TWO DODGE COUNTY YOUTH ATTEND 2024 NATIONAL 4-H CONGRESS IN ATLANTA

Juneau, Two young people and one adult from Dodge County visited Atlanta for National 4-H Congress, Nov. 29-Dec 3.

The National 4-H Congress engages high school-aged 4-H members in leadership, citizenship, global awareness and inclusion. Attendees take part in state-of-the-art educational workshops and hear from world-renowned speakers. They can also network with other 4-H youth and adults from across the country.

Dodge County 4-H’ers who attended the National 4-H Conference were: Olivia Downey and Isabelle Justmann. Both Youth Delegates are from River Oaks 4-H Club, and Marie Witzel served as an adult advisor. They joined 35 Wisconsin 4-H’ers and 4 adult advisors among more than 800 attendees from across the nation.

Wisconsin 4-H'ers attended workshops like Team Building, Speed Meeting, Habits of Highly Successful Teens, and Be the Change workshops sessions. 

National 4-H Congress delegates give back to Atlanta for hosting by doing citywide community service projects.  National 4-H Congress delegates have a variety of community service projects in the Atlanta metro area.  They went to places like Piedmont Park Conservancy, Atlanta History Center, ATL Suburb Parks, Books for Africa, Camp Fortson, and Inner-City Elementary Schools. Additionally, Olivia served as a Flag Bearer and speaker for Wisconsin at the flag ceremony.

Conference speakers included Everest climber and humanitarian John Beedee, Shannon McKain, Dan Clark, New York Times Best Selling Author, and Dr. Laymon Hicks. 

To learn more about Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Programs, please contact the Dodge County UW Extension office at 920-386-3790.

Marie

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

Photo: Marie Witzel, Isabelle Justmann, & Olivia Downey

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!

Come join the fun and make a difference! Your help would be super appreciated! You are welcome to show up to help even if you haven't signed up.🚓🛍️✨

A big thank you to the grads who have sent in their information and reached out to us! If you are a 4-H grad, please fill out your Google form so we can feature you! 

BQA does more than help beef producers capture more value from their cattle: BQA provides a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they ensure the cattle they sell are the best they can be. Consumer research, conducted by the Beef Checkoff, shows that learning about BQA made consumers more confident in beef safety and animal welfare and improved positive consumer perceptions of how cattle are raised for food. There are trainings scheduled in Watertown and Lomira. Check out the link below.

If anyone is interested in being a presenter, please email treider@wisc.edu or click the button:

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has kicked off a contest that challenges all 4-H members to explore their creativity!

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Celebrates the Arts Photography Contest is open to any current Wisconsin 4-H member, and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is awarding cash prizes. The contest will be held virtually, with photos of all entries submitted electronically. Entries are being accepted now through January 31, 2025.

Dairy bowl

Our final dairy-bowl practices are scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 15, and Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, 1 p.m., at the Watertown Library. The final competition is during the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention, Dec. 27-29, 2024. Even if you're just interested in seeing what it's all about, join the group for a practice or two. Questions: Mandy Sell-Stanford is the lead contact; her number is 920.253.8773.

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

The Juneau Victorians 4-H club invites 4-H members & leaders to join them for Christmas Caroling - Saturday, December 14th at Clearview in Juneau (198 County Rd D F, Juneau, WI 53039)  Feel free to wear festive Holiday clothes!

10:30am  Ornaments/Practice
11am-12:30pm   Caroling around Clearview
12:30pm     Cookies & Cocoa

Please RSVP by Friday, Dec 13th @ 8pm.  JuneauVictorians4H@gmail.com  (Melissa Lake 920-382-9605)

Registration for the Wisconsin Youth Institute opens next year, but the time to plan is now! Learn how to participate and get answers to all your questions during a virtual information session. Four will be offered from December until March:

Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 4:00-4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 4:00-4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 4:00-4:45 p.m.
Monday, Mar. 3, 2025 4:00-4:45 p.m.

 Wisconsin Distance Learning

The Science of the Chocolate Chip Cookie
What’s your ultimate favorite chocolate chip cookie? Do you prefer your cookie to be soft or are you a crispy cookie person? Do you prefer thick or thin cookies? There are so many variables or science to making the perfect chocolate chip cookie. This distance learning program will allow youth to explore, experiment and create their perfect recipe! Registration is open December 20 – January 16 for youth grades 3-12. The program will begin February 6. There will be two zoom meetings during the program along with independent work in your own kitchen. We hope you join in the fun and explore how to create your perfect cookie.

Dinosaurs and Unicorns
Get ready for a learning adventure! This at-home lesson series encourages youth grade K-2 to use their imagination while introducing science and building life skills. Dinosaurs and Unicorns will be divided into four lessons with 1-2 short zoom meetings to explore the topics of sound, color, paleontology and creativity. Registration will be open December 20 – January 13. All participants will receive program supply kits from their county offices prior to the start of the program. This program will begin on February 17. 

I cannot believe we will celebrate our fifth holiday season with everyone! This year, due to Christmas being mid-week, there will only be one LIVE event for 4-H Homemade for the Holidays. Join in the festivities on Monday, December 23rd from 9 to noon (central time) or watch the event recording at your leisure. The supply list will be posted by Monday, December 16th. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and the link to the Homemade for the Holiday's Resource Page.

NEW LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY! - Would you or someone you know like to record a fun activity? This would be a great NATIONAL level leadership opportunity for 4-H members across the nation! We would love to post YOUR favorite holiday craft or treat on the resource page. 4-H member submissions are due Friday, December 13th - send a link to your YouTube video and a copy of the needed supplies to tdmcgaughy@ag.tamu.edu.

The Dodge/Jefferson Co. Beekeepers Association are pleased to announce the 2025 Youth in Beekeeping Scholarship as a part of the club’s promotion and educational initiatives for youth interested in beekeeping.

A scholarship is available for up to 2 youth, from Dodge or Jefferson County, to apply for a complete hive with bees and engage in one full year of beekeeping. Recipients will be selected through an application process. Applicants must be age 12-17 years old and must be currently enrolled in public, private, or homeschool.

Other eligibility rules and requirements apply. For more information, call Ralph Wandersee at 920-285-8608 or visit dodge-jeffersonbeekeepers.com to download an application. Application deadline is January 31, 2025.

DECEMBER

14 - Shop With Cops 9:15 AM 

20 - New Family Gathering 6:30 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.

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