Dear 4-H Families,

Happy New Year

It is hard to believe that we are already into 2025. As we are thinking about the new year and 4-H, I would like to remind youth and adults that we are still in need of presenters for the Family Learning Days on February 15 and March 29. We need to have about 40-50 people to offer a variety of sessions throughout the day. I know many of you have great talents and skills to teach to youth, so please share some of those with Terra.

The state has some distance learning opportunities for Cloverbuds, and learning science while baking, so check those out. There is also a great Family opportunity at Upham Woods on January 11th. I think we need more people to attend to get a great rate for this fun day.

Lastly, it is scholarship time for our oldest 4-H members. Check out the Dodge County 4-H website at https://dodge.extension.wisc.edu/4-h-youth-development/scholarship-applications/ to see some of the different applications to apply for financial assistance. Also, if you are over 18 and looking for an opportunity to practice your skills, the summer AmeriCorp member role is open to apply.

Have a great week,

Marie

Marie Witzel
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.

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!

Thanks for all of our 4-H elves who helped wrap presents for the Shop with Cops Holiday event.  We appreciate all of your assistance to help out the families during this time of need!

Hats off to all of the families who attended New Family Gathering. A special thanks to Teresa and Lucy Stowell for their assistance

Attention youth who are enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate college, university, or technical school for the 2025-2026 school year and working toward a degree: Now is a good time to start working on your scholarship applications for higher education!

BQA does more than help beef producers capture more value from their cattle: BQA provides a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they ensure the cattle they sell are the best they can be. Consumer research, conducted by the Beef Checkoff, shows that learning about BQA made consumers more confident in beef safety and animal welfare and improved positive consumer perceptions of how cattle are raised for food. There are trainings scheduled in Watertown and Lomira. Check out the link below.

If anyone is interested in being a presenter, please email treider@wisc.edu or click the button:

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has kicked off a contest that challenges all 4-H members to explore their creativity!

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Celebrates the Arts Photography Contest is open to any current Wisconsin 4-H member, and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is awarding cash prizes. The contest will be held virtually, with photos of all entries submitted electronically. Entries are being accepted now through January 31, 2025.

Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention Results
Thirteen Dodge County dairy youth completed strong performances in dairy Jeopardy, dairy quiz bowl, the speaking contest, the arts and crafts competition, and model farm scene. Winston Lichty placed second and won people's choice in junior-level model farm scene. Ian Spoke received a scholarship toward his education at South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. Elizabeth Gunst was fourth place in senior dairy Jeopardy and was honored with a Distinguished Junior Member award. Tia Hildebrandt was crowned Wisconsin Holstein Princess Attendant. Mylie Wendorf won a 12 & Under Recognition award, and Vivian Lichty brought home a Young Distinguished Junior Member award. Finally, Dodge County was fourth place in the premier-county competition. Thank you to volunteers Brock Irwin and Mandy Sell-Stanford for polishing up this group and helping them to shine.

Cow Crossroads
The Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association is offering Cow Crossroads to older youth, ages 16-21, who want to learn more about different careers and have deep-rooted passion for the dairy industry and agriculture, in general. Dates for this event are Feb. 8-9, 2025. More details will be shared when available. 

Wisconsin 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl
The 2025 contest will be held Jan. 25, 2025, at the UW-Green Bay STEM Innovation Building. Sports keep everyone very busy this time of year, so dairy volunteers are trying to analyze if enough kids are available to assemble teams. Dairy quiz bowl is a competition where all questions deal with dairy topics. If you're a 4-H member and interested in participating, please call or text Mandy Sell-Stanford by Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at 920.253.8773.

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

 Wisconsin Distance Learning

The Science of the Chocolate Chip Cookie
What’s your ultimate favorite chocolate chip cookie? Do you prefer your cookie to be soft or are you a crispy cookie person? Do you prefer thick or thin cookies? There are so many variables or science to making the perfect chocolate chip cookie. This distance learning program will allow youth to explore, experiment and create their perfect recipe! Registration is open December 20 – January 16 for youth grades 3-12. The program will begin February 6. There will be two zoom meetings during the program along with independent work in your own kitchen. We hope you join in the fun and explore how to create your perfect cookie.

Dinosaurs and Unicorns
Get ready for a learning adventure! This at-home lesson series encourages youth grade K-2 to use their imagination while introducing science and building life skills. Dinosaurs and Unicorns will be divided into four lessons with 1-2 short zoom meetings to explore the topics of sound, color, paleontology and creativity. Registration will be open December 20 – January 13. All participants will receive program supply kits from their county offices prior to the start of the program. This program will begin on February 17. 

The Dodge/Jefferson Co. Beekeepers Association are pleased to announce the 2025 Youth in Beekeeping Scholarship as a part of the club’s promotion and educational initiatives for youth interested in beekeeping.

A scholarship is available for up to 2 youth, from Dodge or Jefferson County, to apply for a complete hive with bees and engage in one full year of beekeeping. Recipients will be selected through an application process. Applicants must be age 12-17 years old and must be currently enrolled in public, private, or homeschool.

Other eligibility rules and requirements apply. For more information, call Ralph Wandersee at 920-285-8608 or visit dodge-jeffersonbeekeepers.com to download an application. Application deadline is January 31, 2025.

Questions?  Please contact Eva 920-988-6113 or Jessie 920-988-0741

JANUARY

11 - A Winter Day in the Woods with Columbia Cty 4-H

FEBRUARY

15 - Family Learning Day, Horicon High School

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

4-H Volunteer Trainings Follow the link to learn more and complete your required trainings.

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