Community Development
The Extension Institute of Community Development provides educational programming to assist leaders, communities, and organizations realize their fullest potential. We work with communities to build the vitality that enhances their quality of life and enriches the lives of their residents. We educate in leadership development, organizational development, food systems, community economic development, local government education and much more. In short, the Community Development Institute plants and cultivates the seeds for thriving communities and organizations.
Backed by University of Wisconsin research, Community Development educators work in partnership with people in county, state, federal, and tribal governments; community organizations; volunteers; business; and industry. With faculty in every county and on UW-campuses, Extension gives Wisconsin citizens access to University research and knowledge.
Lissa Radke serves Ashland County as the Community Development Educator.
As your Community Development educator, Lissa designs and delivers educational programs and technical assistance to help Ashland County communities deal with their own unique challenges. Backed by University of Wisconsin research, she works with local government, civic organizations, businesses and community leaders to enhance local decision-making and help communities respond to new challenges and opportunities. Together they work to:
- Establish ongoing programs that educate the public and elected officials about current issues
- Strengthen local government
- Develop local leadership capacity
- Protect natural resources for future generations
Here are some Ashland County Community Development Updates:
2026 Food Producers Workshops!
Please see full information for the Spring 2026 Workshops offered by and for food producers in the Chequamegon Bay Area below! Some workshops in this series have a fee or ask that you bring specific items, please take note of what you’ll need for your workshop! Growing and Storing Veggies for Winter: Sunday, February 22, […]
Ashland County Grows -Food Producers Newsletter- September 2025
View the Ashland County Grows web page here! September 2025 Newsletter: Local Farm Tours are a Hit! Thanks to five local farmers in Ashland and Bayfield counties for opening their farms to community tours! Brian Clements, owner/farmer of Northcroft Farms in Ashland County, organized the tours in the spring and lined up a monthly visit […]
Summer/Fall 2025 Farm Tours!
The Chequamegon Bay Food Producers group presents the Summer and Fall 2025 Farm Tours! Check out Ashland County Grows! Here Questions? Contact Lissa Radke at 715-682-7017 or Brian Clements at northcroftfarm@gmail.com Past Summer/Fall 2025 Tours! Suri Fina Alpaca Farm Saturday, June 14, 3:00PM 31300 Engoe Rd, Washburn “We love the beauty of our natural environment […]
Ashland County Grows -Food Producers Newsletter- March 2025
View the Ashland County Grows web page here! Highlights from the March 2025 Newsletter: News From the WI Farmers Union Wisconsin Farmers Union Stipends Wisconsin Farmers Union, along with the Nature Conservancy, has launched their “Small Farm Sustainability Stipends,” which provides a $2,000 stipend to help buy equipment, cover labor costs, and attend educational events.As […]
HAVE A QUESTION?
Lissa Radke serves Ashland County as the Community Development Educator. To learn more about Community Development Programming and the role of Extension in Ashland County, send an email to lissa.radke@wisc.edu or call the Ashland County office at 715-682-7017.