Please Welcome Deb to the Team! |
Debra Polster is the new Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens Coordinator with Brown County Extension, bringing a strong track record of community-driven leadership. Her experience at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center strengthened her ability to connect people to agriculture through education, storytelling, and engagement. At Rooted In, she advanced food access initiatives by increasing awareness, cultivating partnerships, and securing critical resources to scale programs and meet growing demand.
Debra is especially passionate about culturally relevant food systems, supporting diverse ethnic and special interest groups in growing foods that reflect their heritage and strengthen community connection. In this role, she will be leveraging her network and strategic approach to foster inclusive, resilient urban agriculture spaces where all communities can thrive.
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NEW Master Gardeners: Plant Sale May 7-9 |
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The Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners is holding their annual plant sale this weekend at the STEM Innovation Center (at UW-Green Bay), 2019 Technology Way, Green Bay, WI 54311. A variety of plants will be available at great price points! Kids Activity: plant a free plant for Mother's Day. And feel free to ask the experts your gardening questions.
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- Thursday, May 7 | 9am-5pm
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Friday, May 8 | 9am-5pm
- Saturday, May 9 | 9am-2pm
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🌱 It’s the Perfect Season to Test Your Soil! |
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Ready to grow a better garden, healthier crops, or stronger forage this year? Start from the ground up with soil testing through Extension Brown County and the UW Soil & Forage Analysis Lab.
✅ Learn your soil pH, organic matter, phosphorus, & potassium
✅ Get FREE advice from Extension horticulturists—no appointment needed
✅ For farmers and homeowners
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| 📍 Drop off your sample at:
Extension Brown County – STEM Innovation Center
2019 Technology Way, Room 113, Green Bay, WI
💲 Testing fee + $10 shipping & handling
👜 Free soil sample bags available
Now’s the time to sample, plan, and grow with confidence!
Questions: extension@browncountywi.gov
or 920-391-4610.
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Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive: This Saturday! |
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1 in 10 Wisconsin households struggled to get enough food last year. You can be part of the solution. It’s as easy as donating a few healthy, shelf-stable items during the next food drive.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026 leave a bag of non-perishable food by your mailbox for USPS mail carriers to pick up.
Your donation makes a difference for families in your community.
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Want to Grow Your Career?
Health & Well-Being Internship – Green Bay, WI
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Join the UW-Madison Division of Extension for an 8-week summer internship ($17.50/hr) focused on supporting the health of our local community and the Oneida Nation. From garden maintenance to digital content creation, you'll play a vital role in building healthier lives. You'll be based out of the Extension Brown County office within the STEM Innovation Center at UW-Green Bay.
We are looking for:
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- Students with experience/interest in working with Native American communities.
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Self-motivated, collaborative team players.
- Strong communicators with digital marketing skills.
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Nonprofit Leader Conversations |
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| Creating a Place People Want to Be |
Where do you gather in community with the public, those you serve and those that support your cause? Join Extension Specialist Todd Johnson in a conversation about the environment of the space you are create, manage, or use with the public.
May 14, 2026 8:30am via Zoom
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| Establishing an Endowment |
Join in a conversation about establishing an endowments as an ongoing funding source of revenue for an organization.
May 28, 2026 8:30am via Zoom
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Coming Soon:
2026 Community Resource Handbook |
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The Community Resource Handbook provides descriptions and contact information for ~200 agencies and organizations that serve Brown County. Professionals will find this booklet helpful for identifying resources for those they serve.
Extension is currently updating the programs listed within the handbook. If you would like to be notified when the new edition is available for purchase, feel free join the waitlist!
If you have any updates or edits for the next edition, please submit them via the form below.
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Canning Safety: Test Your Gauge |
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Pressure canning is the safest way to preserve low acid vegetables (such as green beans, corn and carrots), meats, and most mixtures of foods. It is standard practice to test your pressure canning gauge yearly, to ensure your pressure canner is working properly and in good condition to creating safely preserved food.
