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Message from Sarah
Message from Sarah
As we step into a brand-new year, 4-H reminds us that every beginning is a chance to grow. A fresh calendar means fresh possibilities—new projects to explore, new friendships to build, new goals to chase, and new confidence to discover along the way.
This year, challenge yourself to try something new. Pick up a project you’ve never attempted, volunteer for a role that feels a little outside your comfort zone, or set a goal that stretches your skills. That’s the heart of 4-H: learning by doing, daring to try, and celebrating every step forward—big or small.
Here’s to new beginnings, bold choices, and the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the year ahead. Let’s make it one to remember!
Sarah and Emily
As always, if your club or project has updates or calendar items, please email sheboyganco4h@gmail.com. Crier updates are due by the 20th of each month.
Room Reservations, Winter Weather, and Meeting Reminders
Room Reservations, Winter Weather, and Meeting Reminders
As we head into the winter meeting season, please take note of a few important updates for those using UW–Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus rooms for 4-H and Extension meetings.
Room Reservations:
All room reservations must be made through the UW Extension–Sheboygan County Office using the Room Use and Expectations Request Form. Rooms will only be confirmed once the signed form is received.
To reserve a room:
Contact the UW Extension–Sheboygan County Office with your request.
You’ll receive the Room Use and Expectations Request Form by email.
Read, sign, and return the form by email, mail, or drop-off.
You’ll receive a confirmation once your signed form is received.
Please remember: Groups are expected to clean up after meetings and leave the room exactly as it was found. Failure to follow room use expectations may affect future reservation privileges.
Winter Weather & Meeting Cancellations:
If snow or ice makes travel unsafe, 4-H county-level meetings may be canceled. To check for updates, call the Extension Meeting Information Line at 920-459-5908 or visit sheboygan.extension.wisc.edu.
If classes are canceled at UW–Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, 4-H night meetings will also be canceled.
Project Leaders & Committee Chairs:
If you need to cancel a meeting, please contact the Extension Office by 3:00 p.m. so staff can assist with sending notifications, updating the website, and posting on the meeting information line.
To add to the county calendar please email sheboyganco4h@gmail.com
Deadlines & Important Dates:
Deadlines & Important Dates:
January 8: Leaders Association Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30
January 20: Cloverbud Meeting
Clover con - Zoom Meeting
January 22: Bookworm Garden Committee Zoom Meeting @ 6:30
January 23-25: Winter Leadership Camp @ Spencer Lake
January 30: Clover Con @ Winnebago Extension
February 2: Camp Counselor Applications Due
February 2: Bookworm Garden Planting Day
February 9: Bookworm Garden Planting Day
February 13: Rockets for School
Rockets for School Interest Form Due
Leaders
Leaders
Club Dues Reminder: Dues are now $5 per member, which must be sent to the Extension Office to cover insurance. Clubs may still set their own overall dues amounts. Payment is due by April 1st 2026. Please make payment issued to Sheboygan County 4-H.
Calling All 4-H Leaders! You’re automatically part of the Sheboygan County 4-H Leaders Association - join upcoming meetings to stay connected, share ideas, and help guide our county’s 4-H program.
FEIN, GEN, CES… why do these matter? These tax numbers are the reason your club’s annual financial review is so important - learn more here.
The Popcorn Machine is available
Support Needed for Countywide Project Sessions
Support Needed for Countywide Project Sessions
As many of you know, we are currently short on countywide project leaders in areas such as photography, sewing, and the arts. To continue offering high-quality learning opportunities, we are planning to bring in guest instructors, educators, and community experts who are willing to share their knowledge with our youth.
Since these guest instructors are not enrolled 4-H volunteers, we are looking for approved 4-H adult volunteers to help support these sessions. Your role would be to:
Be present as the approved 4-H volunteer with required trainings, ensuring youth protection policies are met.
Provide light assistance with logistics (such as set-up, organization, or supporting the guest instructor as needed).
Work with Extension staff as partners to make the session run smoothly.
Some of these sessions may be one-time workshops, while others could expand depending on interest and logistics.
In addition, if you are an approved volunteer who isn’t interested in leading a countywide project with recurring meetings, but would be willing to share a hobby or skill in a shorter format, we’d love to set something up! This could be a Project or Art Day session or an evening workshop during the 4-H year. Skills like knitting, fabric arts, scrapbooking, card making, or wood burning are all great examples of interests youth would love to try.
If you’d like to be involved either as a supporting volunteer for guest-led sessions or by sharing your own skill please email sheboyganco4h@gmail.com. Together we can keep a wide variety of opportunities alive for Sheboygan County 4-H youth!
Using the 4-H Name and Emblem Correctly
Using the 4-H Name and Emblem Correctly
The 4-H Name and Emblem are federally protected symbols of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and may only be used for educational or character-building purposes that benefit 4-H programs.
