Poultry Exhibition Ban & Impact on 4-H

Email originally sent to OSU Extension professionals from Tom Archer, State 4-H Leader

As you may have already heard, and can read in their press release, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has issued a statewide ban on all poultry exhibitions. This includes all junior fair and open shows and exhibitions, and all other gatherings of birds for show or for sale, including auctions and swap meets. While exhibition at a county, independent or state fair is a highlight for many young people and their families, we also know completion of project record books, engagement in specific learning opportunities, and completion of skillathons and other activities are what make the 4-H project a meaningful and complete educational learning experience.

We have been in close communication with ODA throughout the deliberations on taking this action. Leadership at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), OSU Extension, and Ohio 4-H are all in agreement that canceling poultry exhibitions for the remainder of this year is the right thing to do for Ohio.

We know this is a tremendous disappointment for our 4-H members taking poultry projects, their families and our county fair partners. We also know this is a very important precautionary measure necessary to help protect Ohio’s sizable poultry production industry, as well as the many backyard flocks.

Know that CFAES and OSU Extension stand behind this decision and are committed to helping provide resources and information for alternatives to the exhibition of live birds at fairs throughout the state. We recognize that thousands of young people involved in 4-H poultry projects are impacted and will not have the opportunity to exhibit their live poultry projects, but we encourage you to talk with your local fair board about the many exhibition alternatives.

Some alternatives include, but are not limited to: (1) educational exhibit or display about their project that does not include a live animal; (2) project interview judging, where youth are asked questions about their poultry project, which may or may not include supporting materials or displays; (3) demonstrations, speaking contests and skits about their poultry project; (4) skillathons to test knowledge learned and application of new knowledge in a fun and experiential setting; (5) avian bowl that tests knowledge in a quiz bowl type setting; (6) poultry showmanship to test youth’s knowledge, as well as how to handle poultry, identify parts, etc., using a stuffed animal; (7) photo or poster contest; (8) video contest; (9) team relay races to identify equipment, breeds or responses to other knowledge-based questions; and (10) scavenger hunt.

We also understand many 4-H members have incurred expenses for their poultry projects and were relying on the livestock sale at their county fair to cover some or all of those expenses. We encourage 4-H professionals, fair board members, sale committee members and others to work collaboratively to identify alternatives to selling live poultry projects.

As stated in the ODA press release, we developed a poultry exhibition guidance document. In it, we offer ten suggested exhibition alternatives you can share with your local fair boards. Dr. Lucinda Miller, 4-H State Specialist, and others on campus are in the process of compiling and developing additional resources you can use to implement many of these suggestions. We will post those at they become available. An FAQ page is also being developed that will help you respond to local inquiries. We will update it as we receive more information. These resources, and additional ones, will be posted at: go.osu.edu/4hpoultryideas.

Congratulations Ben Rubinoff!

Congratulations to Ben Rubinoff, a student in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences School of Environment and Natural Resources.  Ben was recognized by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees with the Student Recognition Award at their most recent meeting.

Ben

College Leadership Announcements

On Friday, June 5th Vice President and Dean, Bruce McPheron shared a number of organizational updates and changes that will take effect on July 1. Some position titles may not be finalized and all will be communicated once done.

Graham Cochran
Interim Chair, Agricultural Communication, Education & Leadership

Greg Davis
Interim Associate Dean & Director, OSU Extension

Rhonda Billman
Assistant Director, Wooster Campus Operations

Matt Devore
Chief Information Officer

Brian Hanna
College Facilities Planner

Joe Messenger
Wooster Campus Building & Fleet Maintenance

Ken Scaife
College Farm Operations

Kathy Lechman
Director, Equity & Inclusion

Deana Namuth-Covert
Director, Online Education

Ryan Schmiesing
Chief Administrative Officer & Interim Director, Marketing & Communications

Dave Benfield (effective January 1, 2016)
Associate Vice President, Agricultural Administration & Director, Wooster Campus

In addition to the expanded leadership roles for the above, additional realignments will become effective July 1 that affects Information Technology Services and Business & Finance. Details on all changes and organizational announcements are available on the archived webinar.