Welcome to UW-Madison Division of Extension – Lafayette County

*Upcoming Events*
For more updates follow us on our Facebook pages:
Lafayette County Extension Page: https://www.facebook.com/LafayetteCountyUWExtension/
Lafayette County 4-H Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568377329133
Calling All Youth in Agriculture!
Join us for a YQCA Instructor-Led Training on December 30th ![]()
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Whether youβre showing livestock at the fair or just passionate about animal care, this training is your chance to:
Learn best practices in animal well-being
Meet your YQCA certification requirement
Ask questions and engage with a certified instructor
Location: Multipurpose Building 11974 Ames Road Darlington WI
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Register at: https://yqcaprogram.org
Donβt wait to secure your spot! #YQCA #YouthInAg #AnimalScience #4H #FFA #AgEducation

π΅ Money as You Grow Workshop π΅
Join us at the Johnson Public Library on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 10 AM for a special program led by Bob Wiegel, Human Development & Relationships Educator with UW-Madison Division of Extension.
Learn practical tips to help children and families build strong money habits.
Discover engaging activities that make financial literacy fun and easy.
Take home resources to support lifelong financial well-being.
Perfect for parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in teaching kids about money!
Johnson Public Library
December 30, 2025 | 10:00 AM
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No Registration necessary.
Donβt miss this chance to grow your financial knowledge and empower the next generation! #MoneyAsYouGrow #FinancialLiteracy #FamilyLearning #JohnsonPublicLibrary #UWExtension




Paper Star & Scrabble Ornaments: 4βH Explore Edition 

UPDATE![]()
Unfortunately, due to weather conditions the Library and our Extension Office are closed today. This event has been rescheduled for January 7th!
Looking for a creative way to celebrate the season? Our 4βH Explore Edition Festive Paper and Scrabble Ornaments bring together holiday cheer and handsβon learning! ![]()
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Build words that inspire
Customize your ornament with 4βH themes
Celebrate curiosity, creativity, and community
Join us at Gratiot Annex Library
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
4:30 PM
Open to all ages!
Perfect for youth, families, and anyone who loves a mix of fun + tradition.
Share your finished ornaments with us using #4HExplore β we canβt wait to see your creations!


Spark Days! Build Your Own PiΓ±ata 
You are invited to join Lafayette County 4βH for a free, fun, handsβon workshop where youβll design and build your very own colorful piΓ±ata! ![]()
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PiΓ±atas arenβt just festive decorationsβthey carry deep cultural significance. Originating in Mexico, piΓ±atas were traditionally made in the shape of a star with seven points, symbolizing the seven deadly sins. Breaking the piΓ±ata represented overcoming temptation, with the treats inside symbolizing rewards for perseverance and faith. Over time, piΓ±atas became a joyful centerpiece of celebrations, especially birthdays and holidays, embodying community spirit, resilience, and unity.
Today, piΓ±atas are a vibrant tradition across Latin America and beyond, bringing people together through creativity, fun, and shared celebration.
Date: January 10
Time: 9:00 AM β 11:30 AM
Location: MultiβPurpose Building (11974 Ames Rd, Darlington WI)
Registration required: https://forms.gle/yhgE1We8nGWpLghV7
Youth are invited to bring their parents and enjoy this family-focused event together. Come learn, create, and celebrate while connecting with the rich cultural roots of this festive tradition!
#SparkDays#LafayetteCounty4H#4HGrowsHere#DIYPinata#CommunityCreativity#CulturalTradition#IgniteJoy



Spark Days! DIY Wood Signs Workshop 

Get creative with Lafayette County 4βH and design your very own custom wood sign at Spark Days! ![]()
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Date: January 17
Time: 10:00 AM β 12:00 PM
Location: Multi-Purpose Building
Cost: $15
Registration is required to participate: https://forms.gle/nLTgbYLz5kd2sazZA
Youth are invited to bring their parents and enjoy this family-focused event together. Bring your imagination, connect with 4βH friends, and leave with a one-of-a-kind piece youβll be proud to display!
Spots are limitedβdonβt miss out on this hands-on experience!
#SparkDays#DIYWoodSigns#LafayetteCounty4H#IgniteJoy#CommunityCreativity#4HGrowsHere#HandmadeWithLove
π¨ Wisconsin 4βH ArtBEAT! is coming soon! π¨
Calling all creative youth in grades 3β5 β join us for a fun, handsβon arts experience at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells on March 14β15, 2026!
π Registration opens January 12 and closes February 8, 2026 Space is limited, and once full, a waiting list will begin β so mark your calendars!
π΅ Tiered pricing available: $125, $150, or $175 ($150 reflects the actual program cost.) Parents are encouraged to attend as volunteers for $75, with an optional Friday overnight stay for an additional $35/person.
π Learn more and register at: go.wisc.edu/ArtBEAT
Let your creativity shine at ArtBEAT! πποΈπ

