Oconto County UW-Extension

09/29/2026

A shout-out from Oconto County to our neighbors in Marinette County!

Health & Well-Being Educator with Division of Extension Marinette County Danielle Lemke recently helped organize “Refuel the Farmer,” bringing community partners and more than 40 volunteers together to support local farmers during the busy harvest season.

Farmers received meals, snacks, water, and wellness and mental health resources as they stopped through the event. It’s a thoughtful way to recognize the long hours and demands of harvest season while making connections and offering practical support.

Kudos to Danielle for helping to bring this idea forward and to all of the businesses, organizations, and volunteers who helped make it happen. It’s great to see this kind of community support happening right here in northeast Wisconsin. 🌾

https://www.wbay.com/2026/09/24/marinette-county-residents-organizations-rally-together-refuel-farmers-event/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUosZ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMU5LOEdVQTNJZHM0anJxUXFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegw4XtHenJy84WizK2ZYKGBcOwvFKR9QXrOuDqEu_bs7f33_EH_M4wb2fJcA_aem_8QdoN2zYpmbUpVWyCSyWnA

Organizers said this was the first event of its kind and hope to expand to other northeast Wisconsin counties to reach more farmers.

09/29/2026

USDA Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance for Maple Producers

Noon – 1 PM, Friday, November 13, 2026.
Join Kara Klein (USDA Farm Service Agency Agricultural Program Specialist) to learn about how the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program works for maple syrup producers. Kara will also highlight some FSA loan programs and other opportunities for maple producers to consider.

Firewood & Forest Health

7 – 8 PM, Thursday, December 3, 2026.
Selecting trees for firewood can be a powerful tool for boosting woodland health and evaporator efficiency. UW–Madison Extension Forestry Educator Keith Phelps joins us to explore how you can use strategic, single-tree selection to remove low-quality or crowded trees and build an optimal woodpile, while setting up your sugarbush for long-term success.

You can register for these FREE webinars and watch recordings from the entire Maple Hour archive here: https://maple.extension.wisc.edu/maplehour/ See less

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

Save a Calf Workshop in Wausau on October 24

Save a Calf Workshop in Wausau on October 24
Learn about: Neonatal calf care and colostrum management, Management strategies for beef cow nutrition, health and fertility, Calving equipment options and function/ sanitation/ cleaning...and more!

FARM Calf Management CEUs available.

https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu/2026/09/09/save-a-calf-workshop-in-wausau-on-october-24/

09/25/2026

Did you know The Wisconsin Farm Center has a Rural Realities Podcast? This podcast focuses on helping farmers tap into their resilient nature by presenting advice from experts that can help reduce stress, improve a farm’s financial situation, implement effective farm family communication skills, and more.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Farm Center at farmcenter.wi.gov. and see the wellness tips below!

Happy National Farm Safety & Health Week! You are the most important asset to your farm! Make sure to take care of yourself and follow these tips.
😴 Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
👪 Spend time with your family and friends.
👨🏾‍⚕️ Get a yearly physical and get concerns checked out.
🏃🏼‍♀️ Make time to move. Try a walk around the farm.
🍓 Put good quality fuel in your body.
🎲 Exercise your brain. Playing cards and phone games count.

Learn more at: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0-kS-ZyS4y4.

09/25/2026

What a great partnership! Thank you NAMI North Bay and Oconto County Public Health!

Rain didn’t stop us! 🌧️👟
On Saturday, 12 community members braved the rainy weather in Lakewood during FestiFall for our final Community Wellness Walk of the summer. This walk served as the capstone to a summer series that brought together 35 community members through monthly walks in Oconto, Oconto Falls, Lena, and Lakewood.

In partnership with Oconto County UW-Extension Health & Well-Being and HDRI Educators, Oconto County HHS, and NAMI North Bay, the series provided opportunities to get moving, meet new people, build connections, learn about mental health and explore practical strategies for overall well-being.

We’d love to hear from you as we look ahead. What would you like to see for wellness walks next summer? Are there other wellness activities, topics, or opportunities you’d enjoy during the winter months? Share your ideas with us! 👇

We’re grateful for everyone who walked with us, connected with us, and helped make this summer a great one. Here’s to keeping our communities moving, connected, and well! ❤️👟

09/24/2026

🍁 Did you know this week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week? 🍁
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 older adults falls each year making falls the leading cause of injury for adults 65+. But here’s the most important thing to know: falling is NOT an inevitable part of aging! Most falls are completely preventable with the right tools, movement, and support.

This week, we’re highlighting approaches to keeping you upright, mobile, and independent!

Over half of all falls happen during everyday activities due to simple environmental hazards—both inside our homes and out on our neighborhood streets!

