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Lighthouse

Extension Door County
University of Wisconsin-Madison
County Government Center
421 Nebraska Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Phone: 920-746-2260 (individual e-mail addresses can be found in the directory)
Regular Office Hours:  M-F 8 am to 4:30 pm   Please call before visiting!

DIVISION OF EXTENSION – UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON



 

PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION

Private Applicator:  A person who applies pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity AND pesticides are applied on property that they own, rent or their employer owns or rents. If an applicator does not meet BOTH parts of the definition, they are considered commercial applicators.  Commercial Applicator:  Example – Lawn care company or County Highway employee.

Manual Fee:  $43 — must be purchased online at the UW PAT Store:  https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/default.asp   Scroll down to Private Applicator Training; then select “General Farming 100/101”.  A paper mail order form is available – mail order form a check must be mailed with this option.  

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Pesticide Applicator Training

  • SELF-STUDYPurchase a manual on-line at the UW PAT Store.  Each person being trained must purchase a manual.  You then study the manual; when you are ready, contact the Extension office to schedule a date and time to take the test. You must get a 70% passing grade with this option.  Manuals must be purchased on-line from the PAT Store.

  • ON-LINE TRAININGPurchase a manual on-line at the UW PAT Store.  This online training can take the place of in-person training. From time of starting you will have 14 days to complete the training. Please keep the email with link to get back to the training if you leave it. Online training can be taken at any time. You will have access to training for 120 days of registration.  Once you have completed the training you will receive a Completion Receipt that you must show to the test proctor to be coded as attending a training. Register For Online Training   https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/browse_cat.asp?category_id=30

  • ON-LINE ZOOM TRAINING & EXAM – MARCH 28 at the Door County Government Center Peninsula Room, Sturgeon Bay FEE: $10/person

Remember … After completing the on-line training or self-study, you must TEST IN-PERSON at the Door County Extension office. You must call ahead to schedule a time to take the test!  920-746-2260.  With a passing grade, you will receive a 5-year certification.

What to bring on test day:

  • Wisconsin requires that any person taking a certification exam must provide positive identification (a driver’s license) and know their social security number.  Other acceptable forms of ID are: a photo ID, a Birth Certificate plus another form of ID, and your Social Security Number.
  • Your manual with the registration form in the front of the book (will be collected on the day of your test). If you have a “Completion Receipt” from the on-line training, bring that, also.
  • A pocket calculator for the exam, if you think you will need one. Cell phones are not allowed during testing!
  • If you have questions, please call the Extension Door County office at 920-746-2260.

 


 

Contact a club leader to get started in 4-H.   learn more …

 

 

 


PLANNING AHEAD PROGRAM – April 4-May 16

Virtually on Zoom – 11:00 am-Noon
Required tech check – March 28
Register by March 25  — more information …


BADGER TALKS

Badger Talks is a program housed under UW Connects statewide outreach. All talks are open to the public. Please follow us on Facebook for updates about upcoming talks.

 


 


Free Online Gardening Programs

Join Wisconsin Horticulture Extension for free online gardening programs — and watch from any device! Our topics are suitable for gardeners of any skill level. When you register for a program, you can attend the live presentation or wait to watch the recorded version at your convenience.

Plant Selection and Design — Using Native Plants to Support Pollinators
WednesMonarch butterfly on milkweed plantday, March 20, Noon–1 p.m.
Presented by Lisa Johnson and Tim Ripp, UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program
Register Now

 

Understanding the Emerald Ash Borer: From Identification to Action
Monday, April 1, 1–2 p.m.
Two emerald ash borer adults mating on a leaf.Join us for an informative presentation on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Wisconsin. Learn how to identify ash trees, recognize the signs and symptoms of EAB, and understand the biology of this invasive insect. We’ll also discuss what to do when EAB affects your trees and the strengths and weaknesses of management options. Don’t miss this opportunity to arm yourself with knowledge against this invasive pest!
Presented by PJ Liesch, Director of the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab
Register Now

What’s the Deal with No Mow May?
Wednesday, April 3, Noon–1 p.m.