Calling all dads! Looking to strengthen your bond with your child and connect with other parents?
Join Focus on Fathers, a free online parenting series designed especially for dads β and open to everyone!
What youβll gain:
β Tools to help kids stand up for themselves
β Guidance on teaching values, kindness, and good citizenship
β Support for handling emotions and making good choices
β A chance to relax, enjoy fatherhood, and share perspectives with other parents
Upcoming Sessions: Every 2nd Tuesday | 1:00β2:00 PM (via Zoom)
Join anytime β each session offers something valuable!
Register today and be part of a community that celebrates fatherhood and empowers families: https://forms.gle/aNUWWDMsHEHRY1zz6

β¨ Ready to take control of your money? β¨
Join our Financial Education Classes and build the skills to budget smarter, boost your credit, and start investing with confidence.
π Classes start soon β donβt miss out!
π Registration is required for each program:
π Rent Smart, Cost is Free: https://go.wisc.edu/Rentsmartregister
π Financial Coaching Foundations, Cost $325 Register: https://go.wisc.edu/85252a
π Rent Smart Train-the-Trainer, Cost is Free: https://go.wisc.edu/4ml88o
π‘ Knowledge is powerβdonβt miss this chance to invest in yourself!
#FinancialEducation #MoneySmart #BudgetingTips #CreditConfidence #InvestInYourself #CommunityLearning #FinancialCoaching #SmartMoneyMoves #RentSmart #TrainTheTrainer #WisconsinExtension

πΏ Planning AHEAD πΏ
Take the time now to prepare for the futureβand give your loved ones peace of mind.
Join us for a 7-session course that gently guides you through important end-of-life topics:
Handling financial changes
Advanced medical & legal directives
Estate planning
Choices in end-of-life care
Final wishes & understanding grief
Mondays, Feb 16 β Mar 30, 2026
3:00 β 4:00 p.m.
John Turgeson Public Library, Belmont, WI
Includes a FREE workbook to help with decisions and planning.
This program is for anyone interested in planning ahead, coping with loss, or supporting loved ones through transition.
Contact Bob Wiegel at bob.wiegel@wisc.edu or (608) 482-0620 for more information.

Past Events



Youth Cupcake Decorating Day! 

Get ready to sprinkle some fun this holiday season! Join us for a sweet morning of creativity and cupcake decorating. ![]()
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Date: December 27
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Bendon Beginning Point Church (148 3rd Ave, Benton, WI)
Registration is required to participate! Form: https://forms.gle/5Zj4qV1JPuNGXqZz7
Youth are invited to bring their parents and enjoy this family-focused event together. Come design, decorate, and enjoy your own tasty creations with friends. Donβt miss out on this deliciously fun event!
#CupcakeDecorating #YouthEvent #CommunityFun #HolidayJoy #LafayetteCounty4H #SparkDays #SweetCreativity



Explore 4βH Edition at Johnson Public Library-Darlington

Get into the holiday spirit with 4βH! Youth β bring your parents and join us for a fun afternoon of creativity and family connection. Weβll be making festive paper ornaments and building gingerbread houses together.
Friday, December 19th
1:30 PM
Johnson Public Library
For all ages β no registration necessary!
Create, decorate, and take home your projects
Celebrate the season with 4βH and your community
Donβt miss this chance to learn by doing and make holiday memories with 4βH!
#Explore4H #4HExperienceSeries #HolidayCrafts #FamilyLearning #LearnByDoing #JohnsonPublicLibrary #PaperOrnaments #GingerbreadHouses #Wisconsin4H #LafayetteCounty4H
ππ±Wisconsin growers, agronomists & ag studentsβthis is your moment! Join us Dec 2β4 for the Badger Crops & Soils Update 
In-person sessions in Eau Claire, Monroe & Appleton
Virtual option available
Earn CCA credits
Get the latest agronomy research & on-farm solutions
Lunch included at in-person events!
Early-bird registration ends Nov 10
Learn more and register up now: go.wisc.edu/BCU2025
Letβs grow smarter, together
#WisconsinAg #BadgerCropsUpdate #FarmSmart




Scrabble Ornaments: 4βH Explore Edition 

Looking for a creative way to celebrate the season? Our 4βH Explore Edition Scrabble Ornaments bring together holiday cheer and handsβon learning! ![]()
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Build words that inspire
Customize your ornament with 4βH themes
Celebrate curiosity, creativity, and community
Join us at McCoy Public Library
Friday, December 5th
1:30 PM
Open to all ages!
Perfect for youth, families, and anyone who loves a mix of fun + tradition.
Share your finished ornaments with us using #4HExplore β we canβt wait to see your creations!


4βH Experience Series: Goat Milk Soap Making Workshop 

Ready to get creative? Join us for a handsβon workshop where youth bring their parents to learn the art and science of soap making! Using fresh goat milk, families will discover how everyday ingredients transform into nourishing soap bars β and take home their own handmade creations.
Family Fun: Youth + parents learning together. Youth are invited to bring their parents and enjoy this family-focused event together.
HandsβOn Creativity: Mix, pour, and personalize your soap
Community Connection: Celebrate local agriculture and crafts
Date: December 13th
Location: Multipurpose Building 11974 Ames Rd Darlington WI
Register today to save your spot! https://forms.gle/YR8G2qUSCDYXUvJK9
Donβt miss this chance to learn by doing with 4βH!
#4HExperienceSeries #GoatMilkSoap #SoapMakingWorkshop #LearnByDoing #FamilyLearning #SupportLocalFarms #DIYSoapMaking #Wisconsin4H #LafayetteCounty4H


Dream Catchers & Their Colors: What Do They Mean? 

