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UW-Madison Extension and 4-H educators report pilot projects, pasture work and rising youth participation
Summary
Regional UW-Madison Extension staff updated the committee on two nitrogen-optimization pilot projects in Washington County, forage and managed-grazing work, and a Midwest Forage Association grant for alfalfa harvest management. Washington County 4-H educators reported growth in membership and volunteer support and previewed summer camps and
UW-Madison Extension staff and Washington County 4-H educators briefed the Land Use and Planning Committee on ongoing pilot projects, partnerships with the county's Land Conservation Department and rising participation in youth programming.
Zoe, a regional Extension agronomy educator, said she is running two nitrogen-optimization pilot projects in Washington County: a second year project at Door Knocker Prairie Acres testing manure and cover-crop effects on nitrogen need, and a three-year project starting this summer at Branthens farm testing legume cover crops (clovers) after winter wheat and measuring subsequent corn performance. Zoe said Extension worked with the county Land Conservation Department on nutrient-management outreach and is collaborating with an independent agronomist for one pilot. Zoe also described a Midwest Forage Association grant to support alfalfa harvest-management research and lab analysis to help farmers time harvests for optimum quality.
Kelly John, a 4-H extension educator who began in January, described outreach to K-12 schools, Moraine Park Technical College and local employers to identify workforce gaps and to design 4-H programming that supports STEM and career-readiness. Kelly said West Bend and Hartford outreach included classroom presentations, STEM activity booths, and plans to offer three-year summer day camps for kindergarten through eighth grade and new after-school programs aligned with district needs.
Another 4-H educator reported that county membership stood at 689 youth members (a 16% increase year over year) with roughly 220 volunteers. The educator said summer camp enrollment was up to 107 campers and that 22 high-school youth will serve as team counselors, receiving training in leadership and facilitation skills. The educators asked for continued county support to connect 4-H to local schools and employers and to expand after-school and career-connected programming.
Why it matters: Extension pilot projects aim to reduce nitrogen needs, support water-quality goals, and test farm practices that could be scaled locally. Growth in 4-H membership and volunteer leaders expands youth development opportunities and workforce-aligned programming in STEM and trades.
Sources: Presentations by Zoe (UW-Madison Extension regional educator), Kelly John (4-H educator), and other 4-H staff at the Washington County Land Use and Planning Committee meeting.
