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January 27, 2023Marie's Message
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Hi All, I have been reviewing the Dodge County 4-H Thriving Results that youth completed in 2022. We had some great scores in Belonging Youth Voice, Caring Adults, Challenging Growth, Youth-Adult Partnerships, Developmental Outcomes, Social Competence, Personal Standards, Connection with Others, Personal Responsibility, Contribution to Others, Open to Challenge and Discovery, Hopeful Purpose, Prosocial Orientation, Positive Emotionality and Goal Management. Most of those scores were between 5.4 and 6.2 on a scale of 1 to 7, which means the youth of Dodge County perceive that things are going well. Much to my surprise, the Sparks score was 4.8, so this is an area we need to focus on this year.
Youth sparks are an essential ingredient of thriving. Having a spark or sparks gives a young person a sense of direction and encourages goal setting. Sparks are different from mere leisure activity in that:
- Sparks create actions that not only contribute to the benefit of the young person, but also society at large;
- Sparks provide the intrinsic fuel for a young person’s growth in knowledge and skill;
- Sparks enhance a young person’s networks as he or she encounters others with similar sparks, particularly adults with expertise who can facilitate learning and opportunities for engagement.
Furthermore, sparks appear to be a protective factor for young people, keeping them out of trouble because of the young person’s intense focus on the source of their spark. Sparks, in turn, motivate youth to succeed in other areas of their lives, such as personal, social and academic.
Every young person has the potential to have a spark, and 4-H plays an important role in helping young people discover and pursue their sparks. In some cases, it is a matter of helping youth recognize their spark when the spark has already found them!
Because of its emphasis on learning that is driven by a young person’s interest, 4-H programs provide a rich context for youth to identify, explore, and sustain their personal interests, often resulting in the development of a young person’s sparks. High quality youth program contexts, like those provided in 4-H, are key for facilitating youth sparks. When sparks are encompassed by positive 4-H programs, youth are supported to grow and encouraged to overcome obstacles. In this way, youth are empowered to develop their sparks and use them to make the world a better place for all.
Marie Witzel 4-H Youth Development Educator marie.witzel@wisc.edu 920.386.3790 (office)/920-210-3080 (cell)
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Hats Off...
...to Cameron Pokorny (Achievers alumni) for being selected to attend the 2023 National Ag Day Sutdent Leadership Program in Washington DC March 20-21 to meet with congressional legislators on National Ag Day.
...to the 4-H Speaking Contest participants: Madelyn Grosenick (Lebanon Luckies) Elise Hensler (Lebanon Luckies), Harper Zillmer (Hyland Prairie), Sawyer Zillmer (Hyland Prairie), and Claire Zuern (Herman Hornets).
Hats off to Marilyn Klobuchar, Dodge County Supervisor (District 27) and retired educator who judged the event and the Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association for award sponsorship.
Congratulations to all!
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Club Happenings
Herman Hornets (Sophia Bender) For our activity before the meeting we collected care package items for former members. The club will make a 86” tall flannel diamond pattern quilt for the Dodge County Fair Silent auction.
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Message from 4-H Leaders Executive Board
Amy Voigt (Past President), Teresa Stowell (President Elect) and Eric Salmi (Current President) are looking for invitations to your club meeting. We would like to be placed on your agenda to take 5 minutes of your club's time to discuss the Executive Board and possibly recruit youth and adults for the future. When possible our current 4-H Leaders Exec. Board Youth Reps will be coming along. We are currently missing youth on two different boards and would like to fill these vacant positions to help get the member’s feedback at Executive and Leaders Meetings. These are opportunities for youth and adult leaders. We are continuing to make the “Best Better”. Please feel free to contact any one of us at the below emails or phone numbers.
- Amy Voigt avoigt0310@gmail.com/920-210-1647
- Teresa Stowell trstowell@yahoo.com
- Eric Salmi mastrivianight@yahoo.com /920-988-1817
We look forward to hearing from your club! Eric Salmi, Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association President
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Family Learning Day Returns!Family Learning Day returns February 25, 2023 at Dodgeland School! Payment must accompany registration with form via U.S. mail. No online registration sales.
