This time of year you may find yourself asking, “So now that fair is over, what should I be doing?”
Well that all depends on who you are and what your plan is for next year!
Are you a 4-H member thinking about taking a steer next year? Now is the time to be getting your feeder calves ready for steer weigh-in on November 21st at the Belmont County Fairgrounds from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. If you don’t have a feeder calve lined up, now is the time to be looking into your buying option and refreshing yourself of what to look for in a quality beef project animal. Don’t forget to get your paperwork for steer tag-in. You can get a copy at the link below!
https://belmont.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/4-h-forms-and-documents/junior-fair
What if you are interested in just figuring out which projects you want to take next year. Do I want to take a livestock project and purchase and animal to raise for breeding or market purpose? Then show at the 2021 Belmont County Fair?
-OR-
Do I want to complete a still project and focus my project work on something in the area of Food & Nutrition, Sewing & Textiles, Natural Resources, Science, Recreation, or maybe shooting sports? You are in luck as you can explore the wide range of projects 4-H has to offer in the new 2021 Family Guide online at the link below, or head over to the project central website to not only view project books and the first several pages, but also rate your previous projects to help other members in their endeavor to find another project this year!
2021 Family Guide – https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Resources/books_resources/e1000%20Family%20Guide%202021%202020-1001.pdf
Project Central – https://projectcentral.ohio4h.org/
Maybe you’re an older youth member who is interested in scholarships and attending state wide camps! Maybe you want to be a part of the State Junior Fair Board!
-OR-
You worked all year long on your projects and think you have what it takes to win county, state or maybe even national achievement awards in your project area! Then head on over the link below and start your Ohio Achievement Record for a chance at these opportunities. Not sure where to start on your record or how to fill it out? No problem! Belmont County OSU Extension will be providing a training on how to fill out this document on December 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Extension Office.
Access a blank copy of the Ohio 4-H Achievement Record at
https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Families/Awards_and_Scholarships/2021%204-H%20Achievement%20Form.pdf
Speaking of project completion; want a chance at winning some money for completing your livestock project books? Complete all remaining records, sale records, profits and loss statements, and all leadership activities you had planned in your project book by January 31, 2021. Then turn it in to the Extension Office. This will put you in for an opportunity to win a completed project book award!
Were you an outstanding officer in your 4-H club this year? All youth holding the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and News Reporter in their 4-H club for 2020 are eligible for a Blue Ribbon Officer Award. Turn in your completed officer books (scrapbook for news reporter) to the Extension Office by January 31, 2021 to be in the running!
Interested in Shooting Sports? The Belmont County Shooting Sports program is gearing up to kick off their year with a Mandatory Safety and enrollment meeting on November 18th starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Carnes Center. Shooting Sports offers hands on learning with trained instructors for disciplines such as: Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Crossbow, Archery, Pistol, and Living History. Reminder, youth must be 9 years old by January 1st of the year they plan to enroll to enroll in the shooting sports program.
Maybe 4-H is a completely foreign concept to you and you just want to know how to get involved! Click on the link below to see a a brochure that lists all clubs in the county and contact information for their advisors to get started!
https://belmont.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/4-h-basics
You can also call us at the OSU Extension Office in St. Clairsville and we will be happy to help get you connected to a club. There are 19 clubs that stretch across the county to choose from!
VOLUNTEERS
Maybe you are not a youth, but a caring adult who would love to get involved and volunteer for the Belmont County 4-H Program! You can access a volunteer application at the link below. Applications for volunteers for 2021 year are due on January 31, 2021 to the OSU Extension Office.
https://www.ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/volunteers/Ohio%204-H%20Volunteer%20Application%202.1.17%20Fillable.pdf
Returning volunteers, be on the lookout for information on annual trainings, as well as trainings to help you get your club members to enroll themselves in 4-H through 4HOnline! That’s right! This year, 4-H families will be able to enroll themselves in the 4HOnline database. Don’t worry, we at the Extension Office are prepared to help you and your families through this process.
Also, club re-organization packets will be available December 1st for Organizational Advisors to pick up at the Extension Office!
For any information on the Belmont County 4-H Program, we encourage you to contact us at the OSU Extension Office at (740) 695-1455.