University of Wyoming Extension

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University of Wyoming Extension

Providing life-long learning opportunities for the residents of Wyoming. University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity provider.

Some content on this page was created with the assistance of AI. UW Extension is responsible for content accuracy. Are you curious about ways to attract wildlife to your backyard? New ways to stretch your grocery budget? What about putting up a wind generator on your small acreage? Are you looking for a youth program that puts character first? Community development, sustainable agriculture and nat

ural resources, rangeland management, nutrition, food safety, and 4-H/youth development — the University of Wyoming Extension focuses on issues that matter most to you! Since 1914, UW Extension has helped Wyoming citizens and communities respond to challenges and changes. We have offices in each of the state’s 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. Although our roots are in agriculture, UW Extension has broadened its educational mission to encompass many of the contemporary challenges facing Wyoming’s people and its rural communities. We’re committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities as we bring the resources of the University of Wyoming home to you!

06/02/2026

🌦️🌬️🥶☀️ Wyoming gardening rule #1: the plant tag does not know about Wyoming wind.

Hardiness zones are a good starting point. They tell you the coldest temperature a plant is able to survive.

But they do not tell the whole Wyoming story.

Wind, snow cover, soil moisture, summer heat, temperature swings, and shelter can all affect whether a plant thrives, struggles, or gives up by July.

Before you buy or plant, check your zone, then check the actual spot where that plant is going.

Swipe through for quick reminders from Wyoming Master Gardeners.

Share this post with someone who is planting, shopping for plants, or trying to outsmart a Wyoming growing season.

05/29/2026

🐂📡 What if fences on working rangelands could move without moving a single post?

Read more in AgNews:
https://uwagnews.com/2026/05/20/uw-led-article-highlights-virtual-fencings-potential-to-transform-conservation-on-working-rangelands/

A new UW-led article highlights how GPS-enabled livestock collars and software-defined boundaries could help land managers adjust grazing areas, reduce reliance on physical fencing, protect sensitive areas during critical periods, and support wildlife movement and habitat connectivity.

The article also notes that broader adoption still comes with real questions around cost, technological limitations, animal welfare, data privacy, and conservation-focused use.

What do you think virtual fencing could mean for working lands in Wyoming?

📸 Photo: UW News / Pitchfork Ranch

05/19/2026

🥫 Do you know what “Best If Used By,” “Sell By,” and “Use By” dates actually mean?

Many expiration dates are about food quality and freshness, not automatically whether food is unsafe to eat. Understanding food labels can help reduce unnecessary food waste, save money, and make food storage less confusing.

Swipe through for a simple guide to:

📅 Common food date labels
🥫 Approximate shelf life for common foods
⚠️ Signs food may be spoiled
♻️ Practical ways to reduce food waste at home

🔗 Learn more: https://uwyoextension.org/uwnutrition/understanding-expiration-dates-food-safety/

💬 Share this with someone who is trying to reduce food waste.

05/15/2026

🌾🎨 If you're in central Wyoming tomorrow, don’t miss out on the UWE Ag & Art Tours Register here: https://bit.ly/Ag-and-art-natrona

This free self-guided tour gives you the chance to explore local agriculture, Wyoming creativity, and the people who help make our rural communities unique. Visit working agricultural operations, meet local artists, explore demonstrations and educational booths, and enjoy hands-on experiences throughout the day.

📍 Natrona County
📅 Tomorrow, May 16, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Whether you’re interested in local food, art, Wyoming culture, or just looking for something different to do this weekend, this is a great chance to experience it all firsthand.

Follow the Wyoming Ag & Art Tour on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wyagarttour
Instagram:

05/13/2026

🌷🪴 Wyoming gardeners: before you plant anything this spring, start with your soil.

Wyoming Master Gardeners are sharing practical, research-based gardening tips made for Wyoming conditions — starting with how to prepare your garden soil for spring planting.

This week’s Wyoming Garden Tips & Tricks covers:
🍃 Adding organic matter
🌱 When to till (and when not to)
🪴 Preparing soil for planting
🌿 Simple ways to help your garden succeed this season

Swipe through for quick tips you can use in your own garden this spring.

💬 What’s the first thing you plant each spring in Wyoming?

👉 Follow Wyoming Master Gardeners and University of Wyoming Extension for more Wyoming Garden Tips & Tricks throughout the growing season.

