting colder, and heating costs are getting higher. Thankfully there are things you can do to keep warm this winter without breaking the bank.  Caulk or weatherstrip windows and doors to prevent outdoor air from getting in. Lower your home’s temperature overnight. A programmable thermostat can help […]

Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by populations that have been historically disadvantaged by their social or economic status, geographic location, and environment.  Communities can prevent health disparities when community and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health […]

By Bob Cropp, Professor EmeritusUniversity of Wisconsin Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison The price of barrel cheddar cheese strengthened to above $2 per pound from mid-September and continuing into October reaching as high as $2.2450. The price of barrel cheese was well above 40-pound cheddar blocks being as much as $02775 per pound higher. From mid-September […]

Today it costs more to raise dairy heifer replacements than to purchase one, but farmers prefer to raise their own due to controlling genetics and management of these heifers for the milking herd. Farmers have recognized breeding a heifer to give birth to her first calf at 23-24 months of age is the optimal time […]

Chronic diseases are illnesses that last a long time, do not go away on their own, are rarely cured, and can result in disability later in life. Hundreds of years ago, communicable diseases were the major cause of illness, disability, and death. This was before there was a good understanding of hygiene, how bacteria and […]

UW-Madison Division of Extension Community Food Systems Program is organizing a 2-day virtual summit for Wisconsin food entrepreneurs! The 2022 FEED Summit will be held virtually on November 14th and 15th, from 10 am to 4 pm.  Breakout sessions will go in-depth into key aspects of a thriving business model, including: Value Propositions, Key Partners, […]

Ever feel like you’re invisible? 11% of adult Americans actually are.. credit invisible that is! Credit invisible is a term used for people who have no credit history at any of the three national credit bureaus.  Isn’t it good to not have any credit card debt? Yes. It’s wonderful to not have any credit card […]

National 4-H week was full of celebrations including the second annual 4-H Fall Kick-Off. All youth leaders and general club leaders were invited to partake in the event to learn from each other, build their facilitation skills, learn about the WI 4-H Marketing plan, and how to support new families. Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Program Educator, […]

Wisconsin Nonprofits Connect to Learn is a new program designed to support nonprofit professionals and those who run community organizations on some of the topics most important to achieving their mission. The second mini-course of the series, “Fundraising and Donor Relations,” begins October 12 and registrations are currently open. One of the unique features of […]

When should you start saving for your child’s post high school education? While it’s never too late to start saving, the answer is the sooner the better! Research shows that even having as little as $1 to $500 set aside for future education, encourages a child to do better in high school, makes them three […]

National 4-H Week is the first full week in October, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country celebrate everything 4-H. Area 4-H clubs observed National 4-H Week this year by showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlighted the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work […]

Twelve (12) samples were submitted to Dairyland Laboratories for analysis on August 30, 2022, with overall moisture of approximately 64.92% to 76.84%.

The most recent census data indicates a significant growth in the Black/African American population in Fond du Lac County. To better understand how to respond to the needs of Black/African American community members, FoodWIse partnered with UW-Madison Population Health, Fond du Lac Public Health, and the United Way to host community-wide focus groups. Each focus […]

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp Cohort 4 is in progress with 8 EITs meeting in Milwaukee on Wednesday evenings and online Saturday mornings. Diana taught two classes recently about meaningful apologies, the power of a promise, and time management. In addition, 3 EIT alumni joined the group to share about their experiences and encourage them. People with criminal […]

Carcass Contests-where county fair market livestock animals are judged on the quality and quantity of meat product post-butcher, are an important way to enhance the educational value of the youth livestock project.  Rather than being judged live, walking in a show ring where an individual judges and places an animal based on its structure and […]

Tracy Keifenheim and the 4-H Summer Intern taught the first ever Fond du Lac County 4-H Art Camp! Art Camp was offered for 3 days. The first day was Art-Rageous Day where youth got to explore all different types of art media and new art techniques! Youth first started out the day using clay to […]

