The COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic changes for all of us and requires everyone to be creative in how we work, learn, and safely socialize with others. In this newsletter you will learn how the Dane County Youth Governance Program participants, in addition to participating in the virtual County Board committees, chose to get involved in promoting voter registration with their peers and helping with the election. And how the Friends of Silverwood County Park Board engaged with Extension to complete their work plan and strengthen their board in a virtual setting. All the Dane County Extension educators continue to listen and learn and are developing and offering virtual programs and events that we hope are meeting the rapidly changing needs of Dane County residents. Just a few of these programs are highlighted below. Please check our website often for the latest on program updates and new resources.
Stay safe and be well,
Carrie Edgar, Director
Youth Governance Participants Engage in 2020 Election
COVID-19 is impacting everything including this year’s Youth Governance Program. The participants are having a new and different experience in the program. All meetings are conducted online which has proven to be an advantage for participation. Every year, youth learn about county government and experience it firsthand, but youth also have the opportunity to work on different projects.
This election year, the YGP participants chose to get involved in promoting voter registration and early participation. Youth talked to their high school peers who were old enough to vote during classes or special virtual events. Two of the youth also worked at the polls.
Although 2020 has made significant changes in the Youth Governance Program experience, the youth continue to be excited to participate and to identify important projects during this experience.
For more information on the Dane County Youth Governance Program contact Javier Neira, Youth Development Educator at neira.javier@countyofdane.com.
Photo shared by Dominic Z. from West High School during his shift as a poll worker on Nov 3.
Strengthening a Board of Directors During COVID-19
During these extraordinary times of the pandemic, change is ever constant. However Extension is still meeting the needs of local organizations. The Friends of Silverwood Park desired to strengthen their Board of Directors. With new members who wished to know more about board roles, best practices for operating boards, and needing to figure out how to develop a work plan based off their Park Master Plan and Board Strategic Plan, they were seeking training assistance.
Mindy Habecker, Natural Resource educator, helped the Board design an interactive in-person training as they strongly desired to build relationships among the Board while abiding by COVID-19 safety guidelines. Just two days before the training date the virus was surging in our state and county and a decision was made to change the meeting to a virtual training instead. Mindy quickly altered her schedule and plans to develop a virtually interactive training presentation that would meet their needs. All the board members participated, learned, discussed and made headway on their future plans. Nimble changes to plans and educational methods allowed the Board to learn and effectively interact with one another to accomplish their goals.
Winter Green Thumb Gardening Series Focused on Vegetable Gardens
The Green Thumb Gardening series will give you the practical knowledge to keep your home garden thriving! Dane County Extension educators and local horticulture experts will provide in depth and accessible information for everyone from the novice to the experienced gardener. Register for the complete class series at a discounted price or individual classes according to your interests. Classes will be taught over Zoom and can be accessed by computer or mobile devices. Class size is limited so don’t delay getting registered.
Additional Green Thumb Gardening series will be offered in early spring, mid-summer and late summer. Visit the Green Thumb website for more details and to register. For more information about these programs contact: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Educator, at 608-224-3715 or Johnson.lisa@countyofdane.com
Free Budget and Credit Class
Karina Mendoza, Dane County Extension Financial Educator in the Financial Education Center, will present a two-hour budgeting and credit class. Topics will include creating financial goals, tracking expenses, creating and maintaining a budget, and managing credit. This class is open to the public and offered monthly. The next class is scheduled for Dec 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
Estate Planning:
Understanding and Preparing For Illness, Death and Taxes
This presentation by Attorney Melinda Gustafson Gervasi, will be offered via Zoom on Dec 3 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm and will cover the key elements of estate planning and discuss the topic of marital property and safekeeping of your documents.
The presentation is free but registration is required.
The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program is an important risk management tool for dairy producers from the USDA-Farm Service Agency. This voluntary insurance product allows producers to protect against low margins, specifically the difference between the announced All Milk price and the calculated feed costs to produce milk.
UW-Madison, Division of Extension, is providing dairy producers an opportunity to ensure they are making the correct DMC coverage level decision for their operation. Mark Stephenson, Director of Dairy Policy Analysis, and the Center for Dairy Profitability with UW-Madison, will be presenting through a free webinar offered live on Thursday, December 3rd, starting at 12 noon.
Enhance your leadership skills and gain tools to address issues impacting your local government. Explore and find solutions to generate results. Engage with other local government leaders to shape the future of your community.
The Local Government Leadership Academy serves elected officials, department heads, directors, managers and anyone interested in becoming a more effective leader in local government
In-person workshops will be held if public health recommendations and UW-Madison policy allow by June. If in-person workshops are not possible due to COVID-19, the workshops will be replaced with bi-weekly 1-hour virtual meetings.
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.
