(5K through 2nd Grade)

Children can begin 4-H at a very young age with the Cloverbud program.  Because they are younger, it is important to find activities suited to their age and skills. Activities are tools to engage children in learning – the focus of the experience should be positive youth development.

4-H Cloverbuds programs are activity-focused and not project-focused and built on cooperative learning, rather than competitive activities. 4-H Cloverbuds members participate in occasional, non-competitive, sampler-type, age-appropriate, events or activities sponsored or conducted by 4-H groups.

Wisconsin 4-H Cloverbud Information and Learning Activities  

Each activity features a different 4-H project area and targets the development of developmentally appropriate life skills. The instructions were tested to be easy to follow for both youth and adult leaders, using materials that are relatively low-cost and easy to obtain.

Upcoming Dane County 4-H Cloverbud Events:  TBA

In 4-H Arts projects, youth learn the many facets of the arts. They learn basic principles of art and how to use those principles to create works of art. Activities include painting, printing, graphic, design, drawing, fiber arts, sculpting, photography, and filmmaking.

In 4-H Communication projects, youth learn to develop skills that are useful throughout a lifetime. They get an opportunity to practice their skills before a group; an opportunity to gather and organize information, equipment and props for public presentation; to develop confidence in making public presentations; and to learn to evaluate and enhance communication skills.

WI 4-H Arts Information and Curriculum Links

Dane County 4-H offers a variety of Dairy education activities and events. Check out the 4-H Calendar to find dates and times of events.

Dairy Judging Practices – click on the 4-H Calendar and search Dairy Judging to find the upcoming practice dates and more information. Contact Cassie Endres with questions – ckendres@uwalumni.com.

All youth planning to show Dairy at the Dane County Fair (DCF) must meet these species specific educational requirements:

• Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification between 9/1/2024-6/15/2025 and upload certificate to the DCF online portal by June 15.
  • YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8-21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. There is a $12 fee for the online training.
• Attend at least one approved education event – list is available on the Dane County Fair Dairy Department Education webpage.
• Complete all training and submit education card and YQCA certificate into the online portal by June 15.
  • If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species.
  • To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload.
  • The Dane County Fair education card upload portal link will be available in April.

Approved Species Events/Meetings
For potential qualifying meetings not listed on the Dane County Fair Dairy Department Education webpage., please contact a member of the Dairy Education Committee for pre-approval of meeting credit. After pre-approval, youth must provide documentation (agenda, brochure, etc), complete the species specific education card, and collect the signature of the event/meeting clinician or coordinator before submitting information.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals –YQCA
YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being and character awareness for youth ages 8 to 21. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows and is appropriate for youth. Youth have the option to do the face-to-face training at any one of the YQCA Trainings across the state or to do the on-line training.

YQCA Fees:  The fee is $12 per person for the online training and $3 per person for a face-to-face training.  Youth can test out of a YQCA level for $36 or $48 depending on age bracket – open to ages 12, 15, or 19 years old as of 1/1/24. More information is on YQCA.org.

YQCA Website

Dairy Education Committee

The 4-H Dairy Education Committees provide county-wide leadership for educational workshops and support within the project. Contact committee members with questions regarding educational meetings and support in the project.

Dairy Education Committee member contact information:
Mitch Bruenig – mysticvalley336@gmail.com

Dane County 4-H Office and Information
4Hinfo@danecounty.gov    608-224-3702

Other Dairy Resources:

Origins of Cattle  (from Oklahoma State University)

If you are interested in participating in Dane County 4-H Dog Obedience or Agility Training this year, please check out the Dane County 4-H Dog Project Rules/Guidelines.

Prior to the start of training classes, your dog must attend one the 4H Dog Project Kickoff Day on Saturday, January 18, 2025 and one of the check-in days:

• Wednesday, February 5, 2025 between 6:00-8:00pm at the Alliant Energy Center Arena
• Saturday, March 1, 2025 between 9:00am-Noon at the Alliant Energy Center Arena

Every dog needs to pass a Behavior Examination at check by the Behavior Committee member
in order to participate in training.

Before checking in your dog, youth must attend the Dog Project Kickoff Day.

Items to bring to check in:

• Your project dog (s) on 6ft leash(es), no flexi leashes allowed
• Bags for clean-up
• Two copies of your dog’s rabies vaccination record. Must be current through July
• Your completed Dane County 4-H Dog Training Information forms
• Payment- Exact change in the form of a Check, cash or money orders made out to the Dane County 4-H preferred
  • $15 Obedience/Showmanship registration fee per dog
  • $15 for a T-shirt (optional)
• If you have any questions please email the Dane County Dog Project email at danecounty4hdog@gmail.com.