This year 4-H offered three Cloverbud Day Camps to youth who have completed Kindergarten – 2nd grade and the last one was held on Wednesday, August 17. The theme was Outdoor Survival! Youth leaders and two volunteer leaders helped plan this day camp to make it a success! The youth leaders and the 4-H summer […]

Amy Mangan-Fischer, Human Development & Relationships Educator Staying on top of what’s in your credit report can help you spot errors and possible instances of identity theft. Additionally, a positive credit history helps you access housing and financial products, and to get the best interest rate when applying for loans, insurance, and more. On July […]

Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Program Educator The Fond du Lac County 4-H LEGO Club has been meeting monthly since September. Youth leaders Makayla and Noah have been putting together meeting agendas, topics to be covered, and discussing presentation styles and facilitation skills. Youth members consist of youth from kindergarten through junior high school. The club held […]

Makayla Stommel, Fond du Lac County 4-H Summer Intern This year 4-H is offering three Cloverbud Day Camps to youth who have completed Kindergarten – 2nd grade and the first one was held on Wednesday, June 29. It was an “Out of this World” experience! Youth leaders and two volunteer leaders helped plan this day […]

Amanda Miller, FoodWIse Coordinator, Health & Well-Being Educator According to the most recent county health assessment, 7% of Fond du Lac County residents live in a food desert area and have limited access to healthy foods. Food deserts are urban areas in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh foods. Many people […]

Tina Kohlman, Regional Extension Dairy Educator Hoof health is essential for not only the overall health of the animal, but also for her welfare. Digital dermatitis (DD), or hairy heel warts, is an extremely painful condition for dairy cattle, reducing her ability to walk to and from the milking parlor, or to the feed bunk. […]

This year 4-H is offering three Cloverbud Day Camps to youth who have completed Kindergarten – 2nd grade and the first one was held on Wednesday, June 29. It was an “Out of this World” experience! Youth leaders and two volunteer leaders helped plan this day camp to make it a success! The youth leaders […]

This year for the first time ever LEGO Club had a LEGO Masters Building Competition on their last meeting of the year. Youth had to complete a build relating to the theme of a park in one hour. Some of the builds included campgrounds and water parks. The youth were then judged on their builds […]

This year the 2022 Foods Revue was held on June 21 and the special ingredient was bacon! There were seven youth who showed off their yummy bacon recipes with ages ranging from a cloverbud to 8th grade. Youth who participate in the Food Revue learn many life skills. Skills include preparing their food and how […]

Cloverbud Day Camp – Out of this World, Fun on the Farm, Outdoor Survival Where: UWO Fond du Lac Campus *Fun on the Farm will be held at a farm not UW When: Wednesday, June 29, July 27, August 17, 9 am-3 pm Who: Youth who have completed grades Kindergarten-2nd Cost: $10/day or $25 for […]

In partnership with UW Extension of Fond du Lac County, the City of Fond du Lac Youth is starting a Governance (YIG) Program for high school youth. This is a school-year-long program starting in August of 2022 and running until May 2023. Youth are engaged in city government by joining one of four adults-run Fond […]

4-H Youth from Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Washington, and Winnebago Counties participated in the annual Fashion Revue Monday, June 13.  The event was hosted in person by Extension Fond du Lac County. Eleven youth from throughout these counties participated by modeling their own sewn garments and even purchases they have made under the […]

According to the 2021 Fond du Lac County health assessment, 52% of adults and 35% of students consume at least two servings of fruit on a day and 23% of adults and 17% of students consume at least three servings of vegetables in a day. The goal is to increase the fruit and vegetable intake […]

Dairy farmers and the community recognize the importance of high-quality alfalfa in dairy rations. It provides protein, energy, and minerals and increases milk production while maintaining low feed costs. One of the most important factors in determining alfalfa quality is its maturity at harvest. Also, the yield of the first cutting of alfalfa is typically […]

You never put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher! You always leave your dishes by the couch! You need to clean up after yourself!  These are all “you” sentences. Starting a sentence with “you” can make the listener feel defensive right off the bat. The listener is more likely to have their guard up and […]

Alfalfa PEAQ measurements and scissor clipping samples are collected by the Fond du Lac County Forage Council.

