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Project Presentation and Evaluation Day – July 10 is cancelled

Please note: our county Project Presentation and Evaluation Day (non-livestock projects) scheduled for July 10 has been cancelled. The timing of this judging along with the timing of resuming face-to-face meetings (hopefully after July 6) does not allow for much interaction between members and advisors prior to judging. Most importantly, the health and safety of our 4-H members and families, and that of our judges, is our primary concern. Therefore, we will be having a virtual judging this year. Members will submit videos which will be evaluated virtually by our judges. With the cancellation of the state fair, there will be no state fair delegates selected. However, outstanding projects will receive County Rosettes, as we have done in the past. The deadline for submitting a short video about your project will be August 1. Instructions on how this process will work will be available the first week of July. We appreciate your patience as we deal with the new adventures and opportunities that COVID-19 has provided this year!

Quality Assurance Reminder

Due to the stay-at-home order from Governor DeWine, as well as the no contact policy implemented by The Ohio State University, we are conducting Quality Assurance online via Zoom.  All youth who exhibit market animals, lactating dairy, or lactating goats are required by Ohio law to complete QA prior to exhibition.

Four Quality Assurance sessions remain.  Each session is limited to 20 families.  Sign up is first-come first-served.  Connection information will be sent 24 hours prior to the session, using the email provided in the registration process.  To register, visit go.osu.edu/qadarkecounty

  • Monday, May 18 – 11:00am and 3:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 20 – 11:00am and 7:00pm

Ohio 4-H Presents Statewide “Camp…ish” Opportunity

Calling all stay-at-home campers! Ohio 4-H staff miss summer camp as much as you do, and we want to do what we can to bring elements of camp to your home!

On June 9-11, you are invited to join us for Ohio 4-H Camp…ish! It is open to any youth ages 8-18 across the state of Ohio. Friends who are not in 4-H are welcome to register, too! There is no cost for attending, although some activities will require the use of basic art supplies, household items, or things found outdoors. Please visit go.osu.edu/campish to register by June 7! Activities will be hosted at the following times each day: 9-11 AM, 1-3 PM, 4-5 PM.

Campers are not required to attend all sessions, so sign up and come for the times you can enjoy Camp…ish activities brought to you by Ohio 4-H Camp…ish Directors!

Using Zoom – Here’s How

Staying connected with your club members virtually via Zoom is quick and easy.

Click on the link below to learn how to:

  • Download Zoom on a Mobile Device
  • Attend a Zoom Meeting on a Mobile Device
  • Attend a Zoom Meeting on a Computer
  • Host a Zoom Meeting on a Mobile Device
  • Host a Zoom Meeting on a Computer
  • Use Controls While Hosting a Meeting for Mobile
  • Use Controls While Hosting a Meeting for Computer
  • Best Practices for Virtual Club Meetings

Steps to Access & Host on Zoom

Darke County 4-H Enrollment: May 1, 2020

FOR 2020 ONLY:  DUE TO RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO COVID-19, THE ENROLLMENT DEADLINE FOR DARKE COUNTY 4-H HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM APRIL 1 TO MAY 1.

Please be aware that even though the 4-H enrollment deadline has been extended, current possession dates and fair rules for project animals intended for fair exhibition remain in effect.

Need help with online enrollment?  Join us Thursday, April 9, 7pm, for a Zoom featuring online enrollment.  Bring your questions and we will do our best to help.

Please email williams.418@osu.edu for information on how to connect to the meeting.

A Message from our State 4-H Leader

Dear Darke County 4-H Families,

As you know, we are experiencing an unprecedented moment in our lifetimes.  The current public health situation in Ohio has made it necessary for Ohio 4-H to make some extremely difficult decisions.  While this changes how we operate, we are dedicated to continue the 4-H experience virtually.  Please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda (williams.418@osu.edu) or 937-569-5003 if you have questions or concerns.  Take care and stay well.  `Rhonda

Please read on for a message from our State 4-H Leader:

Dear 4-H members, families, volunteers and supporters,

It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with you. Due to ongoing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel all Ohio State University Extension in-person programming through July 6. This includes all 4-H programs, activities, and events. Additionally, we’ve made the very difficult decision to cancel all 4-H camps thru August 31. Although in-person programming is cancelled, we will continue to offer virtual 4-H experiences.

We know this is an incredible disappointment and recognize how much everyone looks forward to our cherished 4-H summer events. As 4-H professionals committed to providing positive youth development programming, we share your sense of loss.

Given available information, we anticipate the next few weeks and months will continue to be critical times for stemming the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is our duty to keep ourselves and those we serve safe through the education we provide and the modeling of safety-conscious behaviors. We do not want to get to the other side of this pandemic and wish that we had done more to keep our future generation of leaders safe and healthy.

While we are making decisions regarding the youth events we organize and manage (such as camps and 4-H project judging), we are deferring to local decision-makers and Governor DeWine’s administration on the events owned by others, such as county fairs. Our decision to cancel in-person 4-H activities and events through July 6 and summer camps, should not automatically imply that local county fairs are also canceled at this time. Please keep in mind that 4-H and our FFA colleagues support the education and development of youth, but the decision about whether fairs will occur is in the hands of others. This continues to be an evolving situation that will require some negotiation and monitoring depending on decisions. We will be ready should fairs move forward and to pivot if they are cancelled.

As we work through the impact of these decisions for 4-H activities and events in the weeks ahead, county OSU Extension 4-H professionals will share important updates and information with you as we develop and provide new online opportunities. We know the experiences will be different than we had hoped, yet we remain committed to working together to grow future generations of true leaders.

Yours in service to 4-H,

Kirk

Kirk Bloir, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development

College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Ohio State University Extension

Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH 43210

614-247-8168 Office
bloir.1@osu.edu  |  ohio4h.org  |  extension.osu.edu