February 24, 2026
Dear 4-H Leader,
Family Learning Day
Thanks to all the instructors who signed up to teach amazing sessions! We also greatly appreciate all the volunteers and Teen Leaders who signed up to help clean, set up, run the registration table, etc. Your hard work is noticed and much appreciated to have a successful project day!
Club Roster
The Club Roster that you download from your club manager screen includes a second page on the roster spreadsheet that lists the project selections. Here’s how to access your rosters:
If you need your Unit (Club) PIN, please contact Program Assistant Sarah Stevenson (sarah.stevenson@wisc.edu).
Day Camp Volunteer Team
We are seeking volunteers who would like to be part of the 2026 Day Camp Committee. If you know of individuals who would be a great fit for Cloverbud Day Camp and other Day Camp opportunities for the summer of 2026, please contact Tracy. The planning for many of these opportunities is done over the next couple of months. We have many opportunities for both youth and adults.
Here are the camps that are looking for volunteers and youth to help plan:
- Cloverbud Day Camps
- Cardboard Camp
- LEGO Camp
- Foodie Camp
- Arts Camp
- Around the World Camp
- STEM Camp
Please encourage your new families to be involved in leadership roles and opportunities. These are just a few of the areas where we need volunteers. I would love to connect with adults who are eager to make a difference and help place them in roles that match their interests and skills!
Certificate of Insurance
If your club needs one for a meeting space or event, please email Tracy for more info.
4-H Friday Newsletter Submissions
Club activities are highlighted in the Club News section of the newsletter. Have your secretary or reporter mail or e-mail their secretary minutes or report (and photos) to Tracy or fill out the Google Form at go.wisc.edu/2665ok to submit an article. Highlights and pictures are also shared on the 4-H Facebook page!
Teen Leaders Association
The club’s next meeting is Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:45 pm at Rolling Meadows. TLA is always looking for new members to join! To be a member, youth must have completed 6th grade. If you are interested in joining or would like the link for the meeting, please contact Cindy Holzman at pcnokholz@gmail.com.
Adult Leaders Raffle
The 4-H Raffle Committee is looking for help with securing donations for the annual raffle. It would be very much appreciated if each club could please acquire at least one raffle prize. Please get raffle prize information to Judy Bertram byApril 5; you can reach her at mandjbertram@gmail.com or by phone 920-922-9379. Most of our prizes are mailed out to the winners, so certificates/gift cards work out the best. The raffle tickets will be distributed to clubs at the April Adult Leaders Meeting. The raffle drawing will take place at the Adult Leaders Meeting in August. This is a primary source of money to build programs for our 4-H youth. Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 a ticket.
NEW Wildlife Club
The new 4‑H Wildlife Club has launched, and youth are welcome to join anytime! This club offers youth in grades 3–8 an exciting chance to explore the outdoors and discover the wonders of Wisconsin wildlife. Through hands-on activities, nature projects, and a special visit to the Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum, members will learn to identify animal tracks, trees, and birds while building confidence and new skills. Meetings run on select Tuesdays and Thursdays from February through June at the Fond du Lac County Campus. Space is limited—register through 4HOnline by selecting “Wildlife Club” and join the adventure!
Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program
The newly updated Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program—now a Fond du Lac County 4‑H Club—is ready for a fun, hands-on season of gardening! Youth will dig into real growing projects as they plan gardens, experiment with seeds, explore hydroponics, plant in the greenhouse, and care for crops throughout the spring and summer. With Master Gardeners and 4‑H teaming up, members will learn practical skills, try exciting activities, and discover the joy of gardening from the ground up. Classes begin March 19th and meet every other Thursday, offering a full season of outdoor learning and growing.
Register today through 4HOnline: https://wi.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
Choose “Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club” when enrolling. If youth are already enrolled in another club, they need to request to add the new club. If you need assistance, please contact the office at 920-906-4623.
Statewide LEGO Brick Build Challenge
It’s time to dig into your brick collection and let your creativity shine! We are excited to announce the first installment of our statewide LEGO Brick Build Challenge series, inviting participants, youth and adults, from across the state to showcase their skills.
This Month’s Topic: Build Your Spark
In 4-H, a “spark” is that special interest or passion that makes you come alive. Whether it’s science, art, animals, or sports, we want to see you represent your passion using nothing but bricks!
How to Enter: The challenge is open to both youth and adults. You can participate as an individual or as a team. To enter, visit https://go.wisc.edu/mxa8pj and submit your entry by the deadline. Entries can be submitted starting March 1, 2026.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submit one entry per individual or team.
- Include up to three photos of your model from different perspectives.
- Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Viewing Party with Prizes: April 12, 2026
We can’t wait to see your “sparks” come to life. Happy building!
Apply for a Club Grant
Mutual of Wausau Insurance Corporation has a 4-H Grant that is currently open for clubs to apply for at https://mutualofwausau.com/community-involvement/.The 4-H Club Grant was initiated to support 4-H Clubs in youth development and to promote civic and leadership responsibilities. The deadline for this grant is April 1, 2026. *4-H is not affiliated with Mutual of Wausau Insurance Corporation.
2026 Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame
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
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
Looking for fresh ideas for your 4-H club?
Want to explore new community service projects or fun ways to make meetings more engaging? Have an idea you’d love to share? Join us for Clover Connect idea-sharing Zoom sessions this spring!
Making 4-H Meetings Fun: Bringing Laughter and Learning to 4-H Meetings
Sunday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, March 23 at Noon (Same content repeated)
Each session will include idea sharing, hands-on learning, and time to connect with other older youth leaders and adult volunteers from across the state. Register for one or both sessions at https://go.wisc.edu/pbm474. Both sessions will be recorded, and resources will be shared with everyone who signs up.
Calendar of Events
March
2- Market Livestock Fair Orientation, 7:00 pm, FdL County Fairgrounds
7- WI State 4-H Dog Project Agility Learning Day/Camp – Register through 4-H Online
10- Wildlife Club, 6:00 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
12- Adult Leaders Executive Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at Fond du Lac County Campus
13-15- ArtBEAT! – Upham Woods, register through 4-H Online
19- Junior Master Gardener Club, 4:00-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
23- TLA, 6:45 pm at Rolling Meadows Meeting Room
24- LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 pm at Fond du Lac County Campus
31- Wildlife Club, 6:00 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
April
2- Junior Master Gardener Club, 4:00-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
4- In-Person YQCA, Expo Building at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds
14- Wildlife Club, 6:00 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
15- Registration opens for Summer Day Camps
16- Junior Master Gardener Club, 4:00-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
27- TLA, 6:45 pm at Rolling Meadows Meeting Room
28- LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 pm at Fond du Lac County Campus
30- Junior Master Gardener Club, 4:00-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
30- Adult Leaders Association Meeting, 6:30 pm at Fond du Lac County Campus
Sincerely,
Tracy Keifenheim
4-H Program Educator
UW-Madison Division of Extension, Fond du Lac County
cc: Executive Board, TLA Advisor, Horse Project President