Month: January 2020

Adams County 4-H Shooting Sports Program

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Adams County 4-H’ers at least 9 years old by January 1 may enroll in one or more of the following Shooting Sports projects:

Project Name                    Number

Archery                                #751

Riflery                                   #750

Shotgun                                #752

Pistol                                     #753

Hunting & Wildlife          #754

Muzzleloader                     #755

Members taking one or more these projects must do so under the direction of a certified Shooing Sports instructor. They must be enrolled in a community based 4-H club and in a Shooting Sports project by the February 15 enrollment deadline.  Shooting Sports in Adams County is not a stand alone club.  Members will attend their regular club meetings and meet with the Shooting Sports group to do specific project work.

Shooting Sports project meetings are usually held at the Tactical Defense Institute in Blue Creek or at the Adams County Fairgrounds. I realize that the Tactical Defense Institute is out of the way but it is the safest place in Adams County to conduct our shoots. They have trained medical personnel on site.  These shoots include instruction, practice and book work.  Shooting Sports instructors are terrific in assisting members in book completion, poster presentation and interview skills.

Ohio 4-H rates Shooting Sports the second least dangerous project. The least dangerous are horse projects and most dangerous is sewing.  Annual orientation and safety meetings are held at the fairgrounds and a parent or guardian must accompany the member to the orientation.

ALL equipment for the Shooting Sports is provided. This includes bows, pistols, rifles and shotguns. All ammunition is provided. Also included is a member t-shirt and membership in the Quail Forever Organization. This program is made possible by a donation from the Adams Brown Sportsman’s Club, an affiliate of Quail Forever.

The only thing a member is responsible for is their book. Members may provide their own safety equipment, but it is not necessary as we have equipment available.

Adams County Certified Shooting Sports Instructors Needed!

If you are interested in volunteering for the Shooting Sports program the first step is to become a screened and approved Adams County 4-H Volunteer.  Then you must attend a weekend Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Training at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp.  As more volunteers become certified instructors, more projects can be offered such as crossbow, steel target shooting, muzzle loading and living history.  Contact the Extension office, at 937-544-2339, for dates and more information or visit the Ohio Shooting Sports website at http://www.ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/ohio-4-hshooting-sports

Changes Coming for Market Hog Exhibitors

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Many of you raising or showing market hogs have heard the recent buzz about ractopamine, often referred to by the brand names Paylean, Engain, etc.  Ractopamine is an FDA approved feed additive that is sometimes used to increase rate of gain and build muscle.  Recently, several meat packers have notified their suppliers that they will no longer purchase hogs that have been fed ractopamine.  This list of packers include buyers for many fairs in Ohio.

The Adams County Senior Fair Board and OSU Extension Adams County are aware of this situation.  We are currently working to gather information that will enable us to vote on rules for our 2020 fair.  The Ohio State Fair has announced they will be ractopamine free for 2020 which means animals fed the feed additive cannot show at State Fair.  Many counties are moving towards this ban on ractopamine but the manner in which it will be enforced varies greatly.    As we wait to receive guidance from the Ohio State Fair, I would encourage you to refrain from purchasing or feeding ractopamine in preparation for a possible ban on this substance.  Watch for more information as it becomes available.

 

Ohio State Fair Market Swine Exhibitors – New Requirements for 2020

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New for 2020, members planning to enter a market swine project at the Ohio State Fair will be required to have a parent/guardian Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) certified in order to meet packer requirements.  PQA must be completed prior to the June 20th entry deadline and the PQA certification number will be required on the entry form.  Certification numbers will be verified and falsified numbers will result in penalty.

There are several options for parents/guardians to be PQA certified.  Adults can attend an in-person PQA session or sign up for an online certification.  To request an online certification please contact share.8@osu.edu.  The adult PQA certification is good for 3 years. If a parent/guardian has more than one youth in the family, the same PQA number can be used for all of the youth.

PQA is different than the Ohio Youth QA that is normally required for exhibition.  Youth are still required to complete YQA at least 45 days prior to their first exhibition in order to be eligible to show.

2020 Adams County 4-H Calendar is here!

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A tentative version of the 2020 Adams County 4-H Calendar is now available.  The 2020 calendar is available on our website at adams.osu.edu or you can find a Google Calendar version at go.osu.edu/adams4-hcalendar.  Use this Google version to save important dates for you and your family to your own electronic calendar.

I say tentative because sometimes things change!  As always, we will do our best to update the calendar in a timely manner so be sure to check back often.

Together we can make 2020 a year to remember.  Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!