Did you celebrate 5/29 this year? While this day doesn’t have any great food or fun traditions associated with it, it is an important date. Every year May 29th (5/29) is celebrated as “529 Day.” It is a day to learn about the benefits of saving early for higher education for children because little savings […]

Countless research has shown that gardening with children have numerous benefits, including social, emotional, physical, and mental. Gardening has shown to improve nutrition, reduce obesity rates, increase physical activity, impact mental health, and even improve academic scores. The Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program kicked off the new series on May 12th with a newly renovated […]

With schools finishing up the year 4-H is gearing up for many summer activities and programming. June is a busy month as youth can participate in the annual Clothing Revue, Foods Revue, Cloverbud Day Camp, dairy judging practices, Area Animal Science Days, and many project meetings taking place. All these opportunities provide youth the chance […]

Alfalfa PEAQ measurements and scissor clipping samples are collected by the Fond du Lac County Forage Council.

Today it costs more to raise dairy heifer replacements than to purchase one, but farmers prefer to raise their own due to controlling genetics and management of these heifers for the milking herd.  Farmers have recognized breeding a heifer to give birth to her first calf at 23-24 months of age is the optimal time […]

April 17-23 was national volunteer week, a time to salute our volunteers and say thank you. Fond du Lac 4-H volunteers teach, plan and organize, advice, help raise funds and mentor young people, so they may have the best experiences possible.  Adult volunteers are essential to the 4-H program as they put 4-H’s learn-by-doing model […]

Each year, the local FoodWIse program teaches nutrition education classes at senior meal sites and senior housing units throughout the county. However, during the height of the pandemic, visitor restrictions were in place that prevented in-person classes. The senior newsletters were created to continue to provide health and nutrition information during the pandemic. The pandemic […]

Have you ever fallen for a scam? If so, you are not alone. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s website states that “consumers lose more than $40 billion a year to telemarketing fraud”. And it’s just getting worse. According to a 2021 Scam and Robocall Report, phone scam attempts increased by over 116% […]

Early childhood is a critical period for many areas of health and development. The 0-5 years is the single most critical time for laying the foundation for healthy physical, neural, emotional and social development. It is difficult to imagine that what happens in the earliest years of a person’s life may affect them well into […]

How much is gas by your house? I couldn’t believe my grocery bill the other day! The increased price of gas and groceries has become a popular topic of conversation lately. These spikes can make people feel powerless and financially overwhelmed. Don’t worry. There are steps that you can take to help you get a […]

Visit our website for more information and register online!

Tracy Keifenheim, 4-H Program Educator This fall, Fond du Lac County 4-H added a new youth club to the mix: LEGO Club! LEGO club was born when 4-H Program Educator Tracy Keifenheim discovered that a few counties around the state had begun their own programs. Keifenheim approached FDL Co 4-H youth leader Noah H, and […]

Tina Kohlman, Regional Dairy and Livestock Agent Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of society, including the agriculture sector, is a concern for all.  The agriculture sector contributes 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions, behind transportation, electricity, industry, and commercial and residential sources.  Greenhouse gas emissions from the barn comes mainly from enteric (rumen) […]

We are seeking youth artists looking for an opportunity to share their artwork with the community, receive feedback on your work, and meet with art professionals? The 2022 Tri-County 4-H Visual Arts Festival is something you are not going to want to miss! New this year we are offering a traveling exhibition opportunity for youth […]

Is it tax time already? It is now the time of year when you are getting emails and letters reminding you to update your address and watch the mail for your various tax documents. Tax season officially started on Monday, January 24th and taxes are due (for Wisconsin residents) on Monday, April 18, 2022. If […]

Each year, hundreds of youth in the 4-H and FFA Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Meat Goat Projects raise, manage, and feed their project animals in hopes of a grand champion ribbon or making a quality meat sale at the county fair.  But how does a youth livestock project fit into real-world agriculture? Recently Extension […]