Dane County 4-H Dog Project Rules/Guidelines

Please let Sarah James know if you have questions. danecounty4hdog@gmail.com

Welcome to all new and returning Dane County 4-H Horse & Pony project members.

The 2025 4-H Horse and Pony Education Clinic schedule will be announced in March. These opportunities are free and available for all Horse and Pony Project Members, not just those who are interested in showing at the Dane County Fair. All Clinics will be held at the Alliant Energy Center, Pavilion #1, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713

For those interested in showing at the Dane County Fair or State 4-H Horse Expo, attending at least one session of education at one of these clinics is required. Youth are encouraged to attend more than one clinic if interested.

2025 In-Person 4-H Horse & Pony Clinic Dates: Details and registration will be announced in March 2025. Contact the clinic coordinator listed on the registration form with questions.

• Review the Dane County Horse and Pony Clinic Reminders before attending a clinic.

Safety Clinic

2025 Horse and Pony In Person Safety Clinic date will be announced soon.
All members Grade 3 or higher are required to attend a Dane County 4-H Horse and Pony Education Safety Orientation clinic once prior to showing at the Dane County Fair. Members who have successfully completed a safety orientation in prior years do not need to repeat the training.

Youth who were not able to attend the in-person training due to illness or conflict will need to complete the Horse & Pony Safety Clinic Online Alternative.

Horse & Pony Safety Clinic Online Alternative will be available after the In Person Safety Clinic – review the information and complete the quiz with a 9/10 score to pass.

Dane County Fair

The Dane County Fair Horse & Pony Declaration Form is open and is due May 1, 2024. Each Horse & Pony Exhibitor, including Horseless Horse members, must submit the declaration form for their project animal(s) they intend to show and agree to the Horse & Pony Exhibitor Behavior Policy. It is not required to declare two horses if you only intend on showing one horse. A maximum of two equine may be shown by an exhibitor at the Dane County Fair.  If the form is not received/submitted by the due date/time, the youth exhibitor will not be allowed to show Horse & Pony at the 2024 Dane County Fair.  The Declaration form must be submitted by May 1, 2025, 11:59 p.m. 

Direct any questions related to Declaration to the Dane County Fair Office: info@danecountyfair.com

Youth interested in showing at the Dane County Fair or State Horse Expo are required to attend at least one of the in-person clinics listed above with their animal and complete the Dane County Fair 2025 Horse and Pony Education Requirement Card.  See education card submission information below.

Private lessons, farrier appointments, vet appointments do not count toward the educational requirement.

Dane County Fair 2025 Horse and Pony Education Requirement Card   Print the card, bring the card with you to the education clinics and complete all sections of the Education Card. When completed and ready to upload to the online portal, save as LastName.FirstName.Species (Ex.Clover.Chris.Horse).

How and when to submit education requirements:

• To qualify to show at the Dane County Fair with 4-H, FFA or other Dane County youth organization, youth exhibitors must meet species education requirements and submit proof (Dane Co Fair Horse and Pony Education Card) by June 15, 2025 at 11:59pm by using the Dane County Fair EDUCATION REQUIREMENT UPLOAD PORTAL (available in April). No late entries accepted.  
• More information can be found on the Dane County Fair Horse and Pony Department website.
• Contact the species Education Committee Chairperson listed to receive approval for educational opportunities not listed.
• Dane County Fair Education Requirement questions – info@danecountyfair.com.

Dates to remember:

Used Tack Sale
April 11-13, 2024
Midwest Horse Fair, Madison

Dane County Fair Horse Declaration Deadline
May 1, 2025
Horse and Pony Declaration Form  (DUE by 11:59pm on May 1) AND Behavior Policy

WI 4-H Hunter & Dressage Show & Clinics
TBA 2025
Sheboygan County Fairgrounds, Plymouth, WI
Entry deadline: May 15, 2024

State Expo Meeting for Dane Co 4-H Members
July 22, 2025 at 6:00pm
Dane Co Extension/4-H Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr, Madison

Gymkhana Show 
TBA 2025
Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee/ West Allis
Entry deadline: August 1, 2024

State 4-H Horse Expo
TBA 2025
Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee/ West Allis
Entry deadline: August 1, 2024

Also check out the  Dane County 4-H Horse & Pony Education Committee Facebook group.

