Join Our Team As The New Area Extension Director!

The Area Extension Director (AED) for Dane County provides overarching leadership, direction, and guidance within the geographic area, leading a team of county-based Extension educators and support staff to cultivate an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work environment. Through ongoing engagement with local communities, the AED helps identify emerging needs and opportunities, aligning Extension resources and programming to address those priorities effectively.
Apply By: Jan. 11, 2026

Retirement Planning Today Workshops

Discover the keys to a successful retirement and gain valuable insights from experts in the field. Whether you’re just starting to plan or looking to refine your strategy, this class can help. You will learn about maximizing Social Security benefits, investment strategies, healthcare considerations, and much more. You’ve worked hard to provide for your family and […]

Celebrating Carrie Edgar’s Leadership as Dane County Extension Director

After more than 27 years in Extension leadership, Carrie Edgar, Dane County Extension Director, will retire in early 2026.

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.

Wintersown Seed Starting of Wildflowers and Cold-Tolerant Vegetables Workshop

This class will include a lecture portion on the art and science of germinating wildflower seed using two techniques for the winter-sown method, as well as information on starting cold, hardy vegetable seed in DIY mini greenhouses. The lecture portion will be followed by a hands-on activity in the Dane County Extension Teaching Garden Greenhouse […]

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 […]

Richard Dilley Tax Center Providing Access to Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Since 2005 Dane County UW Extension has been involved in the free tax preparation initiative known as the Richard Dilley Tax Center. This collaborative effort is possible through a partnership with many incredible volunteers, the UW Madison South Madison Partnership, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue with funding support from the Internal Revenue Services through […]

There are holes in my leaves!

Yes, this time of year we often see some leaf damage courtesy of some garden friends and garden foes (as well as hail!). Holes are not necessarily a reason to panic and pull out the insecticide sprayer. In fact, they can be an indicator that your ecosystem is healthy and functioning as it should. The […]

Online Tool for Determining a Guideline Timing for Pruning Oaks

The pruning season for many woody plants has been especially difficult to determine this year as the temperatures have swung wildly between frigid and too warm for pruning certain species. Temperature is critical in determining when it is safe to prune oak trees. This is due to the activity of the beetles that carry oak […]

Youth Climate Action Fund: Activating Young People in Driving Climate Solutions

With 84 percent of youth around the world reporting that they are worried about the threat that climate change poses to people and the planet, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced in March of 2024 that Madison would join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund, which provided technical assistance and funding for 100 Mayors to activate […]