The 2nd-grade students at Riverside, Parkside, and Chegwin Elementary Schools were thrilled to get creative while learning about MyPlate and trying new foods. If you have children, you know that trying new foods can be a challenging task. This topic is an important one to cover and it reinforces the same messages students receive from teachers […]

As of January 1, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington Counties Agriculture Extension Programming is moving to a regional model, providing stronger support and educational resources in the area of dairy production management, crops & soils management, and farm business management. Michael Ballweg | Crops & Soils | michael.ballweg@wisc.edu | 920.459.5910 Tina Kohlman | Dairy & […]

Silage is one of the main ingredients in dairy cattle diets and is an important source of nutrients, particularly energy and digestible fiber.  Much progress has been done allowing farmers to grow and harvest quality forages including plant genetics, optimum maturity, soil fertility, and storage facilities.    However, this progress does no good if the […]

Community coalitions have the potential to make important changes in the areas of public and community health. Coalitions are multi-sector partnerships that involve key community organizations, as well as community members from populations impacted by health issues. They are instrumental in helping public health leaders achieve the tri-annual community health assessments (CHA) and community health […]

New Year’s Resolutions are not uncommon. Many of us resolve to exercise more, eat healthier, spend less time on social media, practice self-care, read more, etc. This year make a resolution that affects every aspect of your life and work to improve your financial wellness! 2022 can be different. Start the year by diving into Extension’s […]

Research shows that youth with a small amount of money saved for higher education, coupled with community support, are more likely to enroll and graduate from post-secondary programs than youth without these savings. Youth Forward Wisconsin’s vision is that 100% of youth will have at least a small amount of money saved for their future […]

FoodWIse partners with a local non-profit agency that serves women in transition periods of their life. We provide monthly life skill courses, such as food safety, meal planning, healthy eating on a budget, and more related topics. By request of the residents and staff, FoodWIse Nutrition Educator, Melanie Phillips, completed a grocery store tour. This […]

Dairy farmers have improved animal husbandry, herd health, and reproductive management in such a positive way, we now have one of the largest national dairy heifer inventories in history. As profit margins get slimmer in the dairy business, as well as the excess number of heifers raised on farms, many farmers are starting to use […]

Fond du Lac County Extension partnered this October with Family Court Services and Fond du Lac County’s Birth to 3 Program to provide a co-parenting workshop to separated/divorced parents. The training teaches co-parents strategies that will help their children with the adjustment. The participants learn common reactions to divorce by children at different ages, ways […]

The Great Lakes Apple Crunch helps celebrate National Farm to School month (October) by collectively purchasing and crunching into locally grown apples at noon on a day in mid-October every year.  The Great Lakes Apple Crunch not only celebrates National Farm to School Month but also supports local farmers and encourages healthy eating. Six states […]

Federal law allows individuals to get a free copy of their credit report every 12 months from the three major credit reporting bureaus – TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. The annual free reports were put in place so that individuals can make sure the information on all their credit reports is correct and up to date. […]

Amanda Miller is participating in HUE (Human Understanding and Engagement) Life, 5 part workshop designed to enhance facilitation skills that can be used to work collaboratively with community partners during meetings and/or teaching participants during classes. There are many facilitation tips and tricks, but what makes this training unique is that it is provided by […]

The best lactation performance by dairy cows has been shown to occur when corn silage is harvested at 65-70 percent moisture. This range of whole plant moisture also works well for achieving good packing and silage fermentation in horizontal silos, or bunker and piles. Determining whole plant moisture prior to harvest is one management practice […]

New in the 2021-2022 4-H year the Fond du Lac County 4-H program will be offering two new clubs: LEGO Club and Tri-County Visual Arts Afterschool Club. Each club will have a focus on the special interest it is named after. Each club meets monthly and will have different opportunities for the youth to learn […]

Pricing corn silage is a difficult decision because it often comes at a time when the emotions of sellers and buyers are high. The seller has the opportunity to sell a corn field for either silage or grain and incorporate the fertilizer value of the stover back into the field. The buyer has the opportunity […]

