Dear 4-H Families,

May is a time of transition for our High School and College 4-H Graduates.

🎓🌿 Congratulations, 4-H Graduates! 🌿🎓

Your journey through 4-H has been filled with learning, leadership, and growth—and now, you’re stepping into a new chapter with the same passion and purpose that brought you this far. Whether you were raising animals, leading community projects, or mastering new skills, you’ve shown what it means to make the best better.

As you graduate, remember:
🌟 The head you used for clearer thinking
💚 The heart you gave to greater loyalty
🙌 The hands you offered for larger service
🌱 And the health you pledged for better living

We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll do next. Keep leading, keep learning, and keep growing!

Congratulations, Class of 2025! 🎉

As an Update on the AmeriCorps program in Wisconsin.  We learned in the end of April that Serve Wisconsin, the grant for AmeriCorp, was cancelled.  However, some work at UW Madison gave us the opportunity to retain the 2 young people in the roles of 4-H PYD Summer Interns. 

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 Monday to be included in that week’s issue.  Anything received after 12 p.m. Monday 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 Monday to be included in that week's issue. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

Volunteering at the Dairy Brunch is a great opportunity to contribute to a special tradition that celebrates our local dairy heritage. Your support will make a significant impact. 

By volunteering, you'll be part of an unforgettable experience and also help foster a sense of community and togetherness. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the smiles and gratitude of everyone who attends!

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

There will be an Instructor-Led YQCA Training held for All Dodge County Animal Exhibitors who have not yet completed their required training to submit entries to the fair. A reminder that anyone exhibiting dairy, beef, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, or goats at the 2025 Dodge County Junior Fair needs to complete YQCA either online or at an in-person event. Your certificate will be required to be submitted when you enter for the fair. Details are as follows:

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!

Orange Cards are Due July 21st, 2025

Dairy-Judging Schedule

May 18: To be determined
May 25: Northcrest Dairy, W11673 Ridge Road, Waterloo, WI 53594, 2 p.m.
June 1: Smith-Crest Holsteins, W7465 County Road Q, Watertown, WI 53098, 2 p.m.
June 8: Nehls Valley, N3365 Level Valley Road, Hustisford, WI 53034, 2 p.m.

Dodge County fitting and showing clinic

The Dodge County Dairy Youth Advisory Committee is excited to host a Dairy Educational Morning on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Jon Powers Farm, 9-11:15 a.m.

Join us to broaden your dairy knowledge with learning opportunities, including:

- Feed and nutrition
- Washing and clipping
- Creating a show pack and preparing fair show supplies
- Showmanship of dairy animals

This event is perfect for all youth involved in the dairy project. Attending counts for a point on your dairy-activity card. See you there. See the image for more details. Sign up here by May 31, 2025.

Wisconsin State Fair Junior Dairy Show

County Communication
Watch for future communication from Mandy Sell (920.253.8773) asking those interested in joining the Dodge-junior-dairy group at state fair to fill out a simple Google Form, so she can create a quick spreadsheet and start making plans.

Official State-Fair Registration

Wisconsin State Fair junior-show registration has started. Here's a link to the rules and schedule. Here's the link to register.

Deadlines:

- May 21, 2025, 7 p.m. CT: Online entries at regular fees close.

- May 28, 2025, 5 p.m. CT: Late online entries (with $130/exhibitor late fee) close. No additional entries will be accepted.

Details:

- for youth 12-19 years old as of Jan. 1, 2025
- for registered dairy cattle
- Sign up for communication and quiz contests must be done when you enter your animals before May 21.
- Junior exhibitors must be YQCA certified at time of entry. The certification must remain active through the dates of state fair (Aug. 10, 2025).
- Dodge County requires all junior-dairy exhibitors to complete the county dairy-activity card in order to exhibit at junior state fair.

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

MAY

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