A lawnmower mowing down flowering plants in a plush, green lawn.Guest Panel: PJ Liesch, Paul Koch, Hannah Gaines-Day, UW-Madison Division of Extension
Register Now

 

Establishing a Bee Lawn — Current Research and Practical Techniques
Thursday, April 25, Noon–1 p.m.
Join us for an informative online program focusing on the research and practical methods behind creating a bee lawn. We will cover topics such as optimal timing for planting, whether to overseed an existing lawn or renovate to start from scratch, and other establishment practices such as the use of biodegradable seeding blankets. Learn recommended options for different sites and gain insights into purchasing pre-made bee lawn mixes or mixing your own. This webinar is a must-attend for those looking to make their outdoor spaces more pollinator friendly.
Register Now

 


CHECK YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORT  – more information

You now have permanent access to free weekly credit reports

The three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — have permanently extended a program that lets you check your credit report at each of the agencies once a week for free.

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to request free copies of your credit reports. Other sites may charge you or be fraudulent sites set up to steal your personal information.

By law, everyone is entitled to one free credit report every twelve months from each of the three credit reporting agencies. In 2020, soon after the COVID-19 pandemic upended the finances of millions of people, the three agencies announced they would temporarily make free reports available every week. The program was extended twice and is now permanent.

Why check your credit report? Your report shows things like how many credit cards and loans you have, whether you pay your bills on time, and whether any debts have been turned over to collections. Creditors, insurers, some employers, and other businesses use it to decide if they want to do business with you — and the terms they’ll offer you.

Mistakes, like accounts or bankruptcies that aren’t yours, can hurt your credit, increase how much you’ll have to pay to borrow money, and even derail your chances of getting a loan, insurance, a rental home, or a job. Mistakes can result from errors by businesses that report credit information to credit reporting agencies. They also can be a sign of identity theft. The sooner you spot a mistake, the sooner you can dispute the error or — if it results from identity theft — report it at IdentityTheft.gov.

To learn more about why your credit matters, read Understanding Your Credit.


 

2024 Century Farm or Home Application    

More information and application …

2024 Sesquicentennial Farm or Home Application

More information and application …


Free online Parenting Classes 2024

Join a free online parenting class every Thursday at 1 pm or 6 pm. Connect with other parents. Get practical, positive parenting ideas. Help children grow.

When you register, you will receive an email with a link that gives you access to the class using Zoom. Check your junk mail if you don’t receive this email.

March 21, 2024: Playful Parenting

April 18, 2024: Teens, Screens, & Social Media

May 16, 2024: Learning Life Skills Through Household Chores

A complete list of parenting classes can be found here … 


Mark your calendars … future Fair dates:

  • 2024 DOOR COUNTY FAIR – AUGUST 14-18

  • 2025 DOOR COUNTY FAIR – AUGUST 13-17

  • 2026 DOOR COUNTY FAIR – AUGUST 12-16

    • Questions? Call 920-746-7126 … leave a message and someone will call you back!
      Door County Fair Secretary, Hilary Heard:  secretary@doorcountyfair.com

 


WEBINARS FOR WISCONSIN GARDENERS   more information …

 


VIRTUAL NEW FOOD ACCESS MAP … Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc Counties    more information …

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension-Brown County released the virtual NEW Food Access Map.  The objective of this map is to highlight places for households to obtain food in Brown, Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties.  The map focuses on these categories:  Community Gardens, Stores accepting EBT, Farmers Markets, Food Pantries, Grocery Stores, Cultural Grocery Stores and Meal Programs.

 


SOIL SAMPLING – HOMEOWNERS

One of the first steps to having a successful lawn or garden is having your soil tested. A soil test provides more information about the nutrient status of your soil, pH level, organic matter content and texture. The test report also suggests various soil management practices to improve the fertility of the soil for a given crop. 

Follow these steps to properly submit your soil sample:

Note:  The UW Lab does not test/screen for Lead.  Please contact the State Lab of Hygiene if you would like lead screening.  Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene

 


THE LEARNING STORE – Publications


“Home Owner’s Guide to Pesticide Safety”

 


 


RESOURCES

  •  CHECK YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORT  – more information

  • HOME ALONE – Evaluating and teaching children what they need to know to stay home alone.  more information

 


 


Insects:

 


DOOR COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS 

This site can help you learn about becoming a Master Gardener, find information about horticultural topics, and connect to the statewide network of Master Gardener associations.

DOOR COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS
    and THE GARDEN DOOR QUESTIONS – 920-559-9814

 

Master Gardener Program in Wisconsin
Door County Master Gardeners
The Garden Door — — Self-guided tours (Free) – Open every day dawn to dusk. 
Located at the Peninsula Agricultural Research Station, 4312 Hwy 42, Sturgeon Bay
Door County Seed Library


PENINSULAR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION Website

Phone:  920-743-5406

 


Door County Quality Market Animal Sale