August 5th, 2026

Marie's Message

Dear 4-H Families

Promotion, Oxford Dictionary defines it as “the publicization of a product, organization, or venture so as to increase sales or public awareness. "a sales promotion company".

I like to think of the Dodge County Fair as a huge promotion opportunity for Dodge County 4-H.

During Fair week, youth are sharing their educational knowledge they have gained over the year with leaders, judges and the public. They are having an opportunity to showcase what they learned through an exhibit at the county fair.

I also like to encourage youth and families to wear 4-H shirts to help promote some of the 4-H programs that are offered. Here is the schedule for the week:

Wednesday- 4-H Green Shirt Day (Dodge County 4-H, Movement/Sparks)
Thursday- 4-H Member Experience Day (trips/ state projects, Fall Forum)
Friday- 4-H Camp Day (summer camp, day camp)
Saturday- Your Club T-shirt. Let's see all the cool 4-H club shirts!
Sunday- Project Day Shirt

As a reminder we still have shifts to be filled in the Cream Puff stand, Fish Pond and 4-H promotion where you can share your favorite projects, 4-H experiences or help the AmeriCorps with projects they have planned.

I hope to see some of you attending the last couple weeks of AmeriCorps programs at your local libraries.

Have a great weekend,
Marie

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

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. 

Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu

Astico Perseverance (Blake Kurth):  At the August 3, 2026 Astico Perseverance 4-H Club meeting, members shared reports from Badger Dairy Camp and a mini golf activity, discussed upcoming officer elections, and approved a club food drive for October. Leaders provided reminders about fair tags, sibling project participation, the club fair booth display, and an upcoming art framing workshop. The next meeting will be held at Elba Town Hall, with the date to be determined through a Band poll.

County Line 4-H (Isabel Montoya): The County Line 4-H Club met on July 28, 2026, at the Ashippun Town Hall with 14 members in attendance. Members discussed the upcoming trip to Noah’s Ark on August 2, received county fair tags and passes, and signed up to work at the Fair Food Stand on August 23. The club also voted to purchase new club t-shirts and encouraged members to bring logo ideas to the September meeting, where officer elections will be held. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m., and there will be no meeting in August.

Dodge County 4-H members are encouraged to apply for exciting educational experiences and recognition opportunities, including Beyond Wisconsin, Ignite by 4-H, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, and the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award. These opportunities help youth build leadership skills, expand their networks, and represent Dodge County on the state and national level. Applications are due September 30 and must include a completed application, cover letter, resume, and reference page.

Over President's Day weekend, participants will travel to St. Louis, Missouri, where they'll explore hands-on science museums, discover art and culture, experience live music and performances, and sample regional foods. The journey begins with team-building activities and an overnight stay in Illinois, giving youth the chance to connect with new friends from across Wisconsin before heading to St. Louis for a weekend packed with discovery and fun.

More than just a trip, this experience is a great first step toward independence through safe, supervised overnight travel. Youth will be accompanied by Wisconsin 4-H educators and trained, screened adult volunteers, including health and wellness support staff. They'll return home with new friendships, greater confidence, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Ready to explore beyond Wisconsin and see the Midwest in a whole new way? Stay tuned for registration details! 

Applications are open for the highest state-level recognition a 4-H member can receive.

4-H'ers who have won the County Key Award in 2024, 2025 or 2026 may apply to be selected as one of the Top 10 Key Award winners. 

Attention, Dodge County 4-H Livestock Exhibitors!

Help make weigh-in day a breeze by dropping off your Orange Card at the Dodge County Extension Office ASAP. It's a quick stop that helps keep everything running smoothly—so swing by and check it off your to-do list! The basket is still out and we can't wait to see you!

A practical webinar series for school leaders, educators, and families navigating changes under Wisconsin Act 42.

As Wisconsin schools prepare to implement student cell phone policies under Wisconsin Act 42, UW–Madison Division of Extension is offering a webinar series to help school leaders, educators, and families navigate the transition with confidence. The series provides practical, research-based strategies for creating successful phone-free learning environments and supporting healthy technology habits at home and at school. 

