Community Development
Community Development provides educational programming to assist leaders, communities, and organizations realize their fullest potential. We work with communication to build the vitality that enhances their quality of life and enriches the lives of their residents. In short, the Community Development Institute plants and cultivates the seeds for thriving communities and organizations.
Paul Roback, Community Development Educator
Two strategic planning sessions for the board and staff of Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc., a local nonprofit, where we worked on updating the organization’s mission and vision statements, identified organizational values, and developed strategic priorities. The intent of the planning process is to clarify the organization’s purpose and develop achievable steps to realize their vision.
The Board President of Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc. contacted Paul to facilitate a process that would create a strategic plan for the organization. Festivals of Cedarburg “engages communities, non-profi ts, and businesses to create best-in-class festivals and events” in Cedarburg, WI. Since the organization’s previous strategic plan in 2021, Festivals of Cedarburg has a new executive director and several new board members. Through pre-planning discussion with board and staff, it was determined that a new strategic plan is needed to clarify the organization’s purpose and develop achievable steps to realize their vision. To achieve the planning objectives, Paul fi rst engaged the organization’s staff and board with an online survey to solicit feedback on updating the organization’s mission, creating a vision statement, and identifying organizational values. Next, an external feedback survey was used to gain insight into how well the organization achieves its mission and to identify a vision for Festivals of Cedarburg. Then, Paul facilitated two strategic planning sessions attended by eleven board members and staff where we reviewed the responses from both surveys and updated the organization’s mission, created a vision statement, defi ned organizational values, created an identity statement, defi ned strategic priorities, and identifi ed the next steps to accomplish these priorities. From evaluation (N=9), 100% of participants agreed that updating the mission statement helped clarify their role as an organization and creating a vision statement assisted them in understanding the general direction for their organization’s future. Additionally, 89% agreed that creating core values assisted in clarifying the guiding principles for the organization’s culture and 100% agreed that discussing the strategic action plan increased their ability to identify the next steps for future implementation. Participants evaluated Paul’s facilitation as a 5.0 on a 5-point Likert Scale (1=poor and 5=excellent). One participant commented that they were “very happy with the participation, honesty, and ideas shared.” Another commented on Paul’s facilitation by stating, “Appreciate your thoroughness, knowledge, and keeping us on task!”
4-H Youth Development
Positive Youth Development prepares the youth of today to become the effective, empathetic adults of tomorrow. Our research-based youth enrichment programs. 4-H clubs, camp and after-school programs give young people the hands-on experience they need to develop an understanding of themselves and the world.
Abi Quinlan, 4-H Program Educator
The County Board Exchange, a county government engagement event for youth and county board members, where 4-H members shared their projects, leadership experience, and personal growth through 4-H. Through this effort, 11 youth strengthened communication and public speaking skills while fostering meaningful connections with county leaders, increasing awareness of youth contributions and the value of positive youth development within the community.
Youth benefi t from opportunities to develop communication, leadership, and civic engagement skills through authentic interactions with community decision-makers. At the same time, county board supervisors, particularly newly elected members, may have limited opportunities to engage directly with young people and learn about the impact of 4-H Youth Development programming. Creating spaces where youth and county leaders can build relationships helps increase understanding of local government, elevates youth voice, and strengthens community connections that support youth thriving and community well-being. The Ozaukee County 4-H program organized a County Board Exchange that brought together 4-H members and county board supervisors for meaningful dialogue and relationship building. Youth shared information about their projects, leadership experiences, community involvement, and the skills they have gained through 4-H participation. Members engaged in conversations with supervisors, answered questions, and practiced communicating their experiences to adult audiences in a professional setting. Following the exchange, the 4-H Educator provided a presentation to the county board highlighting local 4-H Youth Development programming, participation opportunities, and program outcomes. Youth actively participated in the presentation by sharing fi rsthand accounts of how 4-H has helped them develop leadership, confi dence, communication skills, and a sense of belonging. The event created opportunities for county board members to hear directly from young people about their experiences and the ways they contribute to their communities through 4-H programming. The County Board Exchange engaged 11 youth members and 24 county board supervisors in meaningful conversations that strengthened connections between young people and local government. Youth increased their confi dence in public speaking, communication, and sharing their experiences with adult audiences, while county board members gained a deeper understanding of the impact of 4-H Youth Development and the contributions youth make to their communities. By incorporating youth voices into both the exchange and county board presentation, the program fostered civic engagement, expanded relationships between youth and community leaders, and strengthened a network of adult allies who support youth as valued contributors to the future of Ozaukee County.
Agriculture
If it happens on a farm or in a field, the Extension Institute of Agriculture works with you to achieve better results. Our innovative dairy management programs range from genetics to farm and business management. Extension researchers work hand-in-hand with row crop, forage, and fresh produce growers to provide best practices for every aspect of the growing phase. We also advise communities on using sustainable practices to create inviting spaces free from invasive species.
Crops I Manuel Pena, Regional Dairy Educator
A corn silage dry-down event for dairy farmers and forage growers in the region, where participating farmers from Ozaukee County can submit their corn samples to assess their dry matter content. This information helps determine the appropriate time to harvest their corn for silage and maximize forage quality.
Dry matter (DM) data is important because it helps dairy farmers determine the appropriate harvest timing for corn silage. Harvesting at the proper DM content helps achieve good fermentation, preserve nutrients, reduce storage losses, and maintain consistent forage quality. This event is an opportunity to submit corn silage samples and assess their dry matter content during three weeks, every Wednesday from August 26th to September 9th. The results provide participants with information to evaluate harvest timing and make more informed decisions to maximize corn silage quality and preserve nutrients. The work provides participants with timely dry matter data that helps them evaluate corn silage harvest timing. This information supports more informed harvest decisions, with the goal of maximizing corn silage quality and preserving nutrients for consequent dairy diet formulation.