The Fond du Lac and Sheboygan County FoodWIse team is currently participating in a workshop series called “Around the Table.” Although on the surface it may appear to be a nutrition education curriculum, it also brings to the forefront trauma-informed and resiliency approaches. It is designed to build food, nutrition, cooking literacy, while also integrating […]

Congratulations to the seven EITs who pitched their business idea to expert judges on July 21 and received Certificates of Entrepreneurship from UW-Madison Extension Dean Karl Martin. The class chose EIT Smiling Shontina to speak at the ceremony. She urged the group to “surround yourself with those focused on your future.” It is wonderful to […]

The county fair is something most 4-H youth look forward to as they complete their 4-H year.  It is more than just exhibiting something at the fair.  Many youth were excited as the 2021 Fond du Lac County Fair was a highlight to the unusual year. It is a huge part of the reflection piece […]

On June 9, Lightning Leah of Fond du Lac County and Wild Card Willie of Jackson County became the first Entrepreneurs in Training (EIT) to graduate from Bootcamp. Participating with Defy Illinois via Zoom, they successfully completed all the coursework in the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. The Business Pitch Showcase was their opportunity to articulate their business […]

On June 22, ten Fond du Lac County Youth showcased their awesome apples recipes at the 2021 Foods Revue.  There was youth of all ages from Kindergarten to one year out of high school.  The foods revue teaches the youth so many life skills.  Youth practice culinary skills while preparing their recipes as well as setting […]

Nine community members, including the CEO of Defy Ventures, joined UW-Madison Extension Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) Bootcamp for a special coaching event at the end of May. In breakout rooms, EITs had 2 minutes to share an overview of their idea. Coaches then had about 10 minutes to ask questions and give feedback. This was […]

  During extreme cold or hot temperatures, calves utilize extra nutrients to maintain their core body temperature.  The temperature range at which a calf uses no additional energy to maintain its core body temperature is called the thermoneutral zone.  For a newborn calf, a calf maintains its core body temperature with no additional nutrients from […]

Veggie Bites is a series of highlighted fruits, vegetables, and herbs featured weekly throughout the Wisconsin growing season. Each publication includes fun facts, history, harvest/selection, storage tips, and a healthy recipe. The Veggie Bites publications began in Polk County Extension with a few publications. Amanda Miller, with help from Cassi Worster, has redesigned and expanded […]

With schools finishing up the year, 4-H is gearing up for many summer activities and programming. June is a busy month, as youth can participate in the annual Clothing Revue, Foods Revue, Teen Leadership Day Camp, dairy judging practices, and many project meetings. All these opportunities provide youth the chance to learn new things and […]

UW-Madison Extension Entrepreneur in Training (EIT) Partnership launched its first online Entrepreneurship Bootcamp with 11 EITs from 8 counties. On April 28, Christoph Halverson, originally from Green Bay and now a Business Development Executive at Staffworks Group, shared his journey from incarceration to call center employee to Vice President of the call center. Recently pardoned […]

When it comes to health issues on a dairy farm, lameness is usually the main concern along with mastitis and reproductive issues. Lameness includes any abnormality which causes a cow to change the way she walks. It can be caused by a range of foot and leg conditions including foot rot, digital dermatitis, laminitis, and […]

The Fond du Lac United Way is one of 100 organizations across the state to receive funding for a 5-month COVID-19 community health outreach program. The project’s overarching goal is to support both the national and statewide health equity efforts to ensure that all Wisconsin residents have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccines and information/resources […]

One youth from Fond du Lac County and eleven youth from other counties in Wisconsin participated in a virtual exchange with 16 youth from Kansas. The exchange consisted of six youth-led Zoom meetings for the last few months. Youth were able to share information about themselves, interests, facts about their states as well as other […]

A calf’s successful transition from a milk-based diet to a diet of grain and forages requires proper rumen development. However, rumen development is a process that takes time. Regardless of how much milk one is feeding calves or what age they are at weaning time, if the rumen is not ready, calves are going to […]

