We are happy to welcome Ashley Valle - Castillo to the Secretary lll position at the Brown County Extension. In this role, Ashley will provide essential support to our team by assisting in various projects, updating and managing social media accounts, creating the monthly newsletter, and handling budgeting and bookkeeping responsibilities.

Ashley joins us from Fox Communities Credit Union, where she spent four years working closely with the community and members as a teller and digital marketing assistant. During her time there she strengthened community engagement and developed creative marketing strategies.

Born and raised in Green Bay, Ashley enjoys family time, playing sudoku, KPOP, keeping up with pop culture, and spending time with her friends.

The Wisconsin 4-H Positive Youth Development (PYD) program now has an official affiliate partnership with the National 4-H Council Shop 4-H store.

This means 5% of all your purchases made through this unique link will be returned to the Wisconsin 4-H program, directly benefiting local members and programs. It's a simple way to make a big difference!

Establishing a positive rental history is much like having a positive credit report and Rent Smart starts participants on the right path for success.  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.

Sign up for the Waitlist to be notified when registration opens for the January session. 

Thanks to a partnership between UW–Madison Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Wisconsin residents can call or email the Wisconsin AnswerLine to get free answers to common questions about food safety, home food preservation, household management, and more. 

If your question falls outside their expertise or is specific to Wisconsin programs, they will connect you to a local Extension educator for support.

Need expert advice on an agricultural issue or the latest in Extension agriculture research? From the farm, field, tractor or barn, use the new UW-Madison Division of Extension Ask Your Ag Question. 

Connect with Extension experts from Wisconsin and receive research-based responses and resources to answer your most pressing questions.

Planning ahead for next year's garden?  You can join the waitlist to be notified when New Gardner Registration is available for 2026 community garden plots.

The Community Gardens Program provides garden space and logistical assistance to Brown County residents to facilitate their access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.

Join our brand-new 4-H Club created for any youth with a parent, guardian, caregiver, or sibling in the military! Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026 10am-3pm at the STEM Innovation Center located in Green Bay. Current 4-H membership is not required to participate in this event.

Please note: space in each track is limited. Register by January 3, 2026.

Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough

Date: February 4, 2026
Time: 9:00am-4:30pm
Location: Online – join live via Zoom or watch later
Cost: Free!
Continuing Education Credits: 6 hours available for ECE professionals through the Wisconsin Registry

The Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference is a free online event for parents, caregivers, teachers, and anyone who works with children. Experts share practical, research-based tips and strategies to support children’s growth, learning, and well-being.

Join Matt Hohner from the Volunteer Center of Green Bay for a discussion on how volunteerism supports mental well-being, resilience and a sense of purpose.  This Zoom webinar will be January 8, 2026 at 8:30am.

Roxanne Tisch, Director of Finance with Foundation Health & Wholeness, will be presenting this discuss tracking grants and funds from multiple sources including federal, state, and private donations will the topic of a conversation with.  This Zoom webinar will be January 22, 2026 at 8:30am.

Join 4-H at YWCA!
Second Tuesday of each month | 5:30–6:30 PM

Each session features a new theme or hands-on activity—from science experiments and art projects to leadership, community service, and more. Kids ages 5–19 years old can explore, create, and learn each month. No prior 4-H experience required and registration is free!

January Activity (1/13): Paper Making

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome to join, making it a great way for the whole family to connect and learn together.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin invites you to join our virtual Neighbor-to-Neighbor meetings, a relaxed space to connect, share stories, and explore ways to make farming more accessible and sustainable. Bring your lunch, your favorite drink, and your thoughts. Whether you're a farmer, service provider, or community member, we’d love to have you join the conversation.

January 14, 2026 | 12:00-12:45pm
February 19, 2026 | 6:00-6:45pm

Register once, attend any and all sessions

Raising Wisconsin’s Children is a free, monthly lunch-and-learn series designed to support parents and caregivers in navigating the joys and challenges of raising children today. Join us virtually on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 PM. February's session will be the 2026 Conference.

January 15, 2026
     Speaking Your Child's Love Language

Common gift plants are usually native to tropical locations around the world, in particular Norfolk Island Pines, holiday cactus, and poinsettias. Using Google Maps, we can learn about these plants in their native locations. By mimicking the native locations of these plants, you can keep them growing healthy all year long. 

Watch the recorded webinar for more information.

You know you should make plans for the future of the farm, but maybe you’re not sure where to start. Or maybe you’ve had a few conversations with your family or farming partners, but that conversation drifts to other more pressing matters about the operation.

Cost is $25/person. This provides lunch and workshop materials. Registration deadline is January 7, 2026.

Event Date:  January 14, 2026 12-3:30pm

Event located at Lakeshore College, 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, WI, Lakeshore Building, Centennial Hall.

This program will provide tools and resources for farmers who want to start their succession plans. This workshop series will prepare you to shape and communicate your ideas about the future of the farm and business as well as save time by having these crucial conversations before visiting with professionals.  

Registration Fee: $150/per farm. Multiple farm/family members encouraged to sign up together (all for $150/farm). Fee provides one Cultivating Your Farm’s Future workbook and one Cultivating Continuity book per farm, a participant manual for each person registered, access to homework course videos, and four (with an optional fifth) live Zoom classes.

Event Dates:  Thursdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026 6:30-8pm
     Optional action planning session:  Thursday, March 19, 2026 6:30-8pm

Virtual event via Zoom.

The Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association holds an annual Winter Institute each January in Wisconsin, featuring speakers, vendors, and information sessions for producers of all experience levels.  The event is a major gathering for the maple syrup industry in the Midwest and provides educational content on production, business, and more.

Members and non-members alike may register and attend this event.  Registration is due by January 9, 2026.

Event dates: January 23-24, 2026

Event located at Hotel Marshfield in Marshfield, WI

The Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum is the state’s premier event for understanding the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Wisconsin agriculture and agribusiness. Hosted annually by the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Renk Agribusiness Institute, the Forum brings together agribusiness leaders, policymakers, researchers, and producer-supporting organizations to explore timely issues, share insights, and shape the future of Wisconsin agriculture. 

Event dates: January 27, 2026

In-Person attendance at Union South - Varsity Hall, Madison, WI is $75-100.
Virtual attendance is free!

Learn the process for identifying plant problems in your own trees, landscape and garden and be prepared for the next growing season! This self-paced, virtual course explains the basics of the plant diagnostic process in an easy-to-understand way.

Registration:

$99 Early Bird (Dec 9-Jan 19)
$119 Regular (Jan 20-Jan 29)

Course Dates:  February 1-April 30, 2026

Access to the materials will be available through December 31, 2026.

2019 Technology Way
Room 113
Green Bay, WI 54311
920-391-4610
extension@browncountywi.gov

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.