AUGUST 2026

(published August 11, 2026)

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: Newsletter article submission form 

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.

The fair may be over, but the excitement and impact of 4-H continue year-round! We want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the youth who showcased their hard work, learning, and dedication at the Ozaukee County Fair. Thank you as well to the parents, volunteers, leaders, and supporters whose encouragement and time help make these experiences possible.

As we celebrate another successful fair season, we are also looking ahead to a new 4-H year filled with opportunities to learn, lead, serve, and grow. Whether you're returning for another year or just getting started, we look forward to all that we will accomplish together. Here's to building on this year's success and making the year ahead even better!

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

We're excited to announce that 4-H enrollment for the 2026-2027 4-H year will open in 4HOnline on September 2nd. Existing AND new members should plan to enroll during the month of September. 

Sharing a few helpful reminders:

Congrats to those youth who received the black National 4-H Week ribbon on an exhibit at the Ozaukee County Fair. Please hold onto those projects as you will have the opportunity to display them at local libraries in October for National 4-H Week. Please plan to drop off your black ribbon project at the Extension office before September 11th if you wish to participate. Recipients should watch their postal mail for a letter with more information coming soon! Any questions, please reach out to the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

If you're fair exhibit received the dark purple Judge's Favorite ribbon, congratulations to you on your outstanding project! Please hold onto that project and place it in safe-keeping for next year's Wisconsin State Fair. Information will be sent directly to families from fair for youth expo entry in early summer 2027.

Sign-up for the 4-H County Board Exchange on August 19th!

All Ozaukee County 4-H'ers are invited to participate!

This exchange is an effort to help the County Board understand the 4-H program and the educational opportunities available to youth. We would like all of the 4-H clubs represented. We invite youth to share their fair projects and record books with the County Board Supervisors as well as information about trips and leadership opportunities they have experienced in 4-H.

For planning purposes, please sign up using link below before August 14th. Youth should plan to arrive around 7:45am and should be excused from meeting around 10:00 am.

Any questions or if you wish to volunteer for the event, please contact Abi, 4-H Program Educator, at abi.quinlan@wisc.edu or call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Ozaukee County 4-H will hold two open houses this fall for those interested in learning more about the 4-H program! Do you know someone who wants to learn more about the Ozaukee County 4-H Program? Or perhaps they are ready to enroll! Invite them to an upcoming 4-H Open House!

Are you proud of your projects and want to display them in public? Want to promote 4-H? Volunteer at one of the 4-H Open Houses and share your experiences 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 H., Sarah H., Marisa H., and Lily S., 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinators

Wisconsin 4-H has released information about the educational experiences and travel opportunities for the 2026-27 year! Opportunities include Beyond Wisconsin, Ignite by 4-H, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, American Spirit, Space Camp and more! These opportunities help youth build leadership skills, meet new people, make memories and represent Ozaukee County on the state and national levels. Check out all opportunities and start planning by visiting the Statewide Events and Opportunities webpage!

Did you know that Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association and 4-H Foundation offers financial support for many of these opportunities? Ozaukee County 4-H members are encouraged to apply for financial support through the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association for the 2026-27 WI 4-H Educational and Travel Opportunities. Watch for details about application deadlines and updated Leaders Association Funding Support Reference Document coming soon! Applications must include a cover letter, resume, essay, letter of recommendation, and interview. 

Mark your calendars! Dates for Citizenship Washington Focus @ Ignite have been confirmed, and the program will be taking place from March 15-21, 2027.

Wisconsin 4-H youth, in grades 10-12, interested in Civic Engagement and Youth Empowerment should register for the Community Accelerator track at Ignite by 4-H this year.

Registration is open August 1-27, 2026 using 4HOnline!
Please head to the updated CWF website at go.wisc.edu/CWF for more information.

Fall Forum is a statewide conference that brings 4-H youth and adult leaders together to connect, collaborate, celebrate, and build excitement and energy for a new year of 4-H.  It is for youth in grades 7-13, adult volunteers, and staff.  It’s a great opportunity for youth and volunteers to build their personal leadership skills and make new friends from all across the state.  Everyone will leave inspired and ready for a great 4-H year!  This year’s theme is “Quest for Success.”

