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Please share your feedback in our 4-H End of the Year Survey!

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4-H Advisors and Families,

Thank you for participating in Fairfield County 4-H this year! As you finish your thank notes and host your year-end parties, we would like to invite you to provide feedback to help us improve the 4-H program.

Please share your thoughts and feedback by completing the End of the Year Survey (go.osu.edu/4Hyearend) or copy the URL: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bI0sSxPXNIUekVo by January 2, 2025.

We look forward to hearing about your 4-H year as we begin to plan 2026.

Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp—June 1-5

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Are you interested in growing as a leader alongside your peers? Consider attending Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp (held June 1-5 at 4-H Camp Ohio)! This camp is a premiere leadership development opportunity that offers participants engaging sessions in topics such as motivation, communication, teamwork, and more! While at camp, participants are actively learning AND teaching their peers! This opportunity is open to Ohio 4-H members ages 14-18 – contact your county 4-H professional for more information on cost, scholarships, and registration or visit go.osu.edu/leadershipcamp for additional information.

Fairfield County 4-H will select our campers for Ohio 4-H Leadership Camp from our Trip Awards selections. Requirements include completing the 2026 Ohio 4-H Achievement Form and turning this in by Friday, January 9th. County commitment forms are due March 15, 2026 and must be submitted by county 4-H staff.

National 4-H Conference—April 9-15, Apply now!

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Apply Now: 2026 National 4-H Conference Delegate Opportunity! Applications are now open for Ohio 4-H members (ages 15–18 as of January 1, 2026) to represent our state at the 2026 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., held April 9–15. This prestigious event focuses on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development, bringing together youth from across the country to connect, learn, and lead. Interested members must complete the online application by December 1. More details and application link can be found here: https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

Save the date! Ohio 4-H Conference – March 21, 2026

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Mark your calendar for the 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference, held March 21, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where 4-H volunteers and teens (ages 13 and up) from across the state will come together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. With a wide variety of educational sessions designed for all interests and experience levels, this event is a chance to grow, share ideas, and strengthen Ohio 4-H programs. Registration will open by the first week of January and must be completed through your county office—don’t miss this opportunity to help make the best better!

New 4-H Projects for 2026

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Check out two of the new 4-H projects for 2026: Water Matters and Living on Your Own!

Water Matters (616) introduces beginning-level learners to where water comes from and what happens before it reaches us. Youth explore why it’s important to “consider the source” of their water and learn about the professionals who work to get that clean, fresh water to us.

Living on Your Own (495) guides advanced-level learners through what to think about before choosing a new place to live. They’ll consider their goals, budget, transportation, and service needs—before making the move to live independently.

Water Matters and Living on Your Own are available through your county 4-H professionals and at extensionpubs.osu.edu.

Scholarship Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Scholarships – due February 15, 2026

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Ohio 4-H recognizes and rewards individual excellence, whether it is in project work, leadership, citizenship or community service. Ohio 4-H Scholarships were established in 1976 in order to help young people become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. There are currently 36 statewide 4-H scholarships being offered. In addition to these scholarships, individual counties may also offer county-based scholarships. Please check with your County Extension Office for a listing of county scholarships.

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield Co. 4-H Scholarships – due 1/9/2026

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2026 Fairfield County 4-H Scholarship Application – for High School Seniors and those in college. If you have questions or want more information, please contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu or 740-277-4625.  Please download the form for the interactive pdf to work. 

Application is due Friday, January 9th in hard copy along with a 2026 Ohio 4-H Achievement Form.

Save the Date: December 2nd for our Achievement Form Workshops

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Be recognized for all you do in 4-H! It all begins with keeping great records of your 4-H accomplishments! Save the date of December 2nd for upcoming workshops! Details are in the flyer posted below.

Younger 4-H youth (ages 9-13 as of 1/1/2026) are encouraged to start completing your Junior Achievement Form. Junior Achievement Awards will be awarded in April 2026!

  • Please note that the Junior Achievement Form will be updated for 2026. Please be sure to use the new form.

Older 4-H youth (ages 14-18 as of 1/1/2026) are encouraged to explore the many teen opportunities available to them when they complete the Ohio 4-H Achievement Form including: County Merit Awards, College Scholarships, County Trip Awards, Outstanding 4-Her Award, State Achievement Awards – and perhaps earning a trip to National 4-H Congress! County Merit Awards, Scholarships, and Trip Awards will be awarded in April 2026!

4-H Teen Opportunities, Award Forms, and Recognition (youth ages 13-18 as of 1/1/2026)

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Attention Teens! Do you want to be a camp counselor? Junior Fair Board Member? Junior Leader? Outstanding 4-Her? Scholarship or Trip Award winner? Do you find yourself asking “How do I get to do that?” We suspect that as you have gotten older you have started to look for new and exciting things where you can be involved. Read on… 4-H has special opportunities for teens only where YOU can play a part!

There are many exciting opportunities that await you as a teenager in the Fairfield County 4-H Program. Soon, 4-H members who will be ages 13-18 as of 1/1/2026 will receive a survey link emailed to them. This survey is an invitation for you to let us know what you are interested in learning more about. Read all about these opportunities, mark which ones you are interested in and we will follow up with making sure you have the correct forms, applications, and information to proceed to the next steps!

The opportunities in awards, trips, scholarships and more available to teens in the 4-H program are incredible. Don’t miss out on learning more and getting involved! Most of these opportunities are open to 4-H members ages 14 and up as of January 1st. There are also a few opportunities for youth ages 13 as of January 1st. Some of these activities require completion of special forms while others just involve asking for more information. Regardless of what you are interested in, be sure to give us a call if you need more information or would like some help with the necessary forms.

If members and parents would like a little extra assistance in preparing their records, feel free to call or email Leslie (740-277-4625) at cooksey.25@osu.edu or Aubry (740-277-4626) at fowler.443@osu.edu.

We encourage you all to broaden your 4-H experience and try something new. We think you’ll find many new friends and much more fun ahead!

Additionally, we invite youth who will be ages 13-18 as of 1/1/2026 to attend the Achievement Form Workshop on Tuesday, December 2nd from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Extension Office / Ag Center.