Residents in Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties have likely not noticed many differences since the UW-Extension offices were merged together.  That was done in 2017 as part of a statewide reorganization of services.  Individual extension directors in each county office have now been replaced by an area extension director.  Rob Burke oversees operations in Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties.  He credits the skilled staff in each office with making for a smooth transition.

There is, however, one more big change ahead for county extension services.  On July 1st UW Extension will go from an independent entity to a division of U-W Madison.  Burke believes that transition and Governor Evers' proposed budget for agriculture services will improve service to counties.

During the initial extension service reorganization, many vacant extension service office positions, state-wide, had been left unfilled.