September 30th, 2026

Marie's Message

Hands to Larger Service: Dodge County 4-H Making a Difference

National 4-H Week starting on Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the impact young people have in our communities every day. Over the past year, Dodge County 4-H members completed 147 community service projects, contributing approximately 797 hours of service to communities across the county.

4-H members demonstrated what it means to use their "Hands to Larger Service" through projects that supported veterans, senior citizens, local food pantries, first responders, nursing homes, community organizations, and families in need. Youth assembled Valentine's for Veterans, created no-sew blankets and quilts, packed troop care packages, organized food drives, prepared Easter baskets and holiday gifts, and provided appreciation gifts for police, fire, and EMS personnel.

Members also worked to improve local communities through roadside and trail cleanups, cemetery beautification efforts, flower plantings, and community event support. Clubs volunteered at food stands during county events, supported local libraries, historical societies, humane societies, and participated in programs such as Wreaths Across America, Shop with Cops, and Ronald McDonald House collections.

These experiences teach much more than volunteerism. Through service projects, young people develop leadership, teamwork, communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills while learning how their actions can positively impact others.

As we celebrate National 4-H Week, we thank our members, volunteers, families, and community partners who help make these efforts possible. Together, Dodge County 4-H youth continue to demonstrate that even small acts of service can make a big difference.

147 Projects. 797 Hours. Countless Lives Impacted.

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

Need help? Reach out to schedule an appointment, and we can assist you with completing your online enrollment and training at the Extension Office.

Reminder: After submitting your volunteer enrollment, please watch for your HireRight background check and/or complete the required 4-H Online volunteer training. These steps must be completed before your enrollment can be approved. For the training, be sure to scroll to the very bottom of the final screen so the course is marked as complete.

Enrollment needs to be completed by November 1st, 2026.

Reminder for 3rd Grade Members:
In Dodge County 4-H, 3rd grade members must enroll in the Exploring project and may add one additional project of their choice. If they choose Beef as their additional project, they are only eligible to exhibit in the Beef Feeder Class at the Dodge County Junior Fair. It looks like they will need to add the Exploring project and decide which one additional project they would like to complete this year.

Reminder for Adult Volunteers:
All adult volunteers must complete the required volunteer training and background check process before they can be approved and participate as a 4-H volunteer. If you have not yet completed these requirements, please do so as soon as possible to avoid delays in your volunteer approval.

Enrollment needs to be completed by November 1st, 2026

Registration is limited to 30 youth participants. An adult must accompany youth. Adults do not need to register.

Registration deadline: October 16th or when the event is filled to capacity, whatever happens first. October 21st is the last day to withdraw from this event. Any registration withdrawal after this date will be responsible for payment regardless of attendance.

Registration is through 4-H Online.

Registration is open September 29 - October 28, 2026 (or until all spaces are full, whatever comes sooner). No late registration or onsite registrations will be offered.

Looking to connect with 4-H members from across Wisconsin while growing your skills and exploring your interests? Consider applying for a Wisconsin 4-H Ambassador Team! Opportunities are available in Leadership, Agriculture, Arts, and the new Outdoor Ambassadors program. Youth in grades 9-12 can develop leadership skills, make new friends, represent Wisconsin 4-H at statewide events, and help shape future programming. Applications open October 1 in 4-H Online and close November 15, 2026. Visit the Wisconsin 4-H website for more information about each ambassador team and application details.

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 .

If you haven't, already, please use this link to sign up if you're interested in participating: https://shorturl.at/Jqzn4

Dodge County competes at two contests: the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention (Jan. 2-4, 2026), and the Wisconsin 4-H contest in February.

Dairy-activity form

The 2026-2027 Dodge County Dairy-Activity Card is currently in review, but participation in the Cream of the Crop Dairy Challenge in September, competing in various World Dairy Expo contests, and attending World Dairy Expo this week all qualify for points on next year's card. Signatures are easy to get later on after the contests, but if you're just attending, take a picture in front of something iconic to prove you were there. Most importantly: Have fun!

Brock Irwin coaches the senior team(s), and Jenny Spoke and Carrie Feucht will be coaching the junior and rookie teams.

Practice is held on Sundays at the Watertown library from 1-3 p.m. Practicing on your own during the week with school homework is encouraged, as well. Practice dates:

Next DYAC meeting

Date: Nov. 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Dodge County Administration Building

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

OCTOBER

4 - 10 National 4-H Week

 17 - Drone Demo Day

20 - Leader's Executive Board Meeting

21 - Project Learning Lab: Animal

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