August 2025

(published August 12, 2025)

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: https://forms.gle/xwa8JP9c49qDMAHq5

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.

This month, I want to celebrate the last of the 4-H Essential Elements that was on full display during the County Fair: Generosity. In 4-H, generosity means sharing our time, talents, and energy to lift each other up, and it’s something we see from both youth and adults every day.

At the fair, youth stepped in to help friends care for projects and animals, offered encouraging words before a show or judging, and pitched in when extra hands were needed. Adults modeled the same spirit—covering shifts, lending equipment, and quietly making sure everything ran smoothly. These moments show that generosity isn’t just an individual act, it’s a community effort where every age and role matters.

And it doesn’t stop when the fair ends. We see it at club meetings, during community service projects, and in the simple acts of support between members, leaders, and families. Together, youth and adults are creating a culture of giving that makes Ozaukee County 4-H a place where everyone can grow and thrive.

Thank you for all the ways you give to this program and to one another - you are contributing to Make the Best Better!

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

Enrollment AND re-enrollment for the 2025-206 4-H year begins on Monday, September 8th! Due to system upgrades that will happen, please do not sign up before the September 8th opening date.

Running into Problems? Please use the reference guide: 4-H Family Enrollment Guide for step-by-step instructions! Additional Resources: 4HOnline 2.0 for Families 

We are excited to start the new 4-H year and look forward to 4-H members, families, and volunteers coming together as a great 4-H community!

YOUTH MEMBERS:

ADULT VOLUNTEERS:

Picking projects is the exciting first step 4-H youth take in their annual 4-H membership journey. And it just got easier! We’re excited to share three brand-new resources to help 4-H members find their sparks — the interests that bring them joy, energy and purpose. 

The resources are:  

A fresh Project Guide that groups projects into seven streamlined categories. The new categories not only give youth ideas for exploring each project area, but also conveniently match up with most county fair exhibit categories. There’s even a key in the back that shows how the new project areas line up with the previous ones. And a new Sparks Roadmap that helps youth find projects that align with their interests! 
 

Three quick videos that give you a tour of the simple changes to the new 4-H Project Guide. That way you can easily explore your sparks and the many exciting projects that help you develop them!
 

A Quick Guide for families who — not to brag — already know their way around a 4-H Project Guide. 

Ozaukee County 4-H wishes to congratulate all 4-H youth members who are graduating out of the 4-H program this year!

Congratulations on your many 4-H accomplishments! Your achievements reflect the dedication, passion, and growth you’ve poured into your 4-H journey. Along the way, you’ve explored your sparks, built lifelong friendships, and developed valuable skills.

We celebrate all our 4-H graduates and wish you the best in your next adventures! May your head, heart, hands, and health continue to guide you as you make a difference in your communities, your country, and the world. And know that Ozaukee County 4-H will always welcome you back, whether to reconnect, give back, or continue growing alongside the next generation.

Did you receive a black National 4-H Week ribbon at county fair? Congratulations! Watch your mail for a letter outlining next steps in submitting those projects for National 4-H week celebrated in October. Keep this project in safe-keeping for now.

If you have questions about National 4-H Week ribbons, please contact the Extension office at 262-284-8288. 

Did you receive a dark purple Judge's Favorite ribbon at county fair? Hang on to those projects and store in a safe place as Judge’s Favorite award-winners from the 2025 Ozaukee County Fair will be eligible to advance to 2026 Wisconsin State Fair. 

Next year, youth recipients/families will receive details directly from Wisconsin State Fair containing youth expo entry info in early summer 2026.

If you’re going into grades 6, 7 or 8 and love the arts, why not join us for this year’s WI 4-H Arts Camp, October 4-5, 2025 at Upham Woods, WI Dells?! You’ll have the opportunity to explore different types of art (theater art, visual art, musical art, dance, and photography), while making new friends, developing new skills and enjoying new experiences. WI 4-H Arts Camp is designed for middle school youth to come together and explore the arts. Participants will be offered five different sessions that focus on different forms of art.

