Dane County Extension Cuts Ribbon on New Educational Greenhouse

April 25, 2023
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive, Extension

Today, County Executive Joe Parisi joined Dane County Extension staff and volunteers to cut the ribbon on the organization’s educational greenhouse at the Dane County Extension Teaching Garden. As the Dane County area eases into spring, Dane County Extension is already putting the 18 ft. by 36 ft. greenhouse to use by starting seedlings to advance educational opportunities within the community.

“By opening this greenhouse, our community members will gain hands-on experience in growing seedlings and connecting to nature,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “We’re also excited to have organizations use the new space to advance their own agriculture and prairie projects in the community.”

The greenhouse was funded by County Executive Parisi’s budget, grants from various non-profits, and a large number of private donors, many of whom are Master Gardeners who volunteer to help maintain the Teaching Garden. The garden surrounds the Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center, home of Dane County Extension.

“The greenhouse will serve as a new teaching space for our horticulture program and we are looking forward to the many educational opportunities this will open to the community,” said Carrie Edgar, Dane County Extension Director. “We are grateful for the support of County Executive Parisi and the many donors that made this greenhouse a reality.”

The greenhouse is currently being used to produce seedlings for non-profits such as Urban Triage’s Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture program, as well as plants to support the Teaching Garden, especially All America Selections award winning vegetables for the Edibles Garden. The Dane County Parks Department will also use the greenhouse to produce native plant seedlings for their projects.

The Teaching Garden was established in 2004 and features 12 garden areas with different themes (such as the Pollinator Garden and Meadow Garden). The garden is open to the public and onsite parking is available. The educational garden features labeled perennials and woody plants with QR codes that can be used to access further information. To learn more about the Teaching Garden visit the Dane County Extension website at https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/