4-H Friday Newsletter

Friday, February 13, 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 also be submitted here as well! 

Submitted by Faith Bierman

The members made fleece tied blankets at our January meeting. Sleep in Heavenly Peace- Fond du Lac chapter came to the February meeting of Helping Hands to share with the members what the organization does in the community.   The fleece tied blankets were donated to Sleep in Heavenly Peace along with money that was collected back in December.  

Submitted by Tonille

The club members enjoyed a night of fun playing board games and other games. 

Help Family Learning Day run smoothly by signing up to volunteer with set-up, clean up, registration, or help run people to sessions. Please review the available slots in the Sign Up Genius form below. Thank you!

We’re excited to launch a brand‑new 4‑H club focused on hands‑on gardening experiences through the Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program! Youth will dig into real gardening skills—planting seeds, exploring hydroponics, caring for indoor and outdoor plants, and tending the garden beds right at the Fond du Lac County Campus. Guided by Master Gardeners and 4‑H educators, members will enjoy interactive activities, experiments, guest speakers, and plenty of time outdoors as they learn to grow healthy plants (and healthy habits!). This club offers a unique opportunity for youth to build confidence, connect with nature, and watch their hard work come to life in the garden. Come grow with us! Join the club by registering through 4-H online. First class starts on March 19th and will continue to meet every other Thursday. During the school year, the club meets from 4-5:30pm and during the summer from 1-2:30pm.

We are very excited to announce that Fond du Lac County volunteer JoAnn Maedke will be inducted into the 2026 Class of the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame.

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 Hall of Fame preserves Wisconsin’s 4-H history and development while increasing awareness of the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development program. Thirteen individuals have been selected to be inducted into the 2026 Class of the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame. View the full list of members being inducted here.

The laureates will be inducted in a ceremony on Saturday, April 18th at the Holiday Inn in Rothschild, WI. The ceremony will include a luncheon that begins at noon, and attendees must pre-register for the ceremony. If you are interested in attending to celebrate the laureates, please RSVP by March 27th: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0BZIqbU6X7fRaGq

Exciting changes coming from the WI 4-H Horse Association for 4-H Horse Education Days! Several contests will now be held at Education Days in May instead of at Horse Expo. Contests moving to the Education Days event include: Art, Creative Communications, Photography, Model Horse and Team Problems. Those events join the previous Education Days contests of Horse Quiz Bowl, Hippology, and Speaking and Demonstration.

More information can be found in the Wisconsin 4-H Horse Association Handbook (look under Chapter 5, Statewide Events, Education Days)

NEW! Wildlife Club - February 19, 6:00pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Teen Leaders Association (TLA) - February 23, 6:45pm at Rolling Meadows Meeting Room

Design Your Landscape Kit Distance Learning Program - February 23, 6:30-7:30 pm via Zoom, preregistration was required

LEGO Club - February 24, 6:30pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

4-H Discovery Kit Distance Learning Program - February 24, 6:30-7:30 pm via Zoom, preregistration was required

Family Learning Day - February 28, 9am-3:30pm, Sabish Middle School, 100 N Peters Ave, Fond du Lac

Market Livestock Fair Orientation - March 2, 7pm at the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Rec Building

WI State 4-H Dog Project – Agility Learning Day/Camp - March 7, Wausau, Register by Feb 18

Wildlife Club - March 10, 6:00pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Adult Leaders Executive Board Meeting - March 12, 6:30pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club - March 19, 4-5:30pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus 

Teen Leaders Association (TLA) - March 23, 6:45pm at Rolling Meadows Meeting Room

LEGO Club - March 24, 6:30pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

Wildlife Club - March 31, 6:00pm at the Fond du Lac County Campus

  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

The Extension office has moved to the Fond du Lac County Government Center. Visitors must use the north entrance and go through security, then take the elevators in the lobby to the 2nd floor.

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.