September 10, 2025

Marie's Message

Dear 4-H Families:

It is enrollment time in Dodge County 4-H. One of the new things that you may want to check out before your child enrolls is the new project guide.

Project Area Learning Opportunities-- Youth may explore a project independently, or several members interested in the same subject or topic can form a project group. Some, but not all, projects have volunteers to lead youth groups in hands-on learning.

• Club Project Meetings—Volunteer club project leaders and/or youth leaders may organize project activities during club meetings.

• County-wide Project Meetings—County-wide education committee volunteers and/or 4-H program educators may organize educational opportunities at a county level.

• Statewide Project Area Learning Events—Statewide education committee volunteers and/or 4-H program educators may organize project learning opportunities for youth across the state.

• Individual Learning—Youth can learn at their own pace using 4-H curriculum.

This guide found at https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/projects/ gives youth and families a chance to explore all the projects Wisconsin 4-H has to offer in seven project groupings:

The Sparks Road Map on page 6 can help if you are unsure where to start.

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

Graham Housel, Grade 8 of Burnett, Inc with “Jet” Wranglers Jingle; Isabel Montoya, Grade 8 of County Line with KJ; Adalynn Reed, Grade 8 of County Line with Charlotte; Lucy Stowell, Grade 8 of Achievers with Ruger; and Kaitlynn DeJager, Grade 10 of Trenton Highlights with LP kiss This “Maggie” represented Dodge County at the WI State 4-H Gymkhana held at West Allis on September 6, 2025.

Graham and his horse were unable to compete. Isabel received Top Tens in Barrels, Plug, and Key Race in addition to participating in Poles and LT Special. Adalynn received Top Tens in Poles, Barrels, Plug, LT Special and participated in Key Race. Lucy received Top Tens in Flags, Plug, and LT Special plus participated in Poles, Barrels, Key Race. Kaitlynn had great runs in Poles, Barrels, Plug, LT Special and Key Race.

Good luck to the Dodge County senior dairy-judging team headed to compete at the All-American contest this weekend 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.

We would like to say “THANK YOU” to all the youth who applied for the Youth Building Blue Ribbon Silent Auction.  There were 48 applications turned in for the 25 available spots.  Every item received a bid, and the auction brought the youth a total of $1,947.00. 

The youth who were selected and sold in this year’s Youth Building Blue Ribbon Silent Auction were the following,… Jacob Adist, Aubrey Altreuter, Megan Binger, Brooklyn Borth, Ethan Caine,  Kimberly Callies, Cora Cameron, Paige Conley, Eli Delisle, Ava Finger, Madalynn Grosenick, Mackenzie Gudex, Oliver Hensler, Kiersten Kunert, Rose Lake, Winston Lichty, Myles Nampel, Taylor Nehmer, Charlee Nelson, Beth Roche, Levi Roll, Carly Stuewer, Taylre Tietz, Landon Wagner, and Abigail Zastrow

The youth will be receiving their checks in the near future.  Please remember to thank your buyer.

What an amazing year! We look forward to seeing what the youth of Dodge County bring to the fair in 2025!

Thanks again,
Cornerstone Club of Elba

🌟 A New 4-H Year is HERE! 🌟

Youth can continue to enroll and join their projects! Remember you need to enroll in any project you want to do for the 2025-26 year. 

✅ 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! 

🔍 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 by September 5th.

Fall is in the air, and we are so excited to offer a unique field trip experience again! Seeing your smiling faces brings smiles to our faces as we hear the laughter and see the little feet and hands explore the fall outdoors at Ebert’s Greenhouse Village. We are pleased to offer field trips for $9 per student and $6 per chaperone. Classroom teachers are free. The fee includes a hayride, a small pumpkin for students, a craft project, a story, and full access to our play areas. Although many ages enjoy the program and activities, it is especially geared toward pre-kindergarten to 3rd
grade. To book your field trip please call (920)261-5645 .

🔍 Hey Spark Seekers!
Are you ready for fun adventures after school? Each Tuesday in October, grab your magnifying glass and join us on Zoom at 6 PM! Explore animals, science, art, and cool projects while making new friends from Columbia, Dodge, Marquette, and Sauk Counties. Let’s discover something amazing together!

👉 Register by September 21st to save your spot!

We will be holding a listening session on Wednesday 9/10/25 at 6:30pm at the Dodge County Administration Building Auditorium. This will be in regards to the Blue Ribbon Small Animal Auction. 

At 7:30pm we will continue with our committee meeting.

All are welcome to come and help us in making decisions to continue working together.

SEPTEMBER

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