Kathleen McKee has been a non-profit leader in Northeast Wisconsin for her entire career. She is driven by a passion to serve our community and has extensive experience in areas of program development, community outreach, team leadership, collaborative partnerships, fundraising and strategic visioning. Kathleen held various senior leadership roles with the Greater Green Bay YMCA in areas of youth development, camping services, community engagement and program innovation. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Connections for Mental Wellness, a collective impact organization working toward system change to positively impact mental health in Brown County. Kathleen holds a master's degree in social work from Tulane University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Marquette University. 

Kathleen lives in De Pere with her husband, Tony, their 3 children, and a sweet rescue dog named Beignet. She fills her time with family, friends and being a super fan to her children at anything from football games and show choir competitions to rugby matches and choir concerts. She loves all things New Orleans, Mardi Gras and the great outdoors.

"I am thrilled to join the University of Wisconsin Extension movement. As someone dedicated to strengthening and serving our community, I believe in the power of relationships, partnerships and creating opportunity for all. I look forward to working alongside the phenomenal Extension team and community leaders in Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties to listen, innovate and deepen the impact of a shared vision for our region. My personal mission is 'Intention. Impact. Each Person. Every Day.' and I am excited to bring that to life in my new role."

Connect with Kathleen at 920-391-4651 or kathleen.mckee@wisc.edu .

Briar began his service as a ¼ time Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps Program Summer Assistant in May 2024. From June through August, he familiarized himself with 4-H, and made connections in the community and laid the groundwork to start new community clubs. He is rejoining us for a second service term that began in September 2024 and runs thru May 2025 as a ½ time Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps Program Assistant.

In his half-time capacity as an AmeriCorps member, Briar will lead efforts to expand positive youth development opportunities in Brown County by delivering 4-H programming directly to local communities. To do this, Briar plans to work closely with Green Bay area schools and Oneida Nation to introduce the 4-H Community Club framework where our local youth will be able to find their sparks and learn in a supportive, sustainable setting. Interested in birding? Briar has also started the Brown County 4-H Birdwatching Club. Stay tuned for more information on that. Through these initiatives, he aims to increase the visibility and impact of 4-H in Brown County.

Briar graduated from Portland State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with emphasis on Indigenous and endangered languages, and continues to study topics under First Nations Studies at UW-Green Bay. 

Beyond his service, Briar also works at Happy Joe’s Pizza here in Green Bay. 

Extension is working with NEW North and other economic development organizations in Northeast Wisconsin to offer a competition for you to tell about your business or product idea. You have a chance to win a cash prize and publicity for your business or product.  Entrepreneurs should submit their business or product idea by October 31 at www.startupwi.org/new-north. What business or product are you developing?

The contest is open to anyone that lives in Northeast Wisconsin or intends to open a business or startup an organization in Northeast Wisconsin that is over the age of 18.  To be eligible the business must have generated less than $300,000 in annual revenue or capital raised.  Winners from the last two years are not eligible to receive award money.

Contestants will have four minutes to present your business or product to a group of local judges.  At the local pitch contest, the first place winner will receive $1,000 and the second place will receive $500. The winners will advance to the NEW North Regional Pitch Competition that will be on Wednesday, December 4 at 4:30 in TitletownTech, Green Bay. Contestants have the opportunity to pitch their business or product with other winners to local judges for additional prize money. Local competitions will be between November 12 and November 18. The Audible pitch event in Green Bay will be on Tuesday, November 12; at 5:00, the Lighthouse Launch pitch Event in Sturgeon Bay will be on Wednesday, November 13; at 5:00, and the Fast Pitch event will be in Appleton on November 13 at 5:00. Pick one of these dates to pitch your business or product and register at www.startupwi.org/new-north. Training on how to make your pitch will be provided. For more information contact Patrick Nehring, Extension Brown & Kewaunee Counties; 920-391-4616 or patrick.nehring@wisc.edu. 

As the 2024-25 school year gets underway, so does the Brown County 4-H Afterschool Program, which reaches a dozen elementary schools in the Green Bay area throughout the year. We are currently recruiting for afterschool instructors to join us for the year in delivering hands on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) sessions with K-5th graders in the afterschool hours. While STEAM experience is helpful, it is not required - most importantly, if you have experience working with young people, and want to help provide an opportunity for them to learn by doing, check out the listing at 4-H Program Instructor (LTE) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

If you have questions about the position, hours, or want to refer someone to the position, contact Melinda Pollen at melinda.pollen@wisc.edu

Lost Dauphin has been a pillar in our Brown County 4-H community for the last 75 years. Lost Dauphin 4-H club meets year around and over the years has been involved in many different projects including but not limited to showing animals like beef cattle, goats, rabbits, poultry, and horses; photography, wood working, and clothing. The club is also involved in the Creative Arts Festival, which includes theatre, music, and speaking events. They always participate in Game Day and other Brown County 4-H activities. Lost Dauphin members have participated in Educational Experiences all over the country and have members on the State 4-H Art team and Wisconsin Leadership Council. Lost Dauphin has been active in their community doing food drives, making holiday cards/gifts, caroling at the local senior center, bell ringing, and making care packages for military, homeless, and pet shelters. Youth also work at the county fair food stands, a brat barn, and bussing tables at Pizza Ranch to raise money for their club activities.

