OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE  

The UW-Extension office is a partnership between Racine County, the University of Wisconsin-Extension (Cooperative Extension) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The mission is to plan, develop, and deliver research-based education, which enhances the quality of life for all Racine County residents. Five University faculty and staff supervise, train and support up to 15 additional educators and summer staff, who are funded by the University and other contracts and grants. Educational programs are also enhanced by the efforts of over 475 volunteers. Educational efforts focus on four program areas: Agriculture, Family Living, 4-H Youth Development, and Horticulture.

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Effectively use community resources to reinforce positive parenting and families’ nutrition choices.

1. Summer Youth Nutrition and Gardening program, with City of Racine, offered 10 weeks of educational programming. Eight “neighborhood garden sites” served 175 low-income youth.
2. Revised the Family Resource Directory and keeps a “quick list” of family resources.
3. Coordinated efforts of the Family Smart/Kid Friendly Partnership, a cooperative effort of United Way of Racine, Love Inc. and the Department of Human Services.

Increase environmental awareness and improve horticultural knowledge and practices.

1. Provided educational programs of the Master Gardener program.
2. Yard & Garden Questions line, staffed by Master Gardeners, fielded over 100 calls monthly.
3. Held Grounds Maintenance Short Course for 60 commercial and municipal horticulturists.

Prepare youth for productive adulthood.

1. With 352 adult volunteers, supported 1078 4-H members in 17 community clubs.
2. With Racine Unified School District’s “Lighted School House Program” developed 11 new “after school” 4-H Clubs for 139 youth of diverse backgrounds in the City of Racine.
3. Cooperated with the City of Racine Health Department in “Man Talk”, in which male role models discussed positive decision-making with over 250 young men in at-risk situations.

Maintain and protect natural resources; promote sustainable, economically viable agricultural practices.

1. Taught conference for 50 rural landowners in prairie establishment and woodland management.
2. Provided pesticide applicator certification for 35 farmers, tractor safety operation for 20 youth.
3. Coordinated efforts and taught workshops in direct marketing of agricultural products.

2005 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

• Protect natural resources and promote applied agricultural practices that are sustainable and economically viable.
• Effectively use community resources to reinforce positive parenting and nutrition choices made by families.
• Increase environmental awareness and improve horticultural knowledge and practices.
• Prepare youth for productive adulthood.
• Continue to explore and seek outside grant dollars to expand the educational programs currently being offered by Racine County UWEX educators.
• Continue to explore ways to provide educational programming to other county departments where appropriate.