December 2024

(published December 10, 2024)

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.

I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcomes I’ve received during my first few weeks here in Ozaukee County. Meeting so many dedicated volunteers, leaders, and outstanding young people has reinforced my excitement for the journey ahead. Over the next several months, I’ll be out and about—attending meetings, visiting clubs, and getting involved in activities that help me better understand our local 4-H programs, interests, and needs.

As I continue to learn and grow in this role, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you have feedback, new ideas, or simply want to introduce yourself, I’m here to support you. Together, we will continue To Make the Best Better!

- Thanks, Abi

As December is upon us, we wish your family a happy holiday season! As we approach the end of the year, please note the Extension office will have limited office hours, closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1st.

A reminder that appointments are requested for in person visits. Please call and schedule an appointment at 262-284-8288 if you would like to stop into office or talk to a specific person to ensure that we can assist you as efficiently and effectively as possible.

For ease of use, there are two drop box options for the Extension office:

Please look over your informational Countywide Project Page on our website:  https://ozaukee.extension.wisc.edu/4-h-youth-development/countywideprojects/ and let the Extension office know if you need any updates for the current 4-H year. If you have already provided updated info, thank you!

Either email claudia.breitengross@wisc.edu or call 262-284-8288. We use the Countywide Project pages to direct 4-H families to this page for additional information on countywide projects, and are trying to get the individual project pages updated for the current 4-H year. 

At the November Leaders Association meeting, the youth attendees picked the 4-H theme at the Ozaukee County Fair. Theme is 'Explore the Adventure at the Fair' for the 2025 Ozaukee County Fair. Happy planning and creating!

Arts Ambassadors (AA) will learn about leadership, interpersonal skills and how to promote the 4-H Expressive Arts. By applying for any of the Arts teams you are also applying to be a part of this new state group, while still getting to focus on your art spark. Drama, Visual Arts & Comm/Media will all be part of the AA program.

Creative youth in grades 9-13 who want to gain leadership and art experience are encouraged to apply using 4HOnline now through December 20th.

Learn more about the Arts Ambassadors on the WI 4-H website: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/statewide-events-and-opportunities/state-arts-teams/

Wisconsin 4-H offers several educational travel opportunities for the 2024-2025 4-H year! These experiences are available for youth in 6th-12th grade and are wonderful ways to learn more about yourself, others, experience new places, and build life skills that last a lifetime.

Did you know that the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association and Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation provide funding support to applicants? By submitting the application materials of a cover letter, resume, essay question, letter of recommendation, and participating in an interview, you become eligible for the educational travel funding support.

Spring Funding Support Application materials are due Friday, January 31, 2025 to Extension office. Applications materials can be mailed or dropped off at the Extension office or emailed to abi.quinlan@wisc.edu. Applicants will then watch your email for an interview date coming in February 2025.

The following opportunities will be open for funding applications:

This award is the highest award in 4-H. It recognizes members in 9th grade and older who have shown consistent growth in their 4-H program, who have developed their leadership ability, and who have been helpful to other members in their club and community. Youth must have completed at least three years of 4-H club membership and one year of youth leadership.

Application for Key Award involves submitting the application materials of a cover letter, resume, essay question, letter of recommendation, and participating in an interview.

Key Award Application materials are due Friday, January 31, 2025 to Extension office. Applications materials can be mailed or dropped off at the Extension office or emailed to abi.quinlan@wisc.edu. Applicants will then watch your email for an interview date coming in February 2025.

Adult advisors are needed for programs like Space Camp, Summer Academy, Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Congress, and more. Adult advisors will serve as support for all youth participants and work as a team to ensure that the experience runs smoothly.

Interested in learning more? Learn about the positions available and find the application here: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/statewide-events-and-opportunities/adult-advisors/

Haunt 2024 was again a successful event thanks to the adults and youth that participated in any way! More details will be shared in the January Harbinger and at the January Leader’s Association Meeting.

