Extension Milwaukee County

Extension Milwaukee County is dedicated to connecting our communities with research-based programming and resources that impact their everyday lives.  We are privileged to come alongside our neighbors in Milwaukee County in all stages of their life to help them thrive.

As part of the Division of Extension, we are the connection between UW-Madison and Milwaukee County. Our partnership with Milwaukee County allows us to embody the Wisconsin Idea so that the benefits of our state university reach every family in our county.  Supporting every family in our county takes many different forms. All our work is centered on meeting our communities’ needs. Sometimes it looks like giving research-based answers to questions about plants and insects through our Horticulture Helpline. Other times it looks like our StrongBodies exercise classes that keep aging neighbors strong enough to hold their grandbabies. Our Garden Rental program rents land to families and small business owners who feed their neighbors. Our Community Development program connects entrepreneurs of color with resources to help their businesses thrive. Our 4-H sySTEMatics program provides hands on activities and career exploration for youth deciding their

GIVING PRIORITIES

We plan to expand our outreach in the community. Private donations can help Extension Milwaukee County increase access and deepen the impact of our work. There are always more families and neighbors to serve. Your financial support can help in the following areas:

4-H Youth Development

The 4-H program provides youth ages 5-19 hands on activities and mentorship to learn important life skills like leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication. Help fund the 4-H SySTEMatics programming in Milwaukee County schools to teach hands-on STEM activities to youth in schools without access to materials

Community Development

The Community Development program provides leadership and organizational development education to train citizens and organizational leaders in the use of researched based methods, tools, and data to strengthen relationships, networks, and systems for community change. Help fund the material costs for the following two programs: (1) the Returning Citizens Entrepreneurs in Training program, a comprehensive community volunteer and mentoring in-custody and post-release program including a six-to-nine month in-custody re-entry well-being and full skill development training, and; (2) the Entrepreneurs of Color Research Initiative, a program that uses entrepreneur interviews across Milwaukee and northwestern Wisconsin to better support their business growth, local and regional networks and deepen their connection to their local community.

Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer-based horticulture program that helps educate the community about growing plants of all kinds. Help the Master Gardener Program expand capacity and training for garden mentors to help community members grow healthy food.

Positive Youth Development

The Positive Youth Development Program partners with other youth-serving organizations to develop and implement experiential, life-skills programming that supports the healthy development of the whole child. Help fund the Growing Connections program build youth-adult partnerships through workforce development so youth can build confidence and social capital for their growth and post-secondary goals.

Urban Agriculture

The Urban Agriculture program provides safe affordable land and research-based information for our community gardeners, urban beekeepers, and emerging farmers in Milwaukee County. Help us create curriculum and teach new small-scale urban farmers best practices for small business development.