Dear 4-H Families,

This month we recognize all of the Dodge County 4-H Volunteers whenever possible and especially for National Volunteer Week 2025 in the United States is celebrated from April 20th to 26th, during Global Volunteer Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the impact of volunteers.

Dodge County Extension is proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of 4-H volunteers who have dedicated their time, energy, and expertise to empower youth and strengthen our community.

4-H volunteers play a crucial role in guiding young people through hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture, and citizenship. Their commitment helps foster leadership, responsibility, and a sense of community among the youth.

"Our 4-H volunteers are the backbone of our programs," said Marie Witzel, Positive Youth Development Educator. "Their passion and dedication inspire our youth to achieve their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities."

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, Dodge County Extension extends heartfelt gratitude to all 4-H volunteers for their unwavering support and dedication. Their efforts not only enrich the lives of young people but also contribute to the betterment of our entire community.

Have a great week,
Marie

Marie Witzel
4-H Youth Development Educator
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu

If clubs or groups have items to share, send them by noon on Thursday to be included in that week’s issue.  Anything received after 12 p.m. Thursday will be considered for the following week. The articles should be sent to Marie at marie.witzel@wisc.edu.

If you have Secretary's Minutes to share, please send them to the 4-H / Youth Program Assistant, Terra at: treider@wisc.edu by noon on Wednesday to be included in that week's issue. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

Check your email on Wednesday, April 16th for the next Focus on 4-H! 

Reporter Updates 

Lomira Clover Leaves (Harper Slechta) - On Monday, April 7th, the Lomira Clover Leaves met at Mayville Tire and Auto. Owner, Keith Pastorius, demonstrated how to change a tire. He also gave a tour of his shop. Members dressed like they were 93 years old to celebrate our club’s 93rd anniversary.

2025 Beef, Sheep, Swine and Feeder Calf in person tag pickup will be THIS Saturday April 12th at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in the MAS office. The button below will display an example form that will need to be filled out at pickup. These forms will not be taken home, they will be filled out when you pickup your tags/DNA envelopes. If you have someone picking up tags for you - please ensure they have accurate information (premise ID!). The information on this form will be used for fair data entry including the sale book- so it is pertinent that this information is correct. This form is replacing the Google doc from previous years.

If you are unable to make it on Saturday, you will be able to pick up tags, DNA envelopes and fill this form out at UW Extension office during business hours, starting Tuesday, April 15th. To ensure everything is ready for you, we kindly ask that everyone wait until Tuesday to pick up tags at the Extension office. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

DNA envelopes will need to be returned to the UW extension office in Juneau no later than May 2nd. No exceptions.

More information regarding fair entry will be provided when that time comes- this is for livestock identification only!!  Please reach out to a Meat Animal Sale committee member if you have any questions!! Please tag your fellow exhibitors (4H and FFA) to ensure that everyone gets this information!

Also please join the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale page on Facebook to keep up with current information.

Any questions? Please call one of your MAS Members.

Please have the Educational Verification Form printed before the session begins.  You can write down thoughts throughout the session. Complete the form and turn it into your county fair and/or livestock committee to verify your participation.  These activities can serve as “county educational credits/points.”

 Wisconsin Distance Learning

There is no limit placed on the number of entries per class.  Pre-registration is encouraged.  Day of registration will be accepted.  Health checks will be performed and rabbits found to be unhealthy will be removed from the show. Animals are to be brought in their own cages.  Exhibitors will be responsible for cleaning up after their own animals.  Richland County 4-H Rabbits R Us Club and Richland County Fairgrounds are not responsible for any losses due to fire, theft, or accident.  Every precaution will be taken to prevent such occurrences. 

Please include the tattoo number on the registration form.  If your rabbit is not tattooed, putting a number in the ear with a black marker will be accepted.

Questions?  Call Chris Harpin, 608-649-7412 (home), 608-513-7412 (cell), or email harpfam04@proton.me

There is no official registration form. To pre-register, email your name, rabbit entries, and indicate if you will be participating in showmanship to: buscherag@gmail.com

Entry Fees: $3.00/rabbit
$3.00 for showmanship
Payment will be accepted the day of show
Showmanship categories:
Jr. (grade 3-5)    Int. (grade 6-8)     Sr. (grade 9-12)

Food will be available for purchase throughout the day.
We will be having a silent auction table…Check it out!!

Any club interested in having a booth at this years dairy brunch, please
fill out this Google Form:

There are two methods of involvement for Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard this year:

As we are beginning the 2025 dog year, we are holding an orientation on April 14, at 6:30 pm at the youth building. This is a chance to go over expectations, an answer questions type of pre-training gathering. Please attend with your child and without your dog. 

We hope to see you all there.

Dairy judging with farm change
Dairy-judging practice will start on-farm efforts, now, on Sundays at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Watch for more dates. Note the farm-location change. 
- April 13, 2025, at Flier Haven, W8017 County Road AW, Waupun, WI 53963

Dodge County calf-grant application
The purpose of the Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Dairy Grant Program is to support active Dodge County Dairy Youth (4-H, FFA, junior breed associations) with a grant to expand their dairy project. Grant funds are used to purchase a dairy animal (any breed) to grow the youth’s dairy herd. $500 grants will be available for the 2025 program. The application is due June 1, 2025. 

Opportunities for activity-card points
As dairy-show season fires up, participation in showmanship and standard class exhibition at various breed shows counts for points on the county dairy-activity card (i.e. Wisconsin Dairy Showcase (spring show) is April 23-27, 2025.).

Watch for various local opportunities to attend fitting and showing clinics. Attendance counts as a point on the dairy-activity card. See the Dodge County Dairy Youth Facebook page for information on a clinic coming up April 19 at Kamphuis Farms in Brandon, Wis., as well as other clinics that may pop up this summer.

For those in FFA, an FFA CDE dairy activity/event counts for a point on the dairy-activity card, as well as any FFA dairy event. Ag teachers can initial dairy-activity cards.

PDP Stride™ Youth Leadership Conference was back in September. It's a point on the dairy-activity card.

Wisconsin Holstein Association Cow Camp is a point on the dairy-activity card. This year's event is May 10-11, 2025. 

As we approach June, watch for dairy-promotion opportunities. Those count on the dairy-activity card.

Finally, "other" is an option on the dairy-activity card. If a dairy exhibitor has something that's fits in the "other" category, visit with a DYAC member for approval.

APRIL

10 - Sew Your Own Stuffed Animal, 6 PM, Horicon Public Library

11 - UW Extension Office Closed for Regional Meeting

12 - MAS Tags & DNA Envelope Pick-Up Day 10 AM - 12 PM 
MAS Office at the Dodge County Fairgrounds

15 - 4-H Leaders Association Meeting

18 - UW Extension Office Closed

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

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.

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