Dear 4-H Families,

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is 4/20-4/26. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. Each year, National Volunteer Appreciation Week shines a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities.

“On behalf of Division of Extension Dodge County and Dodge County 4-H, I would like to take this time to say thank you to the over 130 volunteers in the Dodge County 4-H program,” said Marie Witzel, Dodge County 4-H Youth Development Educator.

“4-H is not only for youth,” Witzel added. “It’s for adults who, as volunteer leaders, can share their skills and expertise with young people. These adults are the positive role models for young people in their communities”. The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world.

It is through this network of volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state and local governments, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that 4-H has been able to stimulate youth to develop life skills.

In Dodge County, over 130 adult volunteer leaders work with 642 youth from kindergarten to one year beyond high school in 22 4-H clubs throughout the county. Programs are conducted in 3,100 counties nationwide. In addition, some 50 countries around the globe enroll a community of 7 million youth in programs similar to 4-H.

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

Have a great week,
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!

Check your email on Wednesday, April 30th for the next Focus on 4-H! 

Thanks to some careful budgeting, registration fees for all Summer Academy participants (already registered and future registrants) will drop from $600 to $500.

Any club interested in having a booth at this years dairy brunch, please
fill out this Google Form:

Our Dodge County Pig Pals Swine Spectacular Show is looking for 4-H and FFA Swine Project members that are involved with the Swine Project this year. This is a great activity that offers people with disabilities a chance to shine in the show ring with your help. This is also a great way to grow your leadership by partnering or working within the show in a variety of roles. Our show is scheduled for Sunday, August 17th beginning with all arriving at 9:15 am.

We will once again be expecting approximately 20 Pig Pal participants so that means we’ll need: * 20 swine exhibitor mentors to be partners along with 20 well trained pigs (7th gr. & up) 

Parents and adults associated with swine project members can also volunteer. ALL volunteers will receive a Dodge County Pig Pals T-shirt too. This is a really fun and rewarding opportunity for all involved. T-shirt order due by June 1st.

Please contact Mary Pat Boschert at 920-382-7943, call or text or email at
billboschert@gmail.com to volunteer names and t-shirt sizes, and answer any questions. Thanks everyone!

There are two methods of involvement for Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard this year:

Dairy judging

There will be no dairy-judging practice on Sunday, April 27, 2025, due to the Wisconsin Dairy Showcase.

Another fitting and showing clinic

Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Jefferson County Fair Park, Jefferson, Wis. Open to dairy youth in Dane, Dodge, Columbia, Jefferson, Rock, and Waukesha counties. Parents/leaders may accompany students during the workshop. Bring proper footwear for working with animals.

Schedule:
9-9:30 a.m.: Registration
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.: How to properly tie a halter
9:45 a.m.-11:30 p.m.: Kids will be spilt into two groups, and rotate between the following sessions:

Session 1: Hoof trimming and feeding (how to feed your heifer at home and at the show)  
Session 2: Vaccines/proper administration and the fine details of showmanship
11:30-Noon: Lunch provided, Q/A, and raffle prizes

Registration:
No entry fees
Pre-registration required by 6 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025. 
Here's the sign-up link: https://forms.gle/nJPf4ME1Ym7RRBPJA.
Please reach out to Jefferson County Dairy Youth Committee: Zach Tolzman, 608.642.1400, or Bill Uecker, 920.285.9125, with questions.

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

APRIL

27 - Last day to register for Summer Academy

30 -  Last day to register for Tri-County 4-H Camp

MAY

2 - DNA Envelopes Due

20 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board Meeting

26 - Office Closed -  Happy Memorial Day!

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.

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

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