Taken individually, coal ash and excess carbon dioxide are harmful pollutants. Combined in just the right way, they form a durable, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly building material. UW spinoff Alithic is leveraging this unique formula to turn waste streams from liabilities into profits, producing a key ingredient of concrete, the most abundant manufactured product in the world. Learn more...

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading a major multi-institution project to develop and test a critical fusion technology—research that will directly benefit commercial fusion power plant developers. Fusion energy, the process that powers the sun and stars, is a long-sought-after way to produce limitless clean, safe and reliable energy. UW-Madison is one of the world’s top-ranked fusion energy research universities and has a strong track record of spinning off fusion companies. In fact, two key industry partners in this project—SHINE Technologies, based in Janesville, Wisconsin, and Madison-based Realta Fusion—are spinoffs from UW-Madison research. Find out more...

UW-Madison was ranked second among public universities in the United States in a new ranking from Time magazine that highlights institutions that drive academic excellence globally. The World’s Top Universities of 2026 ranking puts UW–Madison at 20th overall worldwide, and ninth among publics worldwide.

UW Madison Top 5 in National Research - Full Story

Held every Tuesday, February 3-March 24, from noon–1:00 p.m., except for the Discovery Farms Multi-State webinar on March 24, which will be 2.5 hours from 9:00–11:30 a.m. CST. CEU credits will be available for each webinar. Registration is free but required.

All February sessions have been recorded.  March Topics and Registration

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a versatile crop that can be used for its stalk (bast fiber and/or hurd), seed (grain or oil), or flower (bud or oil); it is commonly said that there are over 25,000 products that hemp is used in today.  Considered one of the oldest crops in cultivation, hemp was once widely grown as a commodity fiber crop in the United States from the mid-18th century until its decline in the 20th century, brought upon by shrinking demand and government regulations aimed at marijuana (drug-type cannabis). Restrictions led to its eventual ban in 1970 with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act. What about today?  Full Article

One of the first steps to having a successful lawn, garden or crop is having your soil tested. A soil test provides more information about the nutrient status of your soil, pH level, organic matter content and texture. The test report also suggests various soil management practices to improve the fertility of the soil for a given crop. The UW Soil Lab offers testing for homeowners, farm and wildlife food plats. Information and Cost

March 17, 2026, at the Kewaunee County Extension office located at 625 3rd St., Luxemburg, WI.  

Kewaunee County is the closest regional in-person/zoom training location.  Door County Extension will continue to offer self-study exam proctoring please call (920)746-2260 to schedule.  Information and registration

Minimizing nitrogen (N) loss to groundwater is important for human health, the environment, and long-term farm profitability. Quantifying nitrate leaching – a primary pathway of nitrogen loss from agricultural fields – can help you understand the influence of different management practices on water quality and identify options for reducing nitrate leaching. Full Article

In Door County, Extension outreach specialists in Nutrition are working toward increasing access to fresh produce for low-income people.  In a pilot project we call The Spud Run, rural food pantries can collaboratively purchase potatoes at wholesale prices from a Wisconsin-based farm. Historically, food pantries have not had such opportunities, but we are using collective purchasing power and collaborative delivery systems to improve the situation. We started in November with potatoes for $9/50lb bag and now added carrots, cabbages, and onions as well. As of the February delivery, pantry managers have purchased and distributed 15,000 lbs. of fresh produce to their pantry guests.  If you are interested in donating to support these efforts in Door County, individually or as a club effort, please contact Adam Peronto, chair of the Door County Food Pantry Coalition to make a donation. Call (920) 746-1786 or contact Adam through  www.GiveDoorCounty.org

“The Spud Run showed the power of local collaboration. Working together, hundreds of pounds of fresh potatoes and onions were distributed to all 10 food pantries in Door County, helping ensure families across the county had access to healthy, local food during the winter months.”  Adam Peronto, Philanthropic Services Officer at the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.  Success Story

The magnetic soft robots in Yunus Alapan’s lab on the third floor of the Mechanical Engineering Building on the UW-Madison campus don’t look like complex miniature droids or anything you’d find in a science-fiction story.  In fact, they look more like tiny slabs of chewing gum, fresh out of the wrapper. But then, with a team of mechanical engineers tinkering on their design, there’s much more than meets the eye. Once they’re placed in water and controlled with a magnet, they come alive.  Full Story

More than 58% of Americans eat more than the recommended daily amount of sugar.  Eating more than 25 grams of added sugars per day can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart and liver disease, and tooth decay.  Try these simple sugar swaps to reduce added sugars in your diet.  1.  Unsweetened applesauce can be used for sugar in equal amounts when baking.  2. Try sparkling water or infused/flavored water instead of soda.  3.  Enjoy fresh or frozen fruit instead of candy.  4. Choose canned fruits that are made with water or in their own fruit juice not a syrup.