 Scholarships are available from WI 4-H for Arts Camp. Additionally, the Ozaukee County Leaders Association and Foundation financially support families with a portion of their costs for WI 4-H Arts Camp. Registration runs through August 29:  https://25wi4hartscamp.4honline.com

Do you know someone who wants to learn more about the Ozaukee County 4-H Program? Or perhaps they are ready to enroll in the 2025-2026 4-H Year? Invite them to an upcoming 4-H Open House!

Are you proud of your projects and want to display them again in public? Want to promote 4-H? Volunteer at one of the 4-H Open Houses and share your experience and projects with people interested in 4-H. We need volunteers to make this a successful event!

Thank you in advance for volunteering to share what Ozaukee County 4-H is all about!

- Submitted by Jessica and Sarah H., and Tammy and Emlyn S., 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinators

Calling all 4-H Leaders and Adults! The Ozaukee County 4-H Leader's Association is seeking motivated individuals who would like to be behind the scenes and help with serving on the board for a term. This as a perfect opportunity to become more involved in the 4-H community and help with decision making! The Leader’s Board is eager to have new board members join us! Application due by Sept. 12th 2025.

Adult Application: 2025 LA Board Adult Candidate Application

Youth Application: 2025 LA Board Youth Candidate Application

If you have any additional questions, reach out at: president@oz4hleaders.org 

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Board Member

The 4-H Leadership Recognition Award is designed to honor an outstanding leader, group or organization within the Ozaukee County  4-H Program. Nominees for this award should be current 4-H leaders and their involvement and leadership in the  Ozaukee County 4-H Program should demonstrate a willingness and drive to consistently excel at performing their regular 4-H Leadership responsibilities. Prior recipients are ineligible. 

The applications will be reviewed and recipients selected by the Leader's Association Executive Board. This award will be presented at the Fall 4-H Adult Leaders Banquet. Forms may be submitted by 4-H members, parents, youth leaders, or adult leaders. Past nominees may be re-nominated for consideration. Application DUE by October 1, 2025.

- Leaders Award: Leader Recognition Application

The Friend of 4-H Award is designed to honor adult individuals, groups or businesses who have made contributions to 4-H on a countywide basis. These contributions to 4-H may be in the form of personal services, leadership, special training, publicity, or financial support. The recipient should also have a meaningful involvement in 4-H, is committed to the philosophy of 4-H Youth Development and has demonstrated high personal standards.  Prior recipients are ineligible. 

Any recognition given to the recipient should be supported by and well received by the people of the county. The applications will be reviewed and recipients selected by a vote of 4-H members and leaders. This award will be presented at the Fall 4-H Adult Leaders Banquet. Forms may be submitted by 4-H members, parents, youth leaders, or adult leaders. Past nominees may be re-nominated for consideration. Application DUE by October 1, 2025.

Friend of 4-H: Friend of 4-H Application

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Board Member

2025 Haunt dates are October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31.

We are just a couple of weeks away from the start of the build for the 2025 season! We have a great planning committee, but we still need YOU to make it happen. Consider helping us with the build, staffing the event, and especially teardown.

Haunt trailers will move to the fairgrounds after August 18th and we anticipate starting the build by unloading wall panels as soon as the trailers are in place. We'll need help unloading and painting the wall panels black. As always, many hands make light work!

Please contact one of the co-coordinators to be added to the Telegram group, or our text group, for the latest updates.

Signup Genius Links:

Snacks & Meals: 2025 Haunt Snacks & Meals

Haunt Volunteer Sign-up: 2025 Haunt Volunteers

Mandatory Haunt Training: 2025 Haunt Training

PLEASE NOTE: Re-enrollment opens September 8th. You must be enrolled AND approved as a member or leader to work inside The Haunt. Do not wait until the last minute to re-enroll as it may take time to process. Reach out to any of the co-coordinators or your general leader if you have questions.

Thank you in advance for making this another great Haunt season!

- Submitted by Katie Noetzel, Rose Paulus, Sue Dowe - 4-H Volunteer Haunt Co-Coordinators

Nominations will soon be open for the 2026 class of laureates into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame!  The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame is established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff, and pioneers who made major contributions to the 4-H movement at the local, state, and national levels. You will find the updated nomination process and form at https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/wisconsin-4-h-hall-of-fame/. Review the criteria on the website for more details on requirements.  The deadline for submitting nominations November 3, 2025.

