July 22nd, 2026

Marie's Message

Is your club looking for new members?
The fair is a great place to introduce families to 4-H! One of the best ways to recruit new members is by having current youth share their experiences. Whether they talk about showing animals, attending camp, learning to sew, building robots, making new friends, or serving their community, their stories help others see the many opportunities 4-H offers. Encourage members to help at the promotion booth, lead an activity, answer questions, and help others discover their spark in 4-H!

Visit us at the fair to:
· Explore youth exhibits and projects
· Meet current 4-H members and volunteers
· Learn about clubs and programs in your area
· Find out how to join the fun

Find your spark in 4-H and discover all the opportunities waiting for you!

We are still looking for youth to help tell the 4-H story at the 4-H promotion booth, register at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11ndeEgnWbf1JzOV788R-4LkOHQrxzPP95RkYpSP8R44/edit?gid=1679827674#gid=1679827674 especially on Friday and Sunday

Ways 4-H Members Can Help at a Promotion Booth
Share Their 4-H Story
· Talk with fairgoers about why they joined 4-H.
· Share favorite projects, trips, camps, leadership opportunities, or friendships they've made.
· Explain what a typical club meeting is like.
Lead a Hands-On Activity
Hands-on activities help youth experience the "learn by doing" approach that makes
4-H unique.

Create a "Find Your Spark" Station Members can help visitors identify interests by asking:
· Do you like animals?
· Do you enjoy cooking?
· Are you interested in art, photography, robotics, or leadership?
Then they can connect those interests to 4-H projects and opportunities.
Showcase Projects Members can show the variety of experiences available through 4-H.
Answer Questions Members can help explain more about the 4-H experience
Collect Contact Information we have interest cards available.

Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
920-386-3790

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

Astico Perseverance (Blake Kurth) -  At the July meeting of the Astico Perseverance 4-H Club, members shared highlights from recent activities including Storytime at the Farm, June Dairy Brunch, 4-H Camp, the American Spirit Trip, Dairy Good Helpers, Cake Decorating, and Summer Academy. Members also learned more about officer responsibilities, discussed annual record books and interviews, and received updates on the upcoming mini golf outing scheduled for July 24. Leaders shared fair reminders, and the club approved the purchase of reusable display boards for fair exhibits. 

Applications are open for the highest state-level recognition a 4-H member can receive.

4-H'ers who have won the County Key Award in 2024, 2025 or 2026 may apply to be selected as one of the Top 10 Key Award winners. 

Last Chance! Last Day Camp Meets Thursday, July 30

Each 4-H Club is requested to provide ONE themed-basket to the 4-H Silent Auction. Please bring baskets assembled, labeled, and wrapped to the Youth Building Office on Entry Day (August 18). If you have questions, please contact the Extension office or any Leader Executive Board member.

Youth in grades 7 and up, we need your help! Be a Cloverbud judge at the county fair on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. Pick from three time slots and sign up for one, two, or all.

New to this? Join our training on August 11 at 6:30pm in the Youth Building. Already a seasoned judge? Skip the training and sign up!

Questions? Ask Anne Rinzel at adrinzel@gmail.com. Thanks for supporting the Cloverbuds!

Help with Recycling at Fair!
The Recycling Program needs youth volunteers to help get ready for the Fair. We will be getting ready for Fair Recycling on Sunday, August 2, 9, & 16th from 1-3pm at the fairgrounds. Please contact Melissa Lake for more details or to sign up.  920-382-9605 or JuneauVictorians4H@gmail.com

Last Chance! Applications are due by July 25th of the current year.

There will be up to 3 scholarships for no less than $1,000 each. Applications are due by July 25th of the current year.

While many 4-H youth participate in the Dodge County Fair, UW-Madison Extension and the Dodge County Fair are separate organizations with different responsibilities.

In the past, the Extension Office has accepted Fair paperwork and items as a courtesy for delivery to the Junior Fair Office. Effective immediately, this courtesy will no longer be available.

If you have items to drop off, please leave them with Margot at the Junior Fair Office or in the basket at the County Administrator's Office.

Questions regarding Fair enrollment, policies, or paperwork should be directed to the Dodge County Jr. Fair Office at 920-386-3834 or dodgecountyjrfair@gmail.com. 

Fair display theme

There is no display theme for the county fair, this year, so you are free to be extra creative.

Order your free dairy t-shirt

Dodge County dairy youth exhibiting in the junior dairy show on Thursday of the 2026 Dodge County Fair get a free t-shirt, sponsored by local businesses. Non-exhibitors can purchase t-shirts, too. See prices in the sign-up-form description: https://shorturl.at/RbLoj

Submit animal info for fair book

It's time to submit your junior-dairy-cattle details for the fair book. Please complete one form for each animal you'll be exhibiting. This information helps us plan for the show and create an accurate fair book for spectators. Forms are due July 27, 2026. Questions? E-mail sellcrestfarm@yahoo.com. Here's the form link: https://shorturl.at/ar8HD

Dairy youth needed to help with Little Britches

We are looking for new junior volunteers for Little Britches on Sunday afternoon of the fair. This is a great leadership opportunity for your résumé. Think about this and throw your name in the hat at the mandatory dairy meeting.

Need Dodge dairy historical photos

The Wisconsin State Fair is celebrating 175 years this year, along with America's 250th. The junior-dairy state-fair kids are focusing their state-fair display on the history of Dodge County dairy (especially pictures from junior state fair): parents, grandparents, etc. Photos are needed of animals and/or people to incorporate into the display. Pictures can be e-mailed to brendagudex@gmail.com. Please help the kids by passing this message along to family members who showed dairy with Dodge County throughout the years.

Mandatory dairy-exhibitor meeting

In an effort to be more efficient, all dairy-activity cards must be printed and have signatures prior to arrival for the annual mandatory dairy-exhibitor meeting on July 27, 2026, 7 p.m., at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. The exception to this effort is the line for "attendance at the mandatory exhibitor meeting."

Next DYAC meeting

The next DYAC meeting will follow the mandatory dairy-exhibitor meeting on July 27, 2026, at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. All are welcome.

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

JULY

30 - Wild Wacky Weekdays 9 AM

AUGUST

No 4-H Leader's Meeting in August

19 - 23 Dodge County Fair

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

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

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.

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