Clermont QA April 22, 2023

Just a friendly reminder that Clermont County QA is on April 22, 2023 at 10am and 1pm in the 4-H Hall located on the Clermont County Fairgrounds.

• Test out option begins at 10am
• Session 1 begins at 10am; doors open at 930am.
• Session 2 begins at 1pm; doors open at 12:30pm

All exhibitors in the following categories must complete an approved QA program in an Ohio County before June 1 of the current year to compete at the Clermont County Junior Fair or the Ohio State Fair.

• lactating dairy cattle – do they produce milk
• lactating dairy goats – do they produce milk
• market beef (steer or heifer) – NO FEEDER CALVES
• market goats
• market hogs
• market lambs
• market poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese)
• market rabbits

Youth Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is a pledge or promises to 1) provide a food animal product preferred by consumers, and 2) provide a safe, wholesome food animal product. Food animals are those whose products (meat, milk, and eggs) have the potential to become part of the food chain.

Food safety is paramount to animal agriculture, assuring consumer acceptance and confidence in a market where competing proteins and other alternatives are emerging, rivaling food products of animal origin. Furthermore, issues surrounding animal welfare in agricultural livestock production have surfaced that must be addressed at all levels of food animal production, including youth participation in food animal projects.

Youth involved in food animal exhibitions, by definition, are food animal producers. Youth food animal producers, at the culmination of the project, will sell their animal(s) and food products which are intended for human consumption.

Knowledge and mastery of the science of genetics, nutrition, management, handling, and environment in relation to the youth’s food animal projects play a critical role in the success of producing safe and wholesome food products for consumers. Therefore, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) mandates that all youth exhibiting food animal projects participate annually in quality assurance programming. OSU Extension provides the leadership for implementing quality assurance programs, in partnership with agricultural education and agricultural societies.

Youth who take food animal projects, by participating in science-based experiential learning activities, learn how to ensure that the products from their 4-H food animals are safe for consumers and that their actions inspire the general public and consumer confidence in assuring well-cared-for animals and quality products.

• In-person Training
  • April 22, 2023 
    • Session 1: 10a – 11a 4-H Hall, Clermont County Fairgrounds
    • Session 2: 1p – 2p 4-H Hall, Clermont County Fairgrounds
• Test Out Options
  • February 20, 2023,  9a – 3p The Extension Office
  • April 22, 2023,  10a-11:30a 4-H Hall Kitchen
  • By appointment at 513-732-7070 or neal.331@osu.edu
• Online YQCA Training
  • Use this link to access YQCA Training directions. Start your session at this link. https://yqcaprogram.org/ You must download and send your certificate to neal.331@osu.edu to receive credit. Must include name, date and certificate number.
• Ag Ed/FFA Training
  • Check with your teacher for when you are completing this process. Teacher will turn in a list of names to the Extension Office
  • Yes, you can be trained in another county school if teacher is properly certified. Teacher will need to turn in completer names to neal.331@osu.edu
• State Events (You are responsible to provide attendance certificate to neal.331@osu.edu)
  • Watch our social media pages for shared statewide trainings that are open virtually or in-person
  • Poultry Clinic March 18, 2023 Register by March 7 at this link
  • Beef Expo March 18, 2023 12:30p  Ohio Fair Expo Center Coliseum schedule
  • NW Poultry Clinic April 18, 2023 Information and Registration at this link

This is a fluid document. Check our website for updates or check with another countyname.osu.edu.