Dear 4-H Families,

As National Volunteer Week draws to a close, we want to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to each and every one of the Dodge County volunteers for your incredible dedication and service to our community.

I wanted to focus this week on our youth volunteers. They reported 3998 hours of service to the Dodge County 4-H program in 2023. Your energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to lend a helping hand have not gone unnoticed. Whether you've been involved in organizing events, assisting with community projects, or simply offering your time and talents wherever needed, your contributions have made a significant impact.

Your commitment to volunteerism at such a young age is truly inspiring. You have shown exceptional leadership, empathy, and a genuine desire to make the world a better place. Your passion for giving back serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of youth-driven change.

We are immensely grateful for your unwavering support and your willingness to step up and make a difference. Your efforts have touched the lives of many and have helped to strengthen our community in countless ways.

I am especially grateful for our youth who completed the National Thrive Survey on the impact of 4-H in Dodge County and Wisconsin. This week we had Abby Streiter, Rose Lake, Ely Lynch, Oscar and Wyatt Stowell participate in Focus groups with Josset Gauley, WI Evaluation Specialist to talk more about the Thrive results and Dodge County. Hats off to each of them for taking time out of their schedules to help with this important impact.

Thank you for being shining examples of kindness, compassion, and service. You are the future leaders and change-makers, and we are honored to have you as part of our volunteer family.

Thanks to all of you who volunteer your time to the youth of Dodge County!

Have a great week,

Marie
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. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

The tag pick-up day is on April 27th, from 9am to 12pm at the Administration Building Auditorium. All tags will need to be signed for by the person picking up the tags, and each exhibitor can have up to 5 tags per species. There is no need to call and register beforehand. The DNA envelopes will need to be returned to Extension Dodge County office by 4:30 PM on Friday, May 17th. 

Scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 2, 2024.

Sign up to spend time at Upham Woods canoeing, exploring Blackhawk Island, and making new friends. Registration will open on March 4th at 12pm!

Youth Camp

Who: Any youth entering 4th-8th grade for the 2024-2025 school year.

When: July 7-10, 2024

Registration Fee: $305.00

This year’s schedule will have some changes to make camp exciting for returning youth but many camp favorites like swimming and water carnival will remain the same!

Outpost Camp:

Who: Any youth entering 8th-10th grade for the 2024-2025 school year.

When: August 3-6, 2024

Registration Fee: $315.00

Outpost Camp is an exciting camp experience where youth with spend time canoeing and camping. The camp will start at Upham Woods as everyone learns the basics of camping and canoeing before heading out to paddle the Wisconsin River and spend the next few nights camping on Blackhawk Island.

Are you a youth who is interested in having a voice in shaping the child welfare and/or youth justice system?

Do you have personal experience (past or present) with the foster care or youth justice system?

Do you know a young person who has leadership potential?

Are you considering how to incorporate youth voice into your work?

If yes, please read more about the Department of Children and Families opportunities for youth to have a voice and make an impact.

For this essay, a 4-H student should answer these questions: What makes a varietal honey?   What are some unique varietals? How are some of the valuable varietals confirmed to be authentic (e.g., Manuka honey UMF and MGO)? What are some culturally or economically important varietals and why are they important?

Eligibility: The 2024 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition is open to active 4-H Club members only.

Any 4-H Club member who placed first, second or third in previous years of the national competition is NOT eligible to win in 2024; however, state competition winners remain eligible to enter the national competition. Essays entered must encompass the designated topic only. There will be no exceptions.

The deadline for national submission is May 1, 2024.
National winners will be announced: June 15, 2024

Calling all youth photographers! The “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” Photo Contest is all about showcasing a photo that is special to you! Submissions due May 1.

The purpose of the Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Dairy Grant Program is to support active Dodge County Dairy Youth (4-H, FFA, Junior Breed Associations) with a grant to expand their dairy project. The grant funds are to be utilized to purchase a dairy animal (any breed) to grow the youth’s dairy herd.

$500 grants will be available for the 2024 program. Grant money is made available through proceeds from the Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction, held each year at the Dodge County Fair.

Grant applications will be available anytime up until June 1, 2024. Grant recipients will be notified upon acceptance. 

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.

APRIL

21-27 - National Volunteer Week

27 - Livestock Tags and DNA Pickup Dodge County Administration Building 9am - noon

MAY

17 - DNA Envelopes need to be returned to Extension Dodge county office by 4:30 PM

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