January 30, 2026
Enrollment Deadline
ALL current 4-H members and adult volunteers MUST re-enroll in order to be active in the new year through 4HOnline. Youth wishing to show at the fair must be enrolled in an approved youth organization by February 1st of the fair year. This is a Fond du Lac County Fair Policy.
Last year, we had over 605 youth and 142 adult volunteers; let’s see if we can beat that! We are currently at 578 youth members and 127 volunteers. There are still 8 adults pending their volunteer status due to missing trainings or incomplete background checks.
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 Sarah (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.
Family Learning Day – February 28, 2026
2026 NEW LOCATION: Sabish Middle School, 100 N Peters Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Volunteers Needed! Help Family Learning Day run smoothly by signing up to volunteer with set-up, clean up, registration, or help run people to sessions. Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4EAFA728A2FFC25-61221211-2026
- Community Service Project – We will be making cards to spread cheer. A station will be set up for youth to work throughout the day.
- We may also have a Goosechase going during Family Learning Day. Watch for more information!
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, February 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. Please feel free to sign up for an item for the Build a Charcuterie Board Snack
Certificate of Insurance
If your club needs one for a meeting space or event, please email Tracy for more info.
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. Enclosed is a donation request letter that you may use. 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.
ArtBEAT!
Youth in grades 3-5 are invited to this hands-on, interactive art experience in beautiful Upham Woods in the Wisconsin Dells from March 13-15! Participants will learn to juggle, make visual arts, create a STEAM project, explore music, and much, much more. Art Beat is led by older 4-H youth and professional artists in a variety of disciplines from painting, theater, textiles, and music. 4-Hers will also get to experience an overnight camp adventure. The goal of Art Beat is to help young people to explore their artistic sparks. For more information visit: http://go.wisc.edu/ArtBEAT. Registration is open through 4-H Online until February 8 or until the camp fills.
2025-2026 FDL County 4-H Calendars
We are excited to announce that each 4-H Family will receive a printed calendar for the 2025-2026 4-H year. These calendars have been distributed to the club leaders along with a roster. However, we understand that not all families may have received their calendars yet, and we want to ensure that everyone gets one. These calendars aim to help families plan out the 4-H year effectively.
If you have not received your calendar, please fill out the Google form below. We want to make sure every family is well-prepared for the exciting year ahead! Additionally, we would love to hear your feedback on the calendar. Please provide your thoughts and suggestions using the Google Form provided. Your input is valuable to us and will help improve future editions. The form is 3 questions. Google Form: https://forms.gle/qQf2zRwyxMMJm8rn8
NEW Wildlife Club
The new 4‑H Wildlife Club is launching this spring, offering 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 Club (JMG)” when enrolling.
If youth are enrolled in another club already, they need to request to add the new club. If you need assistance doing this, please contact the office at 920-906-4623.
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH- Project Resources
Are you looking for project resources or different learning opportunities within a project area? Check out the resource library! The resource library allows volunteers, staff, and youth to search for project learning materials. Simply put in a request and then the resource will be sent to you to loan just like a library would work. There are so many different resource formats: learning kits, posters, trainings, DVD or CD, and more! After you have used the learning resources, bring them back to the office, and we will ship the resources back for you. It is at no cost to the club or volunteer using them!
Here is an example of something you could request: Dog Learning Laboratory Kit
Description: The Dog Learning Lab Kit is your answer for species-specific, hands-on, durable materials that make learning tactile and fun. It includes materials and suggestions for activities that cover anatomy, breeds, animal care and management, conformation, equipment, and facility management.
Format: Includes variety of posters, charters, diagrams, identification tags, situation/task statements, & instructions
Calendar of Events
February
7 Market Livestock- Feed Supplements Education- Addison Town Hall at 9am
8 Art Beat Registration Deadline- Register in 4-H Online
19 Wildlife Club, 6:00 pm, 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
28 Family Learning Day, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Fond du Lac
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
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
Sincerely,
Tracy Keifenheim
4-H Program Educator
UW-Madison Division of Extension, Fond du Lac County
tracy.keifenheim@wisc.edu
cc: Executive Board, TLA Advisor, Horse Project President
enc: Raffle donation letter, Wildlife Club flyer