July 2024

(published July 9, 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.

Greetings 4-H Members and Volunteers,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! Over the past six months as 4-H Program Educator for Ozaukee County, I have conducted a needs assessment with 4-H volunteers, youth, and parents. I have recently completed this assessment and I am excited to share the results, which will shape my goals, priorities and next steps in supporting and growing the 4-H program.

I provide a brief summary of the results below. However, I will be presenting in depth at the next Leaders Association meeting and explaining my process in more detail, so please plan on attending that meeting on Thursday, July 18th.

The information I have gathered from 4-H volunteers, parents and youth leads me to conclude that one of our top priorities should be to support youth sparks through projects by increasing the number of project leaders and maximizing program resources to support project areas.

Here is an overview of some of the data that led me to this conclusion:

As an immediate next-step, I will be looking at which 4-H projects have leaders and which do not, and determining 5-7 project areas to focus on in the next year based on this. I will be reaching out to volunteers in various project areas throughout the process and will keep you informed.

Additionally, the data leads me to believe that there is a need to expand access and awareness of 4-H in the broader community, which will be another one of my priorities moving forward. This will help to grow the 4-H program in Ozaukee County. My next step in this regard is to review what outreach we have done in the past, determine opportunities to reach community members who may not know about 4-H, and design outreach methods.

As always, please reach out with questions, concerns, or ideas. I hope to see you at the July 18th Leaders Association meeting. Thank you!

- Colleen Machut, 4-H Program Educator, Extension Ozaukee County

You are invited to attend the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association meeting on July 18 from 7:30pm-9:00pm at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, Pavilion.

The Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association members encompass Ozaukee County 4-H members, volunteers and leaders. We work together to expand and enrich the 4-H Experience in the Ozaukee County 4-H Program. Together we plan countywide 4-H activities, events, and fundraisers.

Meeting agenda can be found on the Leaders page of the website once submitted and posted.

We look forward to seeing you at the July meeting!

Attention 4-H Club and Group Leaders, it's time to think about your Annual Financial Review (AFR).

Annual Financial Report is due Sept 1, but may be turned in sooner!

Ozaukee County 4-H Clubs and Groups that have a checking and/or savings account must complete and submit the following documents to 4-H Educator, Colleen Machut, anytime between July 1 - September 1, 2024:

This process allows the 4-H Club or Group to qualify for federal tax-exempt status under the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents General Exemption Number (GEN) for Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups

Are you graduating from the Ozaukee County 4-H program this year? We are currently collecting info for graduate recognition later this summer. Don't miss out, submit by July 26, 2024.

What is considered a 4-H graduate?  

Here are the details:

As we move forward in the busy summer 4-H season, a reminder of a few best practices when working with the Extension Ozaukee County Office. We want to ensure the ability to assist you effectively!

Thank you and have a great summer in Ozaukee County 4-H!

We will be crowning a new Mr & Miss Ozaukee 4-H 2025 at the Ozaukee County Fair. This could be you! It's a wonderful experience!

A Candidate letter with information explaining dates, times and duties as well as an Application form can be found on the Ozaukee County 4-H website. Go to the 4-H Forms page, under 'Countywide Activities' to download the letter and form. Application submission by July 12, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy Parchim, 262-370-4745 or rondorpar@yahoo.com

- Submitted by Dorothy Parchim, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

The Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association is again seeking Business Award Sponsors for award recognition of 4-H projects at the Ozaukee County Fair.

One small change this year is in regard to requests to designate an award to specific projects. Requests to award specific projects will attempt to be accommodated but cannot be guaranteed; this will be dependent on the number of projects entered by 4-H youth.

Deadline for business sponsorship is July 15, 2024.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact: businessawards@oz4hleaders.org

- Submitted by 4-H Business Awards Co-Chairs: Lori Hosseini & Lisa Spangler

HAUNT UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE

Get these dates on your family calendars now and help make Haunt 2024 possible!  ADULTS & YOUTH needed to make this possible!

TRAINING DATES: SEPTEMBER 27th thru Sept 30th – Times TBD

Haunt Event Dates: October 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26

Start helping soon by signing up on the below sign-up genius for build: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4AA9A623A31-50031805-haunt

- Submitted by Deanna Lee, 4-H Volunteer Haunt Committee Member

4-H County Board Exchange: Sign-Up!

Mark your calendars now for the annual 4-H County Board Exchange! We invite and encourage 4-H representatives from each club, travel participants, and scholarship recipients who have received funding support through Leaders Association to attend.

Any questions or if you wish to volunteer for the event, please contact the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

4-H Thank-You Event: Save the Date

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

4-H Brat Stand at Port Washington Farmers Market: Sign Up Available. Reminder that spots are available to sign-up! 4-H Clubs, Groups, Families are invited to participate. This 4-H fundraiser is a great opportunity for 4-H families, clubs or groups to make some money to help with 4-H Leaders Association activities including trips, summer camp, or 4-H gear, as well as 4-H projects. Please use this link to sign up for a slot: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BADAD2DA4FE3-49752380-2024#/  Any questions, please contact Christie Dieringer at 262-707-1960 or frontfiveacres@gmail.com

Judge's Choice Award Recipients: WI State Fair - entry deadline Monday, July 22.  Did you receive a Judge's Choice Award purple ribbon at last year's Ozaukee County Fair? You have the opportunity to enter it in this year's Wisconsin State Fair Youth Expo. Submission deadline is July 22nd. For more info, visit the website: https://wistatefair.com/competitions/youth-expo/ or contact Kristie Jorgenson at WI State Fair 414-750-0872.