Using UW Extension’s Home Modification guidance, here is how we can "fall-proof" our surroundings together:

🚨 Inside Your Home (Personal Space Hazards):

Clear the Walkways: Remove throw rugs, secure loose carpet edges with non-skid tape, and tuck electrical cords out of walking paths.

Light Up "Trap Zones": Install bright nightlights in hallways, stairwells, and bathrooms to avoid misjudging steps in the dark.

Install Anchor Support: Place wall-mounted grab bars in showers and beside toilets (towel racks aren't designed to support weight!).

Indoor Footwear: Ditch smooth socks or loose slippers—wear firm-heeled, non-skid rubber-soled shoes inside.

🤝 Out in the Community (Shared Space Hazards):

Sidewalk Safety: Report buckled pavement, deep potholes, or broken curb ramps to your town or city public works department.

Seasonal Hazards: Help older neighbors clear ice, snow, or slick wet leaves from front steps, porches, and walkways.

Public Visibility: Encourage local businesses to maintain bright entrance lighting, clear aisles, and install sturdy handrails along outdoor steps.

Want to know more about how to keep your homes and shared spaces safe? Contact Katie Daul [email protected] or 920-834-6848 for more information on her Age-Friendly Environments Falls Prevention and Home Modification programming in Oconto County!

You can also visit:

Explore these home safety tips to prevent falls, including simple changes in your living areas, personal and lifestyle changes, and home improvements.

09/23/2026

🍁 Did you know this week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week? 🍁

According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 adults age 65+ falls each year. Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults, but here’s the good news: falling is not an inevitable part of aging! There are things we can do to help stay strong, steady, and independent.

This week, we’re highlighting some of the everyday things that can play a role in preventing falls, including nutrition, hydration, strength, and balance.

🥗 Nutrition matters.

Have you ever stood up quickly and felt a little lightheaded or unsteady? Or noticed that your legs don’t feel quite as strong as they used to?

What we eat and drink can have a bigger impact on strength and balance than we might realize.

💧 Stay hydrated.
Not drinking enough fluids can contribute to dehydration and a drop in blood pressure. This can sometimes cause dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand up, which can increase your risk of losing your balance.

💪 Get enough protein.
As we age, we naturally lose some muscle mass. Eating enough protein, along with regular strength-building activity, can help maintain muscle strength. Stronger muscles can help you stay steady and respond when you start to lose your balance.

🦴 Take care of your bones.
Calcium and vitamin D help support strong bones. While strong bones don’t prevent a fall, they can help reduce the risk of serious fractures if a fall does happen.

⚖️ Keep moving!
Strength and balance are skills we can continue to work on at any age. Regular physical activity can help us stay strong, mobile, and confident in everyday activities.

That’s one reason UW-Madison Extension’s StrongBodies program is such a great resource. StrongBodies is an evidence-based strength training program designed for older adults, with classes offered both in communities and virtually across Wisconsin. Participants work on strength and functional movement in a supportive group setting, with the goal of helping people stay active and independent.

🍁 This Falls Prevention Awareness Week, think about your own daily habits. Are you drinking enough water? Getting protein with your meals? Staying active? Working on your strength and balance?

Small steps can make a big difference in helping you stay on your feet and keep doing the things you enjoy!

See the flyer for information about the virtual StrongBodies class, or contact your local UW-Madison Extension office to learn about in-person classes.

09/22/2026

🍁 Did you know this week is Falls Prevention Awareness Week? 🍁

According to the CDC, 1 in 4 older adults falls each year making falls the leading cause of injury for adults 65+. But here’s the most important thing to know: falling is NOT an inevitable part of aging! Most falls are completely preventable with the right tools, movement, and support.

This week, we’re highlighting approaches to keeping you upright, mobile, and independent!

Today we will focus on Strength and Bones!

When you trip, your body has milliseconds to react, catch your weight, and stop a fall. Do your legs have the power to catch you?

Weak quadriceps (thighs), ankles, and glutes are leading physical causes of falls among older adults. Based on UW Extension’s StrongBodies and Arthritis Foundation exercise principles, targeted strength training directly lowers your fall risk by:

Improving Foot Clearance: Strong ankle flexors prevent "toe-dragging," reducing trips on carpets, thresholds, and uneven sidewalks.

Powering Recovery Steps: Strong quads allow you to quickly plant a leg forward if you lose your balance.

Protecting Bones: Progressive resistance builds bone density, meaning if a loss of balance does happen, your risk of a major hip fracture is far lower.

Looking for a fun, supportive group environment to build your strength safely? UW Extension's StrongBodies program offers community-based and virtually offered, evidence-based strength training classes across Wisconsin designed specifically to help older adults improve strength, balance, and independence!

See flyer for virtual class sign up information, or contact the UW Extension office for information on in person classes!

09/18/2026

Silage Sampling change for next week, canceled for Oct. 1.

See important attached message from our Ag. Educator!