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Beef Exhibitors: Showing at the 2025 Ohio State Fair – DNA/EID Tag Info

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The Ohio State Fair requires all market beef entered in the 2025 Ohio State Fair to have individual DNA samples taken from each animal that may potentially be entered. These DNA samples must be in the possession of the Ohio State Fair by January 15.  Attached is a document containing sample collection instructions: DNA Sample Collection Instructions 2025. Please read the attached instructions that will be a part of each sample collection kit, and contact the Ohio State Fair, if you have any questions (Andi Hershey, A.Hershey@expo.ohio.gov ).

Continuing in 2025: Ohio State Fair will NOT be providing EID tags for market beef entries.

Exhibitors must get their own 840 tags for their entries. The EID 840 tag number MUST be listed on the envelope with the DNA sample.

DNA sample collection kits will be available at the Fairfield County Extension Office (first come first serve as we will have a limited supply) and can be picked up by the individual directly from the OSF fairgrounds. Prior to submission, the nomination envelope for each sample kit remitted must be signed by either the 4-H professional or FFA advisor, depending in which organization the youth is taking the market animal(s).

Also note that youth showing at any of the BEST sanctioned shows must have EID tags in their calves prior to the first show in which they exhibit. BEST shows occurring prior to the January 15 deadline to submit samples to OSF include: Mardi Gras Masquerade (November 22-24, Circleville), AGR Holiday Classic (December 6-8, Columbus), Northern Lights BEST Show (December 13-15, Wauseon), Saddle & Sirloin Spectacular (December 27-29, Circleville), and Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown (January 3-5, Columbus). DNA kits will be available at these BEST shows, but exhibitors are responsible for submitting the kits directly to OSF.

Please remember:

  • Beef DNA/EID kits will be due to state fair by the normal January 15th date.  Kits will be mailed back to State Fair.

Teen Opportunity: Ignite by 4-H National Summit

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Ignite by 4-H is a national summit designed to bring high school youth (between 13-18) together from across the country and give them the opportunity to explore the best 4-H has to offer in different tracks including STEM, Agriscience, and Healthy Living. A hallmark of Ignite is the Lead to Change campaign which empowers youth to be Agents of Change where you (as a delegation) will create and present a proposal to address issues within your community. The best proposals are then awarded funding for implementation. In 2025, Ignite by 4-H returns for youth to attend in-person in Washington D. C. during March 12-16, 2025.

Who:                         High School Aged Teens (13-18) interested in Agriscience, Healthy Living or STEM

Where:                    Washington, DC (Marriott Marquis – 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC)

When:                      Wednesday, March 12th – Sunday, March 16th

Application:          Apply online at go.osu.edu/4Hignite by November 1 at 11:59pm

Cost:                         Selected delegates will have summit registration and travel expenses covered

2025 National Ignite by 4-H Summit

Ignite by 4-H National Summit

Wednesday, March 12th – Sunday, March 16th in Washington D.C

 

 

Teen Opportunity: Applications are now open for Ohio 4-H Delegates to the 2025 National 4-H Conference!

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Any 4-H member in Ohio ages *14-18 is able to apply by completing the Qualtrics survey linked below in this email.

Basic Information:

  • National 4-H Conference is specifically focused on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development. Delegates arrive ready to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, their nation, and their world. In 2024, National 4-H Conference returns for youth delegates to attend in-person in Washington, D.C., April 10-16, 2025 (Ohio delegates arrive a day early on April 10. Conference begins April 11).
  • Interested Ohio 4-H members must complete an application via Qualtrics (linked at bottom) by December 1 at 11:59 p.m. *Applicants must be 15-18 as of January 1, 2025, and currently enrolled as an Ohio 4-H member in 2025.
  • After an application is received, the State 4-H Office will request a referral from county 4-H professional for the respective candidate.
  • A selection board of advisors, 4-H educators, and past attendees will review applications and conduct interviews, as needed.
  • Those selected will be expected to fully engage in all pre-conference and conference activities and adhere to all National 4-H guidelines, complete all required work as a result of conference participation, and share knowledge gained with Ohio 4-H upon their return.
  • More information about the opportunity can be found on the website: https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

See the attached document for the example application, and then be sure to have interested members submit an application via Qualtrics: https://go.osu.edu/N4HCapp

2025 National 4-H Conference Delegate Application Questions

4-H Holiday Ornaments coming to TSC Stores October 7th!

