August 27, 2025

Marie's Message

Dear 4-H Families:

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, energy, and passion our AmeriCorps members brought to their work this summer. Molly was actually working a few hours a week since January, and became full time in the summer. Izzy joined the team in the end of May and was full time over the summer.

The beginning of their service was a frightening time as the AmeriCorp program was removed from Wisconsin, however with some work at UW Madison, they shifted to PYD Interns for a month until the program was reinstated. They handled the transition well and planned for the summer.

With the 2 of them offering over 15 programs from Optical Illusions, Teen STEM programs, Wild Wacky Weekday Day Camps, to Art Programs throughout the county, their work was amazing. They were able to offer programs in 5 libraries, 4 promotion events over the summer with 4-H brochures, information and activities, along with outreach to additional youth service locations. Over the summer they reached over 100 youth in direct programs and countless other families learned about youth development programs through the promotion programs.

The AmeriCorps members contributions made a real difference in Dodge County and their commitment to service is truly inspiring. Thank you, Molly and Izzy for your amazing work—you’ve left a lasting impact, and we appreciate you more than words can say!

Have a great week,
Marie

Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
UW Extension - Dodge County
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu

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. 

With all of the changes in the Extension Office, Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu

From Anne & Jan

Landon, Gavin, Layfon, and Layla! 

As in past years, all 4-H Clubs and Groups that have a checking and/or savings account must complete and submit the following documents to their 4-H Program Educator by August 29, 2025 :

This process allows the 4-H Club or Group to qualify for federal tax-exempt status under the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents General Exemption Number (GEN) for Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups. 

🌟 A New 4-H Year is Just Around the Corner! 🌟

We’re getting excited for the 2025-26 4-H year — and we’ve got a few updates to share with our volunteers before re-enrollment opens in September.

🗓 4-H Online Updates:
The 4-H Online system will be going through its annual year-end processing during the weekend of August 29th.  Please do not try to enroll anyone before Sept 5th

✅ New Volunteer Training Process:
This year, when you log in to re-enroll, you'll be able to complete your 2025-26 Volunteer Training right in your 4-H Online profile — no extra links or websites needed!  Prefer a paper version? No problem — just reach out to your local Extension office, and they’ll get one to you.

🔍 Background Checks:
Background checks are required every two years. If you're due, 4-H Online will prompt you to start the process when you re-enroll. After you submit your enrollment, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from HireRight to complete your background check. (Be sure to check your spam folder.) 

📅 Important Deadlines:
 According to our updated Wisconsin 4-H volunteer re-enrollment policy:

Enrollment is due by November 1

Complete your training and background check (if needed) by December 1

These steps are required for you to be an approved volunteer. If they're not completed on time, you will not be allowed to lead programming with 4-H youth until everything is up to date.

We truly appreciate your commitment to creating safe, positive spaces for our youth. Getting your re-enrollment done early helps make sure all our programs are supported by approved, ready-to-go volunteers like you!

Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps programs aims to increase capacity of youth serving organizations in counties throughout Wisconsin. The members will work directly with community partnership in youth serving organizations to discover opportunities to grow capacity and reach new young people or develop new youth programming.

AmeriCorps member for Dodge County for the October-August year round half time position.  To recap:

Position Start:  October 10, 2025 (orientation with the cohort)
Position End:  August 22, 2026
Total hours:  900
Average hours per week: 25
Living Allowance:  $10,000
Education Award (awarded after 9/22, and member met 900 hours): $3,697.50

Recruitment is live and listed at the state website, and posted on the national website for recruitment.   While I can answer some questions locally, the perspective member will need to complete the application at the national level, at  https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=126914.  

If you are interested, apply ASAP as we have to do interviews early in September so I can get the name of the person to the State. 

Dodge County Fair recap

A total of 190 head were in the junior dairy show at the Dodge County Fair, and those animals were shown by 96 exhibitors. Cattle represented all seven major dairy breeds, as well as the "any other breed" category. Ian and Malcom Spoke won the senior and junior clipping contest, respectively(Portland Boosters 4-H Club). Sevanna Fairbank, Leipsic 4-H, won supreme dairy showman. Sinissippi 4-H and Mayville Lucky Clovers 4-H both placed in the top three for large-group dairy herdsmanship. In addition, Mayville Lucky Clovers 4-H and Neosho Utopians 4-H placed in the top three for dairy slogans. Congratulations to all on another successful Dodge County Fair.

Upcoming events for 2025-2026 dairy-activity cards

There are two events approaching that qualify for points on your next dairy-activity card: the Cream of the Crop Dairy Challenge and exhibition at World Dairy Expo.

Next DYAC meeting

The next DYAC meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 7:30 p.m., at the Dodge County Administration Building. Follow-up details regarding the Dodge County Fair will be discussed.

General questions? Contact DYAC via e-mail: dodgecountydyac@gmail.com.

State dairy-judging results 

The Dodge County senior dairy-judging team placed second in state competition on Aug. 17, 2025, earning the honor to compete at the All-American contest this September in Harrisburg, Penn.! Team members include Ian and Marissa Spoke, Portland Boosters 4-H; Mary Zwald, Leipsic 4-H; and Sevanna Fairbank, Leipsic 4-H. Other highlights:

- Ian Spoke - fifth overall individual
- Mary Zwald - second Brown Swiss         individual
- Sevanna Fairbank - fifth Holstein individual

In addition, Leah Smith competed as an individual in the junior contest and placed 23rd overall! Thank you, again, to the coaches for their unwavering support: Matthew Gunst, Brock Irwin, and Scott Stanford.

AUGUST

29 - Last Day to Turn in AFR

SEPTEMBER

1- Labor Day (Office Closed)

16 - Leaders Association Meeting, 7 PM

PYD Media Collection Project Resources Follow the link to learn more about the collection and request materials.

4-H Volunteer Trainings Follow the link to learn more and complete your required trainings.

4HOnline  Log in to your account at the Wisconsin 4-H Online Sign in page

Visit the Wisconsin 4-H Website

WI 4-H Policy Updates

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