✅ Sessions for school leaders
✅ Sessions for educators
✅ A FREE session for parents and caregivers

Join us to learn how we can work together to help students stay focused, engaged, and successful in a digital world.

Each 4-H Club is requested to provide ONE themed-basket to the 4-H Silent Auction. Please bring baskets assembled, labeled, and wrapped to the Youth Building Office on Entry Day (August 18). If you have questions, please contact the Extension office or any Leader Executive Board member.

Youth in grades 7 and up, we need your help! Be a Cloverbud judge at the county fair on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. Pick from three time slots and sign up for one, two, or all.

New to this? Join our training on August 11 at 6:30pm in the Youth Building. Already a seasoned judge? Skip the training and sign up!

Questions? Ask Anne Rinzel at adrinzel@gmail.com. Thanks for supporting the Cloverbuds!

Help with Recycling at Fair!

The Recycling Program needs youth volunteers (ages 8+ can assist) to help get ready for Fair. We will be getting ready for Fair Recycling on Sunday, August 2, 9, & 16th from 1-3pm at the Dodge County fairgrounds (N6885 High Point Road, Beaver Dam - Meet by Youth Building)

Kids 8-11 years old should be accompanied by an adult.
Kids 12 years and older can attend on their own.
Parents will need to sign a waiver for kids to participate.

What we will be doing: Learning about Recycling & our program, counting supplies, and washing bin tops.
Please wear clothes and shoes that can get wet & dirty.
We will have drinks and treats for those attending.

Kids who attend 1 or more of these sessions are eligible to help at the Dodge County Fair August 19-24th.

(Fair Recycling Teams get stipend, ride tickets, and food/ice cream coupons for working set hours and days)

Please sign up with this link to attend any of the dates: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49AAA928A3FCCF8-64906693-youth

Contact Melissa Lake for more info or ?s 
920-382-9605
JuneauVictorians4H@gmail.com

While many 4-H youth participate in the Dodge County Fair, UW-Madison Extension and the Dodge County Fair are separate organizations with different responsibilities.

In the past, the Extension Office has accepted Fair paperwork and items as a courtesy for delivery to the Junior Fair Office. Effective immediately, this courtesy will no longer be available.

If you have items to drop off, please leave them with Margot at the Junior Fair Office or in the basket at the County Administrator's Office.

Questions regarding Fair enrollment, policies, or paperwork should be directed to the Dodge County Jr. Fair Office at 920-386-3834 or dodgecountyjrfair@gmail.com. 

Looking for assistant dairy-bowl coach

Brock Irwin, our lead dairy-quiz-bowl coach, is looking for a second coach to work with the beginner and younger-junior kids. If you enjoyed dairy-quiz bowl in your youth and like spending a few hours each week with kids, this is a great leadership opportunity. Practices typically begin in late October on Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Watertown Library. Competitions are held in early January for the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association and in midwinter for 4-H. Interested? Contact Mandy Sell-Stanford at 920.253.8773.

Stalling

The county-fair stalling plan will not be released until Aug. 12, this year. So, mark your calendars to watch for it on that day.

Red and white class

As you know, we're trialing the addition of red and white Holstein classes at the Dodge County Fair, this year. In the show order, red and whites will show after color breeds and before grade Holsteins, for each age group.

Early release for state show

For those of you who exhibit some of your county-fair animals at the Wisconsin Championship State Show in Madison, the fairgrounds is, again, allowing early release for those few animals on Saturday of the fair after 5 p.m. You must provide state-show-entry documentation.

Showmanship instruction

The dairy-show judge will provide a showmanship-skills review for dairy youth after Thursday afternoon's dairy show to help prepare them for Friday morning's showmanship classes. The review will take place in the showring.

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

AUGUST

No 4-H Leader's Meeting in August

19 - 23 Dodge County Fair

PYD Media Collection Project Resources Follow the link to learn more about the collection and request materials.

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