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As a reminder, the Shelby County Junior Fair Market Rabbit Tattoo/Check-In is Saturday, June 21st from 8-10 AM!

To avoid unnecessary congestion on the fairgrounds, here are the details for Rabbit Tattoo/Check-In:

1. Enter the fairgrounds using the Middle School Entrance gate
2. Turn right and head towards the Horse Arena Area
3. If your rabbits need tattooed, park in the grassy area around the Horse Arena and come to the Tattoo Station (located inside the Horse Barn)
4. If your rabbits are already tattooed (w/ “SC25”), continue on the drive past the horse arenas towards the Extension Office gate
5. Once tattooed or checked, please head out the gate that empties into the Extension Office parking lot

ATTENTION: please be prepared to indicate the following:

• if you plan to participate in the Junior Fair Livestock Auction
• if you plan to participate in Rabbit Showmanship
• if you plan to take your rabbits home from fair or if you intend to put them on the bulk trailer

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at miller.11920@osu.edu or 937-419-7127. Thank you!

For more information and to view the study guides, please visit our Skillathon page on our website!

Per Junior Fair Rules and Regulations, all animal exhibitors MUST participate in at least one Skillathon exam prior to the first day of Shelby County Fair. Skillathon exams will be administered at the following times:

• July 16th, 2025 from 5-8 PM
• July 17th, 2025 from 5-8 PM
• July 18th, 2025 from 5-8 PM

If an exhibitor has a legitimate conflict with the above-listed times, they can contact miller.11920@osu.edu to schedule an alternate time!

Topics:

Skillathon exam topics are administered on a three-year rotation. 2025 will be Test A. Topics for each year will be as follows:

• Test A: Meat ID, Breeds, Anatomy, Medication Label, and Quality Assurance

Divisions:

Exams will be administered according to the age of the youth, with age division as follows:

• Beginner: 8 to 11 years of age as of January 1st of the current year
• Intermediate: 12 to 14 years of age as of January 1st of the current year
• Senior: 15 to 18 years of age as of January 1st of the current year

Format: 

Skillathon exams will consist of a test portion and an oral interview (unscored). The test portion will include three species-specfic knowledge sections and a Quality Assurance section. Exhibitors will be asked to discuss their project experience and turn in a Shelby County Junior Fair Livestock Feed Record for the oral interview portion (unscored).

Note! Exhibitors who fail to complete at least one skillathon exam prior to July 20th will NOT be allowed to show or sell any exhibit at the Junior Fair!

Awards:

 The highest skillathon score in each age division (see above) in each specie with a market class (beef, lambs, goats, swine, rabbits, poultry, and cavies) will receive an award and will sell immediately following the Grand & Reserve Champions and the Grand & Reserve Rate of Gain Champions. The highest skillathon score in each age division (see above) in each non-market specie will receive an award. If an exhibitor receives the high score in more than one market specie, they must elect which they plan to priority sell and notify the Junior Fair Board.

Accommodations: 

Shelby County is committed to ensuring all youth have a positive 4-H experience. If your child requires any testing accommodations, please contact miller.11920@osu.edu in advance and we will work to make a reasonable accommodation arrangement. Requests for accommodations must be submitted to miller.11920@osu.edu by July 4th to review and adequately prepare!

Shelby County Pig & Calf Scramble

• Friday, July 25th at 7 PM
• Entries close on July 8th or until full!
• Open to Shelby County Junior Fair exhibitors

Species and Age Groups are as follows:

• Calf Scramble: Ages 14 and older (limit first 40 signed up)
• Sheep Scramble: Ages 11 to 13 (limit first 40 signed up)
• Pig Scramble: Ages 8-10 (limit first 40 signed up)

All entries and waivers should be turned into the Shelby County Senior Fair Office (drop box for after hours) and no late entries will be accepted!!

Pig & Calf Scramble Entry Form

Check out this opportunity being offered in Champaign County!

The Shelby County 4-H Foundation will award up to four $500 college scholarships to current members of the Shelby County 4-H program pursuing a college degree. Each applicant will be asked to meet a set of minimum standards, verified by his/her local 4-H advisor, school official, and parent. The deadline for submitting the “Shelby County 4-H Foundation Scholarship Program” application and supporting documentation is July 9th. Applications and supporting  materials should be in a sealed envelope (Attn: Shelby County 4-H Foundation) and turned in at the Shelby County Extension Office (810 Fair Rd. Sidney, OH 45365). All applicants will be placed in a lottery, with a random drawing selecting the college scholarship winner(s).

This scholarship program is available ONLY to a senior who graduate from high school in 2025!

2025 Shelby County 4-H Foundation Scholarship Program

Do you have a graduating senior? Please fill out the 4-H Senior Spotlight survey. This is a great opportunity to for us to spotlight our awesome 4-H youth and their post-graduation plans. We would love to feature your 4-H career and share these experiences with the rest of our program. Please submit your Senior Spotlight survey by July 1st!

Please be aware that by submitting this form and attaching photos, you are granting consent for the sharing of the submitted information on our Ohio State University- Shelby County Extension Facebook and in the Booth Building during fair week!

Join the fun for the 1st Ohio 4-H Food Challenge!

• Date: August 1st, 2025
• Location: Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center

This is a new opportunity for youth to build skills, develop a passion for food and nutrition programming, and have fun with a team of 4-Hers! The Ohio 4-H food challenge will allow 4-Hers to reach new heights with just some mystery ingredients, a pantry of food and imagination.

Contest and Registration Information:

• Each county may enter one (1) junior and one (1) senior team of two (2) – four (4)contestants. The team may be selected by any procedure that the county deems to be appropriate. Each contestant must be currently enrolled in a 4-H project, a member in good standing with the county they represent.
• This contest is limited to 18 junior teams and 18 senior teams and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. See Registration for additional details.
• Junior Contestants must be at least 8 years of age and in third grade and under 14 years of age as of January 1st of the current year. Junior Contestants are eligible to compete in this contest in subsequent years.
• Senior Contestants must be at least 14 years of age on January 1st of the current year and not be more than 18 years of age on January 1st of the current year.

Rules and Guidelines

Don’t forget! This Sunday, May 4th at the Shelby County Fairgrounds from 12-2 PM are the following events:

• Market Lamb & Goat Tag In & Optional Weigh-In for Rate of Gain (for more info: Market Lamb & Goat Exhibitor Info)
• Feeder Calf Tag Pick-Up & Vaccination Check (for more info: Feeder Calf Exhibitor Info)
• Market Swine 840 Tag Pick Up (for more info: Swine Exhibitor Info)

If you are unable to attend and are taking one of the projects above, please email miller.11920@osu.edu! Thank you!

Hot off the press! The 2025 Shelby County Junior Fair Books are officially available for pick up at the Extension Office! Stop in and see us during our regular office hours to pick up a copy or swing by and grab one from outside the office.

Prefer the online version? You can find a copy at 2025 Shelby County Jr. Fair White Pages