National 4-H Week :: 10 Fun Facts About 4-H in Marathon County

Written by Kaitlyn Bernarde National 4-H Week will be celebrated October 3-9, 2021. This week celebrates the accomplishments of 4-H … More

153rd Annual Wisconsin Valley Fair Returns to Marathon Park (Aug. 3–8, 2021)

Come see this year’s musical acts in the grandstands, take in a rodeo and demolition derby, try out some of our new food vendors, participate in the new Riding Class as part of the Draft Horse Show, and much more!

There’s still time to get involved in the 2021 Fair, too! Bring in items to be judged against other members of the public ranging from Poultry and Rabbits to Vegetables and Photography. Enter the apple-pie baking contest or the Fairest of the Fair’s coloring contest. (Click the title for details…)

Everyone Welcome to Partake in Marathon County 4-H “Family Challenge” Program (Oct. 2020 – Feb. 2021)

Families are looking for something to do close to home this fall and winter while avoiding large crowds. A new Marathon County 4-H program that includes scavenger hunts, hands-on activities, and more can help achieve just that. Complete 1 or all 4 engaging “4-H Family Challenges.”

All families — not just 4-H families — can participate, snap a picture, share it, and be entered in one of two prize drawings. (Click the title for details…)

Extension Marathon County Hosts (Virtual) Educational Event Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

August 18, 2020, marks the Centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which stated that the right to vote could not be denied based on one’s gender.

This historic milestone granting women the right to vote will be celebrated in Marathon County through a number of virtual events, including (Facebook/Zoom) panel discussions, interviews, and learning community sessions.

A few of the topics to be discussed during the several-day program in August 2020 include who worked to support the 19th Amendment, how amendments work, what role social and civic groups played, what to expect for women over the next 100 years — including an interview with Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg — and much more! (Click the title for details…)

Marathon County 4-H Summer Fun & Learning Reimagined Under COVID-19

Changes to 4-H programming and some exciting, new community and county partnerships are helping keep kids engaged and learning this summer. Some of the alternative programming options will not disappear after the COVID-19 crisis — They are being considered as welcome additions to reach even more youth and families across Marathon County. (Click the title for details…)

County Staff Share What They Learned After 1 Year of Racial Equity Training

In early 2019, a select group of Marathon County employees formed a local GARE team to participate in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) learning community.

Each Marathon County service and department is affected by racial inequities — whether through its program offerings, services provided, hiring practices, meeting times, or other systems or facets of government. GARE has created tools that help advance racial equity when government decisions are being made in regard to such things as policies, practices, programs, and budgets.

Get the scoop on some action steps being taken based on what these local GARE team members learned over the past year. (Click the title for details…)

Ridin’ Rides — & BULLS ’n BRONCOS — at the 2019 WI Valley Fair

The most talked-about feature of the 151st annual Wisconsin Valley Fair was the addition of a traditional rodeo put on by Dakota Rodeo Company. If you missed all the bull-riding, barrel-racing, and calf-roping ACTION, check out the stunning visual highlights in the full story.

What’s more? Plans are in the works to bring the rodeo back for another go ’round at the Wisconsin Valley Fair next year! (Click the title for details…)

Gaining Ground Gardens :: Growing Inmate Skills Through Horticulture Therapy

Gaining Ground Gardens is a new community garden in Wausau using UW-Extension staff and area volunteers to introduce Marathon County Jail inmates to therapeutic horticulture. A garden was also started at the Marathon County Juvenile Facility. The gardens aim to provide stress relief, a sense of purpose and belonging, and strengthened vocational skills to community members in need.

Gaining Ground Gardens was created solely with private donations. With financial support, the gardens aim to add walkways, birdhouses, additional beds, rain barrels, and a garden shed. The gardens are also seeking volunteers to assist with mentoring and gardening advice for participants. (Click the title for details…)

Spring 2019 Snapshot Wisconsin Volunteer Trainings :: Help Identify, Count, & Map Wildlife in Marathon County

Sign up to receive a FREE trail camera to help the Wisconsin DNR track local wildlife on your property. Or just hop online to help count and identify wildlife in posted photos. There’s two ways to volunteer with the Snapshot Wisconsin program.

As of April 3, 2019, Snapshot Wisconsin has 1,615 volunteers, 1,898 cameras, and over 27 million photos collected. Find out how to get involved (and view photo collections online) in the full article . . . (Click the title for details…)

Summer 2019 & Extension Marathon County :: Camps, Contests, Classes, Clinics, & SO MUCH MORE!

From an Artificial Insemination Certification Program designed for dairy and beef producers to a Summer Gardening Series for kids, Extension Marathon County has TONS of offerings for people of all ages this summer.

Get the scoop on farm tours, FREE first-aid kits for farmers, garden clinics (during which you can bring your plant and insect questions to a Master Gardener Volunteer), a grilled cheese contest, 4-H camps, and more. (Click the title for details…)