November 2024

(published November 11, 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.

We are happy to announce that Abigail Quinlan will be starting in her role as Ozaukee County 4-H Program Educator on November 18th. Please join us in welcoming Abi to the Extension Ozaukee County office and Ozaukee County 4-H Program!

Abi will attend a three day conference starting on November 19th and then will begin on-boarding for the position.

Sharing a message from Abi below:

Hello, amazing 4-H families!

I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce myself—I'm Abi Quinlan, the new Ozaukee County 4-H Educator! Growing up on my family's farm in Walworth County, I fell in love with raising and showing Morgan horses (a passion I still pursue today) to raising and showing pigs at the fair, and diving into creative projects—even if my first few attempts weren't exactly blue-ribbon quality.

My family has recently made Ozaukee County our home, and I couldn't be more excited to join this vibrant community. With over a decade of experience supporting volunteers, crafting impactful programs, and expanding opportunities with organizations like AgrAbility of Wisconsin and Wisconsin FFA, I'm eager to bring my enthusiasm and expertise to our local 4-H families.

Feel free to reach out—I'd love to get to know each and every one of you. Here's to an incredible journey ahead!

We extend warm wishes to you and your families for a Happy Thanksgiving! During this season of thanks, we send a thank-you to all our 4-H families and 4-H volunteers! Youth members and adult volunteers make the Ozaukee County 4-H program the strong program it is today… THANK YOU!

Please note the Extension office will be closed November 28 & 29 in observance of the holiday.

As we approach the winter season, providing a review of the inclement weather guidelines.
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. Be prepared to modify or cancel programming as needed due to inclement weather.   

If cancellations are made, the project/club/activity leader needs to inform their club/project/activity participants of the cancellation.

If schools or other area activities are being canceled due to inclement weather, contact the club and/or project members and cancel the meeting.

Project/club/activity leaders may contact the Extension staff during posted office hours to send out a broadcast email through 4HOnline or post the cancellation on the Ozaukee 4-H Facebook page.

Make cancellation decisions based on the following forecasted weather outcomes:

In November, Wisconsin 4-H sends out Thriving Survey emails to 4-H youth members (ages 13-18). Ozaukee County 4-H encourages these members to complete the 4-H Thriving Survey about their 4-H experience. The survey was developed by National 4-H Leaders (https://helping-youth-thrive.extension.org/) and will help Wisconsin 4-H to learn about the quality of our programs. Youth who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card. 

The survey link in your email will be open until December 2nd, 2024. 

Please take time to fill this out. It's important data used to make improvements to our county program!

The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame was 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. The candidates represent 4-H in the broadest sense – they may be 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, UW—Madison Division of Extension professionals, or staff employees who had an impact on the lives of children, their community, or state through significant contributions of time, energy, or financial resource to 4-H and its members. 

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/

Any group or individual is eligible to submit a nomination for consideration.

All 2025 nominations must be submitted electronically to Amanda Lacey at amanda.lacey@wisc.edu no later than January 15, 2025. 

Are you an adult leader that wants to become certified in a shooting sports discipline? Upcoming WI 4-H Shooting Sports Certification Workshop dates have been announced. Adults 21 and over can register and select one discipline in which to be certified.

Washington County: February 1, 2025. Offering archery and air rifle/rifle, and air pistol/pistol certifications.

Menominee County: Late January or February 2025: Offering archery only certification.

For more information, requirements, and registration, please visit the Leaders Certification Training Workshops webpage.  

*Note: Leaders may only teach in the discipline in which they are certified. An adult leader cannot provide hands-on or safety instruction without a 4-H certified leader supervising the range.

Those interested in being a certified instructor must contact your county 4-H Educator and those in shooting sports leadership roles regarding requirements prior to registering for a certification workshop.

Registration for the 2025 American Spirit East trip is NOW OPEN! 4-H members in 8-10th grades are invited to register for this fun American history filled experience. American Spirit East provides the opportunity for youth to experience history and heritage through a 10-day bus journey to the East Coast!

Delegates must not have attended American Spirit in the past. Register in 4HOnline through November 30th.

If you need help registering through 4HOnline, please consult the registering for an event page here.

You will be sent additional details after registration with more information on American Spirit and the orientation. Please see the Wisconsin 4-H website for additional information about American Spirit East opportunity.

