10/06/2026
Thanks for the feature, Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce!
TUESDAY CHAMBER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: HIGHLIGHTING THE BUSINESSES THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SHINE! 🔦
❓1. Business name:
✅Informally: UW-Extension Iron County
Formally: University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Iron County
❓2. What year did it start and why?
✅1921 with the arrival of Dan Shaffer, one of the first Extension Agents hired to serve a county role. Extension Iron County was established over a century ago to bring the research and expertise of the University of Wisconsin to every corner of the state. Cooperative Extension can be traced back to the Morrill Act of 1862, which established the Land Grant University System. Essentially, it created a legal framework that directed specific state colleges and universities to provide a direct link from institutional research to state residents. The original emphasis was on agriculture, and Shaffer’s first project in Iron County was to repurpose surplus WWI dynamite to clear stumps and boulders for farm use. In the 21st century, UW-Extension’s purpose is to solve local challenges, support youth development, and strengthen the local economy and environment.
❓3. What is the main goal of UW-Extension Iron County?
✅To extend university knowledge and resources to the people of Iron County. We aim to empower residents of all ages through educational programming in areas such as 4-H Youth Development and Community Development, while connecting our area to statewide expertise in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Health and Well-Being. Officially, “We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and engage with them in transforming lives and communities.”
❓4. What makes it unique?
✅We offer the "best of both worlds"—deep local roots combined with the vast resources of the Universities of Wisconsin. Because we live and work in our community, we understand the unique opportunities and challenges of the Northwoods. We don't offer one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we build tailored programs alongside community partners to address what matters most right here at home using methods and expertise from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and other state Extension programs.
❓5. What is hardest part of the job and how do you handle it?
✅The Challenge: Serving a large, rural geographic area with diverse needs using limited staff and resources. Needs are often loosely defined and require programmatic solutions driven by collective community action.
How We Handle It: We prioritize strong partnerships and local connections. Extension’s role in this process is to identify needs using data collection and analysis, to present this data for community members to identify solutions, and by providing educational resources (classes, courses, workshops, etc.) for community-led action. By collaborating with Iron County schools, government offices, non-profits, and volunteers, we stretch our impact further and ensure programs reach every corner of the county.
❓6. How can people support UW-Extension Iron County?
✅Become a Volunteer: Do you have a skill that you would like to share with area youth? Get involved as a 4-H leader!
Participate & Spread the Word: Attend our workshops, webinars, and community meetings, and share event information with neighbors and friends.
Stay in the Know: Follow Extension Iron County and Iron County 4-H on social media and visit our website, iron.extension.wisc.edu for current info and a link to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.
Share Your Input: Tell us what programs or resources Iron County needs most—community feedback guides our work.
Advocate for Extension: Voice support for Extension programs to local leadership and County Board members to help sustain funding and resources.
