Meet the New 4-H Educator!

Cloverly Greetings, Chippewa County 4-H Families and Partners!

I am beyond excited to become a part of the Chippewa County Extension team as the 4-H Program Educator. Having grown up in the Sauk County 4-H Program, graduated, and served as a volunteer and statewide adult advisor in Eau Claire County and Hennepin County 4-H programs, 4-H has been a significant part of my life.

As a former 4-H member, volunteer, and staff member, my passions revolve around photography, cultural arts, mechanical sciences, educational experiences, arts camps, leadership opportunities, and supporting youth in agricultural learning.

During my undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational Communication and a minor in youth development in diversity, I gained insights into effective communication, event planning and management, program development, and building inclusive learning spaces.

I've had the honor of supporting 4-H professionally for the past few years as the Hennepin County Extension Principal Office and Administrative Specialist as well as the Sauk County 4-H Summer Assistant. I now have a firm grasp on the scope of the 4-H program thanks to these experiences. I will be wrapping up my duties in Minnesota in the upcoming weeks and making my move back to Wisconsin.

When I'm not working, you'll catch me enjoying moments with my family, exploring the Chippewa Valley alongside my dog Ash, discovering new food trends, traversing the world, or indulging in a binge-watch session with my cats Oak and Ivy.

As I familiarize myself with the program, I plan to visit clubs and programs across the county and actively participate in the offerings we provide. I am passionate about ensuring that Chippewa County 4-H continues to offer quality and engaging youth development programs. Please feel free to reach out at any time, after December 18th, by stopping by or calling the office.

Best regards,

Jordan Blue

4-H Program Educator

Please Welcome Jordan to Chippewa County!

4-H Thriving Model Survey

4-H Thriving Survey -- Watch Your Inbox! 

Watch your email inbox (the one you use with 4H Online) for your link to participate in the Wisconsin 4-H Thriving Survey!  Youth ages 13-18 will receive a link to share your input about your 4-H experiences.  The results will help us evaluate and communicate how 4-H helps young people to learn new things, develop leadership skills, manage goals, set high personal standards, create positive academic attitudes, and other skills that lead to long-term success in life. 

The survey was sent to all Wisconsin 4-H members by e-mail in the first week of November and reminders have been sent as well. The survey link will be open until December 1.  Youth who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card. Fill out the survey to help Wisconsin achieve a 30% response rate.

For more information on the 4-H Thriving Model and some of the results from the 2022 4-H Thriving Study in Wisconsin, please visit 4-H Thriving Model – Wisconsin 4-H

Watch for your link in email and help us tell the story of 4-H in Wisconsin!

Volunteers In Preparation - Online Training

Volunteers in Preparation (VIP) is an interactive training program that includes:

 - Overview of Extension

- Volunteer roles and responsibilities

- Best practices when working with youth

- Resources available to you

Youth Pig Project Scholarship Opportunity

The new youth and adult members of the Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council were elected at the Fall Forum conference, November 4-5, 2023, at the Green Lake Conference Center.  Youth and adults from across the state applied to be part of the new council and went through an election process to be selected for the 2023-24 council.  

Leading the 2023-24 Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council are:

Co-Presidents - Juniper Rydberg (Portage County) and Cindi Syverson (Eau Claire County)

Co-Vice Presidents - Isaac Nagel (Calumet County) and Kathy Brubaker (Pierce County)

Secretary - Morgan Servaes (Kewaunee County)

Youth and Adult Members of the Council for 2023-24 are:

Eastern Region:  

Heidi Groth (Brown County - Adult)

McKinley Kruger (Fond du Lac County - Youth)

Chris Lettau (Winnebago County – Adult)
Josie Mertens (Calumet County – Youth)
Isaac Nagel (Calumet County – Youth)
Evan Numrich (Winnebago County – Youth)

Kassidy Ruppel (Waupaca County - Youth)
Lisa Sprangers (Outagamie County – Adult)
Emma Wagner (Calumet County – Youth) 

Northern Region:

Kathy Brubaker (Pierce County – Adult)
Sami Carriere (Jackson County - Youth)
Maggie Conlan (Polk County – Adult)

Susan Holmen (Chippewa County - Youth)

Christine Jensen (Wood County – Adult)

Jarrett Rueth (Clark County - Youth)
Juniper Rydberg (Portage County – Youth)
Cindi Syverson (Eau Claire County – Adult)

Southern Region:

Mary Pat Boschert (Dodge County – Adult)
Grace Carter (Sauk County - Youth)

Jamie Damm (Columbia County – Youth)

Alexa Heitkamp (LaCrosse County - Youth)

Bryndalyn Kanable (Richland County - Youth)
Thomas Peters (Rock County - Youth)

Dawn Smith (Green County - Adult)

 At-Large:

Jacob Adamski (Langlade County – Youth)

Lauryn Elzy (Rock County - Youth)
Emily Groth (Brown County - Youth)

Finn Lettau (Winnebago County – Youth)

Nick Luerssen (Marathon County - Adult)

Nikki Rueth (Clark County - Adult)
Morgan Servaes (Kewaunee County – Youth)
Burke Sprangers (Outagamie County – Youth)

The Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council (WLC) provides a statewide forum for youth and adult volunteer leaders to discuss ideas and provide input to enhance UW-Madison Extension 4-H Youth Development programs at the state, county, and local levels. WLC members:

Serve as leaders and role models for 4-H youth and adults

Advocate for Wisconsin 4-H

Provide input for enhancing the 4-H program

Provide educational opportunities to 4-H members and leaders

Connect the county, regional, and state levels of Wisconsin 4-H, as well as the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation

Elected at the annual Fall Forum, the WLC helps to plan multiple statewide programs and provides leadership in those settings. 

For more information on the Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council, visit https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/statewide-events-and-opportunities/wisconsin-4-h-leadership-council/. 

Safety Poster Contest

It's time for the 2023- 24 Safety Poster Contest! All youth have the opportunity to create a poster/ essay or video to submit to the contest by January 7th, 2024! Submissions can be dropped off at the Extension Office or at Tawna's home, 6332 County Highway T Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. Submissions will then be Judged by Tawna Sikora, and T-shirts will be given to the top two applicants of each category. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tawna at 715-456-9798 or tawna_sikora2000@yahoo.com. Click the button below for instruction/information. 

Chippewa Co 4-H 2023-24 Archery Program

Archery Registration is now open through 4-H Online through December 27th under Events! 

The Chippewa County 4-H Archery program is offered to give members basic information about their bow, different types of arrows & releases, safety in handling their equipment and help in improving their marksmanship.  Participants must be in third grade AND eight years old, or older.

Chippewa County 4-H youth will only have one location to participate at for the 2023-24 Archery program which will be the Bloomer Rod and Gun Club.  The program will be held on Sundays from January 7th through February 12th with the awards program on February 18th at 1 pm at Bloomer Rod & Gun Club.   

Three different time slots will be available.

Youth can borrow 4-H equipment or provide their own bow and arrows.  Regardless of if you own your own equipment or borrow program equipment, youth will have to complete the equipment and safety check to participate in the program. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jenny Schutte at 715-894-9462 or Sarah Frank at 715-828-3359.

Amber Gilles

Extension Support Staff

amber.gilles@wisc.edu