The UW-Madison Division of Extension Door County is hiring a Human Development and Relationship Educator.  Applications will be accepted through November 16, 2026.

Have you ever arrived at your destination without remembering the drive, walked into a room only to forget why you went there, or found yourself in a conversation hearing only the voices in your own head? You are not alone. In an on-demand world driven by smartphones, instant messages, constant emails, and social media, we increasingly find ourselves dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, rarely living consciously in the present. 

Mindfulness offers a powerful antidote to this daily overload. At its core, mindfulness involves bringing focused awareness to whatever is happening in the present moment without trying to change it—simply noticing it as it is. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned professor and expert in the field, defines mindfulness as "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude." This includes tuning into our internal experience—such as thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations—as well as our external environment, including the sights and sounds around us. 

Conceptually, practicing mindfulness is like stepping outside into a cool night, allowing our eyes and ears to adjust as we slowly notice the stars, planets, and sounds of the nocturnal world. In practice, it is the ability to step back from the mental rigmarole of daily tasks, gain perspective, digest emotions, and clearly contextualize a situation. 

Recent research confirms what many of us intuitively understand: individuals who incorporate mindfulness into their everyday lives experience more positive emotions, fewer negative thoughts, and overall better mental and physical health. By learning to step off autopilot and "unplug," we can lower workplace stress, improve focus and productivity, and build emotional resilience. 

While adopting new habits is "easier said than done," integrating mindfulness into your workday can be done in small, simple steps. The most effective techniques blend seamlessly into your existing routine, taking anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Try these simple practices: 

Take 60 seconds between tasks to stretch: Focus entirely on how your muscles feel as they expand and release during simple seated chair stretches. 

Use doors as mindful anchors: Every time you walk through a doorway or step into a new room, pause for one breath and check in with your posture. 

Practice Box Breathing before meetings: Take two minutes to reset your nervous system: inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds, and hold empty for 4 seconds. Repeat 3 to 4 times to drop your heart rate and sharpen your focus. 

Take a mindful lunch walk: Step outside for a short walk and focus entirely on observing the changing seasons around you. 

Unplug at night: Walk out into a cool Door County night and take a few moments to notice the stars, planets, constellations, and sounds of the nocturnal world. By Paul Salm

Caring for Children with Anxiety, Fatherhood Together, Helping Kids Develop Good Self-Control, Finding Your Family's Rhythm, The Gift of Forgiveness, Parent Forever Co-Parenting and more.  Parenting Class Schedule and Information

Join us to celebrate all of our amazing Door County 4-H members and volunteers! Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:30 am in the Junior Fair Building at the John Miles County Park (Fairgrounds).  Awards Program Information and Sign-up

Have you ever wanted to stand where history happened, walk through our nation’s capital, and see government and citizenship come to life? This is your chance!

Area 13 4-H is excited to take 46 youth from Door, Calumet, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan Counties on an unforgettable trip to Washington, D.C. from June 7-11. This opportunity is open to 4-H members ages 13 and older, with a participant cost of just $100 per youth.

Registration opens November 2 and closes January 8.

Please note that participation is not first come first served. Because space is limited, youth will complete a few application questions as part of registration in 4HOnline. We ask that youth answer these questions themselves. A team of five Area 13 4-H Educators will review applications and select the 46 participants who will represent our five counties. Families will be notified by early February regarding selection. 

Have you ever wanted to learn how to decorate cakes like a pro? Or maybe you just love frosting, sprinkles, and being creative in the kitchen? Then this opportunity is for YOU!  Youth in grades 3 and up can register for our brand-new FREE Cake Decorating Quest! 

Participants will receive a free cake decorating kit and learn everything from mixing buttercream frosting and using piping bags to creating fun designs and decorating techniques. Best of all, you'll be able to learn at your own pace while connecting with other young decorators along the way!

Registration opens November 2 and is available through 4HOnline. 

WI 4-H Horse Leadership Conference and State Meetings - November 14 - UW River Falls

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

UW researchers have identified a promising new therapeutic target to combat Candida auris, a dangerous, drug-resistant fungus. By blocking a key gene essential for its growth, this approach could pave the way for safer, more effective treatments to prevent infections in hospitals and healthcare settings.  Drug-Resistant Fungus Article

UW–Madison researchers are pinpointing a compound produced by bacteria in most people’s digestive tracts that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and speeds up cognitive decline in dementia patients. It’s an attractive target for potential treatment that could reduce Alzheimer’s risk, much like taking a statin can reduce cholesterol. Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's Article

In more than two decades teaching electrical and computer engineering, Eric Hoffman never imagined he would one day rely on a cancer treatment pioneered by colleagues — just a few doors down from his office in Engineering Hall. Today, thanks to microwave ablation treatment, Hoffman is colon cancer-free and enjoying retirement.  A Cancer Survivor's Story

Turkey cooking questions, we can help!  Our AnswerLine is staffed by friendly, trained Extension specialists ready to answer your questions on food preparation and safety, food preservation, nutrition and household management.  AnswerLine Website or 1-866-540-4636.

Every dairy farmer knows that the first few weeks after calving are critical. Fresh cows face a cascade of health challenges – metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, milk fever, retained placenta, and mastitis – that can drain profitability through lost milk, delayed pregnancies, higher culling, and veterinary bills. What is less clear is exactly how much these problems cost, and whether spending more on fresh cow monitoring would actually pay for itself.  Fresh Cow Article

Free workshop for dairy producers and employees. Lunch provided by Parnell.  Topics: the cost behind the cow understanding your heifer investment, overview of a year-long colostrum management study, optimizing heifer growth and reproduction, and identifying bottlenecks to improve growth.  Workshops held in Juneau, Dodgeville, Marshfield, and Kaukauna.  Register for Heifer Workshop

Dairy Margin Coverage is a voluntary federal program that pays a dairy operation when the national margin between the U.S. all-milk price and a formula feed cost falls below the coverage level the operation selects. The feed cost is calculated from national prices for corn, soybean meal, and alfalfa hay. FSA calculates the margin each month. When the margin falls below the selected coverage level, the payment equals the difference multiplied by the operation’s covered production for that month. Enrollment Oct. 5–Dec. 18, 2026.