Registration will be open from September 2-15 in 4HOnline.  Read more about Fall Forum experience by visiting the Fall Forum webpage.

Be part of a new virtual learning opportunity designed to help volunteers bring 4-H projects to life! The September 24th kickoff session introduces the series, provides a short "taste test" of a project lesson, showcase available resources, and gives participants a chance to help shape future topics. No experience needed! Join us to learn, connect, and help build future Project Learning Labs around the topics you're most interested in exploring!

Ozaukee County 4-H supports Cedarburg Festivals again!

Sign-up your family and join us for this EASY and fun community event! 4-H supports the Cedarburg Festivals Committee to run one of the lemonade stands during the Wine & Harvest Festival. This is a fundraising event that provides the Ozaukee County 4-H Leader's Association funds to support our 4-H youth programming and scholarships. The best part is all we have to do is show up, set-up the supplies they provide and be a welcoming and efficient sales team!  

This is fun for the whole family to do together! We have created shorter shifts, so plan to sign-up for one or more shifts -- whatever fits in your family schedule!  Please wear a 4-H t-shirt so we can also help promote our amazing organization at the same time!

Our booth is located on Bridge St. and Washington Avenue by Maxwell’s.  More details will be provided closer to the event to those that sign-up using the link below. At least one adult is needed per shift.  

This is a very well attended event for Cedarburg every year so please plan in advance to secure street parking or review their website ahead of attending to review your parking options.

Thanks in advance for taking a moment to assist in our community while also fundraising for your future 4-H events!  Your 4-H Leadership team to assist with the Lemonade stand is: Lisa Fellenz, Laura Prahl, Erin Puro & Deanna Lee.  If you have any questions at this time please contact Deanna Lee via email at d_r_lee@yahoo.com or text 262-352-2109.  THANKS!

Together Everyone Achieves More!

Hope everyone had a fun time at the fair and has finally recovered. It is that time of the year again to start thinking of the 2026-2027 Ozaukee County 4-H T-Shirt design. This year all registered members will receive a new shirt paid for through our Leader’s Association Funds.

What would you like to wear on your shirt? This design contest is open to any one who is registered in Ozaukee County 4-H. Voting will be done by 4-H youth as well. We encourage you to utilize two to three colors in a full front shirt design that includes ‘Ozaukee County 4-H’ as well as an individual club name (ex: Covered Bridge).

Entries are due by October 1st. If you have questions or would like to submit your design, please email it to Nicole Simon at:(cornerstonelandsurvey@gmail.com) by the deadline. After October 1st watch your emails for viewing and voting on the entries.

Need to know how to use the 4-H Clover correctly? Please visit the 4-H Name and Emblem guide. To download the official Wisconsin 4-H Logos visit: Wisconsin’s 4-H Logo Webpage. 

- Submitted by Nicole Simon, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

Fall Forum- Call for Presenters: Due August 15. Do you, or a youth or volunteer you know, have a project, skill, or program you want to share? Makerspace Station - lead hands-on interactive session on specific topic: https://go.wisc.edu/d437hg. Workshops - host a station for quick activities: https://go.wisc.edu/5r5g75 

Arts Camp Registration Deadline: August 15. 4-H Arts Camp provides youth in grades 6-8 an opportunity to explore different types of art including theater, music, visual arts, dance, and photography while making new friends, developing skills, and enjoying new experiences. Visit Arts Camp webpage for more info.

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.

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 our three Ozaukee County recipients of the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award! Thank you for being such great leaders and representing the Ozaukee County 4-H program so well!

Thank you to all who attended the presentation at the fair to celebrate these young ladies. Congratulations again! You all have a bright future ahead of you!  To read more about the recipients, visit the Key Award webpage.

Pictured from left to right: Taylor W., Emlyn S. & Lindsey K. 

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

Thank you to all the volunteers who took shifts at the Budiac parking lot (directly across from the north parking lot) over all 5 days at the fair!

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

Congratulations to all 4-H youth who exhibited at the Ozaukee County Fair! Thank you for showcasing your time, talent, and learning to all those who attended fair! We'd like to recognize those 4-H members who earned special awards at fair. Those awards include Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, various livestock awards, Judge's Favorite, and more. Please reference the 2026 County Fair Special Awards document for full list.

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.