Curious minds never stop growing—discover something new today and check out this month's Extension in Action Newsletter!

Regional Dairy - Manuel Peña

Using the crowd gate properly benefits both cows and dairy farm workers, while also improving the efficiency of the operation. It helps keep cows moving smoothly towards the milking parlor, making the milking process faster and more efficient.

However, there are some common mistakes that can happen if operators aren’t familiar with the right way to use them. These include overcrowding the holding area, using the gate to force the cows instead of just guiding them, and having workers chase cows inside the holding area. These mistakes can increase stress for the cows and reduce milk production.

The crowd gate should be used as a tool to improve both animal welfare and efficiency on the farm. Learn below how to change these habits and improve the well-being of your cows.

FoodWIse - Kimberly Lafler

Cooking at home is a great way to connect with your food, as well as with your family, friends and culture. Where do you start? What if you have a small kitchen, limited appliances or a tight budget? 

In celebration of #NationalNutritionMonth, discover eight tips to develop basic cooking skills, even if you’re on a tight budget. These tips can help you become more efficient and creative in the kitchen, making cooking more fun and budget-friendly. 

A preview of some tips include: get a basic cookbook (electronics and food covered fingers don’t mix), reduce waste by planning what to do with your leftovers, become a pasta pro - this can be a game changer, experiment with eggs (even with rising prices, eggs are still one of the cheapest sources of high-quality protein and nutrients) and master the microwave - it's for more than reheating leftovers.

Positive Youth Development - Marie Witzel

Research shows that youth who attend camps during the summer come away with so much more than what camping programs are given credit for.

4-H is intentional in providing critical components of a successful learning experience as part of all its summer camp curriculum. These Essential Elements are: Belonging, Independence, Mastery, and Generosity.  They are designed to meet the developmental needs of youth.   

Regional Crops – Will Fulwider

Field Notes Podcast Episode 24 discusses transitioning a farm with the bumps and successes along the way.

Darren Eichelkraut farms on a 50 cow organic dairy with his family, including his dad, Junior Eichelkraut, right next to Paoli, Wisconsin. Darren and Junior tell us the story about how Junior transitioned the farm to organic, allowing Darren to come back to and eventually take over the farm.

Community Development – Patricia Malone

Do you remember this piece of advice our parents or teachers shared with us. It can also hold true for communities. Have you traveled to a new place, and noted the beautiful street flowers? Or the lack of signs directing you to the park or the school? Or the rough streets that are hard to drive on? Or the friendly store clerks?

In the early 1990’s, a couple of Extension educators created an interactive program called “First Impressions.” It has become a tool used throughout the country to help communities kickstart their efforts to revitalize their communities and act. It is centered around two similar communities exchanging “secret visitors.”

The community being visited does not know the specific date or time of the visit. The secret visitors work to experience the community and write down their observations and take photos. As volunteers they are expected to share the good things about the community and the areas where the community can improve its impression. Each team prepares a final report and shares it with the other community. The report can serve to encourage community action.

We are currently in the middle of planning such an exchange between a Dodge County community and an Iowa County community. 

Human Development & Relationships - Pattie Carroll

Human Development and Relationships Educator, Pattie Carroll reflects on parenting in a digital world and aims to help families navigate these challenges. She notes that current affairs and online discourse often contribute to bad behavior and toxicity on social media.

In the digital age, it's crucial for parents to help children critically evaluate online messages and understand the impact of their words and actions. The link below, (Talking to Teens About Online Hate Speech) aids parents in guiding children to recognize and process online hate speech, reducing its harmful effects.

Have Questions?

Extension is here to help.

UW Extension Office:
920-386-3790

Find these topics and more on our website: http://dodge.extension.wisc.edu