Rev. 11/11/03

Julie Anderson
 Planning & Development Director

Bonnie Herrmann,
Manager/4-H Youth Development Educator - State Employee

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

The Racine County 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. Six 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

Maintain and protect natural resources and promote applied agricultural practices that are sustainable and economically viable.

1. 2nd Rural Landowner Management Conf., 190 attendees learning about pasture management to shoreline buffers.
2. Provided research and educational information for the Highway 36 Design Guideline Committee. 
3. Presented educational materials on responsible lake living at Eagle Lake Fair.

Improve work capacity and effectiveness of individuals and groups in the areas of community, economic, and natural resource development.

1. Facilitated strategic planning to organizations and agencies; Young Professionals of Racine and Tobacco Free Coalition.
2. Conducted COLORS Matrix System Workshops for 45 Racine County childcare providers, improving their professional and personal communications.
3. Partnered with UW-Parkside on a cross-divisional grant.  Over 300 people in the 6th St. area have been surveyed and referred to the Racine County Workforce Development Center for assistance.

Reinforce positive parenting and nutrition choices made by families and effective use of community resources.

1. Through the Parenting Resource Facilitator at Love Community Center, provided parenting sessions for 805 parents and caregivers and collaborated with community agencies to hold events for families and professionals.
2. Provided training to 768 family-serving professionals.
3. Coordinated efforts for the Success by 6 Initiative of United Way of Racine County, Early Childhood Expo (over 900 attended), distributed Children’s Health Passport to 2,000 families of newborns, and 927 parents of kindergarten students of Racine Unified School district participated in a school readiness assessment.

Increase environmental awareness and improve horticultural knowledge and practices.

1. Supported 148 Master Gardeners working countywide on 19 volunteer projects, which includes youth education covering 11 elementary schools and 5 summer garden programs in Racine.
2. Supported the Yard & Garden Questions phone line, staffed by 11 trained Master Gardener volunteers, over 100 calls monthly.
3. Sixty commercial and municipal horticulturists from Racine County attended a Grounds Maintenance Short Course held in February.

Prepare youth for productive adulthood.

1. With the assistance of 312 adult volunteers of the Racine County 4-H Leaders Association, successfully supported 1368 4-H members impacting on the positive youth development of 18 community clubs.
2. Supported two Youth as Resources Boards, who jointly awarded $17,965 in grant dollars to fund 19 youth-led community service projects, which benefited 19,481 people in Racine County.
3. Over 100 middle school youth in Western Racine and 450 in Racine participated in the 3rd annual Youth Expo Day, learning about community service.

2004 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

County Board Directive

The County Board strongly urges the Human Services Department and the UW Extension to collaborate and provide services such as: Urban Initiative, Local Government Education, Educational Resources, Group & Organization Leadership Development, Strategic Planning, Group/Organizations & Community Assessments and Outcome Measurements.