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Learn tips for starting or expanding a successful food business from Wisconsin-based specialists and entrepreneurs! This no-cost series of online trainings is for people who are interested in starting or expanding small-scale food businesses in Wisconsin. Attend one or all sessions. Register here: Summer FEED Workshop Series - UW-Madison, Division of Extension
Starting a Farm- or Home-Based Food Business
Monday, June 7th, 2021 2-3:30pm
Your Guide to Starting or Expanding a Commercial Food Business in Wisconsin
Monday, June 14th, 2021 2-3:30pm
Best Practices for Operating a Food Business out of a Shared Space
Monday June 21st, 2021 2-3:30pm
Starting or Joining a Food Business Cooperative
Monday – June 28th, 2021 2-3:30pm
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The Heart of the Farm – Women in Agriculture Conference Series addresses the needs of farm women by providing education on pertinent topics, connecting them with agricultural resources, and creating support networks
June 14th, 2021, Weber’s Farm Store: 6 Generations of Resiliency Joellen will share pieces of Weber Farms family history and their products. Speaker: Joellen (Weber) Heiman, manager Weber Farm Store. Register: Heart of the Farm Coffee Chat Series
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Extension Educator Highlights
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Helping Youth Through Life Stages
Ron Jakubisin Positive Youth Development Educator
 After successfully completing zoom presentations for Jackson Elementary School 4th graders (60) in May, Ron was asked to return for more presentations. May’s lesson focused on revisiting problem solving skills and positive peer communication learned in April and reflection on transitioning from Jackson Elementary to Silverbrook Intermediate School. Youth identified their individual strengths that will make them successful at their new school in the fall. Presentations were planned with the school counselor looking to enhance their Social Emotional Learning school goals. The school has invited Ron back for the fall sessions and will meet with the Washington County School Counselors Network in June promoting Extension services.
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Ron works with 4th graders at Jackson Elementary School (both photos courtesy Jackson Elementary School).
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Ron led Mrs. Feiter's class through a reflection on the transition from Jackson Elementary School to Silverbrook Middle School.
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Discussing Weather's Impact on Agriculture
"Weathering the Storm: Preparing for the 2021 Financial and Climate Unknowns" was the spring 2021 virtual offering of the "Eastern WI Farm Management Update for Ag Professionals" which takes place in May and September each year. In May, we discussed the current market outlook and drivers, tips for high performance decision-making, the impact of changing weather conditions, and an Eastern WI crop and storage update. Fifty-five people logged on to the webinar. The webinar was recorded and is currently being edited with closed captioning to be released publicly.
As a result of attending this meeting, participants indicated they increased their knowledge on regarding the key drivers of the commodity markets for the year ahead (+0.9 based on a 5 pt Likert scale) and brain fitness for top performer decision making (+1.0). 100% of participants indicated they are more confident in their abilities to make informed decisions for themselves or their clients for the upcoming season.
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Ready for Camp!
 Washington County 4-H is ready for camp! Washington County 4-H’ers in grades 3-6 are invited to attend this year’s day camp June 16-17 at Blue Lotus Farm and Retreat Center. Blue Lotus is located in West Bend and is a beautiful 64 acre property. The campers will be able to explore the trails, kayak, make crafts, and enjoy getting to know their counselor and fellow campers!
Camp is a learning opportunity for the youth who attend, the youth who lead it, and the youth who plan it!
Day camp is being planned by a committee of adult volunteers, youth camp staff and Amy Mangan-Fischer, 4-H Program Educator. The camp committee selected this year’s camp location, the activities that will be held at camp, the meals that will be served, what the schedule will look like, and more. The youth on the committee are learning what goes into planning a day camp!
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Navigating Leadership Program Conversations
Paul Roback Community Development Educator
 The Executive Director of the Germantown Chamber of Commerce contacted Paul to facilitate a process to examine the relationship between the Chamber and Leadership Germantown, an independent volunteer-run organization. Leadership Germantown approached the Chamber to determine if the leadership program could become a Chamber program. A workgroup including three members from each organization was formed to study this potential and to make a recommendation to their respective organizations.
In response, Paul facilitated three workgroup meetings, conducted research, developed a report of the workgroup’s recommendations, and presented the results at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.
Through evaluation (N=5), 100% agreed that the information and data gathered during the process increased their ability to make an informed decision and that the report accurately reflected the consensus of the workgroup. Additionally, workgroup members evaluated Paul’s facilitation as a 5.0 on a 5-point Likert Scale (1=poor and 5=excellent). |
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Building Financial Capability Skills with Spanish-Speaking Families
Carol Bralich Human Development & Relationships Educator
 Carol was approached by Casa Guadalupe to provide a financial workshop for Apoyando a Sus Hijo, a weekly parent and high school student program, a part of Dream to Succeed. Program goals were to enhance communication efforts for Spanish speaking families in the school districts, regarding changing restrictions due to the pandemic. Program topics such as mental health, post-secondary education, and finances were also addressed. Carol facilitated “How to Save a Dollar…When you Don’t Have a Dime to Spare?” which provided tools for creating a spending plan and tracking expenses. In order to adhere to COVID precautions, the workshop was conducted in-person to a group of 6 participants, which included parents, ESL teachers and a student. Four participants joined the livestream and 34 people viewed the recorded session. ESL teachers provided feedback: financial education workshops would be beneficial for high school students and would provide a conversation starter for parents to discuss with their child. The participants indicated that they would track their spending and update their monthly spending plan.
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Increasing Fruit & Vegetable Intake
 Kelly finished a six-lesson series with eight Washington County Head Start classrooms and 91 total students in early May. The virtual Color Me Healthy series, altered from the usual in-person format this year, was delivered in high-energy, high-movement 15–20-minute sessions to keep 3- and 4-year-olds engaged.
The final four lessons about trying new foods and many forms of fruits and vegetables, being physically active, and where our colorful fruits and vegetables grow had a positive impact on these little community members! 73% of students were observed to eat more vegetables during school mealtimes, and 77% of students were observed to eat more fruits during school mealtimes by their teachers.
Teachers noted that students were motivated to try new foods and to keep trying more bites to learn if they liked them. They also noted that students were excited to identify fruits and vegetables, and that parents mentioned students trying new foods and naming fruits and vegetables at home.
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As part of the UW-Madison Division of Extension, we provide knowledge and resources to engage people and their communities in positive change where they live and work.
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements
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