If you want THE HAUNT 2025 to happen there are multiple committee members needed to commit to work through the year!  Multiple current committee members are no longer able to serve on the committee and need to step away.  Being on the committee involves:

Please seriously consider this role and the value this event provides in so many ways to your 4-H youth member, our Ozaukee County 4-H program and for the broader community.  

We need solid commitments before Wednesday, January 15th or Haunt 2025 will NOT happen. Please contact Deanna Lee at d_r_lee@yahoo.com or 262-352-2109 with your commitment.

- Submitted by Deanna Lee, Ozaukee County 4-H Haunt Committee Member

The 2025 Haunt Scholarship applications are currently being accepted. Ozaukee 4-H youth who have volunteered at least two years for The Haunt are invited to apply. Applications can be found under the ‘Scholarship’ section on the Forms page of the 4-H website and are due to the Extension office by February 1, 2025.

Any questions, please contact Michelle Kringel at michdogginit@gmail.com. Late applications will NOT be accepted, no exceptions.

- Submitted by Michelle Kringel, Ozaukee County 4-H Haunt Committee Member

Dates have been announced for the 2025 WI 4-H Dairy Bowl and WI Livestock Educational Contests! Check out the various webpages linked below for more information and registration details once released.

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

WI 4-H Hall of Fame Nominations - Due January 15, 2025. Nominations are currently being accepted for 2025 WI 4-H Hall of Fame.  For more information and nomination paperwork, please visit: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/wisconsin-4-h-hall-of-fame/

4-H Shooting Sports- Leader Certification Workshop- Washington County: February 1, 2025.  Any adult leader, age 21 or over, interested in certifying in a shooting sports discipline. Sign-up to attend Washington County opportunity on February 1st. Certification offered for archery or air rifle/rifle, or air pistol/pistol certifications. For more information, requirements, and registration, please visit the Leaders Certification Training Workshops webpage.  

Inclement Weather Guidelines Reminder- The decision to cancel a planned 4-H activity due to inclement weather should be based on the safety and welfare of the 4-H members, families, and volunteers. If cancellations are made, the project/club/activity leader needs to inform their club/project/activity participants of the cancellation. For more information, please see the November 2024 Harbinger newsletter Inclement Weather Guidelines article.

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, please complete your enrollment, screening or trainings NOW. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Harbinger Newsletter Published Monthly. The 4-H Harbinger newsletter will be published monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. Please adjust your 4-H club, group, and project announcement schedules as needed. 

Congratulations to Rebecca G. and Jacob C. on being named the 2025 Mr. & Miss Ozaukee 4-H representatives.  Rebecca and Jacob will be ambassadors for the 4-H program in community events across the county over the next year!

Thank you to the other youth contestants involved in the process as well.

To read more about Rebecca and Jacob 4-H involvement, please visit link: https://ozaukee.extension.wisc.edu/mr-and-miss-ozaukee-4-h/

- Submitted by Dorothy Parchim, 4-H Volunteer Mr. & Miss Ozaukee Coordinator

The Wisconsin State 4-H Dog Show was on October 5th and 6th, 2024. This show included Individual Obedience, Team Obedience, Rally Obedience, Brace Obedience, and Showmanship. Ozaukee County 4-H had 10 youth and 11 dogs compete at the show. We had at least one person from the county project in each event. All of the youth and dogs did very well. You can see the results here. The youth that competed at the show are listed below. 

The Wisconsin State 4-H Dog Show was on October 12th, 2024. Ozaukee County 4-H had 4 youth and 6 dogs compete at the show. The youth from our county competed in Standard Tunnelers and JTT which is jumps, tunnels, and tables. All of the youth and dogs did very well. You can see the results here. The youth that competed at the show are listed below. 

- Submitted by Alycia Kringel, Ozaukee County 4-H Dog Project Leader

The 2024 annual Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders' Association Recognition Banquet was held on Saturday, 11/16/2024, at Milwaukee Alehouse Grafton.  Several local community members and businesses were honored with special awards.