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Launching on October 7th, limited‑edition collectible 4‑H holiday ornaments will be available in Tractor Supply stores nationwide. Featuring three unique designs for 2024, these ornaments are sure to become a cherished family tradition for 4‑H’ers for years to come. 100% of the funds raised from ornament sales will benefit 4‑H.

4-H Booth Information and Setup

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The 4-H theme for 2024 is “Lassoing Opportunities in 4-H”  Clubs should decorate their booth using this theme. Please note, no straw, sand, mulch, feathers, etc. is permitted in the displays. To view a booth score rubric, see the Advisors Resources on our website!

  • The club booths will be in the 4-H Display Barn (south side of the track). All booth related questions should be directed toward Haley at 768@osu.edu.
  • If your club is not requesting a booth, there will be a special area in the 4-H Display Barn for your member’s projects to be displayed. A reminder that for a member to receive a premium for their project, it MUST BE DISPLAYED the entire week of the fair!
  • 4-H Display Setup is Friday October 4th from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (NO SUNDAY SETUP!).
  • 4-H Display Tear Down is Sunday, October 13th, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. No booths or projects may be removed prior to this time!
  • We are in need of volunteers to help oversee the safety of exhibits of 4-H Displays. Please sign up here and share this link.
  • A reminder when creating your club booths – if you are including pictures of your members, please make sure that the photo release was checked and electronically signed via 4-HOnline by the parent of your members. No photos of members who did not accept the photo release should be displayed. If you need to see who did not agree to a photo release, please contact the Extension Office.

Remember to Turn in your School Excuse Note!!

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Dear Junior Fair Families,

Just a reminder that the Extension Office sends school excuse letters to the School District you listed on your Fair Entry Form. These will be sent by October 1st to school administrators. The school letters to superintendents and principles ask for their cooperation in excusing those members exhibiting livestock projects at the Fairfield County Fair. It is your responsibility, to turn in a note from a parent/guardian to your school office. Youth should also notify the school prior to the dates of fair to get permission and any missed assignments.

All schools that the extension office had contact information for will be sent “Fairfield County Junior Fair Request for School Excuse” emails on 9/30-10/1. If your school has changed since fair entry time or you need an additional letter for other reasons (college classes, virtual classes, etc), please contact Stacy Hicks at 740-653-5419. See you at the Fairfield County Fair!

Cloverbud Day at the Fair (October 6th)

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Cloverbud Day at the Fair: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 1:00 p.m. in the Round Cattle Barn

  • Show-N-Tell
    • This is an opportunity for club members to talk about their year in 4-H.
    • Members are encouraged to bring a project or item from the 4-H year to show and talk about.
  • Cloverbud Graduation
    • We will be recognizing Cloverbud members who are ‘graduating’ from the Cloverbud program and will be traditional 4-H members in 2025.
    • Members should have received an invitation email and survey to fill out if this applies to them.  If you feel we have missed someone, please email hicks.686@osu.edu.
  • Stuffed Animal Show
    • Encourage your members to bring their favorite stuffed animal. Each child will get to enter the ring, share a fun fact about their animal, and have a mini experience of what it’s like to show at the fair.

If you have any questions, contact the Extension Office at 740-653-5419.

We also wanted to share the Fairfield County Fair Coloring Contest information.  This is hosted by the Fairfield County Fair Board and sponsored by Frisch’s.  The coloring page is attached. More information can be found on the fair website at: https://fairfieldcountyfair.org/coloring-contest/.

Companion Animal Exhibitors – Schedule your judging appointment for fair!

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Fair is almost here! Companion Animals will be judged by appointment only again in 2024. Judging will be Sunday, October 6, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the #50 Show Arena. Please see below for specific times depending on project:

  • 10:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Pet Rabbits
  • 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Cavy
  • 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Amphibians, Birds, Reptiles
  • 1:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Cats
  • 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Rodents & Ferrets

PetPALS Projects will be judged immediately following the member’s companion project appointment.  Additional information and requirements regarding judging can be found on the 2024 Jr. Fair Companion Animal Rules.

If you cannot find the email with the scheduling link, please contact Stacy at 740-653-5419.

Do you want to participate in a fun activity with your Companion Animal right after judging?  Then consider participating in the Costume Contest.  Dress yourself and your pet up in your favorite costume, have your picture taken. Fair goers will vote on their favorite costume.

We are excited to see all that you have completed and learned in your 4-H project.