Skip to main content
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Link to University of Wisconsin-Madison home page
The Wisconsin Idea Database
The Wisconsin Idea in Action

Division of Extension

Projects

  • Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program

    Supported through the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension, the Master Naturalist program promotes awareness, understanding, and stew...

  • Community Economic Development program

    Small businesses are critical to the Wisconsin economy and local communities. Self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs help shape local and reg...

  • Community Food Systems program

    Business ownership serves as an important vehicle for wealth creation, especially for members of economically disadvantaged communities. Research show...

  • Crops program

    In Wisconsin, 7 million acres of field crops, hay and haylage are harvested, at a value of $3.6 billion. Those farm operations are the foundation of W...

  • Farm Management program

    Agriculture is central to a prosperous Wisconsin, contributing more than $100 billion annually to our state’s economy and nearly 12% of our state’s em...

  • Horticulture program

    Vegetable gardening is important to many Wisconsin households with more than 440,000 households (19%) purchasing vegetable plants over a one-year peri...

  • Local Government Education program

    There are 1,923 Wisconsin local governments, and close to 10,000 elected governing body members in Wisconsin. To govern effectively, Wisconsin's loca...

  • LifeSpan program

    Social isolation and loneliness are critical concerns for both physical and mental health. The experience of isolation and loneliness results in a cas...

  • Literacy Link

    Extension programs promote positive, literacy-based interactions between young children and their justice-involved parents and caregivers. Parental in...

  • Livestock program

    Through Extension's Livestock program, beef producers better understand issues related to market strategies and maintaining building structures, allow...

  • Organizational & Leadership Development program

    Through Extension’s work, nonprofits are more effective at responding to local needs, providing services and programs, and addressing issues ranging f...

  • RentSmart

    The RentSmart Program helps residents attain and sustain affordable quality housing, which in turn reduces burdens on county and municipal public bene...

  • Research Accelerators program

    Through Research Accelerators, Extension delivers engaging and enriching environmental education programming that promotes science communication skill...

  • River2Lakes program

    Extension’s River2Lakes program helps teachers offer inquiry-based learning to more students. Lake Superior contains 10% of Earth's freshwater and is...

  • StrongBodies

    Extension’s StrongBodies program helps communities implement safe and effective strength training programs for midlife and older adults. Approximately...

  • Highlights of Taking Care of You

    Extension’s “Taking Care of You” program leads to better sleep and overall health, reduced muscle tension, improved relationships and greater physical...

  • Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology study

    Our research shows that groundwater contamination by nitrate and bacteria is common in southwest Wisconsin and that sources include humans, cows, and...

  • Water WELLness

    Extension’s Water WELLness program provides private well owners with access to water testing kits, that are subsequently analyzed in a certified lab....

  • Youth In Governance program

    Extension empowers young people in decision making directly in their community, preparing the next generation of civic leaders, and building systems i...

  • Just in Time Parenting In Brief: Shortening newsletters to infographics for parents

    This project transforms multi-page, age-paced parenting newsletters into a single-page infographic series for parents in the “4th trimester” (the firs...

  • Planning A.H.E.A.D.: Advance directives, Home finances, Estate planning, and Arriving at Decisions for the end of this life

    The Planning AHEAD series provides people of all ages the information they need to plan for the end of this life. The series and workbook materials gu...