*Mail registration and payment to: Dodge County 4-H c/o Extension Dodge County, 127 E. Oak Street, Juneau, WI 53039
*If you are emailing your registration form separate from mailing in the payment, please email to tmalterer@co.dodge.wi.us
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 4, 2023
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Summer Camp 2023 Grades 3-6
While the weather outside may be frightful, it is a good time to start thinking about summer! Summer brings the return of in-person Summer 4-H Camp. We will be camping at Camp Lakota in Wautoma on June 14-17 with 4-Hers from Columbia and Sauk Counties. Registration for 4-H Summer Camp for grades 3-6 will open on Feb. 1st. Watch the weekly bulletins and 4HOnline for more information. You can check out Camp Lakotah, on their website at https://camplakotah.com/
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4-H Demonstration Contest
Thursday, March 30 – 6:30 PM Dodge County Administration Building 127 E. Oak Street, Juneau WIDemonstrations are more showing and doing. Illustrated Talks rely more on charts, pictures, and description. For topic ideas, check with your general leader or the 4-H Office. Many 4-H'ers have given brief demonstrations or talks at 4-H meetings. Just polish up the presentation. Please, no product labels.
Divisions and Time Guidelines Grade 5K-2 5 minutes or less Grades 3-4-5-6 6 minutes or less Grades 7-8-9 5-8 minutes Grades 10 & up 5-8 minutes
There is no minimum time limit for grades 1-6, but at least 4 minutes is suggested. Participants will be judged on: clear, pleasant voice/self-confidence, enthusiasm/poise, appearance/posture, appropriate introduction, accurate information, visual aids, orderly progression, summarization, adequate preparation, interesting subject, and purpose accomplished. Easels will be provided.
Team Demonstrations (two members) may also be given. In a team demonstration the grade division is that of the older member. The older member also determines time guidelines.
- Participants will be scheduled by grade to give demonstrations.
- Top demonstrators in each grade group will be selected.
- Upon completion of the contest, ribbons will be awarded and top demonstrators will be announced.
- No reminder letters are sent!
If unable to attend after registering, you are expected to call the Extension office at 920-386-3790. Sign up in 4HOnline.com DEADLINE: March 23, 2023
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4-H Scholarships Open!
Dodge County 4-H offers a variety of scholarships to 4-H'ers in 12th grade or alumni enrolled or will be enrolled in a post-secondary education. Check it out!
- Patricia Hahn Dodge County 4-H Legacy Scholarship Due March 1, 2023
- Dodge County 4-H Youth & Alumni Scholarship Due March 1, 2023
- Dodge County 4-H Endowment Fund Scholarship Due March 1, 2023
- Esther Haase Menn 4-H Memorial Scholarship 2023 Due March 1, 2023
- Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee Scholarship Due March 1, 2023
- Kuhlman Family Dairy Promotion Scholarship (PDF) Due March 31, 2023
- WI 4-H Foundation Scholarship Due March 15, 2023
- WI Rural Opportunities Foundation DUE March 1, 2023
- HCE Scholarship DUE April 1, 2023
- WI Towns Association Scholarship Competition Due May 26, 2023
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Dodge County Master Gardener Scholarship
The Dodge County Master Gardener Association will award a scholarship totaling $1,000 to a graduating high school senior living in Dodge County, who is planning a career in some area of horticulture. Careers may include, but are not limited to horticulture, plant science, soil science, agriculture, environmental science, landscaping, forestry, science education. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winning applicant after the recipient provides or sends a copy of proof of receipt for payment of tuition from the college bursar’s office. Deadline: April 1, 2023.
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WPA Offers Youth Pig Project Scholarships
The Wisconsin Pork Association is once again offering Youth Pig Project scholarships. These scholarships are designed to assist 4-H and FFA members in establishing swine projects that can lead to development of life skills and career opportunities in the Wisconsin pork industry.
4-H and FFA youth are eligible to apply for a $100 scholarship used to offset costs associated with their 2023 pig project. Scholarships will be awarded in three age divisions: Ages 9 -12, 13 -15, and 16 -19 (as of January 1, 2023). Through support from swine breeders and allied industry members throughout the state, our goal is to raise enough funds to support a minimum of 50 youth scholarships.
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STEM Opportunities Coming in Spring UW Science Expeditions: Campus-Wide Open House April 14-16, 2023
UW Family Gardening Day: Open House May 6, 2023
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For the 2023 4-H Calendar, please visit HERE
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