05/08/2026

🌾 Wyoming producers, are you tracking drought conditions the right way this summer?

The U.S. Drought Monitor is one of the most important tools for planning ahead in Wyoming agriculture. It shows where drought is happening, how severe conditions are, and how they are changing week to week.

Why does that matter?

Because drought conditions can directly affect:
✔ Grazing decisions
✔ Forage availability
✔ Water access
✔ Irrigation planning
✔ Wildfire risk
✔ Relief program eligibility

The Drought Monitor helps producers make informed decisions before conditions become bigger problems.

In some cases, it can also trigger eligibility for federal assistance programs tied to drought severity levels.

📍View the current U.S. Drought Monitor map:
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

📍More information about how the Drought Monitor connects to USDA/FSA programs:
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/FSA/About/DroughtMonitorTriggers.aspx

Questions? Reach out to at [email protected] or drop them in the comments

What are drought conditions looking like in your part of Wyoming right now? 🌾

05/04/2026

🌼 This is the final month to jump into Ready, Set, Explore. Don’t miss it.

Ready, Set, Explore! is a free, family-friendly program built to help Wyoming families make the most of the outdoors before the season wraps up.

👉 Register today: https://bit.ly/ReadySetExplore-2025-signup

You can join anytime through May. If you’ve already registered, you’re good to go.

Each month includes simple, self-paced outdoor activities designed for Wyoming families.

✔️ Complete a month and earn a free educational incentive
✔️ Complete 4 of 8 months and earn a Wyoming State Parks Annual Day Use Pass

📧 Questions? [email protected]

What’s one outdoor activity you still want to check off your list before summer hits?

05/01/2026

Starting a 4-H robotics team can feel overwhelming. It does not have to be. 🤖

👉 Register now: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/46375

The Wyoming 4-H Robotics Academy is coming to Gillette, May 15–16, with a hands-on training built to help youth and volunteers feel confident going into the next robotics season.

📍 Gillette
🗓 May 15–16
🕓 Friday: 4:00–7:00 PM
🕗 Saturday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Led by Texas 4-H youth and educators with real competition experience, this is a hands-on, working training. You will practice, problem-solve, and get direct support.

Participants will learn how to:
✅ Program and troubleshoot robotics equipment
✅ Prepare for competitions like Sumo and AgRobotics
✅ Improve robot performance
✅ Organize and manage a robotics team
✅ Build confidence through hands-on learning

Whether you are just getting started or preparing to compete, this training gives you the tools to move forward with confidence.

📞 Questions
Erin Persche | 307-746-3531 | [email protected]

Deborah Peavler | 307-828-4092 | [email protected]

Know a 4-H family or volunteer who should be there? Tag them or share this post.

04/28/2026

🤠 Please join us in welcoming Dr. John Derek Scasta as interim director of the University of Wyoming Extension.

Dr. Scasta officially stepped into the role on April 27, following his service as director of the Laramie Research & Extension Center and more than a decade as UW Extension’s rangeland management specialist. He brings deep experience working directly with Wyoming agricultural producers, county educators, and communities across the state.

“Extension is fundamentally about people, relationships, communities, and extending the resources of UW to all corners of the state to help solve problems and enhance quality of life. I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve in this role and support the incredible work our educators and staff do every day for Wyoming people,” Scasta said.

His leadership reflects what Extension is all about—local knowledge, dependable service, and helping Wyoming communities thrive.

👉 Help us welcome Dr. Scasta in the comments below.

📖 Read more in Agnews:
uwagnews.com/2026/04/23/scasta-appointed-interim-director-of-uw-extension/

04/27/2026

💚 Community service is part of the DNA of 4-H.

From helping neighbors to leading local service projects, Wyoming 4-H teaches young people the value of giving back and staying involved in their communities.
Those lessons last a lifetime.

See how Wyoming 4-H is making an impact across Wyoming in AgNews:
https://uwagnews.com/4-h-program-cultivates-a-life-long-commitment-to-volunteer-work/

👉 Interested in making a difference? Learn more about volunteering with Wyoming 4-H: https://wyoming4h.org/opportunities/new-volunteer-information/

Did 4-H shape your story? Tell us in the comments.

Address

1000 E University Avenue, Dept 3354
Laramie, WY
82071

Telephone

+13077662115

Website

http://www.uwyo.edu/uwe/

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