Dear 4-H Families:

We are excited to announce that the registration fee you paid for February Family Learning Day will be transferred to March Family Learning Day. However, please note that you will need to fill out a new registration form for March: the class schedule has changed.

Additionally, if a parent is attending classes with their child, they will also need to complete a registration form and pay the registration fee.

If you are unable to attend the March Family Learning Day, refunds will be processed in the weeks following the March program.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to seeing you at March Family Learning Day!

Terra Reider
Youth Program Assistant
treider@wisc.edu
920-386-3790

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!

Attention youth who are enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate college, university, or technical school for the 2025-2026 school year and working toward a degree: Now is a good time to start working on your scholarship applications for higher education!

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation will award more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding Wisconsin 4-H members and alumni pursuing higher education in 2025. Applications must be submitted via mail (not email) this year and postmarked by March 1st.

Alpha Gamma Rho is a leading professional agriculture fraternity for men studying or pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and related sciences. Through our Competitive Edge Program, our chapter offers multiple $3,000 scholarships for incoming UW-Madison students with an interest in ag, food, natural resources, and related fields.

Dairy-activity-card reminder
Dairy youth must complete the dairy-activity card to be eligible for exhibiting at the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Dairy Show and in the Dodge County Fair Dairy Youth Recognition Auction. Signatures/initials (not Xs or checkmarks) will be required. If you went to World Dairy Expo, Cream of the Crop Dairy Challenge, Dairy-Bowl practice, Junior Holstein Convention, etc. since county fair last year, print off an activity-card copy, and take it to your coordinating leaders/coaches or DYAC officer-team member for their signatures. The same goes for activities labeled "previous fair."

Last call for scholarship
The Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee Scholarship is due March 1, 2025. LINK to this year's application.

Next DYAC meeting
The next Dairy Youth Advisory Committee meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, 7:30 p.m., at the Dodge County Administration Building Auditorium. All are welcome. Dairy youth can earn points on their dairy-activity cards for attending.

Dairy at Family Learning Day
Family Learning Day on March 29, 2025, has a number of opportunities for signatures on your dairy-activity card, including YQCA training. See that section in this newsletter for details.

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

 Wisconsin Distance Learning

Did you know that Wisconsin Cheesemakers produce over 600 different types, styles and flavors of cheese? Join Dairy Ambassador Brenda Conley on Wednesday, February 26th at 7pm at the Dodge County Administration Building to have some fun and take a look at the process of how cheese is made, learn about the different types of cheese, and taste some of the amazing cheeses produced right here in Wisconsin. We will also be going over the 4-H Dairy Promotion funding and sharing dairy promotion ideas with each other. This session is required if your club is requesting Dairy Promotion funding for this year, with a minimum of one member from each club to attend. This session will also be repeated at the March Family Learning Day on Saturday, March 29th. This session also counts for 1 point on Dairy Project Member Activity Card for the Family Learning Day Session.

Please sign-up via Google Forms by Thursday, February 20th. If you have any questions, contact Brenda Conley 262-224-2559 dodgecountydairy@gmail.com

Registration is now open for this fun and educational virtual series designed just for Cloverbuds!  This 4-week series in April will take Cloverbuds on an adventure of igniting their sparks, becoming innovators in STEM, using their creative problem-solving minds, and hatching their inner Cloverbud hero selves. Hatch the excitement in your Cloverbud and register them today.  Register by March 3rd.  Families can begin picking up their kits on March 11th.  

Theisen’s & Sunglo Show Feeds are partnering to host a free, interactive Show Feed Webinar on Thursday, March 6th at 6:00PM CT. This event is open to all skill levels and each attendee will receive valuable coupons as well as a chance to win exciting prizes! During the webinar, we’ll cover topics such as animal selection, show feed tips and management, Sunglo feeds and supplements available at Theisen’s, and we’ll conclude with an open Q&A session.

Questions? Text Ryan Altreuter 262-443-9797

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.”

Is your club looking for a fun night out in Madison?  There are opportunities with the Madison Mallards and Night Mares Softball teams. The group outings offer thrilling baseball/softball action, team building, and plenty of fun. With the Night Mares joining the Mallards, there are even more unique options.  Check out the schedule and reach out to Jaden if your group is interested.

Jaden Johnson, Group Account and Events Manager

jaden@mallardsbaseball.com | 608-246-4277

Questions?  Please contact Eva 920-988-6113 or Jessie 920-988-0741

FEBRUARY

25 - Dairy Youth Advisory Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM

26 - World of Wisconsin Cheese & Dairy Promotion Funding Night, 7 PM

MARCH

18 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board Meeting

29 - Family Learning Day

31 - Speaking and Demonstration Contest, 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.

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