Happy Fall!

As the Fall season begins, we have a lot of programs happening in Dodge County 4-H. Please check out the Focus for registrations for the programs.

There are 2 Cloverbud programs with deadlines next week. A book read with an author, and the 4 county pick up of kits and attend a zoom lesson.

The National STEM challenge is geared towards youth grades 5-7 and is happening later this month. Here is a little more information from National 4-H about the kit: Game On! Food Security Gets Fun with the 2024 STEM Challenge

Learning doesn't have to be a chore! The 2024 STEM Challenge, Food for Thought, injects a dose of fun into critical thinking and problem-solving.

This engaging kit, designed for students aged 8-14, tackles the critical issue of food security through three interactive activities:

Food for Thought is brimming with adaptability! It seamlessly integrates into after-school programs, 4-H clubs, home learning environments, and more.

Next month I am starting a monthly series for youth 7th grade and older. It is designed to help prepare for the world of work, which includes trip applications and scholarships. Each month we will be working on some more of that process.

It is also enrollment season, it is great to see we already have 34 people approved for the new year, with several volunteers waiting for approval after training and background checks. Remind your club members to get their enrollment in along with the leaders.

Additionally, Officer training is scheduled on October 29. Youth and leaders can register in 4-H online.

Have questions about all that 4-H has to offer or need more information about enrollment? Contact our office with questions at 920-386-3790 or email marie.witzel@wisc.edu.

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!

Encourage club volunteers and youth members to serve on these leadership Boards! The 4-H Executive Board members can only serve for two terms at a time, with a total of four years. There are four vacant spots for the board next year and four vacant spots for the youth next year. This rule is put in place so that the same people are not serving the board and new opinions are being put out there. The youth have to be in 7th grade or higher in order to be nominated.

This includes Secretary books, Reporter books and the community service books. Dairy Promotion Contest Forms are due then as well. The contest is open to every club even if they did not request funding in June. 

Unfortunately, Junior decided to not like his transportation, so we really missed Abby! Abby is in Grade 11 and Graham, Lucy, and Adalynn compete in Grade 7. Graham took Top Tens in Poles, Barrels, plug, LT Special and Key Race. Lucy took Top Tens in Poles, Barrels, LT Special and Key Race. Adalynn took Reserve in Pole Bending and Top Tens in Plug and LT Special. What an awesome day!!!!!!

If someone is thinking about the 900 hour AmeriCorp position, please contact me.  We were planning for it to be January-August (which may mean more full time in the summer), but we also could do it from September-May if someone in the county would like to do it part time during the school year, rather than next summer.  If so, please contact me ASAP since the application would be due soon.

Thanks for considering it!
Marie

Are you interested in stepping up your leadership in 4-H? Want to help promote 4-H statewide? Consider applying for the Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council!

Applications for the 2024-25 year are available and ready for you to complete! Youth in grades 9-11 and Adult Volunteers are encouraged to apply for this awesome leadership opportunity! 

Application, Resume and Cover Letter Due – September 15, 2024 at 4pm

Sample a variety of fall activities through hands-on, at home virtual activities designed just for Cloverbuds (K-2nd grade). Open to Cloverbuds & guests in K-2nd grades. Most materials will be provided and can be picked up at your local County Extension Office between Sept 30-Oct 3rd.  

The National 4-H STEM Challenge came to Dodge County, thanks to Invenergy! This year’s kit, Food for Thought, is a collection of three activities allowing kids to explore food security. I am going to offer a session to youth 5-7 grade and adults using the STEM Challenge kits. My hope is that you will learn about the kits and take the opportunity to check it out at the extension office to use at your club program. There are 3 different parts of the kit and each of them take about an hour. I am offering the workshop on Sept 30 at 6:30 pm at the Administrative Building. If your club has youth or adults that want to attend, please email me to register. I will teach each one and give youth a chance to try it out. Clubs can decide if it is something that they want to try to use at the club meeting during the year.

I hope to see you then.  Sign up by Sept 24 if you plan to attend 

Fall is in the air, and we are so excited to offer a unique field trip experience again! Seeing your smiling faces brings smiles to our faces as we hear the laughter and see the little feet and hands explore the fall outdoors at Ebert’s Greenhouse Village. We are pleased to offer field trips for $8 per student and $6 per chaperone. Classroom teachers are free. The fee includes a hayride, a small pumpkin for students, a craft project, a story, and full access to our play areas. Although many ages enjoy the program and activities, it is especially geared toward pre-kindergarten to 3rd
grade. To book your field trip please call (920)261-5645 

The 4‑H experience taught you responsibility, compassion, respect and the value of hard work. Share how 4-H helped you learn skills that shaped who you are today as a 4-H alumni.

Entries are accepted September 1, 2024, through November 15, 2024.

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.

SEPTEMBER

13 - 15 State 4-H Horse Expo

17 - 4-H Leaders Association Meeting 7 PM

23 - MAS Post Sale

OCTOBER

6-12 National 4-H Week

15 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board Meeting 7 PM

29 - 4-H Officer Training Night

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