We invite you to catch up on the impactful work our Extension Iron County educators and staff provide to the community in the form of this monthly newsletter! Below are highlights from each of our program areas.

Ready to hit the trails? The SISU Endurance Team (SET) Running Club kicks off its 8th season on Monday, June 8, and we want YOU to be part of the pack!

Whether you’re a sprinting pro or just finding your stride, our weekly sessions focus on building healthy habits, having fun, and promoting the sport of running. 

Visit our website for the full details, including registration requirements. 

There is still time to sign up for the Iron County Summer Youth Camp, but you’ll want to move fast! We are nearing capacity for our upcoming program at Trails End Youth Camp, running from Tuesday, July 21 through Friday, July 24.

This program is open to all Iron County youth currently in grades 3–5. It’s more than just a week away from home—it’s a chance for your child to build independence, explore the great outdoors, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

We believe every child deserves the camp experience regardless of their financial situation. Thanks to our incredibly strong donor support, we have a limited number of need-based camperships available. If financial assistance would help your family, please don’t let the cost stop you from enrolling!

For more information or to discuss financial assistance, please reach out to Neil Klemme, 4-H Youth Development Educator, at 715-561-2695.

Don’t wait—secure your spot today and give your child a summer to remember!

The Iron County Green Team’s April meeting proved to be a productive blend of future planning and technical skill-building. During the business meeting, the club officially approved the establishment of a scholarship fund dedicated to its graduating members. Club Leader Neil Klemme also provided an update on Summer Academy, noting that while registration is still active, only a few weeks remain for interested students to sign up.

After the formal meeting adjourned, the focus shifted to hands-on engineering. Members worked in teams of two to begin the assembly of Lego EV3 robots. This collaborative effort serves as the first step in a larger project; over the next few months, the teams will move beyond construction to master the programming skills required to bring their robotic creations to life.

During their April meeting, the Penokee Range Livestock Club presented a $15,000 check to the family of Carol Alonen. This donation will support the Carol Alonen Scholarship Fund.

Carol was a vital part of the Penokee Range 4-H Livestock Club for many years. She played an important role in the lives of many children, always cheering them on and helping them learn, grow, and succeed in their projects.

This gift is a wonderful way to honor Carol’s memory and support the next generation of members. We are proud to see her legacy of kindness and mentorship live on through this scholarship.

New pigs on the block! The Penokee Range Livestock Club continues to kick off project season. Starr Thewis is starting strong with her mid-January Berkshire crosses, Taco & Burrito! Meanwhile, Everett and Garrett Laurin are bringing the energy with their trio: April, Dotty, and Wilbur. We can’t wait to see these Berkshire crosses grow!

Be sure to follow the Penokee Range Livestock Club on Facebook to view more photos and club updates. 

We are thrilled to introduce the talented duo joining the Iron County 4-H team this season!

Working alongside 4-H Youth Development Educator Neil Klemme, our assistants will be at the heart of our summer magic—planning and facilitating everything from our high-energy Day Camps and the beloved Summer Youth Camp programs to the highlight of the season: the Iron County Fair.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Serena and Eva!

Adventurers of the North 4-H Club Meeting (Macrame)
Sunday, April 30 - 5:30 pm
Location: Saxon Community Center

Iron County Green Team Meeting
Monday,  May 11 - 5:30 pm
Location: Iron County Courthouse

Penokee Range Livestock Club Meeting
Sunday, May 17 - 9:00 am
Location: Hurley School 

Iron County Leaders Meeting
Wednesday, May 20 - 5:30 pm
Location: Iron County Courthouse

Car Wash Fundraiser - Penokee Range Livestock Club
Saturday, June 13 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Cary Mine Market

Create Wisconsin, a statewide arts and culture community economic development advocacy group, announced the recipients of a new Statewide Artist Grant program that awards $7,500 grants to 16 visual and performing artists around the state. Joseph Miller, UW-Extension Iron County Community Development Educator, was one of five jurors who selected the award finalists from nearly 300 submissions across the state. Grant awards were given for both individual artistic enrichment projects and community arts enrichment projects. 

Funding for the Statewide Artist Grant Program is provided through a generous donation from the Ruth Foundation for the Arts, with a stipulation that 35% of funding goes to counties with populations below 55,000. 

The inaugural cohort includes artists from Ashland, Bayfield, Oneida, Marathon, Shawano, Brown, Outagamie, Milwaukee, and Dane Counties, among others. Create Wisconsin will continue the grant for two more cycles, so artists in Iron County and throughout the state are encouraged to apply in 2027 and ’28! 

Stay tuned to Create Wisconsin’s website or social media to learn more about future grant submission deadlines and requirements.    

The United Way of Wisconsin will be distributing free laptops to qualifying individuals in Iron County on Friday, May 22nd. Full details will come soon, but the Techquite program provides free laptops to qualified participants who don’t already have a personal computing (PC) device. Laptops come with Windows 11 Operating System (the most current version), Microsoft Office Suite, and continued tech support through the United Way’s Digital Navigator program. This is an opportunity to begin bridging the digital divide in Wisconsin, one household at a time. 

Local collaborators for the event include Iron County Human Services and IT Departments, Hurley and Mercer Public Libraries, and the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board. The event will include a distribution in the north and south ends of the county and transportation can be arranged for anyone in need. 

Stay tuned for more details, including registration materials.  

The Hurley REV Team is focused on matching local entrepreneurs with opportunities at the Iron County Memorial Building. With an open lease and a motivated local team, the bowling alley in the basement of the Memorial Building might see some revitalization—more information to come! 

For more information about the Rural Entrepreneurial Venture program or specific information related to the Hurley team, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Additionally, the REV Team is excited to hear any community ideas or feedback related to the program. 

Iron County Economic Development Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 6 - 6:00 pm
Location: Iron County Courthouse Board Room

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference 
Wednesday, May 13 -  Friday, May 15
Location: Green Lake, WI

Visit the Iron County website to view meeting agendas. 

On April 22, we are celebrating our Office Manager, Rebecca Holm.

Rebecca is the creative mind behind this newsletter, our promotional materials, and our social media presence. Beyond her digital work, she provides vital support to our educators and leads the Iron County Mobile Food Pantry.

Whether she’s managing office logistics or serving the community, Rebecca handles it all with incredible dedication. She is the glue that keeps us organized and connected.

Thank you, Rebecca, for your hard work and everything you do for Iron County!

UW-Madison Division of Extension provides valuable programs and resources to all Wisconsin residents, not just those in Iron County! Explore statewide opportunities that can support your family, business, farm, or community, no matter where you are in the Badger State. This month, we are highlighting:

With the ground thawing and spring planting on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get a head start on your gardening goals. Before you head to the garden center, make sure you know exactly what your dirt needs!

The UW-Madison Soil and Forage Lab offers specialized testing for home lawns, vegetable gardens, fruit crops and more. For $30, their standard analysis provides professional-grade insights into your soil’s pH, organic matter, phosphorus, and potassium. Best of all, you’ll receive custom lime and fertilizer recommendations so you can treat your soil accurately before the spring growing season hits full swing.

Beat the spring rush:

Ready to prep your plot? Visit the UW Soil and Forage Lab to download your submission form and kick off your most successful growing season yet!

Mark your calendars for our upcoming distributions:

To learn more about the Iron County Mobile Food Pantry program or other food security resources available to our community members, visit our website! 

Follow Extension Iron County on social media or by visiting our website linked below!

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.