Kenosha County Extension highlights housing, workforce and youth programs in annual plan presentation

Kenosha County’s UW Extension educators presented the department’s annual report highlights and a 2026 plan of work to the county Planning & Development Committee, outlining priorities across housing, workforce, youth leadership, agriculture and nutrition.

Extension director Pamela Larson opened with the program’s mission: to bring university research and resources into the community through a county–university–USDA partnership. She thanked the county for its support of educator salaries and office resources and said the annual report and a slide deck summarizing the plan of work will be shared with supervisors.

Community development educator Savannah Myers described housing priorities, including the Kenosha County Housing Task Force, a regional housing summit attended by about 140 people, and a county‑funded housing study that will feed local planning and education work. Myers said Extension will develop a housing terminology glossary to help local leaders apply consistent definitions (for example, 'affordable housing' and 'workforce housing') and will continue regional webinars and workshops for municipal officials and developers.

Human development educator Alana Perez Ballard described financial‑security efforts including RentSmart programs for renters and landlords (including a train‑the‑trainer model), an end‑of‑life 'planning ahead' series, one‑on‑one financial coaching, and a Life Skills Launchpad pilot aimed at youth aging out of foster or transitional care. She said the pilot has roughly a dozen participants and that the program will be evaluated to inform broader rollout and facilitator training.

Ann Cohen from the agriculture institute discussed outreach to direct‑market fruit and vegetable growers and new resources for small and midscale producers, including updated production guides, webinars, a podcast series and variety trials (for example, honeyberries and other emerging crops). VJ Pandian outlined applied research trials including a high‑density urban forestry planting (Miyawaki method), renewed sweet potato variety trials and lawn pollinator trials. County surveyors and operations staff collaborate on demonstration sites and events such as a blueberry festival planned for July.

Caroline Vans (4‑H) and the county’s positive youth development educator highlighted youth leadership programs (Youth & Governance; Youth as Resources), a youth leadership summit, community service projects and college/career readiness efforts supported by a multi‑county grant. FoodWIse staff described a funding shift to the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and an emphasis on series‑based curricula for parents and older youth, with English and Spanish delivery and programming such as Teen Cuisine and Kids in the Kitchen.

Supervisors praised the presentations and asked staff to share the slides and annual report. Extension staff said they will circulate materials and continue to coordinate with county departments on overlapping program opportunities.