Ron Parchim, 4-H leader in Cloverleaf 4-H Club, was nominated for and received a 4-H Adult Leadership Recognition Award.  He was a longtime Dairy project leader, and has been very involved in The Haunt, Jack-o-Lantern Jamboree, Cops for Kids, and the Clover Cafe.  Congratulations to Ron!

Keri Eichner, 4-H leader in Waubeka 4-H Club, was nominated for and received a 4-H Adult Leadership Recognition Award.  Keri is a general leader for her club; she is also a leader for Cloverbuds and Foods & Nutrition.  Keri helps organize her club’s involvement with Flag Day and the annual Egg Hunt.  Congratulations to Keri!

Diane Tesker, 4-H leader in Waubeka 4-H Club, was nominated for and received a 4-H Adult Leadership Recognition Award.  Diane has been a 4-H leader for over 45 years; prior to that, she was a Waubeka 4-H member as a youth.  She has been a leader for sewing, houseplants, stenciling, and scrapbooking.  Diane has been active with Memorial Day club tradition of placing flowers on veterans’s graves; bake sales; helping 4-H’ers create cards for veterans and nursing home residents for Christmas and Valentine’s Day; caroling with 4-H youth at area nursing homes; and many other club activities.  Congratulations to Diane!

Claudia Breitengross, Support Staff for Extension Ozaukee County, was nominated for and received a Friend of 4-H Award.  Claudia has worked in the Extension office for over a decade, providing assistance to the 4-H program in countless ways.  Claudia goes above and beyond to assist with coordinating, scheduling, and organizing many aspects of the 4-H program.  She is an invaluable resource to 4-H youth, parents, and leaders of Ozaukee County 4-H, and she is so appreciated.  Congratulations to Claudia!

Out & Out and it’s owner, Kevin Glendinning, was nominated for and received a Friend of 4-H Award.  Kevin became engaged with Ozaukee County 4-H this past summer, when he was approached about the possibility of Out & Out donating a gift certificate for the Ozaukee County Fair 4-H Business Awards.  After inquiring about and learning more about the Ozaukee County 4-H program, Kevin donated multiple gift certificates for the 4-H Business Awards program.  In addition, he generously volunteered to donate vouchers for a free scoop of Out & Out custard to every youth who exhibited a project at Ozaukee County Fair.  His generosity and engagement with Ozaukee County 4-H youth is so appreciated.  Congratulations Kevin and Out & Out!

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

There will be a significant change in the 2025 4-H Judging Schedule. All projects entered in Department Y-16 Natural Sciences will be judged on Thursday, July 24, 2025. This is a change, as these projects are typically judged on the Friday before Fair. Please note this important change. This includes projects entered in Astronomy, Fishing, Insects, Trees/Forestry, Wildflowers/Native Plants, Wildlife & Environmental Ecology, Recycling, Archery & All Shooting Sports, Adventures, Reptiles, Birds, Motor Adventures, Taxidermy, Weather, Science-Wisconsin Agriculture, Self Determined Environmental Education and Bees. 

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

The Ozaukee County Fair will be celebrating the reign of 2024 Fairest of the Fair, Maria Lee on Saturday, January 13 at the Ozaukee Pavilion in Cedarburg. We will also be crowning our 2025 Ozaukee Fairest of the Fair and holding our live auction. The program begins at 7pm. 

Kindly RSVP by January 1st, 2025 to attend using the link below. We are also seeking donations for our live auction, which can also be included by using the link All proceeds raised support the Fairest of the Fair Scholarship Program. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0g7msFbv09onReRm8zzgQIC7ijgpAXx-lXHUoLlTMu0q4Tg/viewform

- Submitted by Jessie Schoessow - Fairest of the Fair Coordinator

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation will award more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding Wisconsin 4-H members and alumni pursuing higher education in 2025. To be considered for financial support, check out the website below for more information and application requirements. Applications open in mid-December. 

For more information, visit: https://wis4hfoundation.org/scholarships/

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

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

An EEO/AA employer, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.