Horse and Pony Education Committee member contact information:

Jolene Doerfer (Co-Chair) – jodoerfer@yahoo.com or 608-220-9466
Joann Ace-Schraufnagel (Co-Chair)
Dana Schroeder
Dee Ace
Keri Smith
Kim Ballweg
Scott Krupp

Wisconsin Horse Association Handbook – check back for updates. Other Forms and Info:

Alliant H&P Parking Pass

Other Opportunities:

State Expo Forms

Beef, Sheep, Swine

Dane County 4-H offers a variety of Livestock education activities and events. Check out the 4-H Calendar to find dates and times of events.

All youth planning to show Livestock (Beef, Sheep, Swine) at the Dane County Fair (DCF) must meet these species specific educational requirements:

• Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification between 9/1/2023-6/15/2024 and upload certificate to the DCF online portal by June 15.
  • YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8-21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. There is a $12 fee for the online training.
• Attend at least one approved education event – list is available on the Dane County Fair Livestock Department Education webpages.
• Complete all training and submit education card and YQCA certificate into the online portal by June 15.
  • If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species.
  • To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload.
  • The Dane County Fair education card upload portal link will be available in April.

Approved Species Events/Meetings
For potential qualifying meetings not listed on the Dane County Fair Livestock Department Education webpages, please contact a member of the Small Education Committee for pre-approval of meeting credit. After pre-approval, youth must provide documentation (agenda, brochure, etc), complete the species specific education card, and collect the signature of the event/meeting clinician or coordinator before submitting information.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals –YQCA
YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being and character awareness for youth ages 8 to 21. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows and is appropriate for youth. Youth have the option to do the face-to-face training at any one of the YQCA Trainings across the state or to do the on-line training.

YQCA Fees:  The fee is $12 per person for the online training and $3 per person for a face-to-face training.  Youth can test out of a YQCA level for $36 or $48 depending on age bracket – open to ages 12, 15, or 19 years old as of 1/1/24. More information is on YQCA.org.

YQCA Website

Dane County Fair Meat Animal Sale (MAS) Information 
The Dane County Meat Animal Sale is managed by the Dane County Meat Animal Sale Association. This association is an organization of interested persons whose purpose is the organization and operation of the Dane County Meat (Large) Animal Sale. This is an independent association and is not connected to the Dane County Fair Board, Dane County 4-H Leaders Association, UW-Extension Office or any other group.

Beef Weigh In/Tag In was held on January 6, 2024. Contact DaneCountyMeatAnimalSale@gmail.com if you have questions.

Dane County Fair Meat Animal Sale 2022 Brochure Download

2025 MAS Scholarship application – Coming Soon

Beef, Sheep, and Swine Education Committee
The 4-H Beef, Sheep, and Swine Education Committees provide county-wide leadership for educational workshops and support within the project. Contact committee members with questions regarding educational meetings and support in the project.

Beef Committee Chairperson(s):
John Hornung

Sheep Committee Chairperson(s):
Romaine Ace or David Ace

Swine Committee Chairperson(s):
Dick Straub – richard.straub@wisc.edu
Kelli Outhouse – hogwifeouthouse@gmail.com
Blayne Outhouse – farmerblayne@gmail.com

BEEF

Origins of Cattle (from Oklahoma State University)
Beef Safety (from Kansas State University)

SHEEP

Guide to Raising Healthy Sheep Fact Sheet 
US Targhee Sheep Association (Read about a program to provide a starter flock of sheep to deserving youth)
Origins of Sheep (from Oklahoma State University)

SWINE

Swine Private Sale Information – Word document
Swine Private Sale Information – pdf file

Squeaky Clean Biosecurity Plan Fact Sheet – pdf
Origins of Swine (from Oklahoma State University)
Guide to Raising Healthy Pigs Fact Sheet (675 KB, 6 pages)

New Testing Required for Swine Moving In and Into Wisconsin – pdf file

Swine Health Rules

2025 Dane County 4-H Performers Festival TBA

Calling all Dane County 4-H members who love to perform!

Registration – coming soon

Each performance should be registered separately.

There will be a piano available, an audio aux cord, and two microphones set up.  You must bring all other equipment you need for your performance.

Parking directions and schedule will be sent to performers before the festival.

Registration Deadline TBA

Contact 4Hinfo@danecounty.gov or 608-224-3700 if you have any questions.

Performance Guidelines

• Individuals and 4-H Club groups (any size) may perform. All performances include at least one current 4-H members.
• Following each performance, an evaluator will ask questions of and provide feedback to the performers.
• Each performing group is responsible for their own backstage help.
• An MC will introduce each act.

