OCTOBER 2026

(published October 13, 2026)

All 4-H Club and Countywide Project Leaders, 4-H Event/Activity Chairpersons or Organizers: Contribute to the articles posted monthly by completing a short form and uploading your article or photos using link: Newsletter article submission form 

NOTE: Articles for the current monthly newsletter, must be submitting by 2 pm. on the Monday before. Newsletter is published on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Any photos submitted with youth, must be identified for photo release.

As the colors of fall begin to emerge and the days grow shorter, October brings new opportunities to learn, lead, and connect through 4-H. Whether you are a new member just beginning your 4-H journey or a longtime volunteer helping youth grow and succeed, thank you for being part of our Ozaukee County 4-H community.

This month is filled with important reminders, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. As clubs settle into a new program year, we encourage families and volunteers to explore new activities, make new connections, and help create positive experiences for all youth. Every meeting, project, and act of service helps young people build confidence, develop life skills, and discover their spark.

We look forward to another month of learning, leadership, and fun. Thank you for all you do to make 4-H a welcoming and thriving community for our youth.

Happy October!

- Thanks, Abi, 4-H Educator - Ozaukee County 4-H 

Existing members need to re-enroll for the 2026-2027 year soon! Don't miss out on ALL THINGS 4-H (including this newsletter) and re-enroll today!

Sharing a few helpful reminders:

The next Project Learning Lab is focused around Animal Projects!

The Project Learning Lab Series will provide youth leaders, volunteers, and project leaders with practical, hands-on training in specific project areas. Each session will focus on a single project area and provide participants with ready-to-use activities, lesson plans, resources, and teaching strategies that can immediately be implemented with youth.

We're excited to announce the 2026 4-H Science Expedition! Join youth from Ozaukee, Washington, and Fond du Lac Counties and get ready for a day of discovery on the UW-Madison campus!

Youth in grade 6 and older will spend the day exploring science through hands-on experiences and meet researchers and STEM professionals at UW-Madison.

Read more about what participants can expect at the 4-H Science Expedition post!

Adult Leaders are invited to the annual Leaders Association Recognition Banquet hosted by the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association!  You should have received an email with more information and link to RSVP. It's an evening to celebrate you and your commitment to the program!

-Submitted by Lori Hosseini, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Recognition Banquet Chairperson

Interested in meeting 4-H members from throughout Wisconsin and exploring your unique Sparks through exciting statewide opportunities?  Apply to join the Wisconsin 4-H Ambassador Teams for Arts, Ag, Leadership, and new this year - Outdoor! Ambassador teams are open to youth currently in grades 9-12.

Applications are open on 4HOnline and will close on November 15th! For more information on Ambassador groups, visit WI 4-H Ambassadors webpage.

Applications open October 15th for the annual National 4-H Conference!

National 4-H Conference is an opportunity available to all Wisconsin 4-H youth leaders in 10th grade and above who are interested in civic engagement and leadership development at the local and national level.

Submit an application with references to the State 4-H Office between October 15, 2026 – December 1, 2026.

Beyond Wisconsin is a NEW and unforgettable Wisconsin 4-H travel experience designed for middle school students in grades 6–8. Youth will journey from Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri, by coach bus for an adventure that blends fun, learning, and cultural discovery. This is a great opportunity for youth to take the first steps toward independence!

Registration opens in 4HOnline from October 26 - November 22, 2026.

Read more about the details by visiting the Beyond Wisconsin: Exploring the Midwest webpage.

This year all registered members will receive a new shirt paid for through our Leader’s Association Funds.
Designs have been submitted and now it's your turn to vote for your favorite! One vote per youth using link: 2026-27 T-shirt Design Vote

Voting closes November 26th.

If you have questions, please email Nicole Simon at:(cornerstonelandsurvey@gmail.com)

Club Leaders: please start collecting your club membership t-shirts sizes.

- Submitted by Nicole Simon, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

A fun youth event is taking placing in the Oshkosh area with The Herd, a minor league basketball team associated with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 4-H Day will be held on Saturday December 12th @ 12:30pm.

4-H kids will be invited to participate in the SERVPRO High Five Tunnel with the Herd players during starting lineups! 

Block seats all together for a group of 15 or more is available, or you can sign up, and share the link with families within your club to sign up on their own through the link below!  Sign-up before November 21st as prices increase after that date.

For questions, contact Trevor Kroll:  tkroll@wisconsinherd.com or 920-744-0263

Did you know that Wisconsin 4-H offers some amazing educational travel opportunities for 4-H Youth?

The Statewide Events and Opportunities webpage is updated with educational experiences and travel opportunities for the new 4-H Year! These opportunities help youth build leadership skills, meet new people, make memories and represent Ozaukee County on the state and national levels.

Did you know that Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association offers funding support for these opportunities? 

Ozaukee County 4-H Leader’s Association is adjusting the timeline for the financial support application process for the travel experiences so it is more flexible and allow families to coordinate and budget for these experiences.

As always, the registration for the trips is handled through the Wisconsin 4-H online website. 

UPDATE to PROCESS: The application for funding support from the Leaders Association can now be completed by the first of any month that you would like to interview prior to the payments being due for the specific trip that you are interested in.  After you submit your completed application by the first of the month, a Leader’s Association Board Member will contact you to coordinate an interview for the third Thursday of a month prior to the Leader’s Association Board meeting.

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, essay, letter of recommendation, and participate in an interview.

Your application packet, including letter of recommendation, can be dropped off in person, emailed to abi.quinlan@wisc.edu, or mailed to the Extension office to arrive by the first of the month.

Questions? Please contact your club's general leader.

-Submitted by Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association, Trip Funding Committee

The 4-H Storage Unit has items that need to be purged and we are reaching to 4-H families first for your interest. 

