Extension Jackson County

10/01/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY

In this photo we are going way back to September of 1989. It was 4-H Picture Day and here is a photo of the Cloverbuds standing by the Cloverbud Den. The Cloverbud Den was a building at the Jackson County Fairgrounds that was used for Cloverbud events. The building no longer exists.

09/30/2026

🍀 Mark your calendars! Next week is National 4-H Week! This year, we’ll come together as a system to recognize National 4-H Week and the Beyond Ready initiative on two celebratory days.

💚 Day 1: Go Green
🗓️ Monday, October 5, 2026
On Monday of National 4-H Week, Go GREEN and show your 4-H state spirit! A simple, cohesive way for youth, professionals, volunteers, alumni & supporters across the country to celebrate their 4-H program being Beyond Ready. Wear a green hat, clothing, face paint - anything green goes. Let's paint the nation GREEN, on Monday, October 5th!
Share your Go Green moment on social and tag National 4-H, your State 4-H program, and use

🫶 Day 2: Thankful Thursday
🗓️ Thursday, October 8, 2026
On Thursday of National 4-H Week, help us shine a light on all the good that 4-H does! A day to recognize all 4-H'ers who are doing good and making positive impact by helping their communities and beyond.
Share your own story or celebrate someone who is making a difference - another 4-H'er, volunteer or educator We want to know, on Thursday, October 8th and use

🍀 Explore the Go Green Map at https://4-h.org/events/4-h-week/ to locate landmarks that will be lighting up green on October 5th in support of 4-H! Visit a landmark near you and share your photos with us by using

‼️🎁 Make sure to tag Wisconsin 4-H in your photos! Three posts from both Day 1 (Oct 5) and Day 2 (Oct 8 ) who tag Wisconsin 4-H will be randomly selected to receive a 4-H prize item!

09/28/2026

How will your farm operate when you’re ready to step back? 🚜

Protecting your life’s work means starting the conversation today. Join UW-Madison Extension for "Cultivating Your Farm’s Future," an interactive virtual workshop that starts November 12, 2026. This online learning series is designed to help families navigate the succession process together. Whether you are the owner generation or the successor, this workshop provides the tools to shape your farm’s legacy.

Registration for the Fall series ends October 23! Secure your spot for just $200 per farm. Details here: go.wisc.edu/cyff

09/24/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY

This photo is from the Jackson County Fair in August 2002. Here are a couple of smiling exhibitors participating in the Shooting Sports event when it was between the two metal buildings on the old fairgrounds.

09/23/2026

The “Shoebox to Strategy: Organizing Your Farm’s Legacy” workshop series is designed to help farm families ensure the continuity and stability of their business. We guide you through questions, conversations, and templates to analyze your ideal farm transition plan. If the unthinkable happens, your "Shoebox to Strategy" binder will contain the important information needed for continuing the farm’s legacy.
Learn more and get registered at go.wisc.edu/shoebox

09/21/2026

Are you questioning your future role in the farm business? 🤔 If you are the next generation, you likely have big ideas but may wonder how to make them financially feasible and realistic for your long-term goals. Our "Cultivating Your Farm’s Future” workshop series provides a space for you to voice these questions and work with your family to define your future role.

Join us starting Nov. 12, 2026 to help turn your vision for the farm into a concrete plan.
Register by Oct 23 and secure your spot for just $200 per farm.

Details here: go.wisc.edu/cyff

09/17/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY
We are pleased to share a nostalgic moment from our archives, featuring a group of Jackson County 4-H members receiving their 4-H Project Award at the Jackson County 4-H Banquet in October 1996. Their beaming faces reflect their pride and joy in achieving this recognition.

09/17/2026

We want to give a huge shout out and thank you to all the incredible Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps members who served this past summer! 🌟

Each of you brought your time, talents, energy, and enthusiasm to the communities you served, and your contributions made a lasting difference. We are so grateful for the commitment and care you brought to your service and to the Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps program.

Our program would not be where it is today without the dedication of members like you. Thank you for helping our program grow and flourish. We’re cheering you on and wishing you all the best in your future endeavors! 💚

09/10/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY
We go way back to June 1991 with this photo which will bring back some memorable moments in the lives of this group of Jackson County 4-H members who attended the State 4-H Congress in Madison. Anyone you recognize?

09/10/2026

Sheep and Beef Education Opportunities

Bernadette O Rourke
Outreach Program Manager ; Honorary Associate
2 min read
Youth Contests at Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival

Youth Sweepstakes is a fun way to test and expand your knowledge of sheep and the sheep industry. Youth ages 7-21 are encouraged to participate in any or all of the educational contests and exhibition events. At each event, participants earn points toward monetary prizes!

We encourage 4-H, FFA, and other youth groups preparing for district, regional, or national competition to utilize this event as a practice.

https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/sheep-shows/youth-sweepstakes

Sweepstakes contests are held on Sunday, September 13. They include: poster contest, skillathon, photo contest, fleece show, live shows, showmanship, etc..

Use this link in order to enter.



Youth Contests at World Beef Expo



Sweepstakes Contest:

Youth are invited to participate in the Youth Sweepstakes Contest at World Beef Expo (WBE) in West Allis, WI next month. The contest will be held on Saturday, September 26, and we will have photo, essay, and skillathon contests. This is a great opportunity for 4-H and FFA members involved in livestock production to test their skills and earn prizes. Registration is $5 per contest.



More information about the Youth Sweepstakes Contest, including the schedule, rules and registration are available here: https://www.worldbeefexpo.com/youthsweepstakes

Please contact WBE Board Member Kelliann Blazek with any questions at [email protected]



Judging Contest:
4-H and FFA members are invited to put their livestock evaluation skills to the test at the World Beef Expo Judging Contest! Youth can bring a team or compete individually, making this a great opportunity for both experienced livestock judgers and those looking to gain more contest experience. Blackhawk East will be assisting with this year’s competition.

The contest will include 10 cattle classes, with divisions for junior and senior 4-H/FFA members as well as collegiate contestants. Junior 4-H/FFA contestants will answer questions, while senior 4-H/FFA contestants will give four sets of oral reasons.

The entry fee is $40 per contestant, and the deadline to register is September 24, 2026.



More information and registration can be found on the WBE website: https://www.worldbeefexpo.com/judgingcontest

Please contact WBE Board Member Dakota Thomas with any questions at [email protected]

Youth Sweepstakes is a fun way to test and expand your knowledge of sheep and the sheep industry. Youth ages 7-21 are encouraged to participate in any or all of the educational contests and exhibition events. Each event participants earn points towards monetary prizes!