Dear 4-H Families

I am excited to see over 95 participants tomorrow at Family Learning Day.

For tomorrow please remember this is the schedule:

8:30-9:00 registration

9:15-10:15 session

10:30-11:30 session 2

 11:30-12:00 lunch

12:15-1:15 session 3

1:30-2:30 session 4

Most people are in the session they chose unless you were contacted that it was cancelled. 

The lunch schedule is later in the Focus.  However, they are trying something new: Attendees will be able to pre-order/pay for a bag lunch in the morning before the first session so they can simply pick it up at lunch. If people do not want to do that, they can simply go through the line as in past years.

Also, remember the pop up store will be available between session 2-3.  We have some new shirts that are selling for $10 each (see pictures below) Note: Not all shirt styles are in all sizes so we have a variety to check out.

Have a great week,

Marie

4-H Youth Development Educator

marie.witzel@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. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

Astico Perseverance (Braxton S)  First, Milo shared his ideas for birthday kits and beaded pens for teachers. The club voted to do both activities. Families would bring items for the kits while the club would purchase beaded pen kits for members to make. Lastly Milo talked about the April meeting and what it would hold, this year as in years past there will be an Easter egg hunt. 

Hyland Prairie (Cheryl Rohde) Leader Emily was a good sport when she lost a bet with members from the group. At last weeks meeting she was "pied" in the face by Isabella and Vivian who sold gift cards at the pizza ranch fundraiser night. Everyone was a great sport!

River Oaks (Lisa Justmann) The River Oaks kids went to Clearview and painted rocks with the residents. Some donated their painted rocks back so we can put a QR code on them and lay them around the earth for people to find.

Wednesday, March 27th 7:30 PM

7:30 PM Dodge County Administration Building, Conference Room 1A

Many Thanks to the Hyland Prairie Club for Hosting Our March Family Learning Day Lunch! Members can pre-order/pay for lunch upon arrival on the day of the event. Members' lunch will be ready to go for them at lunchtime!

The Dairy Committee will be hosting an educational session for Dairy youth by taking them on farm tours on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The youth will be touring two farms to learn more about the technology used in today’s industry along with other management practices. The group will be touring Sunshine Genetics in Whitewater and Larson Acres Inc. in Evansville.

Tags/DNA envelopes will be distributed on April 13th, from 9-12 pm at the Administration Building UW-Extension Office. 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 within 2 weeks. 

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.

MARCH

23 - Family Learning Day (Dodgeland)

25 - Horse Project Meeting Dodge County Administration Building - 6:30PM

27 - Dairy Youth Advisory Committee-Dodge County Administration Building - 7:30PM 

APRIL

4 - Spring Sparks for registered Cloverbuds

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

15 - Livestock Meeting Dodge County Administration Building 

16 - Leaders Association - 7:00 pm

21-27 - National Volunteer Week

25 - ME Interviews - 6:30 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