Fathers in Focus Conference 2026
Join us on October 10 for a day of meaningful conversations, workshops, networking, and community focused on strengthening families and supporting fatherhood.
Latest News
Richard Dilley Tax Center Providing Access to Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 2026
Each year, the Richard Dilley Tax Center provides FREE income tax preparation to thousands of low-income workers, families, seniors, English Language Learners, and those with disabilities.
Supporting Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers
In Wisconsin, conservative estimates suggest that nearly 90,000 children have experienced the incarceration of a parent with whom they live. Parental incarceration is associated with increased risk of negative outcomes for children, including impacts on behavior, academic success, and health. To date, few strategies exist to support relationship maintenance among incarcerated parents and their children. […]
Balancing Cover Crops and Crop Yields
In early spring, green patches in farm fields are often cover crops, which help prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients from washing away. One common cover crop, winter cereal rye, survives through winter and is very effective at holding nutrients in the soil. However, it can also use a lot of nitrogen, which may reduce […]
Now Available! 2026 Dane County Plat Book
The 2026 Dane County Plat Book is now available.
Focus on Fathers 2026 Classes
Looking to build a stronger bond with your child and connect with other fathers?
Breaking Barriers to Bring Native Plants to Urban Landscapes
Our Natural Resources Educator, Wade Moder, partnered with Dane County Land and Water to host 90-minute Native Garden Design Workshops for neighborhood associations, gardening clubs, first-time home buyers, and the general public. Participants use 3D-printed plant tokens that show plant size, bloom time, and color to design native pollinator gardens, making planning more approachable and […]
Winter Sowing Native Wildflower Seed
Winter sowing is a way to provide a cold, moist period for native plant seeds that require it for germination, something akin to what they’d experience outside in winter. This is called stratification. Some native plant seeds don’t require a cold moist period at all and will germinate in a warm moist situation inside the […]
New Room Use Policy for 2026
New policy beginning January 2026. Rooms are available for meetings and events associated with municipal, county, and state government, including UW Extension-related groups. Rooms are for government-related business only. Rooms are not available for rent to the public or outside groups.
Expansion of a Senior-Focused Food Access Program
Dane County is fortunate to have dozens of local farm stands and farmers markets. However, income, transportation, and mobility barriers can render them inaccessible, especially for low-income seniors. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) supports low-income seniors in accessing fresh produce by providing seasonal vouchers they can redeem at participating markets and farm stands. […]
The TEAMs Program: Supporting Farm Career Pathways
Hired managers play a crucial role on vegetable farms. They provide leadership to the farm crew, share responsibilities with the farm employer, and ultimately can strengthen the health of the farm business. However, conversations with farmworkers showed that their limited access to formal training opportunities in leadership and employee management was making them second guess […]
A Community-Centered Initiative to Develop a Comprehensive Regional Food Plan
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our local (and national/global) food system, it revealed and amplified weaknesses and inequities in our food system. It was clear that there was a critical need to strengthen our local and regional food system against future disruptions. In 2021 the Dane County Food Council with Dane County Extension’s Community Food […]