Cloverline Newsletter
Monthly newsletter for Washington County 4-H
Embedded Files
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Calendar
Calendar
Have a question? Contact us!
Ron Jakubisin, 4-H Educator, 262-335-4862
4-H Programming
Volunteering in 4-H
Youth & adult leadership
Kelly Dione, 4-H Educator, 262-335-4799
4-H STEM Programming
Career and College Readiness
After School-Based Programming
Karen Girard, Administrative Assistant, 262-335-4478
4-H Online
General 4-H information
4-H communications
Announcements
Announcements
Introducing the New Area Extension Director (AED) as of March 2, 2026
Hello 4 H families, volunteers, and leaders,
My name is Pattie Carroll, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new Area Extension Director for Area 14, serving Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties. It is a privilege to step into this role and support the outstanding work happening across our counties through UW–Madison Division of Extension.
As many of you know, 4 H is built on a foundation of relationships between youth and caring adults, between communities and volunteers, and between Extension and the people we serve. These relationships are at the heart of why 4 H continues to thrive, innovate, and create welcoming spaces where young people can learn, lead, and grow.
One of the great strengths of 4 H in our counties is the dedication and leadership of the 4 H leaders. Your energy, creativity, and endless hours of volunteer time ensure that 4 H is not just a program, but a community. I am grateful for the work you do to strengthen clubs, mentor youth, and support educational opportunities that prepare young people for bright futures.
In my role as Area Extension Director, my priority is to support our educators and programs, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that 4 H and Extension continue to meet local needs in meaningful ways that align with Extension's mission and vision. I look forward to learning more about each county’s unique strengths, traditions, and opportunities. Most importantly, I look forward to meeting many of you, our leaders, youth, parents, and community partners, who make this work possible.
Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve already received. I am excited about what we will accomplish together and eager to support the incredible 4 H work happening across Area 14.
Here’s to a new season of learning, connection, and growing together.
Sincerely,
Pattie Carroll
Area Extension Director – Area 14
UW–Madison Division of Extension
Upcoming Opportunities - County
Upcoming Opportunities - County
Join us for Washington County 4-H Summer Camp at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center on June 11-14, 2026!!
Youth currently in grades 3-8 will meet new friends, participate in games, connect to the outdoors, develop leadership skills, and much more! Price includes all activity supplies, bus fees, and food/snacks. Camp space is limited, so sign up promptly! Please note that registrations will be taken on a first-completed, first-accepted basis. Registration opens Monday, March 2 in 4HOnline
2026 Washington County Summer Camp is June 11-14, 2026
Registration opens in 4HOnline March 2, 2026
Grades 3 - 8
Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells
Cost:
$165 for Washington County 4-H members registering in 4HOnline March 2 – March 21
$175 for Washington County 4-H members registering in 4HOnline March 22 - April 5
$200 for Community Members (non-Washington County 4-H member) registering in 4HOnline March 22 - April 5
Due March 7: Art Contest registration 4-H Wildlife/Forestry
Display your wildlife or forestry art items at the March 27/28 Tri-County Tournament Art contest at the Washington County Fair Park. This 4-H activity is open to all Washington County 4-H club members.
Audience: Grades 3-13
Due March 7: Wildlife (WHEP) & WI 4-H Forestry Contests Registration
This statewide competition at Washington County Fair Park features wildlife and forestry opportunities. In wildlife, an ecoregion, listed species of critters, foods, and management practices are used each year. In forestry, it is about tree ID, forestry management practices, measurements, tree diseases, orienteering, topographic maps, and more. In both, youth will learn about wildlife connection to urban/rural trees and the forest.
Audience: Grades 3-13
4-H Family Connect event! Save the Date: March 21, at 530p-7:30p
Open Mic Night! Come out enjoy a night of performances… by 4-H youth, club leaders, and even families! Try your hand at karaoke, singing, poetry, spoken work, dad jokes, clowning, or instrumental performances! This is a non-judging event, with plenty of cheers for all who perform! No age limit! Sign up with a few friends and sing a camp song! Maybe the whole family wants to do a skit! We will have pizza for $1 a slice, and other refreshments compliments of the Washington County Leaders Association. We will have a sound system, and a few instruments available as well!
The 4-H Family Connect event is modeled after the Washington County 4-H Teen Connect, a social and fun night for all 4-H members. The theme ‘Open Mic’ was inspired last year when parents came to pick up youth at TeenConnect with karaoke, and watched the fun everyone was having. We thought: let’s create a Family Connect!