Lost Dauphin has been educating our youth for the last 75 years, teaching them through a hands-on approach of growing life skills like confidence, independence, resilience, compassion, developed through experience and learning. Lost Dauphin empowers young people to be true leaders who work well with others, to persevere through challenges and stick with the job until it is done. This club brings in speakers and tries to educate youth on activities such as bee keeping, winter container gardening, Child Life at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, or even touring an alpaca farm.

Lost Dauphin has had members in multiple generations who have come back to help as volunteers or leaders, sharing their passion with the younger generations and continuing the club’s legacy. It has been 75 years, and Lost Dauphin is still going strong. We want to recognize their legacy and congratulate them on their 75 years of service and many more to come.

If you are interested in learning more about Brown County 4-H, please contact our friendly 4-H staff at 920-391-4654 or 4H@browncountywi.gov.

The Brown County 4-H Leaders Association held its annual Brown County 4-H Volunteer Recognition Banquet and Cloverbud Graduation. Awards were presented to Trisha M. for Volunteer of the Year, Lori C. for Meritorious Service, and Amanda S. for Friend of 4-H. Two youth members were presented with the 4-H Key Award, the highest award a 4-H member can be awarded, and the Leaders Association Scholarship Award. 

We would like our express our gratitude to all Brown County 4-H volunteers for making this program possible. If you have a talent you'd like to share and want to contribute to positive youth development, contact the Brown County 4-H office at 920-391-4654 or 4h@browncountywi.gov 

Faculty members Melinda Pollen and Patrick Nehring recently taught the fall course, Building an Effective Board of Directors, in partnership with UWGB’s Non Profit Leadership Certificate. The certification, comprised of five (5) courses and a capstone project, aims to support the individuals leading or working in nonprofit organizations. In addition to the course led by Pollen and Nehring, session topics included fund development, financial management, human resources and social media and marketing.  Individuals participated in one, or multiple courses as their individual needs require and time allots. Nonprofit Leadership - Certificate Programs - UW-Green Bay

Nehring also supports monthly non profit leader conversations, more informal gatherings to learn about a topic and have community conversations. In October, Melinda Pollen and Jon Hill, Extension educators, provided information on strategies to make meetings engaging, followed by crucial conversations and sharing. Coming up on November 14, the conversation will be about the resources available to nonprofit organizations. The Nonprofit Leader Conversations are on zoom from 8:30-9:30 am.  There is no cost to attend, but please register.

For more information about the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate program or the conversations, connect with Melinda (melinda.pollen@wisc.edu) or Patrick (patrick.nehring@wisc.edu), or check out the website at www.uwgb.edu/nonprofit-network. 

October 31, 12:00-12:30 p.m. on Zoom 

Join us to learn how to choose the best indoor plants for your space, matching up lighting needs and watering habits. We’ll also share tips for selecting healthy plants. Whether you’re a plant newbie or a seasoned enthusiast, this program is perfect for anyone looking to freshen up their home with indoor plants.

Presented by Johanna Oosterwyk, DC Smith Greenhouse Manager, UW-Madison

November 5, 12:00-12:30 p.m. on Zoom 

Did you know you can keep citrus in containers indoors in Wisconsin? In this program, we’ll cover everything you need to be successful including light and soil, temperature, and fertilizer needs. We’ll also cover potential pitfalls, like pests you need to look out for. We’ll even cover cultivars to ensure your success!

Presented by Janell Wehr, Horticulture Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension, Marathon and Wood Counties

October 24, 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Zoom 

Nonprofit work is a mix of balancing all the "asks" with minimum help. Join Barb Bigalke, Executive Director/Founder of the Center for Suicide Awareness in how to find that balance of personal and professional and find resilience amongst the constant demands.

November 14, 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Zoom 

What resources are available for nonprofits? Cheryl Williams and Troy Murphy from Together Green Bay will share a look at the Nonprofit Ecosystem in our area, other parts of Wisconsin, and other states.

Extension Brown County
2019 Technology Way
Green Bay, WI 54311
920-391-4610

extension@browncountywi.gov