Welcome to Iowa County 4-H!

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. In Wisconsin, more than 69,000 youth are involved with 4-H and other UW-Madison Division of Extension youth programs. 4-H programming aims to engage youth in activities to increase their leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. Our programs center on the 4 H’s: head, heart, hands, and health. This is the foundation for everything we do.

Wisconsin 4-H has over 8,500 volunteers who serve as mentors for 4-H youth. They help provide a safe, engaging place for youth to take risks, practice their independence, and master new skills. Research shows there are many benefits to being involved in 4-H. 4-H youth are four times more likely to make contributions to their communities, two times more likely to be civically active, two times more likely to participate in out-of-school science programs, and two times more likely to make healthier choices.

4-H provides opportunities for youth to learn the life skills they need to be responsible adults, such as making good choices, leadership, public speaking, goal setting, planning and organizing, working as a team, written communication, and managing change. In 4-H, volunteers help youth plan and conduct meetings, projects, and activities and guide youth as they learn new skills.

Membership in 4-H is open to youth in kindergarten through age 19.

Iowa County 4-H News & Announcements:

Upcoming Events:


April
7	YQCA, 3:00pm, Youth & Ag Building, Lancaster
13	Steer/Market Heifer Weigh-Ins, 9:30-11:30am at Iowa County Fairgrounds
13	YQCA, 9:00am, Multi-Purpose Building, Darlington
14	Shooting Sports Practice (Archery), 3:15-4:15pm at Tri County Archery in Platteville
21	Shooting Sports Practice (Air Rifle), 5:00pm at Iowa County Fairgrounds
28	YQCA, 3:00pm, Youth & Ag Building, Lancaster
28	Shooting Sports Practice (Air Rifle), 5:00pm at Iowa County Fairgrounds
May
3	Swine Tag Request Deadline (puck up on May 4). See details below
5	Shooting Sports Practice (Air Rifle), 5:00pm at Iowa County Fairgrounds
16	Food Fight Donation Deadline
19	Shooting Sports Practice (Air Rifle), 5:00pm at Iowa County Fairgrounds
June
11	4-H Cooking Class (Italian Menu), 9am-1pm (more info to come!)
20	Area Animal Science Days, Green County
22	Exploration Day (including YQCA training), Iowa County Fairgrounds
25-27	4-H Camp, Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells

4-H Food Fight is Back!

The Rockwell Mills 4-H Club is challenging all Iowa County 4-H clubs to a Food Fight to raise food, money, and supplies for the Iowa County Food Pantry. All clubs should bring their food and supplies to the Food Pantry at 138 S. Iowa Street in Dodgeville (entrance at back of building) on Thursday, May 16^th, 2024, between 3:30 and 5:30pm. We will be adding up the weights of items and money and will determine the top large club (over 25 members) and top small club (25 or fewer members).

Rockwell Mills 4-H Club will be participating, but will not be eligible to compete.

Items most needed by the food pantry at this time are: Hamburger Helper, canned ravioli, cereal, and peanut butter.

Rules:

1. All food will be physically weighed by the Food Pantry staff on their scale.

2. No home canning is allowed. Home canned items will be negatively assessed at 16oz each.

3. No expired items are allowed. Expired items will be negatively assessed at 16oz each.

4. All donations must be made on or before May 16^th to count in the Food Fight.

5. Every $1 donated equals 1 pound.

Questions? Please email rockwellmills@gmail.com.

2024 Swine Project Information

Below is an information letter regarding swine identification for the Iowa County Fair. It contains important information such as the deadline to request tags, when to pick up the tags, deadline to return materials, and information regarding the fair. Also below are the Swine ID Form and RFID info sheet.

Swine ID Information Letter

Swine ID Form

Swine RFID Tag Info Sheet

YQCA is a fair requirement to show animals at the Iowa County Fair; it is NOT a 4-H sponsored training or requirement to participate in the 4-H program. YQCA offers an in-person class as well as an online version. The online version is a better educational opportunity…it is set up for the age level the youth sign up for when taking the training. The in-person training is set at the lowest level to reach all audiences in attendance.

When signing up for the YQCA training, you must login online to register and pay the $3 per person fee. Youth also need to complete the pre-survey when signing up. Please go to the following link to register: YQCA – Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (yqcaprogram.org)

We are lucky here in Iowa County to have a Dairy Educator who offers two training for each county in area 17. Below are the dates that Jackie McCarville is hosting in Area 17 for the rest of the season. You may attend any of these in-person events, you just need to register through YQCA and pick the correct date and location. If you cannot attend any of the in-person events, you will need to complete the training online.

Grant County

April 7: 3pm at the Youth and Ag Building, 916 E. Elm St. Suite A, Lancaster, WI 53813-0013

April 28: 3pm at the Youth and Ag Building, 916 E. Elm St. Suite A, Lancaster, WI 53813-0013

Lafayette County

April 13: 9am at the Multi-Purpose Building, 12016 Hill Street, Darlington, WI 53530

Iowa County

June 22: 8:45am at 4-H Exploration Day, Iowa County Fair Grounds, 900 Fair Street, Mineral Point WI 53565

2024 4-H Camp

4-H Camp will be held June 25-27, 2024 at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells. This year, Iowa County will be joining Portage and Waupaca Counties for an exciting, fun-filled camp experience! Registration is now open through 4H Online!