Need your pressure canner tested? Make an appointment with Extension Brown County or give us a call at 920‑391‑4610. We can test gauges for National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor, and Presto brand canners only, and testing is free!
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Trauma-Informed Approaches to Nutrition and Food Access |
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This series of free webinars is offering practical strategies to strengthen nutrition programs through a trauma-informed lens. Whether you work in food access, community health, or volunteer coordination, these sessions focus on improving how we support individuals and families with dignity, clarity, and care.
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Trauma-Informed Nutrition Security: Building Resilience Through Food Programs (NEW)
June 4, 2026 | 12-1pm
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This session introduces key concepts in trauma-informed nutrition and explores how food programs can support resilience at both the individual and community level.
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A Fresh Approach to Senior Nutrition: Integrating Trauma-Informed Care
June 25, 2026 | 12-1pm
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Learn about the unique nutritional and social needs of older adults, along with strategies and resources to better support senior food programs.
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From Pantry to Plate: Nutrition Literacy for Food Distributions
July 10, 2026 | 12-1pm
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This session focuses on building a shared language for staff and volunteers to communicate nutrition information, address common food myths, and support pantry guests with practical guidance.
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Biomass Thresholds for Cereal Rye
Cover Crop Goals |
University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension research indicates that ideal cereal rye biomass levels are determined by specific management goals, ranging from ~1,000 lbs/acre for nitrate leaching reduction to 3,500–4,500 lbs/acre for effective weed suppression. Higher biomass levels (over 2,000 lbs/acre) often require nitrogen adjustments to mitigate early-season N tie-up in corn, balancing soil health benefits with crop yield.
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Receive timely, geographically-relevant updates on which insect pests are emerging and active near you!
The Insect Pest Text Alert service sends alerts by region based on the insects found within your region
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Cover Crop and Forage Field Day: This Thursday! |
Are you a farmer, crop adviser, or conservation professional in central or northern Wisconsin looking to learn more about cover crops — or trying to figure out how this winter affected your alfalfa? Extension has an event for you.
UW–Madison Extension is hosting a free Cover Crop & Forage Field Day on May 7 from 10am-12:30pm at Marshfield Agricultural Research Station (208356 Drake Ave N, Stratford, WI). Light refreshments will be provided by the Eau Pleine Partnership for Integrated Conservation (EPPIC).
Attendees will hear from UW–Madison researchers and Extension specialists on topics including:
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Implementing cover crops in northern Wisconsin
- Winter rye following corn silage and manure management timing
- Cover crop demo plots and clover breeding research
- Alfalfa winterkill — what to look for this spring and renovation options
- Hay market trends
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Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is appreciated. The event is free to attend.
📅 May 7 | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 📍 Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, Stratford, WI
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SnapPlus V3: Webinar Training Series |
If you use SnapPlus for nutrient management planning, you're likely aware that Version 3 brings some significant changes. Extension, DATCP, and the SnapPlus Team are hosting a free six-part webinar series to walk through the new features in detail so you don't have to figure it out on your own.
Each session focuses on a specific part of the software and runs from 11am-12:30pm, including a 45-60 minute tutorial followed by one-on-one office hours with staff. Sessions cover:
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- May 12 — Nutrient Systems and Template Builder
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June 2 — Silurian Bedrock Plan Features
- June 16 — Annual Updates
- July 21 — Winter Manure Applications
- August 18 — Grazing
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You can register for all sessions or the ones most relevant to you. Registration is free.
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SnapPlus V3: Live Training (In-Person) |
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Prefer to learn more about the SnapPlus Version 3 in-person? Bring your own laptop to Luxemburg Exhibition Hall, 625 Third Street, Luxemburg, WI on Thursday, June 25, 2026 for a training session 10am-2pm. This training is highly recommended for DATCP, SnapPlus Team, UW Extension, and County staff. Registration is free!
For details and to sign up, contact Travis Engels 920-845-9742 or engels.travis@gmail.com.