Objectives

1. To have a group activity which will be fun and involve all or as many club members as possible in a cooperative venture.  Working together on a production builds friendships and helps a club become more closely knit.
2. To develop imagination and stimulate creative instinct.
3. To increase self-confidence of participants.

Cavies (Guinea Pigs), Poultry, Rabbits

Dane County 4-H offers a variety of Small Animal education activities and events. Check out the 4-H Calendar to find dates and times of events.

All youth planning to show Small Animals (Cavies, Poultry, Rabbits) at the Dane County Fair (DCF) must meet these species specific educational requirements:

• Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification between 9/1/2024-6/15/2025 and upload certificate to the DCF online portal by June 15.
  • YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8-21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. There is a $12 fee for the online training.
• Attend at least one approved education event – list is available on the Dane County Fair Small Animal Department Education webpage.
• Complete all training and submit education card and YQCA certificate into the online portal by June 15.
  • If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species.
  • To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload.
  • The Dane County Fair education card upload portal link will be available in April.

Approved Species Events/Meetings
For potential qualifying meetings not listed on the Dane County Fair Small Animal Department Education webpage, please contact a member of the Small Education Committee for pre-approval of meeting credit. After pre-approval, youth must provide documentation (agenda, brochure, etc), complete the species specific education card, and collect the signature of the event/meeting clinician or coordinator before submitting information.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals –YQCA
YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being and character awareness for youth ages 8 to 21. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows and is appropriate for youth. Youth have the option to do the face-to-face training at any one of the YQCA Trainings across the state or to do the on-line training.

YQCA Fees:  The fee is $12 per person for the online training and $3 per person for a face-to-face training.  Youth can test out of a YQCA level for $36 or $48 depending on age bracket – open to ages 12, 15, or 19 years old as of 1/1/25. More information is on YQCA.org.

YQCA Website

Small Animal Education Committee

The 4-H Small Animal Education Committee provides county-wide leadership for educational workshops and support within the project. Contact committee members with questions regarding educational meetings and support in the project.

Small Animal Education Committee member contact information:

Cavy/Rabbit:

Kendall Rodgers                      608-609-7399     topshot378@gmail.com
Jennifer Monarski                  608-515-3452     jmonarski@firstam.com

Poultry/Meat Market:

Mitchell Schleicher                  608-577-6566      mitchellschleicher@gmail.com
Greg & Betty Wolff                608-712-7335       wolffbelfar@litewire.net

Dane County Small Animal Market Sale Scholarship
Current Dane County 4-H or FFA members who have participated in the Small Animal Sale during 12th or 13th grade are eliglible. Scholarships will be awarded based on the profits of the Small Animal Sale. Application deadline is June 15 of the current year.

Dane County-Small-Animal-Sale-Scholarship-Application

Dane County 4-H Office and Information
4Hinfo@danecounty.gov        608-224-3702

Committee Report Form

Raising Ducks as a 4-H Project
Raising Range Fed Chickens as a 4H or FFA Project
Raising Roasters and Broilers
Raising Turkeys as a 4-H Project

 Show and Sale Information:

Small Animal Market Projects
Poultry Showmanship Information and Score Card
Rabbit Showmanship Score Card
Cavy body parts
Cavy Showmanship Score Card
Steps in Preparing Auction Product for Buyer
Contact Buyers
Small Animal Market Sale Day
Sale Tips
Label the Turkey
Drug Withdrawal Form
Check in Procedures
Immediately After Sale

Interested in shooting sports, hunting and wildlife? The Wisconsin 4-H Shooting Sports program is open to 4-H youth ages 8 (must be in 3rd grade) to 19.

4-H Shooting Sports is a national program involving 4-H youth and adult 4-H volunteers. The Wisconsin 4-H program uses the National 4-H Shooting Sports curriculum to teach shooting sports safety with adult volunteer instructors. Adult instructors are required to successfully complete a certification workshop before they are approved to teach youth. Our educational focus is on life skills development, safety procedures and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment.

Information on equipment, training dates and logistics can be found in these documents: 

Slide Deck from the 2024 Shooting Sports Information Meeting – 2025 Information will be available in January.

Dane County 4-H 2024 Shooting Sports Handbook – 2025 Information will be available in January

Upcoming Dane County 4-H Shooting Sports events are also posted on the Dane County 4-H Events Calendar.

Questions about Dane County 4-H Shooting Sports? Contact the Shooting Sports Education Committee – Dane4HShootingSports@gmail.com

Interested in the latest information on Dane County Shooting Sports? Request access to the Dane County Shooting Sports Facebook Page

More resources can be found on the Wisconsin 4-H Shooting Sports Page