The bi-annual Midwest Manure Summit was developed with the hope that bringing the best resources from around the country would fuel new conversations and innovations. This year’s conference included 180 registered producers, agribusiness professionals, government agency employees, and educators. Educators’ roles included program development and implementation; solicitation of nationally renowned speakers; sponsorship solicitation; web-site development; […]

Tracy Keifenheim, Fond du Lac County 4-H Educator in collaboration with 4-H Educators Amy Mangan-Fischer, and Jayna Hintz designed take and learn project kits on the topics of art, science, wellness, woodworking, cake decorating, and garden & bugs. The project kits included a variety of learning explorations and were distributed to partner organizations in each […]

The Fond du Lac/Sheboygan FoodWIse team introduces our new FoodWIse Facebook page which includes evidence and research-based health and nutrition information from the state and nation’s leading experts. This includes, but not limited to: Tasty Tuesdays: a weekly series focused on highlighting a specific cooking/food prep skill “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Thursdays: a weekly series highlighting an article featured in […]

Mrs. Kwakkel, a business teacher at Laconia High School, asked for a COVID-safe teaching event for the Future Business Leaders Association. Extension colleagues Tessa Conroy, Mia Ljung, and Diana Hammer joined the group for a day viz Zoom, teaching an adaption of “Homegrown: Entrepreneurship in Your Community,” a curriculum that teaches the importance of entrepreneurship […]

When alfalfa fails due to winterkill, farmers must turn to alternative forages to make up for both the quality and quantity of the alfalfa lost in a growing season.  Extension Crops/Soils and Dairy Program members, Midwest Forage Association (MFA), and 11 local Forage Councils, including Fond du Lac County, partnered to host the Local Forage […]

People are increasingly getting their information from the internet and social media, such as Facebook. This includes information related to all aspects of life, including health and nutrition. Over the past decade, people have reached for their laptops or smartphones, as opposed to a textbook, to ask a question about their health. Relying on social […]

The Extension Defy Ventures Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is a 14-week program for people with criminal histories who want to explore entrepreneurship and develop their small business idea into formal business concept and pitch. The program is designed for adults (18 and over) who are stable in their reentry (employed and housed) and have been released for […]

UW-Madison Extension Human Development and Relationships is offering the Wise Wisconsin Winter Series. It is a six-part series offered free and held safely via Zoom. Meet with others throughout the state as you develop social connections and are empowered to increase joy and satisfaction in your life during the winter months. Sessions will be co-facilitated […]

The FoodWIse program has begun a new partnership with Forward Services to teach weekly virtual classes for their FSET (FoodShare Employment Training) and W-2 clients. In the past, FoodWIse offered classes in-person at both Fond du Lac and Sheboygan County Forward Services. As a result of the pandemic, Forward Services caseworkers have held personal meetings […]

For the last five months, 4-H Program Educators from Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, and Washington County have been meeting virtually with youth from the three counties to plan the first Tri-County Visual Arts Festival. 4-H is a positive youth development program that values youth and adult partnerships and the youth are truly partners in planning […]

Fond du Lac, WI – 4-H Educators from Washington, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties are bringing a Taste of 4-H to local youth organizations through the distribution of project kits, thanks to funding provided by the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. “We’re excited to share about 4-H and what the program has to offer with the project […]

This year many 4-H meetings are being held virtually. To support our youth and adult leaders with this new format, 4-H educators from Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, and Washington County created the training “4-H Meetings Reimagined: Using Zoom to Lead a Fun and Engaging 4-H Meeting.” This training was facilitated by Extension educators, youth leaders, […]

  It is human nature to avoid conflict, stressful situations, and the unknown.  And often, it seems easier to avoid difficult conversations.  As agribusiness professionals and service providers, it is easier to focus on the technical component in a conversation rather than the emotional aspect. Extension Fond du Lac County Dairy & Livestock Agent Tina […]

