4-H Cloverbud Pumpkin Contest

The annual 4-H Cloverbud Pumpkin Contest was held on Saturday, October 10, at Fond du Lac County Campus. Cloverbud members, 4-H youth in grades kindergarten through second, were able to enter a pumpkin in the contest. The morning of Teen Leaders and a few volunteers helped weigh, measure, and judge the pumpkins. While pumpkins were […]

Building Stronger Communities

Community Development has continued building relationships with organizations throughout Fond du Lac County to better understand community needs and identify opportunities for collaboration. Recent conversations with Holy Land Food Pantry explored ways to reach residents who face barriers to accessing food assistance, particularly homebound individuals and those with limited transportation, as well as to provide […]

Renters Insurance: Do You Really Need It?

If there were a fire, theft, or other unexpected events in your rental home, could you afford to replace your belongings out of pocket? Many renters may assume their landlord’s insurance protects their personal property, but renters insurance serves a different purpose. Before choosing a policy, it’s helpful to understand the coverage available, the costs […]

Adding Weight to Cull Dairy Cows Affects Value

Culled dairy animals are often overlooked as a potential source of income or a high-quality beef product. However, dairy cows contribute roughly 10% of the U.S beef production and 10-20% of a dairy farm’s income. Dairy farms may have opportunities to increase income for their operation through cull cow management and marketing. Learn more here.

Winter Leadership Camp 2027: Snowball Effects

What if one new idea, one conversation, or one small step outside your comfort zone could create something much bigger? Join teens ages 13-18 from across 10 counties for a weekend of connection, adventure, leadership, and fun at Winter Leadership Camp! Through interactive activities, team challenges, and meaningful conversations, you’ll discover how everyday actions can […]

Gathering the Right Data

This month, Community Development Educator Andy Wilson has focused heavily on strengthening understanding of Fond du Lac County’s nonprofit sector, particularly the smaller organizations that often operate with limited staff, funding, and administrative capacity. In partnership with Sophia Partners and the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, a new nonprofit needs survey was recently launched to […]

Feeding the Newborn Calf

Timely ingestion of high-quality colostrum transfers critical immunoglobulins to newborn calves, protecting them during the early immune development phase. Absorption efficiency rapidly declines after four hours of life, with all absorption ending by 24 hours. High bacterial contamination in equipment or udders blocks immunoglobulin uptake and introduces infectious agents to the calf. Establishing strict colostrum […]

Encouraging Financial Conversations: Building Confidence to Support Clients’ Financial Well-Being

Money worries often show up in conversations about housing, employment, food security, family stress, and overall well-being. Yet many helping professionals report feeling uncertain about how to begin discussions about finances with the individuals and families they serve. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension’s Encouraging Financial Conversations (EFC) training was developed to address that […]

Celebrate National 4-H Week 2026: Beyond Ready

National 4-H Week, celebrated October 4-10, 2026, recognizes the impact of 4-H on youth, families, volunteers, and communities nationwide. This year’s theme, “Beyond Ready,” highlights how 4-H prepares young people to thrive in a changing world through hands-on learning, leadership development, and mentorship. With more than 80 project areas spanning science, agriculture, health, civic engagement, […]