INNOVATION IN EXTENSION: University of Wisconsin

The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Jerry Clark
Job title / position: Crops and Soils Educator Agriculture

Contact number: 715-726-7950

Email address: jerome.clark@ces.uwex.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: Mobile technology in agriculture- presents information on using technology to improve profitability in agriculture. Jerry Clark  is instrumental in infusing technology with his constituent base in Chippewa County, teaching farmers the advantages of using technology such as tablets and smart phones to identify and manage weeds, diseases, insects, and nutrient deficiencies that affect corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Jerryshares how he engages “digital immigrants” to use mobile devices and UW-Extension created Apps to keep abreast of the news, communicate/share images with specialists for diagnosis, and tips/tricks for using device in the field.


The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Steve Small
Job title / position: Professor, Ph.D, Human Development and Family Studies, UW-Madison; Human Development and Family Relations Specialist, Family Living Programs, UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension

Contact number: 608-263-5688

Email address: sasmall@wisc.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: Parenthetical social media curricula- Parenthetical is a little different than other sites you might visit.  We designed it as a blog, website and social network for parents of tweens and teens.  What YOU contribute to the site through questions, comments and advice is the most important part of Parenthetical.  Our goal is to make Parenthetical a place where you regularly share your parenting thoughts and questions, connect with other parents who are experiencing similar issues, and receive trustworthy information on parenting and teen development. This is a site where parents of tweens and teens learn, share and connect.


The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Kandi O'Neil
Job title / position: Assoc Program Director, 4-H Youth Development

Contact number: 608-262-2050

Email address: kandi.oneil@ces.uwex.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: In an environment where technology proliferates, busyness reigns, and resources are scarce, volunteer managers are increasingly pushed towards technology infused models of training and support. However, little is known about what model is most effective at meeting volunteer needs. The North Central Region Volunteer e-Forum is offered to the region’s volunteers on alternate years and occurs as a series of webinars facilitated by content area experts in various fields related to 4-H subject matter areas and positive youth development. The e-Forum was intentionally designed to connect volunteers locally as well as with resources available through the local Extension office while also giving them the experience of learning from and seeing the contributions of other volunteers around the country.

This interactive session will share trends in participation and evaluation from the past two e-Forums. The presenters will also share the lessons learned and promising practices for successful delivery of an e-Forum. Results from an experimental study on delivery modes in volunteer training including asynchronous online, synchronous online, and synchromodal (or, combining synchronous online and in-person training) and their effectiveness in supporting volunteer motivation will be shared. Time will be provided for participants to ask questions of the presenters.


The following describes an innovative person.

Region: North Central

Contact information for this innovator: Mary Huser
Job title / position: Program Specialist – Special Projects and State Liaison

Contact number: 608- 265-3589

Email address: mary.huser@ces.uwex.edu

Brief description of innovator as provided in online survey: Promising Life Skills Educational Programs for Incarcerated Audiences- These programs were designed for Cooperative Extension county educators and others who are currently providing educational programming in county jails or are thinking about doing so.The Life After Incarceration program gives a rationale for, and description of, an integrated program designed to reduce recidivism and prepare individuals for their return to society. The Life After Incarceration program provides an integrated approach to correctional programming. Specifically, the program provides social, education and vocational knowledge and skills to support successful rehabilitation and reintegration. The goal is to achieve the offender’s successful reintegration into the community and the family while providing knowledge and skills that will reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

Motheread/Fatheread is based on a curriculum and approach for teaching literacy skills to adults and children. It uses children's books and adult poems/narratives as the basis for instruction. These texts provide a format for adult learners to develop skills in all four areas of literacy: listening, speaking,reading, and writing.

The Living Interactive Family Education (LIFE) program is an enhanced visitation program at the Potosi Correctional Center (PCC), a maximum security prison in Mineral Point, Missouri. LIFE was developed jointly between the incarcerated fathers and local 4-H staff to address the needs of children of incarcerated parents.

It's My Child Too is a short-term parenting education program that helps young, noncustodial fathers learn how to participate in the healthy development of their preschool children.

Parenting Piece by Piece is a series of eight parenting education sessions. It was designed for use with parents who have been mandated to attend parenting training due to their identification as physically or emotionally abusive and/or neglectful parents.