Our Door County StrongBodies class offered at the ADRC filled up fast.  You can still participate in this great class virtually building strength, bone density, balance, and energy.  To find out more StrongBodies

Saturday, March 14 at 9:00 am – Sewing 101. Is your sewing machine sitting in its case and you are wondering how to begin? Then, this class is designed for you. Door County’s Home & Community Education (HCE) members will show you the basics of how to use your machine in “Sewing 101.” Participants will learn how to fill a bobbin, thread their machine, and sew. Little Bit LeClair will lead the class and will be available for questions.

The class will be held on Saturday, March 14 from 9-11:00 am at the Jacksonport Town Hall (3365 Co Rd V). Participants are required to bring their own machine. This free class is part of the Educational Outreach Program. Reservations are required as class size is limited; contact Char Mueller at (920) 421-5152 or email cmueller6959@gmail.com

Anthracnose is the name of several common fungal diseases that affect the foliage of woody ornamentals in Wisconsin.  Trees that are most commonly and severely affected by anthracnose include ash, maple, white oak, sycamore, and walnut.  Anthracnose typically affects young leaf tissue.    Find out more...

Join our monthly online programs in 2026 for an opportunity to connect with plant health experts from the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Each session, held on Mondays at 1:30 p.m., is your chance to ask questions about trees and shrubs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, indoor plants, flowering ornamentals, lawns, and more.

Whether it’s about plant diseases, pesky insects, or the selection and general care of plants in and around your home, our panel of seasoned experts will provide you with insightful answers. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to cultivate your knowledge and keep your plants thriving.  Learn more...

Apples are the most common fruit tree planted in Wisconsin. In addition to providing fruit, apple trees can be a pleasing addition to the home landscape. However, unlike most shade trees, apple trees require annual training and pruning from the time of planting to produce an attractive and productive tree. Learn how...

Learn the step-by-step process for pruning fruit trees and grape vines in your yard, garden, and even indoors. This workshop introduces the proper pruning techniques in an easy-to-understand way. Anyone who is interested in growing tree fruit and/or grapes, regardless of skill level, is invited to register.  

Sturgeon Bay - Peninsular Ag Research Station, March 20th, 10:00 am - Noon

Cortland Dahl, a research scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, says spending even less than five minutes a day focused on gratitude can make a meaningful difference across many areas, from physical health to emotional wellbeing to attention and even social connection.  Learn more...

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.  

This month's topic is Learning Life Skills Through Household Chores! Join us on Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1 – 2pm  Register

WeCOPE empowers adults with evidence-based coping strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence and emotional strength.  A 7-week virtual program beginning March 26.  Find out more...  Register

Join us for a 7-session virtual program to help participants understand how to prepare for the end of life. Program covers advance directives, handling financial changes, estate planning, and arriving at decisions for the end of this life.

Thursdays:  April 2 through May 14, 2026, virtually on Zoom from 11am to noon.  Registration

✔️ March 24 - Raising Responsible Teenagers

✔️ March 31 - Raising Competent Teenagers

✔️ April 7 - Getting Teenagers Connected

✔️ April 14 - Getting Teenagers to Cooperate   

Classes are Virtual and Free!  Class Schedule and Registration

PFAS, which stands for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in many everyday products since the 1940s. These include things like firefighting foam, non-stick pans, water and stain-resistant fabrics, fast food packaging, and personal care products. PFAS don’t break down easily, which makes them useful, but also means they stick around in our environment for a long time, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Neonicotinoids are commonly used pesticides in agricultural and urban environments. They can be used in a variety of ways, such as seed treatments, soil treatments, foliar sprays, and topical applications.  Learn more about these chemicals. 

Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist:  Anya Jeninga  - anya.jeninga@wisc.edu

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 6:00 to 7:00 pm (Zoom)

Susan Paskewitz, UW-Madison professor and researcher in the Medical Entomology Lab, joins the Maple Hour to talk about ticks in Wisconsin woodlands. We’ll look at ticks that could be found in a sugarbush, diseases they can carry, ways to prevent tick bites, and a tool you can use to help better understand ticks and prevent exposure.

Information and Registration

Many resources can help landowners but finding the specific people and programs to help you manage your unique piece of land is not always easy.  We hope this website will help landowners and all land stewards find the information they need to reach their conservation, personal, and economic goals.

Any Wisconsin teacher, naturalist, or other educators who teach about groundwater are eligible to apply. Twenty educators will be selected. If you are accepted, you will have the opportunity to attend a one-day (April) workshop and receive a FREE groundwater model for your school, nature center, or organization.  Find out more!

A variety of track-based activities, seminars, campus tours, performances, and hands-on experiences. Summer Academy will be held at the UW-Madison Campus, where youth and adult chaperones will stay at Dejope Residence Hall. Youth will be participating in a wide variety of track-based activities and seminars. They will be able to visit different locations on Campus and in Madison. They will also have the opportunity to hear from speakers, watch a performance from the 4-H Drama Company, and participate in a variety of fun hands-on activities!  Learn more and get the details...

The Door County Fair is looking to hire a Fair Intern for this summer!  Applications are now being accepted and the position is posted until filled - if you are interested, be sure to apply right away!  While this position may work closely with the 4-H program at times, it is not a 4-H position.  

The Fair Intern serves a public purpose by supporting the work of the Fair board and the Door County Fair, promoting community engagement and assisting with outreach efforts. This internship provides hands-on experience in event promotion, communications, and partnership coordination, while fostering leadership and professional skills.  Details

For youth who are participating in the Quality Market Animal Sale (QMAS), be sure to check out their website for updated rules and calendar information.  Upcoming meetings on April 18 and weigh-in on May 2.

Check out our website for the latest 4-H newsletter, events and opportunities.  

Clover Connect:  Making 4-H Meetings Fun:  Bringing Laughter and Learning to 4-H Meetings (Zoom) Sunday, Mar 22 at 7 p.m. & Monday, Mar 23 at Noon (same content will be repeated) Register

Tractor Safety Courses:  NWTC is offering Farm Machinery/Tractor Safety classes for youth (at least 12 years old).  For more information and to register.

It’s no secret that weaning is arguably the most stressful time in a beef calves’ life. Calves build strong maternal bonds with their mothers over the 6+ months they are tagging along until they are weaned. Weaning can be done a variety of ways, but the ultimate goal is to minimize stress to set them up for success in their next stage in life.  Full Article

Managing feed inventory and waste is a critical nutrition practice. Hear from dairy farmers Grant Grinstead, Jake Peissig and Ryan Shultz talk about how their farms built a feed center to reduce waste and save them money. The UW-Madison Extension Dairy Team will also give a walkthrough of a free tool you can use to calculate forages needs and track inventory.  Article and Video

University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension has announced the schedule for its updated Manure 101 manure applicator training, which will take place at 13 locations across Wisconsin during February and March.

The workshops are designed for farmers and farm employees who apply manure on their own operations, as well as professional manure applicators. To improve accessibility, Spanish interpretation will be offered at three of the sessions. The goal is to strengthen both environmental stewardship and on-farm safety through hands-on learning and discussion.  Details and Registration

Manure 101 - March 2, 2026, Manitowoc

Vital (Valuably Informed Thriving Agriculture Leader) - March 6, 2026, Manitowoc

Manure 101 - March 12, 2026, Kewaunee (Spanish only)

Private Pesticide Applicator Training - March 17, 2026, Kewaunee

Farm Machinery/Tractor Safety Classes - March 23 - 27, Luxemburg

Badger Dairy Camp - July 9 - 12, Madison

Find out more...

Take your nature knowledge up a notch with Seek! Use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. Kid-safe and fun for families.  No registration is involved, and no user data is collected.

Seek will ask permission to turn on location services, but your location is obscured to respect your privacy while still allowing species suggestions from your general area. Your precise location is never stored in the app or sent to iNaturalist.  The Seek app is a component of the larger iNaturalist platform which collects data for scientific research.

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