In Wisconsin, all use of the 4-H name or clover emblem must be authorized and overseen by a UW–Madison Division of Extension 4-H Program Educator. Each chartered 4-H club or group is officially granted permission to use the 4-H Name and Emblem through the annual charter process, which confirms compliance with federal, state, and university policies.
Important: If your group is not chartered, you may not use the 4-H name, clover logo, or any version of the emblem in print, digital, or promotional materials.
For complete guidance and access to official Wisconsin 4-H logos and branding resources, visit
"I move that..." - Getting Motions Right in Your 4-H Meetings
"I move that..." - Getting Motions Right in Your 4-H Meetings
If you’ve ever sat in a 4-H meeting and heard someone begin with “I make a motion that…,” you’re not alone, but did you know that isn’t actually the correct way to make a motion?
In parliamentary procedure, the proper way to introduce a motion is simply: “I move that…”
Short, clear, and action-focused. Starting with “I make a motion…” is one of the most common errors youth (and adults!) make, but learning the right phrasing helps meetings run more smoothly and teaches real-world communication and leadership skills.
Want to strengthen your club’s meeting skills, learn the basics of motions, gavel etiquette, voting, and more?
Visit our full Parliamentary Procedure Resources Page for a simple breakdown of meeting styles, officer roles, and step-by-step guides your club can use all year long.
Help your members gain confidence, learn to lead, and keep your 4-H meetings running efficiently... one motion at a time!
Thank You for Sharing Your Voice!
Thank You for Sharing Your Voice!
This fall, 292 Sheboygan County 4-H youth members were invited to complete the 4-H Thrive Survey, and we’re grateful to the 33 youth who took the time to share their feedback. Your responses help guide and strengthen our 4-H program.
To say thank you, four survey participants were randomly selected to receive a $20 Culver’s gift card: Aliyah C. (Parnell Pals), Molly T. (Trailblazers), Ellie N. (Hingham Handy Helpers), and Morgan A. (Spring Valley). Congratulations, and thank you to all who participated - we appreciate you helping us make 4-H even better!
Sheboygan County 4-H is proud to support youth pursuing their educational and career goals beyond high school. A variety of county, state, project, and association scholarships are available for 4-H members each year - each with its own criteria and deadlines.
Project-Specific Scholarships:
Opportunities for Dairy, Horse & Pony, Goat, Cat, Dog, and Small Animal projects with due dates ranging from April 1 to August 1.
Association & Community Scholarships:
Several partner organizations - including the Wisconsin Pork Association, Eastern Wisconsin DHIC, and Sheboygan County Holstein Association - offer additional awards with varying deadlines.
Tip: Start early! Deadlines and requirements vary, and many applications require essays, references, or project records.
Visit the extension website for full details and application links.
Funding opportunities are available! Sheboygan County 4-H offers several grants to support youth, clubs, and projects - including the Endowment Fund, Alumni Grant, and more. Visit the extension website to explore available programs and apply for 2026 funding support.
Stay in the loop! Visit our Project News page to see what's new with your project. Each project has its own subpage, so you can easily find the latest developments, milestones, and next steps.
Looking for details about your club? Visit the Club Information section of the Crier to find:
Club leader and youth leader information
Club-level project leaders
Club bylaws and other key documents
Club-specific announcements and updates
This is your go-to place for everything related to your club!
Congratulations to the following clubs who are having some fantastic year milestones in 2026!
Scott Pioneers - 90 years
Spring Valley - 85 years
Waldo Fireflies - 80 years
KICK-OFF MEETING FOR LIVESTOCK QUIZ BOWL AND SKILLATHON TEAMS
KICK-OFF MEETING FOR LIVESTOCK QUIZ BOWL AND SKILLATHON TEAMS
Are you a 4-H member in Sheboygan County that is interested in learning more about the beef, swine, sheep, and goat projects? Please join us for an organizational meeting as we form our Sheboygan County 2026 Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon teams. This meeting will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 6:30 PM at the UW-Sheboygan Extension Office. We will have a brief meeting with a short practice. Practices will be held weekly from January through mid-March. We will discuss which night of the week will work best for practices at the organizational meeting. The contest date is set for Saturday, March 21st, 2026, at the UW- Madison campus.
Being a member of a livestock quiz bowl and skillathon team will encourage youth to develop a more complete knowledge of the livestock projects and related subjects. In addition, it provides a way to develop self-confidence, knowledge, skills and memories that will last a lifetime. This contest is open to all 4-H members, including those who may not own a project animal. In addition to weekly practices, we will be using the online program Quizlet as a study guide. If you are interested in assisting the coaching staff, please contact one of us for more information as to how you can help. Any questions can be directed to the following individuals: Liz Gartman at eagartman@gmail.com or 920-207-3727, Michelle Klemme at klemmeherefords@gmail.com or 920-901-7373. We hope you can join us!
