4-H Friday Newsletter

Friday, September 11, 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 be submitted here too!

Submitted by Reporter Gabi Westphal

On August 16, we had our meeting at Korneli’s on the Avenue. We went rollerblading and had a pizza party and played games. At our September 7th meeting we planned our activities for the next year. Leah lead an ice breaker to help us get to know other members. Next month we will have our annual Halloween party.

A Small Animal Project Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 pm.  This will take place at the Rolling Meadows Dairy Barn.  Please advise that this meeting is one of two mandatory project meetings.  The second meeting will take place in January.

Youth Sweepstakes is a fun way to test and expand your knowledge of sheep and the sheep industry. Youth ages 7-21 are encouraged to participate in any or all of the educational contests and exhibition events. At each event, participants earn points toward monetary prizes!

https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/sheep-shows/youth-sweepstakes

Sweepstakes contests are held on Sunday, September 13. They include: poster contest, skillathon, photo contest, fleece show, live shows, showmanship, etc. Use this link in order to enter. 

Sweepstakes Contest: Youth are invited to participate in the Youth Sweepstakes Contest at World Beef Expo (WBE) in West Allis, WI next month. The contest will be held on Saturday, September 26, and we will have photo, essay, and skillathon contests. This is a great opportunity for 4-H and FFA members involved in livestock production to test their skills and earn prizes. Registration is $5 per contest. More information about the Youth Sweepstakes Contest, including the schedule, rules and registration are available here: https://www.worldbeefexpo.com/youthsweepstakes

Judging Contest: 4-H and FFA members are invited to put their livestock evaluation skills to the test at the World Beef Expo Judging Contest! Youth can bring a team or compete individually, making this a great opportunity for both experienced livestock judgers and those looking to gain more contest experience. Blackhawk East will be assisting with this year’s competition. The contest will include 10 cattle classes, with divisions for junior and senior 4-H/FFA members as well as collegiate contestants. Junior 4-H/FFA contestants will answer questions, while senior 4-H/FFA contestants will give four sets of oral reasons. The entry fee is $40 per contestant, and the deadline to register is September 24, 2026. More information and registration can be found on the WBE website: https://www.worldbeefexpo.com/judgingcontest

Please make sure that your Meat Animal Sale checks are cashed in a timely manner.

The Market Livestock Production report must be completed by all exhibitors who sold a market animal at the Fond du Lac County Market Livestock Auction/Meat Animal Sale. Due date is September 11.

If you are interested in helping make the Market Livestock Committee stronger, we encourage you to consider applying to serve on the committee. The deadline to apply is September 15.

www.fonddulaccountyfair.com → Exhibitors → Market Livestock Committee and Project → MLC Application

Citizenship Award- Citizenship is an individual’s response to their membership in a community.  A member selected for this recognition should have high participation, strong achievement, and various leadership and community service roles. Youth who have completed at least grade 11 are eligible. 

Leadership Award- The member is selected for outstanding work as a Youth Leader at the club and county level. Emphasis is placed upon leadership, teaching, and sharing as a Youth Leader. Youth who have completed at least grade 9 are eligible. 

4-H Growth Achievement Award- This award recognizes a member’s overall accomplishment in 4-H over a period of time. It is earned by a member who shows a positive attitude, involvement, growth, breadth, and depth in project, club, and county 4-H activities. Youth who have completed at least grade 9 are eligible.

Application for the awards above: go.wisc.edu/fi9773

2026-2027 Educational Experience Funding- To be eligible for funding for an educational experience, submit a completed application by Sept 15 and participate in an interview. Visit our website to see a full list of opportunities. 

2026 4-H Key Award- The Key Award is the highest state 4-H award earned by members who have shown consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in their 4-H club and community. Youth in grades 11-13 are eligible. Up to 4 recipients from Fond du Lac County can be selected. Completed applications are due Sept 15 and applicants must interview.

Application for Educational Experience Funding & Key Award: go.wisc.edu/4630ir

Any individual involved with Fond du Lac County 4-H may nominate an adult, business, or group that has provided continued support to the county 4-H Program for special recognition.  Awards are presented at the annual 4-H Leader Banquet.

https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/4h/awards-scholarships/#volunteer-recognition 

Join us for the first-ever 4-H Project Learning Lab! This introductory session will give you a sneak peek at what future Learning Labs will offer, a chance to experience a mini project lesson, and an opportunity to help shape future topics.

September 24 | 6:30-8:00 PM | Virtual

No experience needed!

Each Learning Lab includes:

 Register at https://go.wisc.edu/20435e

TOPICS UPDATED - Save the Dates for Future Sessions! Future Learning Labs will be offered in a hybrid format with local in-person participation, virtual presenters, and time for discussion and county planning. Attend the topics that interest you or join them all!

We look forward to seeing you for another great year with Fond du Lac County 4-H! Enrollment is now open through 4-H Online. Don't wait - sign up now so you don't miss any opportunities!

Market Livestock Records due September 11 - Email to fdlmarketlivestock@gmail.com or send to Fond du Lac County Fair Attention: MLP,  P.O. Box 1466, Fond du Lac, WI 54936

Record Book Review Day - September 12, 8:30am, Fond du Lac County Campus

Key Award & Funding Applications due - September 15

LEGO Club - September 22, 6:30-7:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus

Junior Master Gardener Club - September 24, 4-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus

4-H Project Learning Lab: Intro to Learning Labs - September 24, 6:30pm, virtual via Zoom

Small Animal Projecting Meeting - September 27, 3pm, Rolling Meadows

TLA Meeting - September 28, 6:45 pm, Rolling Meadows

Interviews for Key Award & Travel Funding - September 28, 5-8pm, Fond du Lac County Campus

Interviews for Key Award & Travel Funding - September 29, 5-8pm, 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

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.