2019 Ohio State Fair Info for Market Beef Exhibitors

The Ohio State Fair requires all market beef entered in the 2019 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, 2019.

Attached is a document containing sample collection instructions: DNA Sample Collection Instructions 2019. Please read the attached instructions that will be a part of each sample collection kit, and contact Stacey French, Agricultural Department at the Ohio State Fair, if you have any questions. Stacey’s phone number is 614.644.4049 and email is S.French@expo.ohio.gov.

We will not have kits here at the Fairfield County Extension Office – unless requested in advance. 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 prior to the January 15 deadline to submit samples to OSF include: Heart of It All, November 24-25, Lima; AGR Holiday Classic, December 8-9, Columbus; and Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown, January 5-6, Springfield.

DNA sample collection kits may be picked up either by 4-H professionals, FFA advisors, or the actual individual directly from Stacey French on 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).

Please let Leslie Cooksey know if you have any questions! Thanks!

Colvin Scholarship – Deadline 1/18/2019

Developed in 1999 when Louis M. “Mick” Colvin retired as executive director, the scholarship recognizes his role in making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best. Colvin co-founded the Certified Angus Beef ®program in 1978, leading it to provide the world’s leading brand of fresh beef. This scholarship benefits tomorrow’s leaders who are involved in their communities and the beef industry. Applications are due January 18, 2019. More information is available here.

2019 Ohio Fairs Schedule Now Available

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (Dec. 20, 2018) – Ohioans can start planning visits to all of their favorite fairs across the state. The Ohio Department of Agriculture today released the official dates for the 2019 fair season, which includes Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs and the Ohio State Fair.

The Paulding County Fair will kick off the 2019 fair season on June 10, and the season will wrap up on Oct. 12 with the Fairfield County Fair. 

In addition to setting and approving the dates for the independent and county fairs, the department is responsible for helping to assure the safety of fair amusement rides, monitoring livestock shows to help assure honest competition and coordinating animal health efforts with local veterinarians.

Click here to view the 2019 Ohio Agricultural Fairs schedule.

Source: ODA Communications, (614) 752-9817, agrcommunications@agri.ohio.gov

Last Call for BEEF 509 Registrants

There only a few spots left for the 2019 BEEF 509 Course! BEEF 509 program is held to raise the awareness level about the beef that is produced and what goes into producing a high-quality and consistent product. The program will take place on two consecutive Saturdays, February 16 and 23, 2019. The part of the program held on February 16 will include a live animal evaluation session and grid pricing discussion. Carcass grading and fabrication are among the activities that will take place February 23.  The program will take place at The Ohio State University Animal Sciences building in Columbus. It will be critical to attend both sessions as participants will be assigned to teams that will work together throughout the program. Register here!

Experience Ohio State For a Day!

Are you a high school student interested in a personalized visit with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University? Experience Ohio State For A Day (EOFD) is a tailored visit program for prospective students interested in visiting Ohio State. During a visit, students will receive an overview of the college including information about admissions, scholarships, and career development. Following, students will shadow a current student in the major of their interest, sit in on classes, view campus, and eat lunch at our facilities. Meanwhile, guests go on a tour of our campus and eat lunch with a staff member. Finally, students and guests will attend departmental meetings with faculty and staff to learn about their area(s) of interest. If you or your students are interested in our Experience Ohio State For A Day visit program, please visit go.osu.edu/EOFD to learn more and schedule a visit. We’d love to see you on campus!

Ohio Agricultural Council Scholarships – due 2/15/2019

The Ohio Agricultural Council is once again offering six $1,500 scholarships to assist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate level agricultural-related studies.  Please share this opportunity with students that you know! Applications can be found by clicking here. Scholarship application deadline – February 15th, 2019.

TRACTOR MAINTENANCE & SMALL ENGINES 4-H CLUB 

TRACTOR MAINTENANCE & SMALL ENGINES 4-H CLUB 

Do you know of someone who has an interest in maintaining engines and equipment? Do you know someone who regularly works with dirt bikes, lawn mowers, tractors, or other small engine powered equipment?

The Tractor Maintenance & Small Engines 4-H Club is looking for new members! This 4-H club teaches individuals how to work on small engines and tractors while visiting different businesses and ag shops.

The club meets every Monday in January and February with a banquet in March. The first meeting will be Monday, January 7th at 7:00p.m. at the Fairfield County Ag Center, 831 College Ave, Lancaster. For more information, contact the Fairfield County Extension Office (740-652-7260).

Ohio Military Kids needs Camp Counselors!

On behalf of Ohio Military Kids, we hope you have enjoyed your holiday season and will have a Happy New Year! Now that 2019 is here, the Ohio Military Kids Program has some major updates. On our website, we have posted our 2018 Year in Review video. This video highlights some of our biggest memories and experiences from the last year. Our 2019 scheduled events are also updated on our website!  

Do you have camp counselors who are looking for another opportunity to serve? The OMK Program is looking for qualified candidates for Camp Kelleys Island in August of 2019. Applications are linked here to our website and are due by February 15, 2019. 

We also have several opportunities for people to volunteer and support our program. There are events starting in April and goes throughout the entire summer and most of the fall. Please visit our website to see these opportunities.  

Please check out our website at: go.osu.edu/OMK to see all of the updates and share with military families.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kayla Oberstadt, OMK Program Manager, at oberstadt.1@osu.edu.