Latest News
Join Our Team as a Tax Assistance Site Scheduler!
Are you passionate about community impact, education, and equity? The Dane County Extension Department is offering an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Tax Assistance Site Scheduler. This limited-term position is perfect for someone looking to make a meaningful difference. Applications Due by: 12-9-2025 About the RoleAs the Tax Assistance Site Scheduler, you’ll […]
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 […]
Healthy Choices Healthy Lives
The FoodWIse program in Dane County is federally funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). With local strengths, we support healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and healthy community environments for Wisconsin residents experiencing limited incomes through nutrition education at the individual, community and systems levels. […]
Engaging Community to Inform Housing Strategies
Dane County has experienced rapid growth in jobs and residents, but housing construction has not kept pace. Demand for all kinds of housing – from affordable rentals to high-end family homes – is surging. Limited availability of workforce and senior housing is leading many households to pay more in rent or mortgage than is feasible […]
Black Lace™ elderberry: A landscape standout
Black Lace™ elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’) is a great black-leaved shrub for full sun. The plant was bred Ken Tobutt and Jacqui Prevette of East Malling Research Station in Kent, England from European elderberry cultivars. Black Lace™ elderberry is marketed under the Proven Winners® brand. Our plant at the Dane County Extension Teaching Garden is […]
