Friday, January 23, 2026

What Is a UW–Extension AED?
An Area Extension Director (AED) provides leadership and support to Extension educators and staff across multiple counties. AEDs help ensure high-quality, locally relevant programming by supporting staff development, guiding strategic priorities, strengthening partnerships, and serving as a key connection between county needs and UW–Madison Division of Extension resources.

Hiring Update
UW–Madison Division of Extension is currently in the final stages of hiring a new AED for area 8. The recruitment process is nearing completion, with final candidate interviews scheduled to take place on January 28. We look forward to sharing more information as the process moves forward and welcoming new leadership to support Extension’s work in our region.

Dates: February 4 – April 18

Time: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30–11:00 a.m.

Location: St. John's Lutheran Church in Morgan, WI at 3374 County Highway C, Oconto Falls, WI.

Register by January 29: https://go.wisc.edu/w9bt8w

Questions? Contact Sarah Schindel sarah.schindel@wisc.edu or 920-834-6898

Strong People, Strong Bodies – Morgan

Looking for a safe, effective way to stay active and feel stronger as you age?

Strong Bodies is a research-based strength training program designed for mid-life and older adults that supports lifelong health, independence, and confidence.

Participants can expect improvements in muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and overall mobility, which can help reduce the risk of falls, make everyday activities easier, and support bone and joint health.

Many participants also report increased energy, better posture, and a greater sense of well-being from staying active in a supportive group setting.

UW-Madison Division of Extension Oconto County in partnership with Healthy Oconto County and Oconto County Health and Human Services, are hosting weekly walking groups located at Oconto Falls School District, Gillett School District and Lena School District. 

Because of this amazing partnership you can easily find a place within our county to walk safely, indoors with other community members multiple days of the week. 

Thank you to our partnering schools for working with us to make our communities a healthier place to live!

Fore information and a closer look at the flyers, visit our website!

How are you incorporating physical activity into your days and weeks?  Morning walks, lunch time movement breaks or evening sweat sessions ALL COUNT!

Looking to feel more confident using your smartphone, tablet, or other devices? Join UW–Madison Division of Extension and the Gillett Public Library for Using Technology to Thrive, a three-part, hands-on series designed to help adults build practical technology skills. Participants are encouraged to bring their own devices and learn in a supportive, small-group setting with Extension Educator Katie Daul.

Sessions cover Smart Phone Basics (January 26), Tools and Tips (February 23), and Frauds and Scams (March 23). Classes meet Mondays at 11:00 a.m. at the Gillett Community Center.

For more information, contact Oconto County Extension at 920-834-6848 or email Katie.Daul@wisc.edu

Thinking ahead can bring peace of mind—for you and for those you love.

Join UW–Madison Extension for Planning AHEAD, a free 7-session virtual program designed to help individuals and families prepare for end-of-life decisions with confidence and clarity.

Tuesdays | March 17 – April 28, 2026

5:00–6:00 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

Participants will explore topics such as advance directives, estate planning, financial changes, final wishes, and understanding grief. Each participant receives a free workbook to support planning and reflection.

This program is ideal for anyone interested in planning ahead, those who have lost a loved one, or those navigating caregiving and transitions.

Register here: https://go.wisc.edu/n7y852

All programs are free and open to all.

To register, click on the link below or call 800.272.3900.

Recordings will be emailed to all registered participants.

Thursday, February 5, 12 - 1 p.m.

Tune-In Together: How to Ease the Everyday Tempo of Care with Music

Kelley Willenborg, BS, MA; Brain Health Gerontologist

How can we use the right music at the right times to make activities of daily living (travel, doctor appointments, etc.) easier? Why’s music an intervention and not just entertainment? Kelley will share answers to these questions and practical tips to improve your "rhythm" in the care partner dance.

As we age, many of us take several medications each day to help us feel our best. Over 40 percent of people in the United States over age 65 take four or more prescription medicines daily (JAMA). These medicines can support our health, but some may also bring side effects like dizziness or drowsiness. These side effects can make it easier to lose our balance, but with a little knowledge and attention, we can stay steady, safe, and confident.

The Falls Free® Wisconsin Coalition, a statewide group dedicated to helping us prevent falls, reminds us that understanding our medications is a powerful step toward staying active and independent.

Why Knowing Your Medications Helps You Stay Well

Every medication, including ones we buy without a prescription, can have side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that dizziness is one of the most common side effects linked to falls in older adults. Medicines for pain, sleep, mood, allergies, blood pressure, or bladder control may increase fall risk. This information is not meant to worry us. Instead, it helps us make choices that support our well-being.

You Are Supported

If you have had a fall, you are not alone. More than one in four adults ages 65 and older experience a fall each year (CDC). Falls are common, but they do not have to be a normal part of aging. With the right information and support, we can stay active, strong, and independent.

Helpful Ways to Feel Your Best 

Here are some easy steps we can take to manage medications with confidence:

Watch the recording from Wisconsin Institute for Health Aging - Prescriptions, Supplements, and Everything in Between

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsY-QamRMGs 

Sources: WIHA (Wisconsin Institute on Healthy Aging)

What is Money Matters?

FREE virtual financial education workshops from UW–Madison Division of Extension are back!

Join us monthly for practical, easy-to-understand money topics that can help you feel more confident about your finances—no matter where you’re starting from.

Register here: go.wisc.edu/mmlive

What to expect:

• Online through Zoom

• Held monthly on the 1st Tuesday

• Up to 1 hour, with time for questions

• Same topic offered twice: 10–11 AM or 6:30–7:30 PM

These sessions are free and open to the public—perfect for adults, families, and anyone looking to build stronger financial skills.