Previously, the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association held an event each fall to thank the 4-H families for their participation in a great year. To help with accommodating busy family schedules and conflicts, we are giving you the opportunity to plan and schedule your own family event! We’ve had some great 4-H families offer up their businesses to help support and make this event possible. Each 4-H youth will be receiving a certificate from their club leader that will allow your family to determine what you would like to spend your certificate on. You must present your certificate at time of purchase, as the business will need to keep it for reimbursement purposes. Thank you to the Ozaukee County 4-H Leader’s Association for sponsoring this event. Thank you for your involvement in 4-H and here’s to another great year!  

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Board & Volunteer Event Coordinator

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

4-H County Board Exchange: August 20th. All current Ozaukee County 4-H youth invited to sign-up for the County Board Exchange. We need you!  Bring record books, projects, travel opportunity tabletop posters, laptop with PowerPoint/google slides etc. In exchange, the youth will experience an Ozaukee County Board meeting, increase their knowledge about parliamentary procedure and learn the type of decisions and discussions that take place. Sign-up by August 15th at 2025 Board Exchange sign-up

Annual Financial Report (AFR) Deadline: September 1st. The 4-H Annual Financial Report (AFR) is required annually for all 4-H Clubs and Groups that have a checking and/or savings account. 2024-2025 AFR's are to be completed and due to Abi, 4-H Educator, at abi.quinlan@wisc.edu by September 1st! An easier-to-understand webpage has been created to see the step-by-step directions, forms and policies: Annual Financial Report (AFR) – Wisconsin 4-H More information can be found at the webpage: 4-H AFR & Charters

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. Any previously approved events remain valid, but all new reservations must follow the updated process.

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.

Congratulations to Rebecca G., Alaina J., and Cori M. on being awarded the 2025 Wisconsin 4-H Key Award! These youth were recognized at a ceremony held on Sunday, August 3rd at the Ozaukee County Fair.

The Wisconsin 4-H Key Award recognizes a select group of 4-H members who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills and actively participated in the functions of their 4-H club and community. It is the highest award in 4-H!

Read more about this year's recipients: 2025 Key Award Recipients

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Key Award Committee Member

The 2025 Ozaukee County Fair 4-H Business Awards were very generously supported this year by area businesses.  A grand total of 48 businesses contributed money, gift certificates, or items as awards.  The Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association was able to award 192 4-H youth and Cloverbuds a Business Award this year--a record!

Thank you to ALL the businesses who partnered with the 4-H Business Awards program at the Ozaukee County Fair this year!  We are so thankful for all of their support and contributions!  A special thanks also goes to Out & Out, who again was happy to donate vouchers for a free scoop of custard to each and every 4-H and Cloverbud exhibitor!  

Please visit the link to view all businesses: 2025 Business List for Business Award Sponsors

- Submitted by Lori Hosseini, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Business Award Sponsor Coordinator

Thank you to each and every club for providing volunteers for this fair’s north parking lot fundraiser! We appreciate your willingness to serve at the fair this way. The money received will be split up and go directly back to the clubs to support all the great things being done! 

Thank you to those who also volunteered at the Budiac parking lot (directly across from the north parking lot) over all 5 days at the fair! Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association was able to raise $4,715 to support 4-H programming!

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Board Member & Parking Coordinator

We'd like to recognize those 4-H members who earned special awards this year's Ozaukee County Fair! Those awards include Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, various livestock awards, Judge's Choice, and more. Please reference the 2025 County Fair Special Awards document posted to the 'Reference Materials' area of the 4-H at County Fair page of the website.

Upcoming Event: Hike and Bike for Vets 2025 on September 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Join the American Legion of Port Washington, Fredonia, and Belgium on a hike from Port Washington’s Park and Ride to Kyote’s in Belgium using the Ozaukee County Interurban Trails. You may hike, ride your bike, or motorcycle along the trail.  All proceeds will go to support Camp American Legion in Tomahawk, WI.

The youth group raising the most funds wins a pizza and ice cream party!

Please sign up no later than August 22, 2025. For more information, please visit: https://www.post82wi.org/event-details/hike-and-bike-for-vets-2025 

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.