April 8, 2026
Marie's Message
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Speaking the Language of Appreciation in 4-H: Small Actions. Big Impact.
Appreciation helps build strong, welcoming 4-H clubs—and April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, making it the perfect time to put gratitude into action. Since everyone feels valued in different ways, learning to “speak the language of appreciation” helps ensure volunteers, members, and families feel truly seen and celebrated.
Here are simple ways 4-H club members can show appreciation:
💬 Words of Affirmation
· Share thank-you notes with presenters and volunteers.
· Create a graffiti wall for positive comments.
· Try a positive gossip circle or an orchids and onions debrief (two positives for every suggestion).
⏰ Quality Time
· Include social and networking time at meetings.
· Create virtual connections or host informal hang-out sessions to build relationships.
🤝 Acts of Service
· Lead by example—pitch in and encourage others to help.
· Share volunteer opportunities and highlight acts of service in newsletters and on social media.
🎁Tangible Gifts
· Make simple appreciation crafts for special occasions.
· Share small giveaways, start a friendship bread activity, or try Secret Clover within your club.
💚 Share the Appreciation This April
Volunteer Appreciation Month is a great reminder that gratitude grows when it’s shared. Choose one idea to try this month—and encourage others in your club to do the same. Even small acts of appreciation can make a big difference!
🍀 In 4-H, appreciation is a skill we grow together.
Sincerely,
Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
920-386-3790
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If clubs or groups have items to share, send them by noon on Monday to be included in that week’s issue. Anything received after 12 p.m. Monday will be considered for the following week.
Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu
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Neosho Utopians (Mckayla Conley) - The Neosho Utopians 4-H had their April meeting and before hand we helped change out old American flags from flag poles for them to be ready to hang come May.
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WI 4‑H Apparel Store Now Open!
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Show your Wisconsin 4‑H pride and support a great cause! The WI 4‑H Apparel Store is open now through April 15, offering a variety of apparel in both youth and adult sizes. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Wisconsin Association of Extension 4‑H Youth Development Professionals (WAE4‑HYDP), helping support the professionals who strengthen 4‑H programs across the state.
Orders can be shipped directly to your home, or you can save on shipping by selecting delivery to your county Extension office, with pick‑up available at the end of May. Don’t miss this opportunity to support 4‑H and look great doing it!
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Important Poultry Update: |
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has issued an order suspending all poultry shows, exhibitions, swap meets, and the movement of poultry to events in several southern Wisconsin counties due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The affected counties are Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. This suspension will remain in effect through May 10, 2026 and may impact upcoming 4‑H poultry activities such as meetings with live birds, animal swaps, shows, and Chick Quest. For counties not included in the suspension, members and families are encouraged to continue practicing strong poultry biosecurity measures. More information, including biosecurity tips and the full DATCP press release, can be found on the DATCP Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza webpage.
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Our 46th Annual Dodge County Dairy Brunch it will be held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds outside of Beaver Dam on Sunday, June 7th, 2026 from 9am until 12:30pm. With it not being on a dairy farm this year, we are trying something new and looking for organizations, clubs, companies, individuals, etc to set-up booths at our brunch to educate the public about different areas and aspects of dairy farming, general Wisconsin agriculture, and information about things in Dodge County. A wide range of topics can be talked about from feeding cows, maple syrup, pigs, machinery, public health, and more. There is no charge to set-up a booth. We just ask that you bring all necessary equipment you may need (ie table, chairs, etc) for a 10x10 area. Booths will be located inside of the Youth Dairy Barn. There is plenty of room in the barn, so we are hoping to bring as many educational booths to the fairgrounds as we can. You are also free to promote your business, club, organization, etc at your booth as well. If you would like to have a booth, please fill the Google Form linked below with just some general contact information for us. If you have any questions, please let me know either via this email or give me a call at 262-224-2559. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Brenda Conley
Dodge County Dairy Promotion Committee
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Beaver Dam Recreation contracts with Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio to offer a five-session sewing camp for kids. This year it will be from June 15-19. Each day they make a fun project- a t-shirt pillow, lounge pants, an apron, a bucket hat and a log cabin quilt. The activity runs from 9am-3pm, and kids need to bring their own lunch. All materials are included!
A generous donor has offered a scholarship for all five day, If you are between the ages of 8 and 15 and would like to apply for this scholarship, please email me at marie.witzel@wisc.edu
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There is Still Time to Sign Up! |
- We are excited to share that 7th grade 4‑H members have been added to Base Camp this year, and we would love to invite you to join us!
- We are currently seeking adult males who are willing to serve as part of our camp staff for this upcoming camp season. Please reach out to Marie for more information
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Camperships Available for Youth to attend Summer Camp |
Camperships are available to help cover the cost of youth camp for families who may need financial assistance. These funds help ensure that all youth have the opportunity to experience camp—building confidence, making new friends, and learning through hands-on outdoor activities.
If camp costs are a barrier, we encourage families to apply for a campership and give their child the chance to enjoy a meaningful camp experience.
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⚠️ Update for Thursday, April 23. County Horse Project Meeting: meeting location is at W7693 County Road E, Beaver Dam at 6 pm. This will be a demonstration night for you to learn about farrier work with Toby and equine massage with Megan. We will split into two groups and rotate. Bring a chair for the meeting that will follow the demos.
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Dairy grant program
The Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee is offering $500 dairy grants to support active Dodge County dairy youth involved in 4-H, FFA, or junior breed associations. Grant funds may be used to purchase a dairy animal of any breed to expand a youth dairy project. Funding is provided through proceeds from the annual Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction. LINK TO 2026 GRANT APPLICATION
Volunteer needed to set up picture area
There is always a nice picture area set up with flowers pots, bales, and a sign(other ideas are welcome) on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday of the fair during dairy shows and the sale. A volunteer is needed to organize this for the 2026 fair. It's a rather simple opportunity to get involved and help our show be the best it can be. Reach out to Dairy Superintendent Kyle Bunkoske at 920.296.5053 if you're interested.
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| Dairy judging
Practices will begin in April. Matthew Gunst and Scott Stanford are coaching. Stay tuned for times and locations.
Mandatory dairy-youth meeting
The annual July mandatory dairy-youth meeting is set for Monday, July 27, 2026, 7 p.m., in the Farm Progress Arena at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Bring your signed dairy-activity card with you and ready to be handed in upon arrival.
Next meeting
The next DYAC meeting will be held April 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., at the Dodge County Administration Building Main Auditorium.
General questions? Contact DYAC via e-mail: dodgecountydyac@gmail.com.
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APRIL
21 - Leader's Association Meeting 7 PM
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In Case You Missed It . . . |
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension
Dodge County 4-H
Extension Dodge County 127 E. Oak Street Juneau, WI 53039-1329
tel: 920.386.3790 fax: 920.386.3928
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