Dear 4-H Families,
The ribbons are not the important things (posted in the Wayne Herald).
Summer is in full swing and with it brings 4-H fair season. We all know that one of the most exciting parts about fair is receiving ribbons for all of the hard work that was put into a project. But, that is not the only purpose of youth doing 4-H or fair projects. The following story does a good job of explaining the true intentions of the 4-H programs.
|
The Important Things Aren’t the Ribbons |
There once was a boy who won ribbons, mostly blue. He came home from the fair with a big trophy too, with a voice glad and proud he said to his dad “Tis the very best year that I’ve ever had.”
Said his very wise Dad, “Son, I’d like to hear, why you think that this was such a very fine year.” “Why, dad, you well know all the prizes I’ve won: how I’ve come out on top in most things I’ve done.”
“Just look at the ribbons that hang on my wall, and think of the money I’ve made since last fall. From premium checks and a big auction price you can’t help but think cash and ribbons are nice.”
But the man said, “My son you’re not thinking right, blue ribbons, ‘tis true are better than white: But ribbons will fade and trophies grow old, money’s soon spent and fame soon grows cold.”
“The important things, son, are not ribbons or pins, and sometimes it’s really the loser that wins. Now here are the things most important, it’s true your 4-H experience has accomplished for you:
|
-
“You’ve seen how a business meeting is run. This knowledge will help you in years to come. You’ve conquered the fear or addressing a crowd. You’ve learned how to stand up big and tall, and speak nice and loud.
- Patience you’ve learned in your projects too, as well as your skill that will always help you. You’ve learned the fine feeling it gives you to lend a glad helping hand to a stranger or friend.
-
You’ve learned to cooperate with majority rule, to give in with grace and not be a fool, who must always have his very own way, be in club, work, in school, or at play.
- You’ve learned how to lose without making a beef, you know the judge judges to his best belief, you’ve learned how to win without boasting too loud, a kid can lose friends if he’s overly proud.”
|
"These are the things most important to you. You’ll remember and use them all your life
through. They’ll help you become a mighty fine man, they’ll do more for you than a prize ever can.”
-- By anonymous
I love this story for the fact that it references all the life skills that 4-H can teach a young
person. Life skills are skills, like critical thinking and problem solving to name a few, that will be utilized by a young person throughout the rest of their lives.
So many of us focus too much on the winning and not enough on the learning process. Hopefully, this story will serve as a reminder about how important the learning process truly is to the 4-H program. Good luck at the fair next week and remember to have fun!
See you at the fair,
Marie
Marie Witzel
4-H Youth Development Educator
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
|
Newsletter Submissions Reminder |
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!
|
Next week, the Friday Focus on 4-H is taking a break for the fair. Look for us again on August 23rd.
|
Hats off to Addie and Payton Talarek, Waylon Yohn, Anya Fink, Autumn Slechta, Blake Thom, & Catina and Charlie Ritter for participating in the Cloverbud Camp.
|
The busy day included story time with a craft, learning about art and creating a sculpture, touring a wildlife exhibit, and teambuilding games. A fun time was had by all, and we are already looking forward to doing it again next year!
|
Hats off to the Bruins family and Finger family for attending the UW CALS programs this week at UW Madison. Marie Witzel attended as well, and it was a great educational visit. Please ask any of us at the fair and we can tell you more. There is one more chance on Aug 22, if you want to sign up. |
Astico Perseverance (Dane) - We are busily wrapping prizes to keep the fish pond stocked for the fair!
|
We Need You-- Please Sign up for Food Stands or Helping at the Youth Building |
Fish Pond- 1 spot left!
Promotion Booth- 4 spots left!
|
Youth Building Office & Building Supervisors Needed - Many spots available!
|
Attention Livestock Project Members |
If you completed the YQCA training, make sure to download the certificate and that will finalize your name on the state list.
We have noticed youth are missing their YQCA, please get it done ASAP as it is a requirement for the fair.
|
4-H Family Dinner is Back!!! |
All photos and questionnaires must be completed by August 31st!
|
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.
|
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
|
Attention Dairy Exhibitors |
Thank you for your attendance at the mandatory dairy exhibitor meeting. At our meeting Kyle Bunkoske, our Dairy Youth Superintendent, said we would discuss the clipping and fitting contest at our DYAC meeting. It was voted and approved for only the JUNIOR fitters, grades 3-8, to have the head/neck and legs clipped before the contest. The senior fitters may only have the head clipped.
It was also voted and approved for both the fitting contestant AND the helper to receive a point on the dairy card. For the detailed list of rules, please see page 13 of the Fitting Contest Rules in the Dodge County Jr. Fair Book.
If you have any questions, please contact Kyle Bunkoske, our youth superintendent. We hope your fair preparations are going well, and we'll see you all very soon.
|
4-H Leaders Silent Auction |
We are again holding a Silent Auction and are asking each club to donate a basket. This year's proceeds will be going to support the recycling project at the fair. Money raised will be used to buy additional supplies to expand the program. Please help the 4-H members and families who volunteer to make this a success! Theme baskets always do very well! Please bring them to the youth building at the fair on Tuesday, August 13th. Please have them ready for display and have a card with the value and a list of items that are in the basket.
|
All Dodge County Residents are Invited to Participate |
Come to Clean Sweep and dispose of unwanted pesticides, household products and chemicals. Save the date for August 24th!
|
National 4-H Week Statewide Service Project Announcement |
AUGUST
1 - 11 Wisconsin State Fair
22 - CALS Visit at UW - Madison
Session 1: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Session 2: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
12 - Junior Fair Foods Judging Day
13 - Junior Fair Entry Day
14 - 18 Dodge County Fair
24 - Dodge County Clean Sweep Collection Day
|
SEPTEMBER
2- Labor Day (Office Closed)
15 - Enrollment open on 4HOnline for the new 4-H year
17 - 4-H Leaders Association Meeting
30 - 2023-2024 4-H Year Ends
|
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
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
127 E. Oak St. None | Juneau, WI 53039 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