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.  Upcoming programs will be held on November 17, December 15 and January 19.  Register for Badger Dairy Insight

Will snowmelt, rainfall, or saturated soil result in potential runoff from your crop fields? The Wisconsin Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast (RRAF) is a web-based tool to help you predict manure runoff potential on a very local level.

Predict Manure Runoff Article

When is the Best Time to Sample Manure Article

The UW-Madison Division of Extension is hiring a Regional Crops Educator to support crop producers and agricultural communities in Washington, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan Counties. This full-time position focuses on developing and delivering research-based educational programming, building strong partnerships with farmers and industry professionals, and helping producers address critical crop management challenges. The position offers flexibility within the region and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Wisconsin agriculture.  Learn more and apply here:  Regional Crops Educator Position.  Applications are due by November 2, 2026.

Tight budgets are becoming the norm due to a combination of volatile commodity prices, rising input costs, labor shortages, and weather-related impacts. Amid these pressures, the push to innovate and adopt sustainable practices has not slowed—in fact, it is getting stronger. Farming on a Tight Budget Article

Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference brings farmers, consultants, and Extension and agency staff to the same table to learn about and talk through what’s new in soil health and water quality.  December 15-16, 2026 - Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells.  Find out more about WWASH Conference

Learn how farmers and Extension educators in Brown, Kewaunee, and Door are contributing to the new UW alfalfa fertilizer recommendations. In this presentation, Chris Bandura, UW–Madison Extension Soils Program Manager, shares early results from a statewide project evaluating nutrient uptake and removal in alfalfa fields across Wisconsin. Video: Alfalfa Fertilizer

Rabbits can do a lot of damage to flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs, at any time of year and in places ranging from suburban yards to rural fields and tree plantations. Control is often necessary to reduce damage, but complete extermination is not necessary, desirable or even possible. If control techniques are applied correctly, rabbits can be an attractive and interesting addition to the backyard or rural landscape.  Rabbit Ecology Article

Quackgrass is best identified as a weedy grass with coarse (wide) leaves that when pulled up, has long whitish underground horizonal rhizomes often referred to as “runners.”  Look carefully at these rhizomes and notice roots developing at each swollen node, or growing point, on them. Quackgrass is a perennial which readily spreads when these rhizomes are broken, either by unsuccessfully pulling them up or when cultivating the soil, which is why it can be such a headache to deal with.  Quackgrass Article

Festive houseplants are common gifts in winter. In this webinar, learn how to keep a poinsettia, Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island Pine and other favorite gift plants thriving. Watch Video: Festive Houseplant Care

Poinsettias are a traditional decorative plant for the holiday season. Since they are living plants and the growing conditions they face in homes or businesses are oftentimes less than ideal, poinsettias need some extra care to keep looking festive.  Poinsettia Article

A forest stewardship plan (FSP) is basically a blueprint for your forested property. It lays out what you want to achieve as a woodland owner and gives you a roadmap to get there for the next 10-25 years. The plan includes your goals, details about the trees and plants, the current state of your forest, and the actions you’ll take to reach your objectives.  Get Started - Forest Stewardship

You may find that it can be expensive to implement some of the activities identified in your plan, such as replacing an undersized culvert or restoring an area that is suffering from invasive weeds. There are several federal and state cost share programs available to help with the expense of stewardship and conservation activities, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program (WFLGP). Depending on the program, a stewardship plan may either be required or greatly facilitate the application and approval process.  

Another financial assistance program available to you is the Managed Forest Law (MFL) program.  Forest stewardship plans written with the intention of joining the MFL program must be written by a certified plan writer. Joining the MFL program includes a tax incentive but requires you to comply with activities outlined in your plan. This is only true for plans used to be part of the MFL program.  

Four-year degrees are not the only path to rewarding careers and economic mobility. But not all models of alternative higher education provide the same pathways for success. In this webinar, our panelists will present their research on programs including career, technical and vocational education, community colleges, and opportunities like apprenticeships, and how to maximize the returns for participants.  Alternative Training Article

The Lighthouse Launch Pitch Event is designed to spotlight entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners who are ready to share their vision. Whether you’re launching a new venture, growing an existing business, or exploring a promising concept, Lighthouse Launch provides an opportunity to pitch your idea, compete for cash prizes, and connect with local business leaders.  November 18th at the Stone Harbor Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay.  

Francis Halzen, professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in physics for his pioneering contributions to our understanding of neutrinos, the elusive particles produced by some of the most energetic events in the universe.  Professor Halzen’s Nobel Prize-winning work exemplifies curiosity-driven discovery. He joined the UW–Madison faculty nearly 50 years ago. Over the decades that have followed, he has helped conceive, develop and lead the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, an audacious scientific endeavor embedded deep within the Antarctic ice.  By:  Eric Wilcots, Interim Chancellor, UW Madison.

Located deep within the South Pole ice, the IceCube Neutrino Observatory managed by UW–Madison has secured $53 million in National Science Foundation funding to cover operations through 2031. The international collaboration studies nearly massless particles called neutrinos to understand extreme cosmic phenomena like black holes. 

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