Join us at the Argyle Public Library on Saturday, November 22nd at 10:00 A.M. Open to the Public and all ages!
More than just boho decor, dream catchers are rooted in Native American traditionβwoven to protect sleepers from bad dreams and let the good ones flow through. But did you know the colors you choose carry powerful meanings?
Color Symbolism in Dream Catchers
Red β Passion, courage, and energy. Perfect for igniting motivation and love.
Blue β Peace, calm, and clarity. Ideal for restful sleep and emotional healing.
Green β Growth, renewal, and balance. A grounding choice for fresh starts.
Yellow β Joy, optimism, and creativity. Brighten your space and your spirit.
White β Purity, protection, and spiritual connection. A classic for cleansing energy.
Purple β Intuition, wisdom, and mystery. Great for enhancing dreams and insight.
Black β Strength, resilience, and transformation. A bold protector of your space.
Whether youβre crafting your own or choosing one that speaks to you, let the colors guide your intentions and energy.
Which color resonates with you most right now?
#DreamCatchers #ColorMeaning #SpiritualSymbols #BohoVibes #IntentionalLiving #SleepMagic #NativeWisdom


ποΈ SPARK Days: Feed the Birds β Suet Block Workshop πΎ
Calling all nature lovers and crafty hands! Join us for a hands-on workshop where weβll make suet blocks to help our feathered friends thrive through the seasons. π¦
π Date: November 1st at 10:00 a.m.
π Location: Multipurpose Building, 11974 Ames Road Darlington WI
β οΈ Registration is required π Register Here
π¨ Fun for all ages β learn about local birds, create your own suet block, and take home a treat for your backyard visitors!
Letβs spark curiosity, creativity, and care for wildlifeβone suet block at a time. π #SPARKDays#FeedTheBirds#4HWildlifeWorkshop#LafayetteCounty4H
Save a Calf, Save a Cow β Workshop Series 

Calling all dairy and beef producers, and dairy workers! Join us classes designed to improve calf and
cow care.
Boost your confidence for cow calving
Recognize key signs of labor
Learn about newborn calf care
Support both cow and calf health
Learn how to handle difficult deliveries
Online Classes:
β’ Zoom: Nov. 5 from 6:30β7:30 PM or Nov. 6th from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
In Person Locations & Dates:
β’ Gays Mills: Nov. 12th from 11 AMβ12:30 PM or from 6:00β7:00 PM
β’ Darlington: Nov. 13th from 11 AMβ12:30 PM or 6:00β7:00 PM
Cost: $20/person

Pay day-of or mail check to: Extension Green County, 2841-6th Street, Monroe, WI 53566 (Make checks payable to Extension Green County)
Register online
https://go.wisc.edu/G605sn
Questions? Contact Jackie McCarville at jackie.mccarville@wisc.edu or 608-576-0147
Donβt miss this opportunity to boost your herd health and connect with fellow producers!



REMINDER: Chameleon Mosaics at Belmont Public Library! 

Get ready to unleash your creativity Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 3:30 PM! Join us for a hands-on art adventure where youβll craft your own colorful chameleon mosaic masterpiece.
All materials provided
Open to all ages
Plus, explore the amazing world of 4-H opportunities!
Donβt miss out on the fun β bring your imagination and letβs make some mosaic magic!
Belmont Public Library










πβ¨ SPARK DAYS: Galaxy Tie-Dye Workshop β¨π
Get ready to create your own wearable universe! Join us for a hands-on tie-dye experience where weβll swirl, splatter, and spark our way through the cosmos. π«
ποΈ Date: October 4th 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
πLocation: Multipurpose Building, 11974 Ames Road Darlington WI
π¨ All supplies provided β just bring your creativity!
β οΈ Registration is required π Register Here
Whether youβre a DIY pro or just love getting messy with color, this is your chance to make something truly out of this world.









Got questions about farmland leases?
Join UWβMadison Division of Extension this October for Ag Leasing Seminars across Wisconsin!
Rental rates
Legal risks
Communication tips
Ending a lease
β¦and more!
Locations: Dodgeville, Juneau, Chippewa Falls, Wausau & Manitowoc
ποΈ Date: October 9th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
πLocation: Extension Iowa County 303 W Chapel St, Dodgeville WI


β¨πΏ Explore 4-H: Beaded Potted Plants Craft
πͺ΄π Whether youβre a seasoned crafter or just looking for something fun to do, this is a perfect way to explore 4-H and make something beautiful to take home.
π Johnson Public Library
π
Friday October 10th 2025
π 1:45 P.M.
π¨ All materials provided π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Open to all ages β Free to attend









