Fairfield County 4-H has been around for over 100 years and has continued to grow and flourish to enhance the life of the youth here in Fairfield County. Members can participate in over 200 projects, that are organized into five major areas; agriculture, family and community health, leadership and citizenship, natural resources and STEM. It is believed that kids learn best by doing so participating in projects helps to nurture their love for the topic along with gaining leadership skills that can last a lifetime.
Fairfield County is no stranger to this hands-on learning approach with an outstanding number of 4-H members along with volunteers that help to make this program successful. In 2024, Fairfield County has 953 traditional members ranging from 8 years old and in 3rd grade to 18 years old. Additionally, 202 Cloverbud members, that are 5 years old to 8 years old, are being introduced to the 4-H community. Serving this many members is only possible with the help of 241 adult volunteers who run 55 traditional and specialty clubs.
Most recently in the summer months, the 4-H community has been busy participating in both summer judging and 4-H camp that are both great opportunities for the youth that participate in the programs. During summer judging this year, 403 projects were evaluated which included 273 of the 4-H project members. Summer judging allows 4-H members the opportunity to present the work they completed thru out the year on their projects ranging from cooking, sewing, creative writing, gardening to even Horseless Horse. Presenting to a judge the skills and information they have learned while also developing great interview skills. Judging is taken place during the first of July so that project winners may advance on to State Fair. Over 100 of these projects were selected to move on to the Ohio State Fair in July and August. Fairfield County 4-H Members brought home 41 Outstanding of the Day Rosettes, 6 Clock Trophies, and 2 Cash Awards as state winners.
Summertime isn’t complete though without some fun at 4-H Camp. 4-H members can attend camp both locally and at Tar Hollow State Park and is available for all ages of members. This year, there were 39 members that attended Day Camp at Alley Park along with 62 members that attended Cloverbud Camp also at Alley Park. Junior Camp had a large turnout of 112 members which was hosted down at Tar Hollow along with 61 members that attended Senior Overnight Camp.
The busy 4-H year continues to be in full swing as members and advisors prepare for the Fairfield County Fair in October! The 2024 Fairfield County Fair will be held October 6th through the 12th. Be sure to stop out and support the hard work of the Junior Fair exhibitors by attending the 4-H Endowment Breakfast on Sunday, October 6th from 8-10 a.m. in the Rickett’s Hall. Can’t make it to the breakfast but would like to support the 4-H Endowment? Consider being a pancake breakfast sponsor. More information can be found in our 2024 Pancake Breakfast – 4-H Legacy Dinner Sponsorship Packet.
See you at the fair!