Covered Bridge 4-H Club is hosting a winter coat drive for kids of all sizes and you're invited to participate!

New and gently loved winter coats can be dropped off at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds on Thursday, November 14th from 4:00-6:00 pm. or during the Leaders Association meeting on November 21st from 6:30-8:30pm.

All gently loved winter coats should be in good, wearable condition with working zippers and buttons. Sweatshirts, hoodies, and spring jackets will not be accepted.

Leaders Association: Ozaukee County 4-H T-shirt Info!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the T-Shirt Design Contest!  Congratulations to Adelyn A. from Knellsville 4-H Club for the winning design (see below)!

Each member will receive a free t-shirt compliments of the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association. Please let your club's general leader know your t-shirt size.

In addition to the free t-shirt, Leaders Association is offering extra clothing items you may buy at your own expense. All extra clothing that families would like to order should be done through their club's general leader.  Club leaders will collect the cost needed to pay for these added items.

Clothing orders are due by the end of November to your club's general leader.

General Leaders: Please collect T-shirt sizes from your club members and send the list to Nicole Simon at cornerstonelandsurvey@gmail.com .

Questions? Please feel free to reach out to Sue Karolczek or Nicole Simon from Covered Bridge 4-H Club.

Additional Options:

- Submitted by Nicole Simon, 4-H Volunteer, Covered Bridge 4-H Club

Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Fall Fundraiser

The information below outlines the Fall Fundraiser that the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association is running. Please note that you will receive an email from your general leader with more details later this week and sales will start once you receive the information.  

We are offering Kwik Trip $25.00 Gift Cards and Kwik Trip (5) Ultimate Car Wash Cards selling for $36.00 each. The Car Wash Cards are a great deal, you receive 5 Wash’s for $36.00.  Current cost at Kwik Trip for an Ultimate Car Wash is $10.00 per wash, you are receiving a $50.00 value for $36.00.  These make great gifts! You need to contact your general leader to place your individual order of the number of cards you would like to purchase.  Checks should be made payable to your club.

We are also selling “That’s My Pan” items.  As in the past you will login to the website: www.thatsmypan.biz/frwi10030. Another great idea for gift giving!

New this year is FlowerPower Fundraising. It is a website based sales program, similar to That’s My Pan, where you will login and place your order, pay and the items will ship directly to you or address you select.  For the holiday season, we will be offering Amaryllis & Paperwhite Kits.  In spring, we will offer other options. 

These are all Wisconsin based companies and it offers the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association a variety of great items to raise funds for both your 4-H Club and the Leaders Association!

Please contact 4-H Volunteer, Brenda Mueller at 920-980-9250 with any questions.

- Submitted by Brenda Mueller, 4-H Volunteer, Jay Road 4-H Club

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

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. 

Save the date for the 2nd Annual Fairest of the Fair Gala: January 11th 2025!

The evening includes light refreshments, the Fairest of the Fair Competition, the Live Auction and the Crowning of the 2025 Fairest of the Fair! 

If you are interested in donating an item for the auction, please email: fairestofthefair@ozaukeecountyfair.com.

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

The Ozaukee County Fair is excited to announce their 2025 Scholarship Program!

The mission of the Ozaukee County Agricultural Society (OCAS) is to promote agriculture in the community while also emphasizing the importance of hard work, education, family, and community service.

Each year, through a group of volunteers, the OCAS hosts the Ozaukee County Fair in Cedarburg, WI. The County Fair is very special to the Ozaukee County Community. The Fair provides a wonderful place for young and old alike to come together, highlight accomplishments, and celebrate community.

This year, up to five scholarships, up to $2,000, will be awarded to graduating seniors in high schools in Ozaukee County or the surrounding area.

Please use this link for more information and this year's application: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/scholarship

Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

Join us for a fun night out in support of Ozaukee County 4-H!

Stop by Culver's in Grafton on Tuesday,
December 3rd, from 5-8 PM, and enjoy some delicious food—all while making a difference!

Culver's will be generously donating 10% of all proceeds to the Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation during the event. Don't miss out on a great evening for a great cause. We can't wait to see you there!

- Submitted by Jaime Jacobson, Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation Coordinator

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!

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