During a normal school year, FoodWIse Nutrition Educators are visiting students in classrooms at Head Start and elementary schools across the county. Although schools are restricting the number of visitors in the classrooms, FoodWIse understands how important it is to keep children healthy and to support local teachers. The FoodWIse team has created a variety of […]

Birth and the time immediately after is the most hazardous time in the life of a dairy calf. On average, between 5 and 7 percent of calves on U.S. dairy farms are either stillborn or die in the first 48 hours of life.  As caretakers, we can provide best management practices in the first 24 […]

During this time of the year, the local FoodWIse team has a packed schedule teaching in-person to 2nd grade and 4th-grade classrooms at Riverside, Parkside, and Chegwin Elementary Schools. COVID-19 has presented many challenges in reaching elementary school students in-person this year, so the local FoodWIse team has been creative in developing new resources for teachers […]

Latinos Unidos en Fond du Lac is in the final stages of incorporating as an organization. Diana and Patrick Nehring (Brown County) answered questions leaders had about Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and 501©3 status. Using the interpretation capability of Zoom and interpreters contracted through the Office of Access, Inclusion and Compliance, all participants could hear […]

When you reach for another layer, it is time to start making your calf care plan for winter. Tina Kohlman UW-Madison Extension Fond du Lac County Dairy & Livestock Agent joined Millaine Wells of Green Bay WFRV Channel 5 for a chat about nutrition, bedding, and the best housing for your calves. One-month-old calves begin […]

Returning to school this year is especially stressful for families with children managing new ways of learning and connecting. On September 8, Susie Miller, LPC of BlueStone Counseling presented to a bilingual group about how to manage anxiety and navigate this fall in the midst of a pandemic. Consider these ideas next time you or […]

Multiple public health studies spanning three decades (longitudinal) have shown that racism has a significant impact on overall health. These studies, along with statistics on health inequities, have led public health organizations across the globe to recognize and declare racism as a public health crisis. This includes the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Wisconsin […]

Tracy Keifenheim and two other area 4-H Program Educators will continue to offer chats over the next year with different topics.  Each month a new topic will be selected with three 4-H Conversation Corner meeting options for volunteers. The conversations are a resource and support for club leaders and youth and adult project leaders. Club and […]

Every individual working in the Wisconsin agricultural industry counts and has a part in safety and health prevention efforts and that is why “every farmer counts” as this year’s National Farm Safety & Health Awareness Week theme. Women play an increasingly critical role in operating farms and ranches nationwide. In 2017, almost 30% of the […]

Have you recently submitted an application for an award, scholarship, volunteer position, or a job? The next step: Interviewing! Join us for a fun, interactive Zoom workshop that will give you tips in preparing your interview (be it a video or face-to-face interview). We will be talking, interacting with the screen with stamps and markers […]

The prestigious Key Award, one of the highest recognitions a 4-H member can receive, honors a select group of 4-H participants annually. The youth receiving this award are ones who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in their club and community. Joseph Krahn, Aaron […]

***BEFORE TAKING THESE STEPS, it is important to think about whether incorporating as a nonprofit is the best choice in your group’s situation. For example, there are times when working with another fiscal agent, collaborating with an existing organization, or remaining an informal group are better options. Extension staff can talk with you and work […]

Hello! My name is Tracy Keifenheim, and I am the new Extension 4-H Coordinator for Fond du Lac County. I was previously the School Age Director for the Kettle Moraine YMCA. I live in West Bend with my husband, and two Black Labs Raven and Phoenix. When I am not at work you can find […]

Educational Materials for Non-profit Boards Available as free PDF downloads from BoardSource Board Dynamics and Processes – FAQs Board Meetings – FAQs Board Leadership Board Action Calendar (legal documents that need to be filed and other recommended annual processes) Fiduciary Responsibilities of board members Board Orientation Common Board Shortcomings (top 10 list of mistakes boards […]

Intentionally preparing for the departure of executive directors, board members, and staff is a key way to maintain stability in organizations of any size. As high quality personnel and volunteers rotate through terms, quit, or retire, organizations with succession plans are able to maintain high levels of performance and continuity. In this workshop for non-profits […]