Interested in taking a poultry or rabbit project but not sure where to begin? Already taking those projects but interested in getting to the next level? Just need some extra support, have questions, or looking to learn more? Join the Adams County 4-H Small Animal Committee on Tuesday, October 25, 6 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds administration building to get a jump start on your small animal project for next year.

Learn about project requirements, physical needs such as cages, hutches, feeders, waterers, etc., and opportunities available in the Small Animal program. The clinic will also include Quality Assurance and meet the requirement for the 2023 Adams County Fair.

The Fur and Feathers Ambassador Application Deadline is coming up quite soon, on June 1^st. Fur and Feather Ambassador Program is open to male and females that are completing 7^th grade to 4-H age 17 who are currently enrolled in Adams County 4-H or FFA doing poultry or rabbit projects. For more rules and the application go to Livestock Projects | Adams (osu.edu). Completed applications and essays are due to the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 1^st.

There will be up to two Ambassador selected for the 2022 Adams County Fair. They will be the Fur and Feather Ambassador from July 1^st, 2022, to June 30^th, 2023. Ambassadors are selected based on their application, essay, and interview. Interviews will be sometime before fair and the Ambassadors will be announced the same day.

Some duties of the Fur and Feather Ambassadors are participating in the Adams County Fair parade on opening day of the fair, help with the poultry and rabbit shows, assist with the Small Animal, Baked Goods, and Crop Sale on Friday evening of the fair, and represent the Fur and Feathers Program at annual clinics and quality assurance.

So be sure to apply before June 1^st to have the chance to become a Fur and Feathers Ambassador.

Members enrolled in a poultry or rabbit project now have an additional opportunity to showcase their project knowledge. New for 2022, the Adams County Junior Fair will hold an educational Poster Contest for rabbit and poultry exhibitors. Posters will be submitted during fair check-in Sunday, July 10. Poster will be judged prior to the rabbit show on Monday and displayed for the duration of the fair. Winners will receive cash awards sponsored by the 4-H Small Animal Committee.

Entries are due by July 1 at https://go.osu.edu/postercontest.

Objectives:

1. To demonstrate Rabbit & Poultry project knowledge.
2. To encourage interest in Rabbit and Poultry projects and their respective industries.

Rules:

1. Youth members must be registered in a Poultry or Rabbit project to participate
   1. Rabbits 4-H-225, 4H-226, 4H-227,
   2. Poultry 4H-150 CE, CM, CEP, DE, DM, GE, GM, TE, TM & H
2. Entries due online by June 1, 4:00 p.m. 
3. Posters must be checked-in during the rabbit & poultry check-in on Sunday July 10, 2022
4. Posters must be made using size 22”x 28” poster board.  No foam or science fair display boards.
5. Posters must represent the topic assigned for the current year’s contest:
   1. 2022 – any topic from the Rabbit or Poultry project books listed above
6. The poster must be clearly labeled in the lower right-hand corner, in a space no larger than 3”x 5” with the exhibitor’s name, club name and 4-H age as of Jan. 1, 2022.
7. RABBIT ONLY:  If you plan to submit the poster to the Ohio State Fair, it is recommended you cover the poster in plastic or laminate.  Be sure to review the rules for the Ohio State Junior Fair Poster Exhibit.
8. Posters will be judged on Monday July 11 before the Rabbit show.  Scoring is based on the following:
   1. Educational Content:  50%
   2. Neatness/Appearance: 30%
   3. Originality: 10%
   4. Posters deemed inappropriate to display will be judged but held by the committee until dismissal.
9. Poster score sheets will be used for judging only and not returned to the exhibitor
10. Posters will be displayed in the Rabbit barn during the Adams County Junior Fair.
11. Posters can be picked up Friday night after the Small Animal Sale.  Posters not picked up at that time will not be returned to the exhibitor.

Chick and duck pickup has moved up one day! We are using a different hatchery this year and they hatch one day earlier. Please plan to be at the Adams County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, May 25 from 4-5 p.m. to pick up your poultry. Birds will be boxed and ready for handout.

Rabbit clinic is coming up next Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Travis West, Vinton County 4-H Educator, rabbit judge, and breeder will present on selection, care, and showing your rabbit project. We will cover Adams County Junior Fair requirements for rabbit projects and other opportunities available to members. Attendees will also receive their annual required quality assurance training.

There will not be an equipment vendor on site for this year’s clinic. Adams County 4-H Small Animal Committee members will be present and happy to help with any questions you have about equipment, rabbits, or project work.

Breeding rabbits that need tattooed should be brought to the clinic on April 21. This is optional for those who need assistance tattooing breeding animals. For more information on rabbit projects for the 2022 Adams County Junior Fair please visit the livestock page at adams.osu.edu and click on rabbit.

The Revolution of Rabbits program is a terrific opportunity for low income or at-risk youth to raise and exhibit market rabbits at the Adams County Fair. The goal of the program is to teach youth responsibility as they learn to care for animals, keep records, and successfully complete a project while also making friends, having fun, and giving back to their community. 

Through this program, qualifying youth join a 4-H club, learn about rabbits, and rabbit care, and receive three young rabbits. The program loans members all the supplies necessary for the project, including a rabbit hutch, feed, feeders, waterers, and 4-H record and resource books. The program also provides rabbits and training/mentorship about how to best care for the animals, finish the record book, and successfully complete the project. After completing the requirements and selling their pen of market rabbits at the fair sale, each participant returns $50 of sale proceeds to the 4-H Small Animal Committee to cover program costs, which assures program sustainability. Participants receive the balance of the sale proceeds. 

Any youth who is at least 8 years old and in the third grade and who either has not previously been in 4-H or has not previously participated in a 4-H market animal project, is eligible to apply for this program. The youth should enroll in an Adams County 4-H Club, sign up for the Market Rabbit project, and complete and return the application and commitment form by the February 15 enrollment deadline.  

For more information about Revolution of Rabbits program visit https://go.osu.edu/Revolution. Applications are due February 15 and award winners will be notified before the end of February. If you have questions about the program, need a paper application, or for help enrolling, visit the Extension Office or call us at 937-544-2339.