For anyone who may be interested!

Just a friendly reminder to all who wish to participate in State fair for livestock projects that the deadline to register is June 21st! If you have any questions please call the office at (740)962-4854.

We know a majority of everyone is ready to return to in-person club meetings, trainings, and events. However, we must consider everyone’s safety and health by following the provided guidelines. Updated information effective January 16, 2021 includes:

• Hosting virtual meetings and events is preferred.
• If activities are critical/essential and are in-person, they must be education-focused.
• Group cannot be larger than 50 people, including adults, youth, presenters, etc.
  • This directive is dependent on local health department guidelines.
  • The group size may need to be reduced to 10 (or other amount), based on the
    directives of your local health department.
    • In Morgan County, our health department is following the state guidelines provided by the Governor of 10 people or less for in-person gatherings.
    • Now, if you want to meet in-person that will include more than 10 people and have the space for everyone to be social distanced, there is an 4-H Club Action Plan template for you to use. You may ONLY edit the highlighted areas with your club information. Once you complete this document, you will send it to Lindsey Gates lindsay.gates@morgancounty-oh.gov and Jeff Michaels jeff.michaels@morgancounty-oh.gov at the county health department. They will need to review the plan with Dr. Clark and approve it before you have your meeting.
      • If you have any questions about the plan or need to make adjustments for your club, contact Lydia Flores.191@osu.edu (740-252-5430).
• Face masks are required.
  • This includes inside AND outside at all times.
  • Program participants and parent/guardians ages five and older must wear a mask.
  • Medical conditions or disability exceptions are also permitted.
• Potlucks and buffets are not permitted.

Any time your county is designated a Level 4 Public Health Emergency (color-coded purple) or is approaching purple (red with an asterisk) by the Ohio Department of Health, all in-person 4-H club meetings and events must be held virtually or postponed until the designation changes to Level 3 or below. Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System updates are at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system/

In addition to the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, county and city health departments are releasing local health advisories limiting activities or encouraging additional caution. When a local health advisory is in effect, 4-H club meetings and activities must follow that guidance when it is more restrictive than these guidelines.

The year isn’t quite over yet, but you can read the 2020 Ohio 4-H Impact Report online! Learn about the terrific things that 4-H members and professionals accomplished this year athttps://ohio4h.org/foundation/ohio-4-h-youth-development-impact-report?

To Our 4-H Families:

As you know, COVID-19 is on the rise in Ohio and because 4-H’ers pledge their health to better living, we must do our part to not contribute to its spread. Ohio 4-H is a part of a land-grant academic institution; we follow science and  model what the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and other experts stress is important in addressing this virus. As a result, in an effort to keep our 4-H families, volunteers, and communities safe, effective December 7, 2020, all 4-H meetings and events are to be canceled, postponed, or held virtually until January 15, 2021.

All 4-H volunteers are expected to follow these guidelines regarding 4-H meetings and events. Volunteers who are not in compliance and hold in-person 4-H events and activities will receive a first warning. A second incident disregarding our effort to protect the health, safety and well-being of members, families and communities will result in immediate termination of volunteer status.

The Ohio Public Health Advisory System indicates the status of counties based on a color-coded system. If a county is purple or approaching purple, OSU Extension offices will be closed and employees will be working virtually. If a county is red, OSU Extension offices will be staffed by appointment only. You will need to call in advance to schedule a time to go to the office. Please note there may be additional guidelines from county health departments.

We are incredibly proud of the efforts of our 4-H youth and volunteers who remain committed to making the best better and look forward to the time when we can safely meet together.

Yours in service to 4-H,

Kirk Bloir

State 4-H Leader

Assistant Director, OSU Extension