Challenge

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in our community, and many neighbors rely on accessible, no-cost options. The Table of Plenty farm stand provided fresh produce for free, but because it’s not sheltered, it cannot remain open during winter. Closing the stand is bittersweet because we know some community members depend on it. This need inspired us to think about sustainability and ways to keep sharing resources beyond the growing season.

Approach

This season marked Sunny Lange’s third year in the community garden, where she usually worked quietly in her own plot. But this year, something changed, She met Sid White, a fellow gardener who has an indigenous background that Sunny could relate to. Sid grew vibrant bean trellises with bright red flowers that attracted hummingbirds. When Sunny’s kids struck up a conversation with him, Sid generously shared seeds from his beans, originally gifted to him by a friend from Ukwakhwa. That simple act reminded Sunny of the power of sharing and connection. Inspired by this, Sunny took a free seed stewardship class at the library and learned how to collect seeds from the garden. She gathered bok choy, California bell peppers, giant dill, bush beans, black-eyed Susans, and more. These seeds will be given away at Table of Plenty, ensuring that even as the stand closes for winter, it has relocated to keep the spirit of generosity growing.

Results

Through these efforts, Sunny strengthened community bonds and promoted food sovereignty. Gardeners and visitors learned that sharing seeds is more than an agricultural practice, it’s a way to preserve culture, memory, and mutual care. By offering a seed giveaway, Gardeners empower families to grow their own food, reducing barriers to healthy eating. This initiative also sparked conversations about sustainability and inspired others to join the community garden.

Four great adventures for youth! Sign up for one or all!

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

Strong Bodies Virtual Program is available via Zoom January 6 - March 26, 2026, every Tuesday and Thursday 9am-10:15am.  Registration is free!

Join 4-H at YWCA!
Second Tuesday of each month | 5:30–6:30 PM

Each session features a new theme or hands-on activity—from science experiments and art projects to leadership, community service, and more. Kids ages 5–19 years old can explore, create, and learn each month.

No prior 4-H experience required and registration is free!

February Activity (2/10):  Paper Making

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome to join, making it a great way for the whole family to connect and learn together.

Extension is collaborating with Together Green Bay to facilitate workshops designed to identify and explore collaborative opportunities addressing community needs identified by local organizations. These workshops function as a direct follow-up to the network development activities initiated during Together Green Bay's Love Your City Network breakfasts.

During the December "Beyond the SNAP Crisis" Love Your City Collaboration Workshop, participants utilized a "four pillars of food security" framework to evaluate area food and nutrition access:

Participants identified short, medium and actions that local individuals and organizations could potential collaborate to support food security in our community:

Extension will connect interested parties with collaborative opportunities for these actions. If you are interested in joining in and taking collaborative action on any of these ideas, contact Patrick Nehring at Extension, patrick.nehring@wisc.edu or (920) 391-4616, and he will get you in touch with the group. 

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. Groups and organizations can receive $10/member for each shift worked. For example, if one volunteer works two shifts, the organization they are a part of would receive $20 for that volunteer’s time (2 shifts X $10/shift). Another example, if three volunteers work one shift, the organization would receive $30 for their time (3 shifts X $10/shift). There is not a limit on the amount of funds a group/organization can receive for their time volunteering.

Volunteer sign up is first come first served. We recommend signing up early to guarantee your group can work together at the event. Questions about volunteering? Contact Elizabeth Schwalbach at 920-450-1912 or eschwalb387@gmail.com.

Establishing a positive rental history is much like having a positive credit report and Rent Smart starts participants on the right path for success. Rent Smart focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience. It challenges participants to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as know and understand the rights and responsibilities of their landlord.

The first session of 2026 has begun, but you may attend the sessions in any order, or only attend the sessions that best address your questions or concerns

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension Dairy Program is offering a free financial analysis to dairy farmers in Wisconsin and bordering states to help them track and understand the increasing costs of raising replacement heifers. The program aims to provide producers with data to make informed management decisions, with all individual information kept confidential and only aggregated summaries reported.

Complete the form below and a Dairy Team member will reach out to schedule a time that works best for you to fill out the survey.

