4-H Friday Newsletter

Friday, February 27, 2026

Check-in is between 8:15-8:45am. The first session starts promptly at 9, so make sure to arrive early enough to check in!

Lunch is on your own - please bring a bag lunch.

We recommend wearing old clothes and bringing a box to take home your creations!

New location: Sabish Middle School, 100 N Peters Ave - Enter through door #2

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, Eli Curtis 

The Rosendale 4-H club met on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church for our ice cream sundae meeting! 

We started our meeting with pledges, roll call with our favorite thing about Valentine’s Day, and then we had the Secretary and Treasurer’s reports. We reminded members about an opportunity to create fair projects at Family Learning Day on February 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sabish Middle School. 

For new business, we talked about scholarship applications being open for seniors at the state and county. Ashley sent the links to seniors and noted where they are posted in the newsletter. Mac Gillett reminded members in the market livestock project to watch for point opportunities in the 4-H newsletter. The 4-H Dog Project Agility Learning Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Wausau. Art Beat is scheduled for March 13-15 at Upham Woods for members in grades 3-5. The teen leaders will meet on February 16 at Rolling Meadows at 6:45 p.m. 

Our next meeting will be Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 5 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church to make tie blankets to donate to the local police and fire station. 

After the meeting, we enjoyed ice cream sundaes with the favorite toppings each of the members provided. Yum!!!!

Submitted by Reporter Gabi Westphal

At our Feb. 2 meeting, Amiee Hansen, who is a photographer, came and talked to us about how to use a camera and how to take good pictures. Violet Hinz and Emily Hinz talked about some projects they took to the fair. We also put together some Valentine gift bags for the residents at Tower View Villa. On Feb. 15, our club went snow tubing at Sunburst Ski Hill. We had so much 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 help you challenge you to share that information through a written quiz and learning stations such as breed identification, feed identification, equipment identification 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

Competition in the 4-H Dog Bowl encourages youth to develop a more complete knowledge of dogs and related subjects. This contest provides an educational program for all dog project members, including those who may not own a dog, and provides a way to develop self-confidence, study skills, teamwork, inhibition, and alertness.

Location: UW-Green Bay STEM Innovation Building, 2019 Technology Way, Green Bay, WI 54311  

Team Registration Fee: There is a $15.00 entry fee per team with payment due by the day of the event.

Registration Deadline:  March 30th, in 4-H online

We’re excited to launch a brand‑new 4‑H club focused on hands‑on gardening experiences through the Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program! 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. Guided by Master Gardeners and 4‑H educators, members will enjoy interactive activities, experiments, guest speakers, and plenty of time outdoors as they learn to grow healthy plants (and healthy habits!). 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!  First class starts on March 19th and will continue to meet every other Thursday until October 8. During the school year, the club meets from 4-5:30pm and during the summer from 1-2:30pm. Join the club by registering through 4-H online. If you need assistance signing up, call the office at 920-906-4623.

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!

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 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)

Participants: Youth in grades 8-11

Registration opens March 6 through 4H Online.

Family Learning Day - February 28, 9am-3:30pm, Sabish Middle School, 100 N Peters Ave, Fond du Lac

Market Livestock Fair Orientation - March 2, 7pm at the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Rec Building

WI State 4-H Dog Project – Agility Learning Day/Camp - March 7, Wausau

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, 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.