Register today!! Use the form below, or go to https://forms.gle/pHuTPRefkN7tqDeq5 . Event will take place in West Bend, with exact location TBA.
Explore your opportunities with Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps service!
Check out the openings and fill out a Curiosity Form — or apply if you’re ready!
Talk with a WI 4-H AmeriCorps team member about your opportunities.
Ready to Apply? View positions here!
Start making a difference in the lives of youth while you gain professional and personal experience, a stipend, and an earned education award.
Washington County 4‑H STEM Sparks Discovery Lab – Virtual Series for Grades K–5
Ignite curiosity this spring with the 4‑H STEM Sparks Discovery Lab! This virtual series for elementary youth (Grades K–5) features four high-energy, hands‑on sessions where participants build, test, and experiment with balloon poppers, straw rockets, wind turbines, and more. Youth will explore real-world STEM concepts like force, motion, renewable energy, and aerodynamics—all through fun, interactive activities held live on Zoom.
Session Dates & Topics:
March 25: Potential Energy Popper
April 8: Straw Rocket Blasters
April 22: Exploring Energy (Wind Turbine)
May 6: Amazing Aerodynamics – Toy Parachutes & Spinners
Each session is 60 minutes and perfect for home or club participation.
Registration is required in 4‑H Online to receive the Zoom link.
Register here: STEM Sparks Discovery Lab Registration
Washington County 4-H Summer day camps
Get ready for another summer of hands-on fun and discovery! 4‑H Summer STEM Day Camps will return this July, offering exciting learning adventures for youth. Mark your calendars for July 7–9 and July 14–16.
More details coming soon!
🍀 Apply for a Washington County 4-H Leaders Board Scholarship 🍀
Scholarship opportunities are available to any active or past Washington County 4-H club member with at least 5 years of 4-H club membership (not including Cloverbud years), and who was an achieving 4-H member as determined by their club. Questions? Contact WCLA4HScholarship@gmail.com
Washington County 4-H Leaders Association will award up to $12,000 in scholarships
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
Scholarship interviews will be Monday evening, May 11, 2026
Complete rules and instructions are included in the application packet
March sessions for Talkin' Turkey Tuesdays
All sessions take place Washington County Fair Park Small Animal Building at 5:30pm.
All Washington County 4-H members are welcome!
Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094DA5AF29AAFE3-60826293-2026#/
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Talking Turkey Tuesday Special Event: pollinators🐝🐝🐝
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Talking Turkey Tuesday Special Event: includes several youth-led art projects, performance and clowning fun.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Talking Turkey Tuesday Special Event: theme TBA
Message from the 4-H Food Stand Committee:
Please review the available slots at the link below, and sign up. Thank you!
Agnes at wagneragnes816@gmail.com
~ 4-H Food Stand Committee
Upcoming Opportunities - State/National
Upcoming Opportunities - State/National
These Zoom sessions for middle school and high school youth and their families are interactive, and include guest speakers discussing careers, information about wildlife and forestry competitions, and resources available to learn more. Questions? Email wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com
These Zoom sessions for grades K-5 through elementary school youth and their families are interactive and include wildlife, forestry, wildlife art, and more. Questions? Email wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com
STEAM GAZE: A Creative Fusion of Art & Science!
STEAM GAZE is a full-day, hands-on learning experience for curious and creative youth in grades 3–5, where art and science come together through interactive workshops led by educators and mentors. Cost is only $10/youth, with two different sessions to choose from:
April 25; 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m, at Marathon County Extension Office, Wausau, WI
May 16; 9:30 a.m – 3:00 p.m, Kellogg PEAK Initiative, Milwaukee, WI
Discover Pathways to Your Future! Summer Academy 2026 at UW-Madison: June 14-18
Join us at the UW-Madison Campus for an exciting, hands-on experience at Summer Academy. This Positive Youth Development program helps youth explore career and hobby pathways in various fields like agriculture, STEM, leadership, arts, and more. You’ll also have the chance to build friendships and networks with people from across Wisconsin.
Location: UW-Madison Campus (Dejope Residence Hall for lodging)
Participants: Youth in grades 8-11
Register in 4HOnline beginning March 6th
Wisconsin 4-H announces the 2026 photography contest
All active 4-H members grades 3-13 can enter.
Contest opens March 1, and closes April 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Contest guidelines and how to upload your photo will be available through the your family 4HOnline account.
