UPDATE: 11:53 AM on Tuesday, June 30th:
Senator Stroebel joined Josh Scramlin on the Mid-West Farm Report to elaborate on why he feels UW-Extension is undermining 4-H. Senator Stroebel explains that he has been heavily involved in 4-H throughout his entire life and this issue hits home for him. Click below to hear the entire interview:
UW-Extension has provided online guidance regarding 4-H events at county fairs. This message was also communicated to local county fair officials last week. The guidance states, in part, “4-H programming will not occur during large gatherings or activities. Activities held during a county fair typically will not meet the Extension requirements…” In response to these developments, Senator Stroebel issued the following statement:
“I am completely baffled and incredibly frustrated at how little sense it makes for UW-Extension to undermine its terrific flagship program, 4-H. In counties across the state, including Ozaukee County, fair boards are putting on county fairs in full compliance and cooperation with local health department officials.
After the expiration of statewide mandates in favor of localized health determinations, for some reason UW-Extension canceled most 4-H events this summer statewide, regardless of actual health risks on the ground. Kids in Wisconsin who want to learn about and participate in agriculture are discouraged from going to safe outdoor fairs. Then, if they dare to participate in an event while following local health guidelines, they are stripped of the 4-H name and their accomplishments will not be acknowledged because UW-Extension has decided to pretend that this summer doesn’t exist.
4-H is the largest youth organization in Wisconsin with more than 100,000 youth members and tens of thousands of adult volunteers. What lessons about hard work, overcoming adversity and community service are we teaching these kids when the order from UW-Extension is to hide indoors rather than proudly compete in compliance with local health guidance? Perhaps the better question is why should their parents pay taxes to support an organization that actively discourages its stated mission and goals?”
Julie Chapman says
Thanks for posting I thought it was just our county agent. This disgusts me.
Mary Oleson says
Does this mean the Governor is also undermining 4-H to take away this valuable program so they can use the money somewhere else? This educational program has been around for many years and needs to stay. Many 4-H alumni and our youth today have learned a valuable education from this program. We need to stand up for this valuable program.
PATSY PETERS says
Besides Sen. Stroebell what individuals came to the conclusion ? County Fair Officials who don’t have any person or relative in the program. Richland County Fair is generally held in Sept.
Jean says
Could this be a liability issue for UW? I was just reading an article stating school age children are among the increasing numbers that are getting COVID-19. Let’s not jump to conclusions.
caryn63 says
Not sure about your fair, Patsy; but I can assure you that the fair board in Ozaukee County is made up of people who have youth in 4H, participated in 4H when they were young and their parents participated in 4H many moons ago. My guess, most of the people who have a hand in putting on any of Wisconsin’s county level fairs are full of life long 4H’ers.
Jane says
Seems to me the extension is disregarding its own rules on what constitutes “achievement.” The guidelines don’t say, “members only achieve if we sanction the event.”
Jim says
Extension is following the guidelines of UW Madison and is inline with the guidelines of WI Dept of Health Services. It is not as if Extension even has a say in the decision.
Too bad the program and the guest had an agenda to bash Extension, once again. Way to go. “They (Extension) don’t have the common sense to trust kids, and just want to shut it down” Rep. Stroebel.
Wow, yeah why worry about the rapidly increasing numbers of virus cases and deaths….not balanced reporting, no common sense expressed on this program.
Look at the impact of having different policies across the country…and wonder why we need state-wide policy.