4-H Friday Newsletter

Friday, March 6, 2026

Hello 4‑H families, volunteers, and leaders,

My name is Pattie Carroll, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new Area Extension Director for Area 14, serving Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties. It is a privilege to step into this role and support the outstanding work happening across our counties through UW–Madison Division of Extension.

As many of you know, 4‑H is built on a foundation of relationships between youth and caring adults, between communities and volunteers, and between Extension and the people we serve. These relationships are at the heart of why 4‑H continues to thrive, innovate, and create welcoming spaces where young people can learn, lead, and grow.

One of the great strengths of 4‑H in our counties is the dedication and leadership of the 4‑H leaders. Your energy, creativity, and endless hours of volunteer time ensure that 4‑H is not just a program, but a community. I am grateful for the work you do to strengthen clubs, mentor youth, and support educational opportunities that prepare young people for bright futures.

In my role as Area Extension Director, my priority is to support our educators and programs, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that 4‑H and Extension continue to meet local needs in meaningful ways that align with Extension's mission and vision. I look forward to learning more about each county’s unique strengths, traditions, and opportunities. Most importantly, I look forward to meeting many of you, our leaders, youth, parents, and community partners, who make this work possible.

Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve already received. I am excited about what we will accomplish together and eager to support the incredible 4‑H work happening across Area 14.

Here’s to a new season of learning, connection, and growing together.

Sincerely,
Pattie Carroll
patricia.carroll@wisc.edu
Area Extension Director – Area 14
UW–Madison Division of Extension

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 Reporter Gabi Westphal

Six of our members represented our club by presenting the flag at the Fond du Lac County board meeting on February 17.

Isabella and Austin L, Bryce and Alexia H, and Emily and Violet H are pictured with county board supervisor Steve Abel who was a 4-H member.

Back: Isabella L., Leah M., Savannah S., Violet H., Gabi W., Alexia H., Bryce H.
Middle: Abram Z., Noah C., Austin L.
Front: Wyatt F., Emmitt F., Greta Z., Emily H.

Submitted by Reporter Gabi Westphal

Our March meeting was March 1 at Generation Lanes. We had a bowling and pizza party. Everyone had a lot of fun.

Livestock Bowl is a quiz competition where all the questions are about beef, sheep, swine, and meat goat topics. Students use a buzzer to answer the questions (similar to the game show Jeopardy). The Skill-a-thon contest will challenge you to share information through a written quiz and learning stations as well as some team activities such as demonstrating evaluation skills.

Location: UW-Madison – Animal Sciences Building, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706

Registration Deadline: March 9, through 4-H online

This state photo contest is open to youth 4-H members and will allow them to enter photos in a variety of categories and have their photos judged by a group of skilled photographers. Each entry will cost the member $3.00 to help cover the cost of printing, mounting, and displaying of the winning photos.

What’s YOUR Spark? Everybody has a skill, talent, interest, or special quality that lights them up — we call these SPARKS! They bring joy, purpose, and direction, and this LEGO challenge is all about celebrating what makes you uniquely you.

Youth AND adults are invited to design and build a LEGO creation that represents one of your personal sparks. Let your imagination lead the way! Starts March 1- Ends April 1, 2026

Each entry may include up to three photos from different angles. Enter as an individual or team — everyone is welcome!

Save the Date: Join us for a fun Viewing Party on April 12 to celebrate all the amazing builds!

Let’s see what inspires YOU. Show us your creativity, passion, and of course… your SPARK!

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.

Wildlife Club - March 10 & 31, 6:00pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Adult Leaders Executive Board Meeting - March 12, 6:30pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adult Leaders Association Meeting - April 30, 6:30pm 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

The Extension office has moved to the Fond du Lac County Government Center. Visitors must use the north entrance and go through security, then take the elevators in the lobby to the 2nd floor.

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.