April 1, 2026

Introducing the New Area Extension Director as of March 2, 2026 – Area 14 

Hello 4‑H families, volunteers, and leaders,

My name is Pattie Carroll, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new Area Extension Director for Area 14, serving Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties. It is a privilege to step into this role and support the outstanding work happening across our counties through UW–Madison Division of Extension.

As many of you know, 4‑H is built on a foundation of relationships between youth and caring adults, between communities and volunteers, and between Extension and the people we serve. These relationships are at the heart of why 4‑H continues to thrive, innovate, and create welcoming spaces where young people can learn, lead, and grow.

One of the great strengths of 4‑H in our counties is the dedication and leadership of the 4‑H leaders. Your energy, creativity, and endless hours of volunteer time ensure that 4‑H is not just a program, but a community. I am grateful for the work you do to strengthen clubs, mentor youth, and support educational opportunities that prepare young people for bright futures.

In my role as Area Extension Director, my priority is to support our educators and programs, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that 4‑H and Extension continue to meet local needs in meaningful ways that align with Extension's mission and vision. I look forward to learning more about each county’s unique strengths, traditions, and opportunities. Most importantly, I look forward to meeting many of you, our leaders, youth, parents, and community partners, who make this work possible.

Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve already received. I am excited about what we will accomplish together and eager to support the incredible 4‑H work happening across Area 14.

Here’s to a new season of learning, connection, and growing together.

Sincerely,
Pattie Carroll
Area Extension Director – Area 14
UW–Madison Division of Extension

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

Dear Youth of Dodge County,

You are needed!

My name is Joshua Roberts (Lakeside 4-H), I’m one of the youth representatives on the Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association Executive Board.

I’m currently serving my second, and last, term on the board. For the last two (2) years I have been serving as the Reporter on the executive board.

The executive board holds meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at 7:00pm at the Administration building in Juneau.

Being on the Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association Executive Board is a chance for the youth of our county to experience what making choices and attending a higher-level meeting means. It’s where your opinions get heard and you have a chance of being part of changes and improvements that will benefit the 4-H youth in our county.

The 4-H leaders work for the youth, but we need to be a part of it as well – the youth must voice their opinions and let the leaders know! Make the commitment and be the voice for the youth on the board!

What are some of the other reasons why you should join the board? It’s a chance to gain great leadership and communication skills. It will give you an insight into management/board processes. This will also be a good experience/skill to have on your resume when you fill out college or job applications.

We are actively seeking youth to join the board at the start of the next term (October 2026).

If this is something you are interested in, please attend the Leaders Association Meeting in September (look for info in the Focus).

If you have any questions or would like to hear more, an adult board member and I would be more than happy to come to your club to talk about it. Please reach out to the Extension Office and they will let us know.

On behalf of the Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association,

Josh Roberts
Reporter

If you haven’t already, please remember to complete the online evaluation. Your thoughts and suggestions are valuable and help shape future programming.

Show your Wisconsin 4‑H pride and support a great cause! The WI 4‑H Apparel Store is open now through April 15, offering a variety of apparel in both youth and adult sizes. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Wisconsin Association of Extension 4‑H Youth Development Professionals (WAE4‑HYDP), helping support the professionals who strengthen 4‑H programs across the state.

Orders can be shipped directly to your home, or you can save on shipping by selecting delivery to your county Extension office, with pick‑up available at the end of May. Don’t miss this opportunity to support 4‑H and look great doing it!

Several neighboring counties are kicking off their 4‑H dog project trainings as early as this week, and families should contact them if they want to participate. If you’re looking for opportunities to build skills, gain experience, and connect with other 4-H dog project members, be sure to check out their schedules. This is a great option since there is not a 4-H dog training program this year in Dodge county

The Columbia County Program:

The Fond du Lac program lists their leaders as 

Jenny Kutz (920) 960-8786 or Melanie Machmueller (920) 979-7188

The Jefferson County program is not yet up to date.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has issued an order suspending all poultry shows, exhibitions, swap meets, and the movement of poultry to events in several southern Wisconsin counties due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The affected counties are Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. This suspension will remain in effect through May 10, 2026 and may impact upcoming 4‑H poultry activities such as meetings with live birds, animal swaps, shows, and Chick Quest. For counties not included in the suspension, members and families are encouraged to continue practicing strong poultry biosecurity measures. More information, including biosecurity tips and the full DATCP press release, can be found on the DATCP Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza webpage.

Camperships are available to help cover the cost of youth camp for families who may need financial assistance. These funds help ensure that all youth have the opportunity to experience camp—building confidence, making new friends, and learning through hands-on outdoor activities.

If camp costs are a barrier, we encourage families to apply for a campership and give their child the chance to enjoy a meaningful camp experience. 

⚠️ Update for Thursday, April 23. County Horse Project Meeting: meeting location is at W7693 County Road E, Beaver Dam at 6 pm. This will be a demonstration night for you to learn about farrier work with Toby and equine massage with Megan. We will split into two groups and rotate. Bring a chair for the meeting that will follow the demos.

Red and white class added at county fair

Since we have a respectable representation of red and white Holsteins at county fair, the DYAC has voted to add a registered red and white Holstein class on junior show day for all age classes. There will also be a registered junior champion red and white Holstein.

Showmanship adjustment for county fair

We'e very fortunate to have a large participation in youth showmanship at county fair. The DYAC has decided youth showmanship classes with more than 25 participants will be split ahead of time, so no one has to wait outside until the group being judged is finished.

Volunteer needed to set up picture area

There is always a nice picture area set up with flowers pots, bales, and a sign(other ideas are welcome) on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday of the fair during dairy shows and the sale. A volunteer is needed to organize this for the 2026 fair. It's a rather simple opportunity to get involved and help our show be the best it can be. Reach out to Dairy Superintendent Kyle Bunkoske at 920.296.5053 if you're interested.

Dairy judging

Practices will begin in April. Matthew Gunst and Scott Stanford are coaching. Stay tuned for times and locations.

A date for your calendar and related fair details

Fair entries will be due June 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. Dairy-show youth may participate in the open show, again; and, doing this with cows will be allowed this year, as well. Youth entering animals in both shows will need to do a separate entry for each show. The fair board will be charging separate stalling fees for open class and the junior show, even if you're showing the same animal in both (So, you'll have to pay two stalling fees.). Remember, it's a state rule only one premium can be claimed per animal. Questions regarding fair entries and stalling should be directed to the fair board.

Mandatory dairy-youth meeting

The annual July mandatory dairy-youth meeting is set for Monday, July 27, 2026, 7 p.m., in the Farm Progress Arena at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Bring your signed dairy-activity card with you and ready to be handed in upon arrival.

Next meeting

The next DYAC meeting will be held April 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., at the Dodge County Administration Building Main Auditorium.

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

APRIL

3 - Office Closed 

21 - Leader's Association Meeting 7 PM

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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