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Shared Horse Program New for 2020

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Adams County 4-H will offer a unique opportunity for youth who want to enroll in a horse project but do not own a horse.  The Shared Horse Program will allow two 4-H members within the same club to share a horse for exhibition at the Adams County Fair.  The horse can be shown in a limited number of classes at the county fair and only one member can attempt to qualify through PAS.  Applications to share a horse must be submitted to the Extension office and approved by May 15.

For more information on the Shared Horse Program or to download the form visit https://adams.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/horse-projects or contact the Extension Office.

 

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!

Camp Counselor Application Deadline January 24

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Camp counselor applications are now available!  Teens ages 14-18 are invited to apply to counsel at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp in 2020.  Counseling is a terrific way to build life skills, boost confidence and become a part of a strong network of leaders. Counselors plan & implement portions of the camp program, provide round-the-clock care for campers, and serve as role models for the campers and each other. Counselors are required to attend training sessions, including Counselor College held April 4 – 5, 2020.  Application deadline for Adams County 4-H Camp Counselors is Friday, January 24, 2020.

For more details, including Canter’s Cave 2020 camp dates, visit our website at adams.osu.edu.

Camp Fee Fundraiser Opportunity for Adams County 4-H Members

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Adams County 4-H members can choose to participate in an additional fundraiser with the proceeds to be used for camp, Kids College, or other leadership opportunities through 4-H.  Order forms for the Alabama Candle Company are now available for members or advisers to pick up at the Extension Office.  The 4-H Advisory Committee will collect order forms and money on Monday, February 17. Candles are $12 each for a 9 oz jar and come in a wide array of scents.

This is a voluntary fundraiser and only members that choose to participate will have funds available to them.  Our goal is to give 4-H members an opportunity to earn money they can use for 4-H camps and other 4-H educational trips/experiences.  In previous years members have used this fundraiser to offset the fees for 4-H camp, Horse camp, Kids College, Leadership Washington Focus and more.

Adams County 4-H Horse and Small Animal Committees Host Fundraiser

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Dine with us at West Union Frisch’s on Thursday, January 23 from 4-9 p.m. and support the 4-H Horse and Small Animal programs.  Present this flyer and ask for the party room when you are seated and the 4-H programs will receive 20% of the check.  4-H members will be serving guests in the party room from 5:30 – 8 p.m. this evening.  Take the evening off from kitchen duty and support our youth!

 

2020 Adams County 4-H Week January 5-11

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Celebrate Adams County 4-H  Week with us January 5-11, 2020.  This week is an opportunity for members and volunteers to share the positive experiences they have had in the 4-H program with others who may not be familiar with what 4-H has to offer.  There are several ways to participate in spreading the word.  Decorate a local business window or an area at your school, wear your favorite 4-H gear, post a memory or picture to social media and thank a volunteer are all ways to show your 4-H Pride! A suggested activity for each day of Adams County 4-H Week can be found on our Adams County 4-H Grows Here! flyer.

Enrollment is now open for the 2020 4-H year.  Enrollment deadline is February 15th each year.  Returning members and volunteers can re-enroll by visiting https://oh.4honline.com

New members can find more information on becoming a member at adams.osu.edu under the 4-H program Become a Member tab.  A list of active clubs with volunteer contact information is provided.  Reach out to a club in your area to find meeting times and locations.

New for 2020 – Family Animal Rule

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The Adams County Junior and Senior Fair Boards have approved a rule change for the 2020 fair that will benefit families with multiple children exhibiting livestock.  The rule reads:

“Each large animal exhibitor will be required to designate at least one animal in his/her name.  A family can tag an additional two animals of that species per Junior Fair member as “family” animals.  Each exhibitor will have access to no more than three total animals in that species, including “family” animals. State Fair steers and heifers cannot be registered as a family animal.  Market rabbit exhibitors must tattoo in 1 pen (2 rabbits) in his/her name.  A family can tattoo one additional pen of rabbits as a “family” pen.  Each exhibitor will have access to no more than two pens of market rabbits, including “family” pens.  This rule does not apply to market poultry.  Family is defined as junior fair eligible youth who are legally siblings, half-siblings or step-siblings.”

This rule will allow families with multiple children showing to potentially purchase fewer animals and still have a safety net if an animal does not make weight, becomes injured or cannot show at the county fair.  For example, if a family has 3 children in a market hog project, each child must tag at least one hog in their name and the family can tag up to an additional two hogs in the family name.  The exhibitors will then designate whose name the hogs will be shown in when they weigh in at the fair.  All other rules pertaining to exhibition at the Adams County Fair still apply including enrollment deadlines, Quality Assurance and skillathon participation and other related Junior Fair rules.

If you have questions about this rule change, please contact the Extension Office by phone at 937-544-2339 or via email at watters.92@osu.edu.