We’re pleased to introduce a new newsletter dedicated to keeping our community informed about Extension programming in Milwaukee County. Each issue will spotlight educational opportunities, community initiatives, and practical resources designed to support local families, businesses, and organizations. Subscribers will also receive timely updates on upcoming events, workshops, and programs that foster learning and community engagement. We encourage readers to share this newsletter with colleagues, partners, and community members who may benefit from these resources, helping extend Extension’s impact throughout Milwaukee County.

Financial Security Educator Tahnee Aguirre has had the privilege of collaborating with My Way Out, a personalized reentry organization that leads the Building a Path to Success workshop at the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center.

Through this impactful cooperation, Tahnee has helped facilitate financial literacy and Rent Smart education for justice-impacted individuals. Her work supports housing stability, builds financial confidence, and teaches practical money skills that make a real difference during reentry.

Extension Milwaukee County is grateful for the incredible collaboration with My Way Out and is truly honored that our Financial Security Educator, Tahnee Aguirre has received the My Way Out Community Champion Award. This award recognizes a longstanding collaborator whose dedication and expertise help justice-impacted individuals pursue their personal and professional goals with confidence.

Together, we’re building brighter futures through education, empowerment, and community support.

Special thanks to Ruben Gaona, Executive Director, Tahnee Aguirre, Financial Security Educator, and Karen Coy-Romano, President of My Way Out, for the meaningful work you do—and for this incredible honor.

Photo: Eatingsmartbeingactive.colostate.edu

Nutrition educators completed four Eating Smart, Being Active (ESBA) series with 17 parents and caregivers at Milwaukee-area schools, West Allis–West MKE Rec., and a group of childcare educators at the Urban Ecology Center. Sessions included hands-on nutrition education and physical activity. Participants prepared and enjoyed healthy recipes such as fried rice, skillet lasagna, yogurt parfaits, colorful pasta, quinoa salads, mini fruit pizzas, and mango salsa. Many were surprised by accurate portion sizes and committed to reading nutrition labels more carefully, choosing 100% juice without added sugars, and cooking whole grain rice properly. Participants shared they prefer fresh, homegrown or farmers market produce, and expressed interest in a summer walking series with FoodWIse.

Milwaukee County continues to face healthy food access challenges as seven grocery stores have recently closed, expanding local food deserts. In response, Extension Milwaukee County collaborated with Sherman Park Grocery to identify barriers to healthy eating through a 2024 focus group of local residents. Residents emphasized the need for convenient healthy options, which inspired the idea for a new healthy grab and go cooler. Launched on February 1 at Sherman Park Grocery, the cooler is stocked with to-go salads, fruit cups, and healthy wraps. The cooler was made possible through collaboration with Feeding America, who funded the equipment. This initiative demonstrates how community partnerships and listening to residents leads to practical, community-driven solutions.

Photo at Sherman Park Grocery Healthy Grab and Go Cooler Launch with Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Alderman Jackson, and store owners Maurice Wince and Yashica Spears, and Prasanta Anumolu, Extension Milwaukee Community Development Educator, on February, 1, 2026.

UW–Madison Extension invites community leaders, housing practitioners, nonprofit partners, and local officials to the Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit on May 7, 2026, at the Zoofari Center in Milwaukee. The event explores housing data, trends, and strategies to strengthen local communities. Parties interested in sponsoring or hosting a resource table may contact steven.chmielewski@wisc.edu.

On February 16th, 28 middle school youth from all around Milwaukee County 4-H joined youth from Kenosha, Racine and Waukesha 4-H for a career exploration day at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Youth rotated between workshops including culinary arts, biotechnology, robotics, and photography. This collaboration with MATC was possible due to MATC’s excitement to welcome youth on campus. The 4-H youth rated their overall experience participating in activities at MATC as a 4.3 out of 5!

On April 11th, Milwaukee 4-H will transport a group of 4-H youth to UW-Madison for their Science Expeditions event! UW-Madison will open its doors to families and youth organizations to explore science on campus. Milwaukee 4-H will join youth from Kenosha, Racine and Waukesha. There will be tons of hands-on STEM activity booths to explore and science presentations and museums.

Check out what we have been up to in Milwaukee! Leslie Quevedo, Positive Youth Development Educator, has been working closely with young people, community members and local stakeholders to transform what was once a neglected and unused space into the Beehive Garden on the near south side of Milwaukee. For more information or to get involved, please contact Leslie Quevedo.

Leslie Quevedo

Community Youth Development Educator
(414) 615-0523
leslie.quevedo@wisc.edu

The evening of March 9, 30 participants from the greater Milwaukee area and beyond joined UW Extension and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) colleagues for a hands-on workshop dedicated to the art and science of grafting fruit trees. Led by longtime fruit tree grafter Margaret Krome and supported by UW Extension Fruit Crop Specialist, Josie Dillon, attendees at this training showed up ready to learn about the ancient practice of merging root stock with scionwood. The event was co-organized by MFAI and Extension Milwaukee County as a component of ongoing urban agroforestry efforts supported by the Daybreak Foundation.

After an introductory lecture and demonstration of fruit tree grafting techniques, participants enjoyed a taco dinner before trying their own hand at creating grafted apple and pear trees. Participants walked away with one or two grafted plants apiece, and we are excited to hear about the success of the efforts of these first-time grafters. Interest in this class far exceeded capacity, and this popular workshop will certainly be offered again through Extension Milwaukee County in future seasons.

Wild animals thrive in cities and often show up on Milwaukee’s urban farms. Protecting crops while coexisting with deer, turkeys, birds, raccoons, and other sometimes-nuisance animals takes care and intention.

Join us for this hands-on workshop as we learn to recognize signs of wildlife presence and damage in the field and better understand who’s sharing our growing spaces. We’ll explore practical and cost-effective ways to minimize impacts to crops and discover ways to design and manage beneficial wildlife habitats that support local ecosystems.

Tilling and plowing our soil is a powerful tool—but like any tool, it’s not right for every job. One of our jobs as UW Extension specialists is to help farmers and gardeners expand and better understand the tools available for managing weeds, planting crops, and supporting wildlife. These extend far beyond just tilling the soil!  

Join us for this hands-on workshop as we build a shared “know-till” mindset and discus ways to make smart tillage decisions based on soil conditions, crops, and context. Using a rainfall simulator, we'll take a closer look at how different tillage practices affect soil quality and water movement, and explore additional tools that might help us take good care of the soil, grow better crops, and reduce the amount of soil lost to erosion. 

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