2026 Topics Include:

• Tax-Filing Basics

• Budgeting & Spending Plans

• Credit Reports

• Getting Out of Debt

• Saving Basics

• Fraud & Scam Prevention

• Money Habits & Holiday Spending

…and more!

Kelley Blue Book posted that the average new car price is $50,080 as of September 2025. This price represents an increase of over $12,000 since early 2020. 

With this cost increase, the average monthly payment for a new car has also increased to $760, according to J.D. Power, an industry research firm. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that Monday, January 26 as the opening date of this year's tax filing season. As usual, the tax filing deadline will be April 15th. The IRS says they expect to receive about 164 million income tax returns this year and for most taxpayers to file electronic returns.

IRS tools and resources for tax filing can be found at https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you and free e-filing options can be found at https://www.irs.gov/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free. 

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Visit our website to view the January  2026  Agricultural Newsletter!  

Please see newsletter for in person educational opportunities including Nutrient Management Workshops & Private Pesticide Applicator Training in Lena, Manure Applicator Training in Oconto Falls and many more! 

“Ewe Got This” Lambing Basics Workshop

Build confidence for lambing season with this hands-on training for sheep producers—goat producers welcome.

March 27 | 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Wausau, WI

$40 | Register by March 13

Topics include lambing preparation, ewe and lamb health, nutrition, record keeping, and practice with a realistic lambing simulator.

Register: https://go.wisc.edu/lambing

Shop 4-H Affiliate Link Now Available! 

Wisconsin 4-H now offers an affiliate purchasing link that allows supporters to give back to 4-H simply by shopping online. When you use the affiliate link for your purchases, a portion of the sale is returned directly to support Wisconsin 4-H programs—at no additional cost to you.

This is an easy, everyday way for families, alumni, and community members to support Oconto County 4-H. Whether you’re purchasing supplies, gifts, or household items, your shopping can help fund youth development opportunities right here in our community.

Look for the affiliate link in this newsletter and start supporting Oconto County 4-H with every purchase!

Oconto County residents — we want to hear from you!

Oconto County is conducting a Community Health Needs Survey to learn what helps our residents stay healthy and what challenges we face. Your feedback will guide local health priorities, programs, and resources.

The survey is quick, confidential, and your voice matters.

Take the survey and help shape a healthier Oconto County.

 Oconto Community Members:

We’re excited to share that a brand-new After School Club is launching in January 2026 at Oconto Middle School! As we begin this new adventure, we’re introducing Guest Educator Nights every Wednesday—a weekly opportunity for students to learn from the incredible talent and expertise within our community.

We are inviting community members to lead a session on topics such as:

Drug prevention and safety

Psychoeducation and mental wellness

Financial literacy

Practical life skills

Creative hobbies, arts, and crafts

Or any area of knowledge you’re excited to share!

If you would like to participate as a Guest Educator—or know someone in the community who might—please sign up using the link below:

https://forms.gle/tVoCt7t5C94MW8Tz8

Shared on behalf of Hilary Trepanier - Oconto Unified School District

Dudes & T.A.C.O.S.

HEY DUDES!

You're invited to join us for our January Dudes & T.A.C.O.S. "OFF THE GRID" event on January 27th from 6pm-8pm at The Good Place (1128 Main St. Oconto, WI 54153). Dudes will get to hear a testimony from Ryan Baudhuin about his experiences after returning home from combat and his focus on veterans' advocacy!

This is a FREE event with FREE food and FREE bowling!

Learn more about our Dudes & T.A.C.O.S. initiative to help men live well by visiting our website here:

https://wearefoundations.org/dudes/.

Bring a buddy and we'll see ya there!

A Fun and Rewarding Summer Awaits

Badger Precollege is now enrolling grades 4–12! Our 1-3 week programs range from music to medicine, previewing the college experience.  Click the link below to explore opportunities! 

https://precollege.wisc.edu/?utm_source=inside_uw&utm_medium=featured_editorial&utm_campaign=precollege26&utm_content=inside_uw_january 

Jan 27: Business of beef: what are your options?

Jan 29: Setting goals and marketing

Feb 3: Perennial forage management and cow-calf nutrition

Feb 5: Veterinary, biosecurity, and recordkeeping skills

Feb 10: Herd reproduction to build your future

Feb 12: Annual forage management and intro to stocker, backgrounder, finishing enterprises
 

Maybe you are new to beef production or perhaps you are a dairy producer thinking about adding or transitioning to beef production. If so, join the School for Beginning Beef Production.

Each course will be held online via ZOOM from 7 – 8.30 pm (Central).

Participants will receive additional resources. Course registration closes on Jan 26!

Free Registration

To register for this free six-part course, please visit this link: https://go.wisc.edu/iyk21t ↗️ 

This six-part course was created by the Livestock Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension.

Calling all childcare professionals!
Join us virtually on February 4th for the Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference — a FREE online day of fun, learning & inspiration!

Learn more: 

https://go.wisc.edu/raisingwi

Dive into topics like early brain development, mindfulness, navigating challenging behaviors, supporting your child’s anxiety, and helping teens build resilience.

Social workers and helping professionals—build confidence and skills to support meaningful financial conversations with your clients.

Our FREE Encouraging Financial Conversations course offers practical strategies to strengthen money management skills and motivation.

Register today: go.wisc.edu/efc.krw

Mondays, Feb. 2–March 9

1–2 p.m. CT

EFC has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers, Wisconsin Chapter for six continuing education hours for social workers