New Educators Bring Enthusiasm and Experience to Role
Michelle Probst is the new Natural Resources Educator. In this role, she will support community organizations, committees and departments in informed decision making, strategic planning and their overall efforts to improve the environmental benefits and natural resource assets of the Dane County community. Michelle began working for UW-Madison Division of Extension in 2018 where she engaged community members and built capacity among stakeholders in the Rock River watershed to improve water quality. Prior to joining Extension, Michelle has worked as a Watershed Coordinator for the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District in Iowa, and as an Agricultural Runoff Management Specialist for the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. Michelle has a B.S. in Soil and Land Management from UW-Stevens Point, and a M.S. in Agronomy from Kansas State University.
Taylor (Nefcy) Seale, Community Youth Development Educator, is a recent graduate of the Master of Public Health program at UW-Madison, and simultaneously received an Arts in Public Health certificate from the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida. In addition, she has a BA in Theatre and Business Administration from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is passionate about how the arts intersect public health initiatives, particularly how the arts can be used as evidence-based methods for healthy community design and building resiliency in youth. Taylor previous work includes various community organizations such as Achieving Collaborative Treatment, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the Children’s Theatre of Madison. Most recently, she served as a research associate for the Center for Arts in Medicine where she supported a CDC senior advisor in creating field guides for how to utilize arts and culture for COVID-19 vaccine confidence and health communication strategies.
Dane County Students Appointed to Youth Governance Program
Last week, eleven Dane County students were presented at the Dane County Board meeting as the new Youth in Governance Program (YGP) representatives for the 2021-2022 term. One by one they introduced themselves via zoom to County Board Members, representing schools like Madison West, Madison East, Middleton High and James Madison Memorial. Members from the Dane County Board and from Dane County Extension virtually celebrated their induction after the completion of a two month interview process where they each expressed interest in engaging with their local government: “I think that being a youth representative would allow me to become more immersed and aware of the challenges facing the community right now,” states Miranda Garcia-Dove in her application, while Heba Haq writes, “I believe YGP would be another excellent way to not only explore what working in government means for different people, but also to perhaps understand what my future role in government could be.”
Each youth representative is appointed to a Dane County Board committee for a one year term from September through May, and is matched with a supervisor-mentor on their committee who will assist youth in learning about and contributing to the governance process. Whether it’s wanting to explore the impact local government has on their communities or gain clarity on future career pursuits, our YGP students are excited to be at the decision-making table with their supervisor-mentors.
We are excited to welcome the eleven YGP representatives: Gordon Allen, Emily Cai, Akanksha Denduluri, Miranda Garcia-Dove, Heba Haq, Aarush Jain, Simon Johnson, Joey Kaji, Ronan Rataj, Gabby Shell and Lila Yackee.
As Simon Johnson puts it: “I think that younger people, in general, have a different perspective on many issues...being younger allows many to reject complacency and question the status quo.” We can’t wait to see the conversations they inspire!
Aging Mastery Program
The Aging Mastery Program series empowers participants to embrace their gift of longevity by spending more time each day doing things that are good for themselves and for others. The program encourages mastery - developing sustainable behaviors across many dimensions that lead to improved health, stronger economic security, enhanced well-being, and increased societal participation
The ten-class series will be held over five weeks on Mondays and Thursdays, September 27th through October 28th, 11:00am-noon. The FREE classes will be offered via Zoom and participants will be able to connect via computer or phone.
The Restorative Justice Summit is a statewide educational forum that brings together young people and youth-serving professionals to collaborate in advancing equitable, evidence-based restorative justice and peacemaking practices that aim to transform youth services, programs, and communities in Wisconsin.
On September 10, October 8, and November 12, the virtual summit starts at 9:30 am with a keynote followed by a diverse set of breakout sessions. We highly encourage you to bring in youth voices and perspectives from your community or participate as a professional team!
Ananda Mirilli, Nina Collective, will start the 2021 summit with Restoring Ourselves and Our Communities in Times of Racial Reckoning. In October, Cecelia Rose LaPointe will keynote with Racial Justice in Anishinaabe Aki. And David Muhammed of Milwaukee County Health and Human Services will conclude the series in November with a presentation entitled Treating Violence through Public Health.
Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom has selected the 2022 book of the year, Popcorn Country, authored by Wisconsin farmer and author, Cris Peterson.
If your school is interested in ordering books or wants to schedule an Ag in the Classroom lesson, contact Alissa Grenawalt, Dane County Ag in the Classroom Coordinator, at: Grenawalt.Alissa@countyofdane.com
Also be sure to check out the details and get a head start on the WI Farm Bureau Essay Contest by clicking here! Entries will be due on April 1, 2022.
Exciting Things Happening In Dane County FoodWIse!
FoodWIse is gearing up for the new school year. As we make our way into fall, the youth education team will be working on a hybrid model of program delivery. The educators plan to work with teachers and students virtually the first quarter of the school year and move to in-person lessons as the year progresses. Youth Nutrition Educators, Venkata Karri and Zulema Cruz-Hinds, are meeting weekly to put together lesson plans, activities and resources for youth in Kindergarten through fifth grades at Mendota, Lincoln, Frank Allis, Henderson, Hawthorne, and Midvale elementary schools in Madison and Westside Elementary in Sun Prairie.
FoodWIse Adult Educator, Aracely Portillo, continues to lead Eating Smart Being Active as a virtual series. Aracely has had great success in providing virtual education during the pandemic. Many of her classes have had as many as 20 people in attendance.
Opportunities Available!
We are seeking people with a passion to educate
and engage with the community
Three Nutrition Educators in the FoodWIse program. Hmoob (Hmong) and Spanish speakers and people of culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. A nutrition degree or background is not required. We will train successful candidates. Apply by Oct 7. https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/510356/nutrition-educator-dane-county
Regional Dairy Educator to work with dairy farms throughout south central Wisconsin. Bachelor's degree in a related field such as dairy science, animal science or veterinary medicine required. Master's degree preferred. Bilingual (Spanish/English) candidates are encouraged to apply. Apply by Sept 24. https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/510074/regional-dairy-extension-educator
Upcoming Events
Nonprofit Peer Learning
Retirement Planning Today
Aging Mastery Program
StrongBodies™ virtual classes for Dane County residents
University of Wisconsin, USDA and Wisconsin counties cooperating.
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
La Universidad de Wisconsin-Extensión, un empleador con igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa (EEO/AA), proporciona igualdad de oportunidades en empleo y programas, incluyendo los requisitos del Titulo VI, Título IX, y de la Ley para Americanos con Discapacidades (ADA).
Tus Tswv Hauj Lwm Ntawm (EEO/AA), ntawm lub Tsev Kawm Ntawv Qib Siab (University of Wisconsin-Extension) pab rau kev ncaj ncees txog kev hauj lwm thiab kev pab cuam, xws li nyob rau hauv Title VI, Title IX, thiab ntawm tsab cai Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) yuav tsum kom muaj.
To ensure equal access to programs, please make requests for reasonable accommodations prior to the program (10 days prior is preferable). Call 224-3707 to request an accommodation.
Last week, eleven Dane County students were presented at the Dane County Board meeting as the new Youth in Governance Program (YGP) representatives for the 2021-2022 term. One by one they introduced themselves via zoom to County Board Members, representing schools like Madison West, Madison East, Middleton High and James Madison Memorial. Members from the Dane County Board and from Dane County Extension virtually celebrated their induction after the completion of a two month interview process where they each expressed interest in engaging with their local government: “I think that being a youth representative would allow me to become more immersed and aware of the challenges facing the community right now,” states Miranda Garcia-Dove in her application, while Heba Haq writes, “I believe YGP would be another excellent way to not only explore what working in government means for different people, but also to perhaps understand what my future role in government could be.”
FoodWIse is gearing up for the new school year. As we make our way into fall, the youth education team will be working on a hybrid model of program delivery. The educators plan to work with teachers and students virtually the first quarter of the school year and move to in-person lessons as the year progresses. Youth Nutrition Educators, Venkata Karri and Zulema Cruz-Hinds, are meeting weekly to put together lesson plans, activities and resources for youth in Kindergarten through fifth grades at Mendota, Lincoln, Frank Allis, Henderson, Hawthorne, and Midvale elementary schools in Madison and Westside Elementary in Sun Prairie. 