Local News and Events
Local News and Events
Sheboygan Co. - Save the Dates - 2026
February 2 - Camp Counselor Applications Due
February 2 - Bookworm Garden Planting Day
February 9 - Bookworm Garden Planting Day
February 23 - Camp Counselor Interviews
March 1 - Animal/Shooting Sports/Blacksmithing due in 4-H Online
March 7 - Project Day 9-12:00
12:30-2:00 - YQCA
March 14 - Livestock Reality Store
March 17 - Camp Counselor Meeting
April 1 - Club dues are due
April 18 - Fine Arts Festival
April 29 - Camp Counselor Meeting
May 11 - Bookworm Garden Planting Day
May 16 - Bookworm Garden Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
June 15 - Fair Entry Opens
June 18 - Camp Counselor Meeting
July 8 - Camp Counselor Meeting
July 15 - Fair Entry Deadline
July 15-18 - Outpost/Basecamp
Aug 3-6 - New Member/Cloverbud Day Camp
September 3-7 - Fair (all clubs MUST help at food stand)
October 4 - Open House/Enchanted Forest (all clubs MUST be in attendance)
November 23 - Awards Banquet
All Sheboygan County youth in grades K–12 are invited to participate in the 2026 Conservation Poster Contest
A Distance Learning Event
Sign up in 4HOnline by January 5
Pick materials up at the Extension Office in Sheboygan.
A Distance Learning & In-Person Event for 5th-12th Graders
Sign up in 4-H Online by Jan. 15th
$40 covers all materials, lunch & snacks for the in-person events. Make check payable to Sheboygan Co. 4-H (5 University Drive Sheboygan, 53081) memo: Clover Con
Jan. 20 - Zoom
Jan 31 - @ Winnebago Co. Extension
Feb. 3 - Zoom
Feb. 14 - @ Brown Co. Extension
Only 40 youth - sign up now!
Save the Date! First Saturday in March.
Join us for a day of hands-on learning and creativity. More information to come on registration for sessions. Click here to sign up to volunteer.
In this hands-on simulation, you’ll jump into real-world challenges just like a true livestock pro! Choose your path based on your family or group’s goals:
Discover what it really takes, financially and with daily care, to raise and sell a show animal.
Dive into the money side of things and learn the basics of livestock finances and record-keeping like a business boss.
No matter which route you take, you’ll walk away with skills to help your next project make dollars and sense! This is open to both members and non-members, and will count as market animal education.
4-H youth will not be charged for this event.
Sign up here by February 28, 2026
4-H Selected for Bookworm Gardens’ 2026 Readers’ Roundup Garden, you voted, and the book is chosen!
Join us to create the 4-H garden at Bookworm.
Ribbon Cutting & Community Day
May 16, 2026 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting at 10:30 AM
Free admission for 4-Hers.
Save the Date! April 18!
More information to come to register.
Save the date! Sheboygan, Calumet, and Manitowoc County 4-H will be going back to Upham Woods for SHECALMAN SUMMER CAMP on July 15-18, 2026!
Sign up to volunteer at camp by February 2, 2026
Youth Camp Staff Application Form
*New: No charge for counselors this year! -Thank you Leaders Association!
State 4-H News and Events
State 4-H News and Events
Find the Statewide Events and Opportunities here!
Need-based Statewide Scholarships are available for State Educational Experiences, which are made possible through donations to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. You can find more information and apply for a scholarship here.
Registrations are open for the upcoming 4-H Meat Judging Contest on January 31st at UW-Madison. The registration deadline is January 19th.
Registrations are open for the upcoming 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest on February 7th at UW-Green Bay.
Calling all 8th–10th graders! Join Winter Academy for three interactive Zoom sessions (Jan 21, 28 & Feb 4, 6–7:30 p.m.) where you’ll discover your strengths, practice problem-solving, and connect with peers statewide-register by January 11.
Art Beat!
Art Beat!
National 4-H News and Events
National 4-H News and Events
Calling all artists, creators and performers! We’d love to see what you do best. Submit your work for a chance to be featured at upcoming National 4-H events. We’re looking for singers, dancers, instrumentalists as well as visual artists and creators of all kinds. Enter today to showcase your unique talent on this national stage! Applications from students ages 14-19 accepted October 1-December 1.
Calling All 4-H Alumni, Volunteers & Leaders! Show how 4-H has made you Beyond Ready! Share a “then and now” photo and a short story about how 4-H shaped your life, career, and leadership journey. Your stories inspire the next generation of 4-H members and celebrate the lasting impact of 4-H.
4-H's online learning platform helps kids become more confident, resilient and independent.
With 300+ interactive online activities available, CLOVER offers a wide range of activities and courses across Agriculture, STEM, Healthy Living and Civic Engagement.
Join CLOVER today and help your kids reach their full potential.
Help us highlight the fun - send in your photos from club meetings, project outings, or any 4-H events you attended this month. They might be featured in next month’s photo carousel!
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