Extension Connections

Bilingual FoodWIse Educator Lily Izquierdo will be teaching an Eating Smart & Being Active series of classes for Spanish-speaking parents at the Waukesha Public Library kitchen on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 pm beginning August 22.

For more information and a QR code registration link, visit
https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/UWEX/Foodwise/ESBA/.

Extension Waukesha County is partnering with a variety of organizations to provide educational opportunities for youth at the 4-H Kids Zone during the Waukesha County Fair July 17-21, 2024.

The 4-H Kids Zone will have a steady flow of free activities each day from noon to 4 pm and 4-H Bingo beginning 6 pm each day except Sunday (see full schedule below).

For information about youth opportunities in Waukesha, contact James, Extension Youth & Family Educator at james.boling@wisc.edu.

The 4-H Kids Zone activities are made possible in part by generous donations from our sponsors. A special thank you to this year’s Gold and Silver sponsors for the Extension 4-H Kids Zone activities: Woodman’s Market (Gold) and Blain’s Farm & Fleet (Silver). 

Wednesday, July 17
12:00-2:00 – HAWS of Waukesha: Recycled Pet Toy Craft
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Historical Society: Museum Discovery Boxes
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Paper Plate Birdfeeders
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Marshmallow Geometry  
12:00-2:00 – Jennifer Ruditys: Science Experiments
  1:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Green Team: UV Bracelets and Recycling Education
  6:00-9:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Free Family Bingo

Thursday, July 18
12:00-2:00 – HAWS of Waukesha: Recycled Pet Toy Craft
12:00-2:00 – Waukesha County Extension FoodWIse: Nutrition Games
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Mini Catapults
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Sand Art Necklaces 
  1:00-4:00 – Waukesha Public Library: Arts and Crafts
  2:00-4:00 – West Vernon 4-H Club: TBD
  6:00-8:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Free Family Bingo

Friday, July 19
12:00-2:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Smoothie Bike
12:00-3:00 – Milwaukee County Extension 4-H: Chemical Reaction Art
12:00-4:00 – Donna Lexa Art Center: Farm Animal Art
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Historical Society: Museum Discovery Boxes
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Bubble Science   
  6:00-9:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Free Family Bingo

Saturday, July 20
12:00-2:00 – Jennifer Ruditys: Science Experiments
12:00-3:00 – Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo: Wisconsin Reptiles
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Make and Take Activities  
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Building with Legos
  1:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Green Team: UV Bracelets and Recycling Education
  1:00-4:00 – Otto's Art Academy: Arts and Crafts  
  6:00-9:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Free Family Bingo

Sunday, July 21
12:00-2:00 – Habitat for Humanity: Draw a Home Activity
12:00-3:00 – Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo: Wisconsin Reptiles
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: DIY Keychains
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Bee Motels
12:00-4:00 – Waukesha County Extension 4-H: Building with Legos
  2:00-4:00 – Pewaukee Police Department: Fingerprint Activity

The 2024 Urban Forestry Workshop for green industry professionals will focus on the use of bare root plants for large plantings and the utility of gravel beds for holding bare root tree stock. An online class will be held on September 20,  followed by an interactive gravel bed visit at locations around the state the following week.

The workshop is offered in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. To be notified when registration opens, email lboyer@waukeshacounty.gov. 

Extension’s Health and Well-Being Educator Jillian Smith is leading two free Intro to StrongBodies strength training classes this summer at FIT in the Parks on July 10 and August 7. FIT in the Parks is a health and wellness initiative by the Village of Menomonee Falls and community partners.

Register at https://bit.ly/FIT2024MF. For information about StrongBodies classes available in Waukesha County, email Jillian at  jillian.smith@wisc.edu.

Extension and the City of Waukesha are accepting applications for the 3rd Annual Waukesha Local Government Academy. This program is for City of Waukesha residents who are interested in learning more about their city government and civic engagement opportunities. In this program, participants will learn more about city government operations and services, widen their network of relationships with city staff, departments, boards, and decision makers, and discover opportunities to become more civically involved. Applications are due by Friday, July 5. Space is limited.

For more details and the 2024 application, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/UWEX/CRD/wlga.

FoodWIse Educator Sarah Garcia engaged moms in cooking and nutrition lessons at a Waukesha childcare agency. Parents practiced a variety of kid-friendly, affordable recipes including mini pizzas, salmon patties, and banana “sushi.” At the end of each lesson, kids tried the foods along with their moms.

Surveys showed that all participants improved in nutrition, budgeting, and food safety practices, specifically: eating more/greater variety of vegetables, planning meals before shopping, and cooking dinner at home more often. One participant commented: “It has changed how I prepare, cook, and shop. From knowing how to safely thaw meat, to having a well-balanced meal, while still getting all of the nutrients me and my family need.”

For more  information about nutrition education, contact FoodWIse Administrator, Jill Herz at jill.herz@wisc.edu.

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.

515 W Moreland Boulevard, AC G22 ⟡ Waukesha, WI 53188 ⟡ 262-548-7770

https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/uwex/