These items will be sold on a first come first serve basis and will only be available until November 1st through this method. 

If you are interested in the items and would like to make an offer please contact Deanna Lee at d_r_lee@yahoo.com or via text at 262-352-2109 with the detail of the item you are interested in and the amount you would donate to Ozaukee County 4-H Leader's Association for the item(s).

-Submitted by Deanna Lee, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

This year, we're excited to launch Youth Camp Leadership Teams for each Ozaukee County 4-H camp. These new leadership opportunities are designed to put youth voice at the center of camp planning and implementation, ensuring that campers help shape the experiences they want to see at camp.

Each camp will have a Camp Lead (Adults 21+ age) and Youth Director (youth 11th grade and above) who will work alongside Extension staff and volunteers to provide ideas, help plan activities, build camp culture, and lead fellow campers throughout the camp experience.

Applications for Camp Leads and Youth Directors are OPEN through November 1st.

Contact Abi, 4-H Educator, at abi.quinlan@wisc.edu or 262-284-8288 for more information or questions! 

The Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association is fundraising with three companies. Support your local club and Leaders Association!

Check out fundraiser specifics and find more information by visiting link: 2026-2027 LA Fundraising Info

Questions? Please contact Brenda Mueller, fundraiser coordinator, at brendabee.bm@gmail.com

-Submitted by Brenda Mueller, Leaders Association Volunteer Fundraiser Coordinator

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

4-H Enrollment Open - Adult Volunteer Enrollment: Due November 1st. Per state policy, adult volunteers need to enroll in 4HOnline by November 1st and have training and background check (if applicable) completed by December 1st.

4-H Hall of Fame Nominations: Due November 2. The Hall of Fame recognizes 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff, and pioneers who made major contributions to the 4-H movement at the local, state, and national levels. Any group or individual is eligible to submit a nomination for consideration. More information can be found on the WI 4-H Hall of Fame webpage.

Cake Decorating Day Camp - Save the Date: February 27, 2027. This hands-on day camp is open to youth in grades 3-13 and designed to help participants build cake decorating skills at their own experience level. Registration will be available through 4HOnline. Location: Green Bay, WI

Fairgrounds Reservations-Digital Form. Reminder that 4-H leaders must submit this Google Form to reserve the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds space for upcoming events. Once you’ve submitted the form, county staff will review it and either approve your requested date(s) or, if unavailable, propose alternatives.

Adults must be approved volunteers to be actively leading projects or working with 4-H youth. If you are not a current approved volunteer this year, you can not serve in your 4-H volunteer role. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Thanks to all who volunteered at the 4-H Open Houses this year! The event wouldn't have been complete without your help! This year, we have 23 total attendees (10 adults and 13 youth at the North Open House and 63 total attendees (28 adults and 35 youth) at the South Open House.

Also, I am happy to announce that Marisa H. and Lilly S. will take over as youth coordinator roles for next year's open house. Thanks for showing the magic of 4-H to these potential members!

- Submitted by Sarah H, 4-H Volunteer Event Youth Coordinator

This first week in October marks National 4-H Week! This week celebrates the incredible impact of 4-H and the amazing young people, volunteers, and families who make it possible.

In 4-H, youth gain leadership skills, build friendships, explore interests, and develop confidence that prepares them for whatever comes next. These ideas are exhibited through 4-H Projects - a variety of projects are displayed at area libraries! 

Thank you to Oscar Grady Library, WJ Niederkorn Library, and Cedarburg Public Library for allowing 4-H to showcase the variety of projects and talents of Ozaukee County 4-H youth members!

Members of the Ozaukee County 4-H Horse Judging Team competed at the Wisconsin State 4-H Horse Expo on Sept. 18, 2026, at State Fair Park. Youth judged 3 halter classes including: pony, stock type mares, and draft horses, plus 2 performance classes including: Western pleasure and English equitation.

Ozaukee County was well represented at the contest with the following placings:

Junior Judging without reasons (individual) - Top 10 placings for Jaylin S. and Annabella B.
Junior Judging without reasons (team) - Top 10 placing for Jaylin S., Annabella B., and Bryn D.
Junior Judging with reasons (individual) - Top 10 placing for Stella S.
Senior Judging without reasons (individual) - Top 10 placing for Jacqueline P.
Senior Judging with reasons (individual) - Grand Champion for Fritz H.

Congratulations!

- Submitted by Kate Hoffmann, 4-H Volunteer Project Leader

Congratulations to the Ozaukee County 4-H youth who recently participated in the WI 4-H State Dog Show in Antigo, WI. You represented Ozaukee 4-H well!

Several youth and their dogs took home placements and ribbons! Check out the results here: 2026 WI 4-H State Dog Show Ozaukee Results

- Submitted by Alycia Kringel, 4-H Volunteer Project Leader 

The 2026 Wisconsin State 4-H Agility Dog Show was on October 10, 2026, in Spring Valley, WI.
Ozaukee County had 3 youth and 3 dogs competing.

Congratulations to these kids! They had a lot of fun and learned a lot at this show!

- Submitted by Alycia Kringel, 4-H Volunteer Project Leader 

4-H Premium Checks have been distributed to all Club General Leaders. Please contact your General Leader to obtain your check.

As a reminder, all checks must be cashed or deposited within 90 days of issuance.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as our all-volunteer staff worked through some unexpected technology challenges. We sincerely appreciate it!

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

Reminder that the online 4-H calendar is the best way to stay on top of the many countywide activities going on throughout the 4-H year. Bookmark it here!

Abi Quinlan, 4-H Educator

abi.quinlan@wisc.edu

Extension Ozaukee County

121 W. Main St.

Port Washington, WI 53074

262-284-8288

To help us serve you, please call for an appointment when coming to the Extension office.

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