Welcome to Sauk County!

MISSION

With an office in each Wisconsin county, Cooperative Extension develops practical educational programs tailored to local needs and based on university knowledge and research. County-based Extension educators are University of Wisconsin faculty and staff who are experts in agriculture and agribusiness, community development, natural resources, family living and youth development.

Extension county-based faculty and staff live and work with the people they serve in communities across the state. Extension specialists work on UW System campuses where they access current research and knowledge. Collaboration between county and campus faculty is the hallmark of Cooperative Extension in Wisconsin.

Master Gardener Training in Sauk County

The next class for Master Gardener training will begin August 25, 2009. Please click here for more information on the Sauk County Master Gardener Association and the application for the upcoming class. Master Gardener Program

2009 Farm Connect Guide

This special listing ties together Wisconsin's largest industry - agriculture - with another of its top segments - tourism. You don't have to be a Sauk County visitor to locate area farmers who directly market their products to discerning consumers - everyone is welcome to shop at these local agribusinesses and, in the process, put more money into the pockets of the area's family farms.

2009 Farm Connect Guide (15 pages, 111 KB)

H1N1 Influenza Information

The Extension Disaster Education Network has developed a website to educate concerned individuals about what they can do to protect themselves during this H1N1 Influenza Outbreak and prepare for a potential pandemic.

· Influenza Page – Continues to cover the current situation with links to detailed resources from USDA, CDC, WHO and other EDEN Member institution pages
· Pandemic Influenza Page – Provides more information in defining a pandemic, along with good health habit tips, and resources on planning and preparation.

Sauk County UWEX AmeriCorps VISTA Position Available

Sauk County UWEX 4-H Youth Development is recruiting for a full time, year-round AmeriCorps*VISTA member to begin service in August 2009. Applications (resume, cover letter, and references) will be accepted until June 15, 2009. For all details regarding this information, please view the Position Description (pdf document). Questions may be directed to Jessica Jens at jessica.jens@ces.uwex.edu or 608-355-3255.

FREE Revitalizing Wisconsin's Downtowns - An e-Learning and Networking Series

Revitalizing Wisconsin's Downtowns represents a set of web-based presentations (i.e., webinars) on topics of specific interest to Wisconsin downtowns that lend themselves to further dialogue and peer-learning at the local level. State and national experts will present information relevant to the topic and will be available to address your questions during these webinars. Sessions are typically held on the third Thursday of each month from noon to 1:00pm. Click here to learn more about upcoming programs. If you are interested in attending any or all of the webinars please contact Judy Lewis at (608) 355-3250 or lynn.zick@ces.uwex.edu to register. These free webinars will be held in the ETN room on the 3rd floor of the West Square Building Located at 505 Broadway in Baraboo. This webinar is co-sponsored by the Sauk County Development Corporation.

Youth Environmental Projects of Sauk County

YEPS is a program for ALL youth, families, and youth organizations of Sauk County. The goal of YEPS is to provide an opportunity for youth and families to participate in environmental stewardship service-learning projects. Participants have an opportunity to help plant prairies, collect acorns, build rain gardens in local cities, build nature trails, collect prairie seeds, and much more! Visit the YEPS website for more information and to see how YOU can get involved!

Wisconsin Bookworms ™ is the new name for our statewide HCE reading program, formerly known as First Books. The name was changed in response to copyright issues, but comes at a time when the state is celebrating the 10th anniversary of this wonderful literacy program. For the 2008 - 2009 school year, Sauk County HCE purchased 200 sets of books (8 books per set) to share with children throughout the county. Wisconsin Bookworms ™ readers volunteer at Sauk County Head Start classrooms. Each month the readers share a story and do an activity with the classroom children. Then each child is given a copy of the book and a take-home activity to share with his or her family.

A special thank you to our Wisconsin Bookworms ™ Coordinators, Lerna Mae Wiese, Elaine Dunse and Sylvia Kriegl, the Bookworms volunteer readers, and all HCE members who support this program through donations and fundraising. You make this program a success!

Sauk County Map

Did you know that in 1884, five Ringling brothers started a circus in Baraboo, Wisconsin, which would become "The Greatest Show on Earth"? Did you know that Wisconsin Dells is named for the unique geological features on the Wisconsin River? These and other items of information can be found on the FREE Sauk County map which is distributed by the Sauk County UW Extension office. Please contact the office at 608-355-3250 or by e-mail at lynn.zick@ces.uwex.edu to have a copy mailed to you. Also check out the 2009-2010 Sauk County Travel Planner.