Dear 4-H Families:

May is almost over and then we are in the full swing of summertime activities and programs. 

This also brings an end to the school year, so I would like to congratulate all of our 4-H High School Seniors around the county. I know some of you graduated earlier this month, and several of you are celebrating this weekend. 

Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have brought you to this momentous day. As you embark on the next chapter of your life, remember that the journey ahead is yours to shape. Embrace challenges, cherish friendships, and never underestimate your ability to make a difference. The world is waiting for your unique talents and contributions. Stay true to yourself, follow your passions, and keep reaching for the stars. Wishing you all the success and happiness in the world as you spread your wings and soar!

I hope to see some of you on Sunday at the Dodge County Dairy Promotion Brunch at the Hafemeister Farm outside of Hustisford. We are still in need of volunteers especially for the clean-up. Remember if you volunteer you get a meal ticket! The promotion committee is a big 4-H supporter of 4-H programs throughout the year, so please volunteer to help with their annual fundraiser on Sunday. 

Have a great weekend,

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!

Astico Perseverance (Dane Laufenberg) When cruising through Columbus in June, stop by the Partners Dance Studio downtown and view the Astico Perseverance 4-H's "Strings of Cheese" Dairy Window display. Help us celebrate June is Dairy Month by stopping by to read our strings of dairy facts adorning the window. Thank you to Partners Dance Studio for allowing us to take over your window for the month of June. Got milk?

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is proud to announce our Senior Spotlight initiative. We are looking to recognize and highlight the incredible Wisconsin 4-H members who are aging out of the Wisconsin 4-H program. This is a great opportunity for our 4-H graduates to reflect on their 4-H experience and be recognized for all their hard work. 

This form and info can also be found on our website at: https://bit.ly/4be1K0s

Submissions will be accepted May 1 - June 30, 2024. Anyone who participates could have their story featured on The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation’s Facebook and Instagram pages and our website. They will also be entered into a random drawing for a prize from the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. 

Wisconsin State Fair is seeking agriculture-related groups (such as 4-H clubs, FFA chapters/alumni groups, or community clubs) to staff the Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard for the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair. Groups should have a passion for educating the public about Wisconsin agriculture. Volunteer Group of the Day will receive a $1000 stipend paid to their group after successful completion of their shift, 1 daily admission ticket for each volunteer, 1 Lunch and 1 Dinner ticket for the Tommy G Thompson Youth Center Cafeteria for each volunteer, AND on-site parking!

Every 4-H Club in Dodge County is invited to participate in the Dodge County Dairy Promotion Contest. A requirement to receive the initial funding is someone from a club must have attended the Dairy Promotion session at Family Learning Day and club members will be helping at the Dodge County Dairy Brunch in June.
This form must be completed and returned by June 1st to receive funds.

The Wisconsin Working Stock Dog Association (WWSDA) wants to encourage young people to learn more about breeding, training, and handling dogs specific to working livestock. To help this goal we are offering a scholarship of up to $500.00 that can be applied to the cost of approved learning events such as lessons, clinics, or auditing a clinic.

Wisconsin 4-H and the Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council are excited to host Fall Forum 2024!  Mark your calendars for November 2-3, 2024 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. 

Fall Forum is a statewide conference that brings 4-H youth and adult leaders together to connect, collaborate, celebrate, and build excitement and energy for a new year of 4-H.  It is for youth in grades 7-13, adult volunteers, and staff.  It’s a great opportunity for youth and volunteers to discover and explore their sparks and make new friends from across the state.  Everyone will leave inspired and ready for a great 4-H year!

We need YOU to help make Fall Forum a success!  We are looking for session presenters.  Those presenters could be you, or they could be youth and adults from your county.  Please think about incredible programs in your local 4-H program and invite them to share at Fall Forum.  There are two types of sessions:

Workshops - There will be 2 workshop timeslots on Saturday, November 2nd- 1:15 -2:45 p.m., 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. These workshop sessions are designed to be engaging, hands-on and feature topics of interest to youth and adults.  Participants register for workshops in advance. (We have limited breakout space at the Holiday Inn Stevens Point, so we may have to limit the number of times workshops are offered.)

Interactive Stations - There will be 2 opportunities to share information and hands-on activities on Saturday, November 2nd - 8:00 - 10:15 a.m., 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.  Participants move from station to station freely and explore different interests and information.  Leaders should be prepared for about 100 youth and adult visitors at each station.  This is a great opportunity to lead brief hands-on activities or to offer Q&A sessions about a specific topic.

Session proposals are due by June 21st.  

If you are 18 years or older and interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, we can help! We will provide new volunteers with training to ensure the safety of all youth and volunteers. The below linked trainings and a background check are required. Answers to questions about reporting and training are available on our FAQ page.

JUNE

1 - 2024 Applications Due for Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Dairy Grant Program 

1 - 2024 Forms Due for Dodge County 4-H Dairy Promotion Funding & Contest 

18 - 4-H Leaders Association Meeting

JULY

4 - Happy Independence Day
OFFICE CLOSED

16 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board Meeting

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