Dear 4-H Families,
As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, we are reminded of the values that make our nation strong—freedom, community, and service. These are the same values that guide us in 4-H as we grow leaders, build character, and give back to our communities.
This Independence Day, let’s take a moment to honor the courage of those who came before us and reflect on the role we each play in shaping a brighter future. Whether you're enjoying a parade, volunteering at a local event, or spending time with loved ones, we hope your day is filled with pride, joy, and gratitude.
Thank you for being a part of our 4-H family. Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July!
With appreciation,
Marie
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Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
Dodge County
University of Wisconsin-Madison-Division of Extension
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
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Newsletter Submissions Reminder |
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. Secretary Minutes need to go to Marie now too. The articles should be sent to Marie at marie.witzel@wisc.edu.
If you have Reporter Updates to share, send them to Kelly at kmflanders@wisc.edu by noon on Monday to be included in that week's issue. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!
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Hats off to Ava Schmied & Isaac Clark Who Both Attended American Spirit Week 1! |
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Dodge County students recently participated in the 4-H American Spirit trip, where they explored key moments in U.S. history. Highlights included serving as the jury in the interactive Cry Innocent play and visiting the Statue of Liberty.
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Hats off to Everyone Who Participated in Area Animal Science Days! |
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Dairy-judging results
Area Animal Science Days was held Monday, June 30, 2025. A total of 16 Dodge County dairy youth participated, 14 in dairy judging and two in showmanship. Thank you to the coaches for all their leadership: Matthew Gunst, Brock Irwin, and Scott Stanford. Thank you, also, to all the host farms and Mandy Sell-Stanford for her assistance with farm coordination and contest-day snacks. We're proud of our success:
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Our very young junior team was 6th out of 20 teams.
- Leah Smith was 14th junior individual.
- Our senior team was 5th overall and 3rd jn reasons.
- Ian Spoke was 5th overall senior and 10th in reasons.
- Mary Zwald was 4th in reasons.
- Aubrey Altreuter was the champion showman.
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Fond du Lac County Extension Summer Camps Are Now Open to Youth in Neighboring Counties! |
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🌟 Looking for Some Help with Camp Costs? 🏕️ |
Great news, 4-H families! If you're planning to send your child to camp this summer and could use a little extra support, camp scholarships are available!
Let’s make sure every camper gets a chance to join the fun! Please fill out the form and send it to Marie at marie.witzel@wisc.edu
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4-H & UW-Madison CALS Garden and Greenhouse Day-August 20, 2025 |
Join CALS, Dodge and Dane County 4-H for a day in the Allen Centennial Garden and the DC Smith Greenhouse. Learn about plants, soil science, and horticulture and take a small plant or craft home with you!
Date: August 20, 2025
Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
Where: UW-Madison Campus
Who: any youth, 5th grade and older, who is interested in learning more about plants! (Adults and parents are invited to join and participate as well.)
Cost: Free
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We need your keen eyes and fresh perspectives to judge the Cloverbud projects at the county fair on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your leadership skills and support younger 4-H members. Questions? Reach out to Anne Rinzel at adrinzel@gmail.com. Let's make this a great fair!
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Volunteers Are Needed for Food Stands at the Fair |
We still have spots open at the fair in the food stands (cream puff, ice cream farm bureau, and fish pond) and are in desperate need for promotion booth helpers. If you can volunteer some time, add your name to the list!
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Our Dodge County Pig Pals Swine Spectacular Show is looking for 4-H and FFA Swine Project members that are involved with the Swine Project this year. This is a great activity that offers people with disabilities a chance to shine in the show ring with your help. This is also a great way to grow your leadership by partnering or working within the show in a variety of roles. Our show is scheduled for Sunday, August 17th beginning with all arriving at 9:15 am.
We will once again be expecting approximately 20 Pig Pal participants so that means we’ll need: * 20 swine exhibitor mentors to be partners along with 20 well trained pigs (7th gr. & up)
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| - barn safety people, lots of them to make it a safe show (youth and adults)
- ring safety workers (youth and adults)
- water safety youth (1st/2nd year swine members)
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Parents and adults associated with swine project members can also volunteer. ALL volunteers will receive a Dodge County Pig Pals T-shirt too. This is a really fun and rewarding opportunity for all involved. T-shirt order due by June 1st.
Please contact Mary Pat Boschert at 920-382-7943, call or text or email at
billboschert@gmail.com to volunteer names and t-shirt sizes, and answer any questions. Thanks everyone!
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We will conclude the 2024/2025 season with our own hosted Invitational for Archery, Air Rifle and Air Pistol on July 25th and 26th.- Please consider attending to either compete or help out:)
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Free t-shirt for junior dairy exhibitors
If you're a dairy-youth participant at the 2025 Dodge County Fair, you will receive a free t-shirt. In addition, parents and supporters can purchase shirts for $15($18 2x-4x). Use this link to order; submit a form entry via the link for each shirt: https://forms.gle/PosC6KiqrB8sTJ8aA. Order deadline: July 3, 2025.
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Mandatory dairy-exhibitor meeting
Monday, July 21, 2025, 7 p.m., Dodge County Fairgrounds
Showmanship
We have 98 junior-dairy exhibitors registered for county fair. All junior dairy exhibitors are automatically entered in showmanship on Friday morning. Showmanship is an excellent opportunity for our dairy youth to practice responsibly, problem solving, and healthy sportsmanship. While practice at home and attending workshops is helpful in improving these skills, reading the official dairy-showmanship rules is also beneficial — especially since they were recently updated. You can view that document here. Updates are highlighted in yellow.
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| Display decoration
For decorating your dairy backboards and such at the fair, there is no set theme. Whatever you choose just needs to be dairy related. So, put your thinking caps on, and don't forget to include some dairy education for the general public.
Clipping contest
Remember, if you want to be in the clipping contest on Tuesday night at the Dodge County Fair, the dairy heifer you use for that can't be clipped after July 15, 2025. See the 2025 junior-fair premium book for more details.
Facebook
Follow these three Facebook groups to stay up to date on Dodge County dairy youth and Dodge County Fair activities and exhibition.
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| General questions? Contact DYAC via e-mail: dodgecountydyac@gmail.com.
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JULY
4 - Independence Day, Office Closed
15 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board Meeting
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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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