Thanks to a partnership between UW–Madison Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Wisconsin residents can call or email the Wisconsin AnswerLine to get free answers to common questions about food safety, home food preservation, household management, and more. 

If your question falls outside their expertise or is specific to Wisconsin programs, they will connect you to a local Extension educator for support.

Need expert advice on an agricultural issue or the latest in Extension agriculture research? From the farm, field, tractor or barn, use the new UW-Madison Division of Extension Ask Your Ag Question. 

Connect with Extension experts from Wisconsin and receive research-based responses and resources to answer your most pressing questions.

The Wisconsin 4-H Positive Youth Development (PYD) program now has an official affiliate partnership with the National 4-H Council Shop 4-H store.

This means 5% of all your purchases made through this unique link will be returned to the Wisconsin 4-H program, directly benefiting local members and programs. It's a simple way to make a big difference!

This free weekly webinar series will focus on the latest research in conservation practices that will give farmers and agronomists tools and resources to consider for their farms.

Water Quality Webinars
Every Tuesday, February 3 - March 17, 2026 Noon-1pm

Discovery Farms Multi-State Webinar
Tuesday, Mary 24, 2026 9-11:30am 

Virtual via Zoom

Focus on Forage is a FREE, 4-part webinar series highlighting research-based information and farmer strategies to optimize forage yield, quality, and profitability in Wisconsin. Webinar speakers include forage industry experts, UW–Madison specialists, and extension educators.

Every Thursday in February 2026 12:30-1:30pm

 - Forage Management:  February 5, 2026
 - Forage Research:  February 12, 2026
 - Managed Grazing:  February 19, 2026
 - Forage Cover Crops:  February 26, 2026

Virtual via Zoom

Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough

The Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference is a free online event for parents, caregivers, teachers, and anyone who works with children. Experts share practical, research-based tips and strategies to support children’s growth, learning, and well-being.

February 4, 2026 9am-4:30pm
Virtual event - watch live via Zoom or watch the recording later.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin invites you to join our virtual Neighbor-to-Neighbor meetings, a relaxed space to connect, share stories, and explore ways to make farming more accessible and sustainable. Bring your lunch, your favorite drink, and your thoughts. Whether you're a farmer, service provider, or community member, we’d love to have you join the conversation.

February 19, 2026 6:00-6:45pm

Register once, attend any and all sessions.

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.

January 21, 2026 1:30-2:30pm
February 18, 2026 6:30-7:30pm
March 18, 2026 1:30-2:30pm
April 15, 2026 1:30-2:30pm

An update meeting for WPEDES permitted CAFO owners & managers, nutrient management plan writers, engineers, agency staff and consultants. Hosted by UW–Madison Division of Extension in collaboration with the Wisconsin DNR. Optional Technical Engineering session available in Green Bay and Mauston 9-11:30am. $46 if registering at least 1 week prior; $56 late registration.  Meal included.

January 27, 2026 12-4pm - Green Bay
January 28, 2026 12-4pm - Fond du Lac
January 29, 2026 8am-12pm - Manitowoc
February 4, 2026 12-4pm - Darlington
February 5, 2026 8am-12pm - Jefferson 
February 11, 2026 12-4pm - Mauston
February 12, 2026 8am-12pm - Chippewa Falls
February 19, 2026 8am-12pm - Virtual

Live, online Green Thumb Gardening class series offers in-depth and engaging gardening information on a variety of topics.  All gardeners from the novice to the experienced are welcome.  Thursdays 5:30-7:30 pm CST, except February 12.  Recordings will be available for past classes. Links to recordings and handouts will arrive by email immediately after you register and be available to you through 10/15/2026.

Registration Fee:  $12 per class

January 22 | Seed Starting
January 29 | Soils, Soil Testing, & Fertilizers
February 5 | Vegetable Crops & Specialized Gardening Techniques
February 19 | Composting

The Valuably Informed Thriving Agriculture Leader (VITAL) program is an annual event organized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension for dairy farmers, agriculture professionals, and dairy employees, where they have the opportunity to learn, network, and grow. Topics for the 2026 event will focus on heifers and calf health and management and proactively restoring personal life balance. $30 before 3/5/26. $35 walk-in.

Friday, March 6, 2026 9:30am–3pm

Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc, WI 54220

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.