4-H Friday Newsletter

Friday, March 13, 2026

LEADERS, MEMBERS, and PARENTS can contribute to the articles posted weekly by completing a short form and uploading their article and any photos at go.wisc.edu/2665ok. Articles for the current week must be submitted by 12 pm on Wednesday. We would love to hear from you. Secretary minutes can also be submitted here as well! 

Submitted by Ellie Alf, Club and County Communicator

What a fun we had in March! Our club filled the entire Jake's Village Bowl bowling alley! Club enrichment was bowling and pizza party followed by a great informational meeting! We also had some time to do an ice breaker game in between, which is a great way for kiddos to get to know each other! Thank you Maddie for sharing your paintings for project show and tell. Our annual Bob's Pizza fundraiser was handed out and we planned for next month's Bring a Friend to our club meeting and Easter Egg Hunt along with collecting good for the USPS food drive. What a great time to be a 4-H member!

Submitted by Reporter, Eli Curtis 

The Rosendale 4-H Club met on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Peace Lutheran Church. We started the meeting with the pledges. Next, we had roll call. Then, we had the treasurer's report. For old business, Sadie talked a little about her projects from Family Learning Day. She is going to bring some of her projects to the next meeting.

For new business, we talked about how the Livestock Bowl registration was open, but closes on March 9th. The Skillathon and Quizbowl will be March 21, 2026 at UW Madison. The Dog Project Orientation is April 2 at Rec Building on the FDL County Fairgrounds. Fairest of the Fair applications are due March 31st. We reminded everyone that the next Teen Leaders meeting is on March 23 at 6:45 p.m at the Rolling Meadows meeting room. The last day to drop a project is Friday, April 3rd.  You need to send an email to Tracy including the project name, your name, and your club name.

Before the meeting, we made tie blankets to donate to the Village of Rosendale (Mueller’s Repair). Our next meeting will be Sunday, April 12th, at 11 a.m. at Generation Lanes for bowling.  The club will pay for pizza and bowling.

Members Eli, Emer, and Zahne present the blankets to Mike at Mueller’s Repair and Recovery in Rosendale. 

Front (L to R): Emer C, Emme G, Juniper H, Sadie F, Hunter H, Eli C 
Back (L to R): Mac G, Courtlyn H, Eve C, Levi C

Are you interested in learning more about livestock judging and joining a team? Market Livestock Judging introduces youth to evaluating and ranking animals—such as cattle, sheep, and swine—based on their potential to produce high‑quality meat products. It’s a fun, educational opportunity and a great way to connect with others who are interested in agriculture. Teams practice together and compete at local and state events. Area Animal Science Day is is an event the team will be able to participate in. Youth can also earn educational market livestock points for participating.

The first practice will be held Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus in room 205/206. RSVP here by March 17. Even if you can't attend the first practice, you can sign up to indicate your interest!

We are also seeking an additional volunteer to help with coaching. Contact Tracy for more info.

The first meeting is Thursday, March 19th!

Youth in grades 3-8 will dig into real gardening skills—planting seeds, exploring hydroponics, caring for indoor and outdoor plants, and tending the garden beds right at the Fond du Lac County Campus. This club offers a unique opportunity for youth to build confidence, connect with nature, and watch their hard work come to life in the garden. Come grow with us! 

Learn more at https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/hort/jmg/

Call the office at 920-906-4623 or email Sarah to register.

STEAM GAZE is a full-day, hands-on learning experience for curious and creative youth in grades 3–5, where art and science come together through interactive workshops led by educators and mentors. Participants will explore a variety of STEAM topics, including chemistry, environmental science, theater, music, and visual arts, while engaging in activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

$10 per youth participant. Youth must attend with an adult (parent, club leader, teacher, Extension staff, etc.). There is no cost for adult attendees.

Wausau - April 25, 9:30am – 3pm

Milwaukee - May 16, 9:30am – 3pm

Join us at the UW-Madison Campus for an exciting, hands-on experience at Summer Academy. This Positive Youth Development program helps youth in grades 8-11 explore career and hobby pathways in various fields like agriculture, STEM, leadership, arts, and more. You’ll also have the chance to build friendships and networks with people from across Wisconsin.

Dates: June 14-18, 2026
Location: UW-Madison Campus (Dejope Residence Hall for lodging)

TLA is planning a fun recreation outing to Glow In The Park Indoor Mini Golf & Pinball Arcade (300 S. Koeller St., Suite B, Oshkosh) on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Registration was required so we could provide an accurate head count for our reservation. Learn more about the venue at https://www.glowintheparkoshkosh.com/.

In addition, mark your calendar for TLA’s next meeting on Monday, March 23, to be held in the Rolling Meadows Meeting Room.

The 4-H Raffle Committee is looking for help with securing donations for the annual raffle. It would be very much appreciated if each club could please acquire at least one raffle prize. Please get raffle prize information to Judy Bertram by April 5; you can reach her at mandjbertram@gmail.com or by phone 920-922-9379. Most of our prizes are mailed out to the winners, so certificates/gift cards work out the best. The raffle tickets will be distributed to clubs at the April 30th Adult Leaders Meeting. The raffle drawing will take place at the Adult Leaders Meeting in August. This is a primary source of money to build programs for our 4-H youth. Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 a ticket.

Market Livestock Judging Practice - March 18, 6-7:30 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus 

Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club - March 19, 4-5:30 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus 

Teen Leaders Association (TLA) - March 23, 6:45 pm at Rolling Meadows Meeting Room

LEGO Club - March 24, 6:30 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus- LEGO Build Challenge: Buildings

Wildlife Club - March 31, 6:00 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club - April 2, 16 & 30, 4-5:30 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus 

Dog Project Orientation - April 2, 5:00 pm at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds- Do not bring dogs to this meeting

Market Livestock YQCA - April 4, 9:00 am at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds

Wildlife Club - April 14, 6:00 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Teen Leaders Association (TLA) - April 27, 6:45 pm at Rolling Meadows Meeting Room

LEGO Club - April 28, 6:30 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Adult Leaders Association Meeting - April 30, 6:30 pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

  Tracy Keifenheim

4-H Program Educator

tracy.keifenheim@wisc.edu

Sarah Stevenson

4-H Program Assistant

sarah.stevenson@wisc.edu

 Misty Jimenez

4-H Associate Educator

misty.jimenez@wisc.edu

UW Extension Fond du Lac County
160 South Macy St, 2nd floor
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 906-4623

http://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/4h/

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.