WI 4-H Key Award Presentation: Sunday, August 4 at Noon. Please join Ozaukee County 4-H and Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association on Sunday, August 4th at Noon in the Bruce Krier 4-H Expo Building at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds to celebrate and recognize the youth from the Ozaukee County 4-H Program who will be honored by receiving the 4-H Key Award. The 4-H Key Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Wisconsin 4-H Program!

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. 

Greetings from Adventure Camp! This year, 19 enthusiastic 4-H youth joined us for an unforgettable experience. We explored the thrilling ropes course at Boundless Adventures in Bristol, WI, engaged in strategic battles at Gameshow Battlerooms in Brookfield, WI, and ventured to the scenic Sheboygan Quarry.

The HH Peters campground, our home for four days and three nights, hosted a range of exciting activities. These included the eagerly awaited Camp Cooking competition, empowering self-defense training session, and a special visit from the renowned Pudgy Pie Guy, featured on PBS, who shared his expertise.

Throughout the camp, we enjoyed a variety of games, crafts, and collaborative efforts to maintain a tidy campsite. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants and their families for your support. We eagerly anticipate our next adventures and look forward to welcoming everyone back to camp in 2025!

- Submitted by Erin Puro, Adventure Camp Jr. Director

Please remember to consult the 4-H Judging Schedule, so as not to miss your project judging. Here is the link to the 4-H Judging Schedule: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/_files/ugd/5d0b9f_dd3133b5459e43ccac6f0a5412d23c94.pdf

Entry Tags can be picked up in the Expo Building on Thursday, July 25th and Friday, July 26th from 1-6 pm. There will be string and tape available to attach the tags to your projects. After the conclusion of 4-H Judging on Friday, July 26th, entry tags can be picked up at the Fair Office during the Office Hours of Fair Week.

*The Ozaukee County Fair is requiring Premise ID numbers for any animal entries (except dogs & rabbits). For additional assistance or if you have other questions regarding your entries, first, read your Fair Premium Book. 

Please contact your club leader or email questions to: exhibits@ozaukeecountyfair.com

Additional forms will again be required for all Livestock Exhibitors (Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Horse and Poultry). This is to ensure that all exhibitors are compliant with Animal Health Certification Requirements for Wisconsin DATCP and following the code of ethics. Forms (2 pages) must be completed and turned in to the appropriate Animal Superintendent (or their designee) upon check-in at the Fair. Exhibitors that do not comply, will not be allowed to exhibit at the Fair and the animal(s) will not be allowed on the grounds. The forms can be found on the Ozaukee County Fair Website: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/4-h-open-class-school-art-entries

*New requirement for 2024: Lactating dairy cattle that are brought to the Fair must be accompanied by a negative test result for avian flu from a test taken within 7 days of movement to the Fair. 

Please contact your club leader or email questions to: exhibits@ozaukeecountyfair.com

Foods exhibits will remain on display at the Fair this year with the exception of soups, stews and main dishes.  Paper plates and ziploc bags will be provided for display of all items, and the entry tag and recipe will be attached to the outside of the bag.  On project pickup at the end of the Fair, the foods will be discarded and the recipe and entry tags can be picked up by the exhibitor.  All Cake Decorating entries will be on display at the Fair.

Available parking passes (including South end weekly passes, reserved passes, and camper passes) are available for sale online at our website ozaukeecountyfair.com/parking while supplies last. 

See below for further detail on parking passes:

A) 5 Day General Parking Pass for South End:  Similar to prior year, the purchase of these passes will only provide admittance into the parking lot on the south end of the Fairgrounds (Gate 1).  When purchasing your pass please complete the field related to '4-H club affiliation' so referral revenues can be shared with your club. Customers purchasing these passes will be responsible to pick up their physical pass from the Fair Office the Monday or Tuesday before Fair.  Bring your email receipt received from purchase.

B) Reserved Parking: Customers who purchased a reserved parking pass in prior year were sent a renewal notice earlier this month to “auto renew” and pay for their same reserved spot again for 2024.  If a customer does not choose to renew by June 14th their parking spot was returned to the pool of parking spaces available for purchase by all fairgoers. Customers purchasing these passes will be responsible to pick up their physical pass from the Fair Office the Monday or Tuesday before Fair.  Bring your email receipt received from purchase. 

C) Camper Parking: Camper spots are for animal exhibitors only. Camper placement on the grounds will be ‘first come first serve’.  Campers can arrive the weekend before Fair but no later than Tuesday July 30th (placement by horse arena area only). All customers wishing to camp at Fair must pay upon placement of their camper (same day) via our online website. Camper parking includes a vehicle parking pass to allow you to park a vehicle by your camping spot. Customers can pick up these vehicle passes (camper and vehicle) from the Fair Office the Monday or Tuesday before Fair. Bring your email receipt received from purchase.

Please contact parking@ozaukeecountyfair.com with parking questions. 

iPads will be used for the Building Superintendents/Clerks to enter judging placements. If you are a Superintendent, or have volunteered to clerk, a brief training meeting will take place at the Ozaukee Pavilion on Monday, July 22 at 6:30pm in the Ozaukee Pavilion North.

Please help us prepare for the training by completing the Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4AA8AF28A75-50261027-ozaukee

Please contact the Fair with further questions: fairdirectors@ozaukeecountyfair.com

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Secretary

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!

An EEO/AA employer, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.