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Be on the Lookout: Spring Invasive Plant |
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Natural resource professionals need your help to spot this plant now before it dies back and disappears for the season. Lesser celandine (fig buttercup) is an invasive perennial spreading through the Midwest. It features shiny, heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers, but because it is a spring ephemeral, it is only visible from March to April.
If you find it, please report it to protect our forests!
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As concern grows around PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in our drinking water, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension has created two new resources to support public health response in Wisconsin: the PFAS Private Well Evaluation Toolkit and the PFAS Communications Guide.
These resources are part of a broader effort by UW-Madison Extension to support communities facing environmental uncertainty by working with Wisconsin residents to improve understanding of water quality issues and encourage proactive testing and mitigation.
To learn more about UW–Madison Division of Extension’s work addressing emerging contaminants, head to naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/emerging-contaminants-outreach/.
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PFAS Private Well
Evaluation Toolkit |
- Guidance on identifying at-risk wells, collecting samples, and sharing results.
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Ready-made templates for communications, from outreach and recruitment for well testing to sharing results.
- Resources that can be shared with private well owners to help them care for their wells.
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| PFAS Communications Guide |
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Focus on clarity over complexity and use accessible language.
- Tailor your communications about PFAS related issues for audiences.
- Provide actionable guidance to help communities understand not only the risks, but what they can do to mitigate them.
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4-H Summer Camps: Register by End of Month! |
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Camps will be held at the STEM Center at UW-Green Bay:
2019 Technology Way
Green Bay, WI 54311
Registration and payment deadline: June 1, 2026
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| Sign up now -
spots are filling fast!
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Badger Dairy Camp: Register Now! |
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Badger Dairy Camp is back! Join us at UW-Madison for hands-on workshops led by dairy industry leaders, college prep sessions, and the full campus experience staying at Dejope Residence Hall.
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Who: Future dairy leaders (Limited to first 100 registrants).
What: Animal health, farm business, and dairy judging workshops.
Cost: $175
Registration: Open Now!
Questions: badgerdairycamp@ansci.wisc.edu
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4-H at the YWCA: Archers, to Your Marks! |
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Join the next 4-H activity at the YWCA Greater Green Bay on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 5:30-6:30pm. The activity for this meeting will be archery - youth will be crafting and shooting their own bows.
This free event invites participants, youth ages 5–19, to explore STEM through hands-on, creative learning.
Current YWCA or 4-H membership is not required. YWCA is located at 230 S Madison St, Green Bay, WI.
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Volunteers Needed: Breakfast on the Farm |
The Brown County Dairy Promotions Committee is looking for volunteers for our annual Breakfast on the Farm event. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Tinedale Farms at 2768 Poplar St, Wrightstown, WI. There are multiple volunteer shifts available throughout the weekend of the event. Volunteers who are a part of a group/organization are eligible to receive compensation for volunteering their time.
Questions about volunteering? Contact Elizabeth Schwalbach at 920-450-1912 or eschwalb387@gmail.com.
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Wisconsin Towns Association
2026 Scholarship Program
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The Wisconsin Towns Association, in partnership with Rural Mutual Insurance Co. and Scott Construction, Inc., will award a total of ten $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors graduating in 2026 from either a public or private Wisconsin high school who plan to enroll in a Wisconsin public or private college or university in 2026. Scholarship recipients will be selected through an independently judged essay contest.
This year’s essay topic is: “What strategies can be implemented by local government officials in collaboration with citizens to encourage and maintain civility?"
Students do not need to be residents of towns to be eligible.
Essay and application must be received by May 22, 2026.
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A seasonal kitchen clean-out helps reduce food waste and prevent pests. Check expiration dates, discard swollen or damaged cans, and wipe shelves with warm, soapy water before restocking.
If you’re unsure whether a food item is still safe, AnswerLine is available at 1-866-540-4636 or go.wisc.edu/answerline.
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Support local youth and look great by shopping here! Wisconsin 4-H is an official affiliate of the National 4-H Council Shop 4-H store.
When you use our unique affiliate link, 5% of your purchase is returned to the Wisconsin 4-H program at no extra cost to you.
