4-H Friday Newsletter

Friday, September 25, 2026

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 be submitted here too!

Submitted by Reporter, Emer Curtis 

The Rosendale 4-H club met on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00p.m., at Fondy Sports Park.

After pledges and roll call we had the secretary’s report. Our treasurer wasn’t there today, so we had no treasurer’s report.

We held an election of officers for the next 4-H year. Eve Clark is our president, Levi Clark is our vice-president, Eli Curtis will remain secretary for the remainder of the 2 year term, Eli Curtis will be treasurer, Emer Curtis will be the reporter, and Emme Gillett will be Sergeant of Arms. Congrats to all!

Front: Harper R, Simon P, Zahne C; Middle Row: Vincent P, Emer C, Eli C; Back: Eve C, Reese G

For New Business we talked about how our Culver’s fundraiser will be on Monday, November 2, waiting on confirmation from Culver’s. 4-H enrollment is now open online until October 31. 4-H Travel experiences and key award applications are due September 15, and available on the county website. Let Ashley know if you are applying and need a recommendation. There are monthly learning labs set-up. The first will be September 24 and Ashley will watch that one to determine recommendations on members watching. The county achievement program will be October 18. Look at the newsletter for additional details. The Cloverbud Pumpkin Contest will be held October 10 at 10 a.m. at UW Fond du Lac Campus for 4-H members in kindergarten through second grade. There will be fun games before they judge the pumpkins with trophies and prizes. 

Our next meeting will be Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 5 p.m. at Rose-Eld Farms for pumpkin carving and a hayride.  

After the meeting ended, we mini golfed! A few of our girl members got a hole-in-one!

Please join us in celebration of another successful 4-H year! Registration at 12:30 pm, Meal & Award Recognition to follow. Please bring a dish to share.

When: Sunday, October 18 at 12:30pm
Where: Rolling Meadows Meeting Room, 560 W Rolling Meadows Dr

Please RSVP with names of everyone attending by October 2.

Join us for the 4-H Science Expedition on Wednesday, November 4, 2026!

Youth in grades 6 and older will spend the day at UW-Madison, exploring real-world science through hands-on learning experiences and interactions with university researchers and STEM professionals.

Cost is $10 per youth. Participation is limited to 20 youth, and two approved adult volunteers are needed to serve as chaperones.

This is a fantastic opportunity for youth to experience campus life, discover exciting areas of science, and explore potential STEM career pathways. Youth who attended last year's expedition are encouraged to participate again, as the sessions and activities will be different this year.

Upon request, County Educators can provide a letter for an excused absence for missing a school day. For the tentative schedule and more details, visit https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/events-activities/#tri-county-science

Want to help support youth, agriculture, and the future of the Fond du Lac County Market Livestock Program? Consider applying to serve on the Market Livestock Committee! Help create opportunities for youth to build leadership skills, connect with the community, and gain valuable experiences.

Find the application at www.fonddulaccountyfair.com → Exhibitors → Market Livestock Committee and Project → MLC Application

Email your completed application to fdlmarketlivestock@gmail.com by October 15, 2026. We’d love to have you join us!

Starting at the end of October, new families will receive a new family letter in the mail in addition to an electronic copy. Each letter explains different pieces of the 4-H Program. These are meant to support you in your first year, in addition to club leader and project leader support. If you have any questions after you receive your copy each month, feel free to reach out to your club leader, a 4-H family friend, or 4-H Program Educator Tracy Keifenheim at tracy.keifenheim@wisc.edu! Please also consider joining us at the 4-H Fall Kick-Off on October 7 to meet new people, ask questions, and have fun! More info can be found below.

Join us at the Fall Kick-Off on October 7 at 6 pm for an evening of hands-on activities, Snacks, fun challenges and games, connecting with new and returning 4-H families, exploring exciting 4-H project opportunities, and exclusive 4-H swag. Whether you're a new member, a returning member, or just curious about what 4-H has to offer, this is your chance to level up your 4-H experience and kick off an amazing year!

RSVP at go.wisc.edu/35p45n by Sept. 28

October 5 - Beyond Ready: Go Green

On Monday of National 4-H Week, Go GREEN and show your 4-H state spirit! A simple, cohesive way for youth, professionals, volunteers, alumni & supporters across the country to celebrate their 4-H program being Beyond Ready. Wear a green hat, clothing, face paint - anything green goes. Let's paint the nation GREEN, on Monday, October 5th! Share your Go Green moment on social and tag National 4-H, your State 4-H program, and use #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek

Explore the Go Green Map at https://4-h.org/events/4-h-week/ to locate landmarks that will be lighting up green on October 5th in support of 4-H! Visit a landmark near you and share your photos with us by using #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek

October 8 - Thankful Thursday

On Thursday of National 4-H Week, help us shine a light on all the good that 4-H does! A day to recognize all 4-H'ers who are doing good and making positive impact by helping their communities and beyond. Share your own story or celebrate someone who is making a difference - another 4-H'er, volunteer or educator We want to know, on Thursday, October 8th and use #4HBeyondReady

Calling all Cloverbuds in Kindergarten-2nd Grade! Bring a pumpkin you've grown, painted, or decorated and enter it into one of our fun contest categories!

Undecorated Categories are: (Pumpkins grown by the Cloverbud.)

• Smallest in Height
• Most unusual shape
• Tallest in height
• Largest in circumference
• Smallest in weight
• Roundest looking
• Best pumpkin color

Painted Categories are: (Painted on the pumpkin by the Cloverbud.)

• Scariest
• Funniest
• Most colorful
• Most unique
• Use of 4-H theme

TLA is looking to start planning for the new 4-H year of activities, so come join them. Any 4-H member who has completed 6th grade or above is eligible to participate in TLA events. The group has a formal meeting once a month, completes service projects, and hosts recreation activities.

TLA will meet at Fondy Sports Complex for mini golf on Sunday, September 27 at 11:30am. Get to know other members and have fun!

The next meeting is Monday, September 28 at 6:45 pm at Rolling Meadows meeting room. Meetings are typically finished by 8:30 pm. During the school year TLA meetings will start with a meal/snacks before the meeting to accommodate busy teen schedules!

Current club officers and any youth who have an interest in learning more about being a club officer are invited to the countywide Officer Training on Saturday, November 7! More details to come.

Winter Leadership Camp is scheduled for January 15-17, 2027. Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to spend a weekend full of fun, friendship, and leadership challenges at Spencer Lake Camp in Waupaca! Registration will open through 4H Online soon.

Small Animal Project Meeting - September 27, 3pm, Rolling Meadows

TLA Meeting - September 28, 6:45 pm, Rolling Meadows

New Club Leader Crash Course - September 29, 6:30pm - Sign up at go.wisc.edu/6n513a 

RSVP for the Achievement Banquet by October 2

National 4-H Week - October 4-10

4-H Fall Kick-Off - October 7, 6-8pm, Fond du Lac County Campus Lighthouse Rooms

Junior Master Gardener Club - October 8, 4-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus, Room 205/206

Cloverbud Pumpkin Contest - October 10, 10am, Fond du Lac County Campus (Outside if weather permits)

Achievement Banquet - October 18, 12:30pm, Rolling Meadows

Horse Project Meeting - October 20, 6:30pm, Rolling Meadows

4-H Project Learning Lab: Animals - October 21, 6:30pm

TLA Meeting - October 26, 6:45 pm, Rolling Meadows

LEGO Club - October 27, 6:30-7:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus, Room 205/206

Re-Enrollment Deadline for Returning 4-H Members - October 31

  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

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.