Project Updates
Project Updates
4-H projects are in full swing! See the 4-H Calendar and our website project pages for countywide project meeting information.
Let your child’s project leader know if your child will miss a meeting! Our volunteer leaders make 4-H youth development possible, and without them there would be no project meetings in Washington County. Please be respectful of our 4-H project leaders’ time, and let them know if your child will be missing a meeting.
New meeting dates/times added to Rabbit & Cavy Project website pages (note that cavy meetings occur alongside the county-wide rabbit project meetings)
Thursday, March 26, 6:30-8pm, Washington County Fair Park Pavilion, room TBD
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30pm, Richfield Fire Department
May 1st: must own show cavy
Thursday, May 28, 6:30-8pm, Washington County Fair Park, Small Animal Barn
Tuesday, June 23, 6:30-8pm, Washington County Fair Park, Small Animal Barn
Thursday, July, 9, 6:30pm, Washington County Fair Park, Small Animal Barn
Friday, July 17, 5:30pm, Washington County Fair Park, Small Animal Barn, fair set-up
For questions:
contact 4-H Rabbit Project leader Michelle Thoma at 262-442-5132, or shellbell5976@yahoo.com
contact 4-H Cavy Project leader Shannon Heinritz at 262-875-8274, or Shannon.Heinritz@gmail.com
Looking for Countywide Project info?
Washington County 4-H Projects on our website, for meeting & project leader contact information
Washington County 4-H Calendar lists dates/times for many countywide project meetings
Washington County 4-H Shooting Sports forms, SignUp Genius links, and information on all Shooting Sports projects
Club News
Club News
Kewaskum 4-H was out and about
4-Hers were out and about in February. Our club went roller skating at Ozaukee Skateland as a fun activity together. We also had several members help in the 4-H food stand on February 14th at the Quilt Show at Washington County Fair Park. Along with their project meetings our club members have been busy.
Kewaskum 4-Hers are starting a record book work day. At the end of our club meeting each month youth have the opportunity to work on our record books for about 45 minutes. Kewaskum 4-H also started a member of the month award. The president picks a member who has shown involvement in the meetings with making motions and helping other youth. This month the Member of the Month award went to Nora Herther.
Submitted by Daisy Herther, Club Co-Reporter
Kirchhayn Trotters: February
Our club started the month with our regular meeting and a Valentine’s Day party. At the Valentine party, the Valentine’s committee started us off with a candy guessing competition with candy bars like Twix and Three Musketeers. We also had candy guessing jars and whoever got the closest numbered guess won the jar.
Then we wrapped up the month with some gym time at the local Jackson Community Center. We ran around, played games, and munched on snacks.
Submitted by Reagan Gray, Club reporter
Wayne Crusaders
The Wayne Crusaders had a great start to 2026. We had made posters to cheer on Jordan Stolz and then got them autographed. In January, some of our members watched Jordan's Olympic qualifying race in Milwaukee. On Thursday February 19th, 4 of our youth, who attend Allenton Elementary school, were interviewed by TMJ 4 about Jordan Stolz being from the town of Wayne and they made it on the 4pm news! At our February monthly meeting, we made tie blankets to donate to Washington County Foster Closet. We look forward to our annual tubing family fun night next week and expect 38 youth and parents to attend. So much fun!!
Submitted by Wayne Crusaders
4-H General Reminders
4-H General Reminders
Questions About 4-H?
Are you overwhelmed trying to learn about all that 4-H has to offer? Where do you turn? Your 4-H Club Leader is a great resource. In addition, the Washington County 4-H website has lots of information on countywide events, projects, 4-H opportunities, etc. Be sure to visit the website frequently. You can access it at: https://washington.extension.wisc.edu/welcome-to-4-h/. In addition, this monthly newsletter called the Cloverline – emailed monthly -- is a great resource.
April Cloverline submission deadline is Friday, March 20, 2026
We welcome your submissions for the Cloverline newsletter!! Please upload your articles and photos to Cloverline Newsletter Submission (preferable) or send to karen.girard@wisc.edu. NOTE: if you are submitting photos of 4-H youth, please include their names; if the photo includes non-4-H youth, please include a parental media release form for each non-4-H youth in the photo. Note that the 4-H Cloverline is published monthly on the 4th Monday. Article submission deadline is the Friday before.
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, and/or trainings NOW. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-335-4478.
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