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Vegetable Gardening for Novice Gardeners |
"Vegetable Gardening for Novices" is designed to guide you through the basics of starting your own garden, whether you have a spacious backyard or just a small balcony. Presented by the Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners.
May 7, 2026 6-7:30pm
Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC),
300 S Adams St, Green Bay, WI 54301
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| Get real-time expert management tips for your or your clients’ fields. Join our webinars to hear from UW–Madison corn, soybean, small grain, and forage management researchers throughout the Wisconsin growing season. Earn free CCA credits for every webinar you attend.
These free webinars are held at 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays each month from April to October. Registration is required.
Next webinars: May 14, May 28; 12:30pm
Virtual via Zoom
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Rhubarb: Not Just Your Grandma's Favorite Plant |
Join us for a webinar with Ann Kowenstrot, Diversified Vegetable Educator, exploring rhubarb history, production, and management. We will also cover what growers and gardeners need to know for successful rhubarb production and care. This session will provide practical, research based information for both home gardeners and small scale producers.
May 14, 2026 6pm
Virtual via Zoom
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Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners will give away started veggie and flowering plants while quantities last! Also free for the taking: advice and handouts to help you successfully transplant flower and veggie seedlings between containers or into your garden, and how to prevent the spread of invasive jumping worms and other pests.
May 16, 2026 1pm
Brown County Central Library, Children's Edible Garden,
515 Pine St, Green Bay, WI 54301
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Badger Dairy Insight is a webinar series to provide the latest research-based dairy information to improve animal welfare, breeding and genetic selection, automation and modernization, and nutritional decisions for producers, dairy workers and managers, ag professionals, and educators. New topic each session and available the third Tuesday of each month.
May 19, 2026 11am-12pm
Voices from Across Wisconsin: Workplace Dynamics and Herd Health from Laura Solano (DVM, PhD)
Virtual via Zoom
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Ask Your Gardening Question: LIVE |
Join the Extension Horticulture Program throughout 2026 for an opportunity to connect with plant health experts from the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Each session, held monthly on Wednesdays, offers a chance to ask questions about trees and shrubs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, indoor plants, flowering ornamentals, lawns, and more.
May 20, 2026 1:30-2:30pm
June 17, 2026 6:30-7:30pm
Virtual via Zoom
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Raising Wisconsin's Children |
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 1:00pm.
May 21, 2026 | Emotion Coaching
June 18, 2026 | Play Their Way! The Power of Child-Led Play
Virtual via Zoom
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Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
About Small Towns, For Small Towns
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Hosted by Extension, the CEC Conference is Wisconsin's convention for rural economic developers, leaders, and entrepreneurs -- anyone committed to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem across the great state of Wisconsin.
Not your typical conference, CEC takes place across an entire small town, with sessions hosted by local businesses and institutions, experiential learning opportunities, and catering by local restaurants.
May 13-15, 2026
Green Lake, WI
Registration is $125
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Breakfast on the Farm: Brown County
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The Brown County Breakfast on the Farm returns to Tinedale Farms on Sunday, June 7, 2026, featuring a hearty menu, farm tours, and family-friendly activities to celebrate June Dairy Month. Attendees can enjoy breakfast staples like deep-fried cheese curds, explore the milking parlor, and visit the educational Ag Venture Tent.
June 7, 2026 8am-12pm
Tinedale Farms, 2768 Poplar St, Wrightstown, Wi 54180
Tickets: Adults $12, Children (5-10 yrs) $5, Children (0-4 yrs) FREE
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The In Pursuit of Place Summit brings together professionals for a three-day immersive experience focused on rural community development. The event, designed to bridge "place knowing" with "place keeping," features hands-on sessions, collaborative workshops, and field tours to explore tactical and strategic placemaking approaches.
This summit was made possible by a grant from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) and is hosted by Extension
June 23-25, 2026
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Registration is $165-$250
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2019 Technology Way
Room 113
Green Bay, WI 54311
920-391-4610
extension@browncountywi.gov
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.
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2019 Technology Way Rm 113 | Green Bay, WI 54311 US
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