Month: February 2023

Lunch and Learn with OSU Extension Fairfield County

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Slow Cooker Lunch and Learn with Shannon Carter, Extension Educator and Sandy Bohl, Trained Instructor, with Ohio State University Extension Fairfield County, to learn more about basics of using a slow cooker, meal planning tips, how to save money and time plus sample recipes to try.

When:   Thursday, February 23, 2023, 12:00  – 1:00 p.m.

Where:  Keller Market House, 134 S. Columbus St., Lancaster, OH

Cost:  $8.00 per person

Registration:   go.osu.edu/fcslowcooker or call 740-653-5419

Larry L. Hoover Memorial Scholarship for College Students

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Any college junior or senior in agriculture or an ag-related field is eligible for this annually awarded scholarship.  The number of scholarships and amount awarded fluctuates based on the quality of applicants.  The scholarship is administered by Fairfield County Foundation.  The application deadline for this scholarship is March 10, 2023.   The committee considers extracurricular activities and personal goals, in addition to grade point average. Questions can be directed to Abby King, be emailing aking@fairfieldcountyfoundation.org.  The application can be found on their website fairfieldcountyfoundation.org.

Market Beef Tagging, Weighing, and DNA Sample Collection Procedure for 2023 in Fairfield County

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Again this year families will tag their market beef calves at home prior to weighing them in at Fairfield Cattle Company on March 11.

The time for Fairfield County’s market beef tagging and weigh-in is upon us. Based on the success of the tagging and weigh-in process that has been utilized in recent years, this year will be conducted in a similar fashion with only a few modifications.

In advance of weigh-in youth will be required to tag their own market beef animals with an 840 EID tag (unless they already have an EID tag). Visual numbered tags will not be provided or required this year. However, as in the recent past, participants will submit a hair follicle DNA sample at the weigh-in which will begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 11, 2023.

Beginning immediately and in advance of March 11, families with market beef projects will also be required to reserve weigh-in time, and only those directly involved in transporting and weighing-in calves should plan to attend . . . please, no spectators! The goal remains to reduce congregation at weigh-in and minimize the transfer of paperwork. Specifically, the step-by-step process includes . . . Continue reading →

Volunteer Position Open: Junior Fair Board Advisor (Apply by February 28th)

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For questions regarding application and selection, contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu or call 740-653-5419.

POSITION OPEN: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR BOARD ADVISOR (At-Large Position)

This is a VOLUNTEER POSITION.

The Fairfield County Junior Fair Board is supervised by the Junior Fair Director and Junior Fair Board Adult Advisory Committee. This Adult Advisory Committee will consist of two representatives from Senior Fair Board, two Fairfield County 4-H Advisors, two Fairfield County Agricultural Education Teachers, Representatives of OSU Extension, and 1 At-Large Advisor which is selected by the Junior Fair Board Adult Advisory Committee and does not have a term limit but is reviewed by the adult advisors of this committee annually.

Members of the Junior Fair Board Adult Advisory Committee include:

  • Doug Shell, Junior Fair Director/Senior Fair Board Member
  • Leslie Cooksey, OSU Extension/4-H Youth Development (head advisor)
  • Aubry Fowler, OSU Extension/4-H Youth Development
  • Brandon Thomas, FFA Advisor/Liberty Union High School
  • Jena Kemmerer, FFA Advisor/Fairfield Union High School
  • Greg Coulter, 4-H Advisor/4-H Advisory Committee (2-year term)
  • Troi Orth, 4-H Advisor/4-H Advisory Committee (2-year term)

Requirements:

  • Attend all regular and special Junior Fair Board meetings. Meetings are typically held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
  • Attend special events of the Junior Fair Board. This may include serving as the adult advisor supervising members at weekend/evening JFB events (i.e. taggings, awards programs, fairgrounds cleanup, Skillathon, etc).
  • Attend the Ohio Fair Managers Association Junior Fair Conference as a JFB Chaperone (full Saturday in January).
  • Successful applicant will be required to complete Ohio 4-H Volunteer Process if they are not currently a 4-H volunteer with the OSU Extension Office. This includes a background check and annual recognition of child abuse and neglect training.

If you are interested in an opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills and be an active participant in planning the Fairfield County Junior Fair, we would encourage you to apply for the position of Junior Fair Board Advisor.

We are looking for an individual interested in working with the Senior & Junior Fair Board and staff to provide the following responsibilities:

  • Work closely with Junior Fair Director, Fair Manager, and 4-H & FFA leadership.
  • Provide feedback to Junior Fair Board members in the Junior Fair rule/award proposal process.
  • Advise members in the planning and conducting Junior Fair activities, shows, and events.
  • Assist with finding Junior Fair and Junior Fair Board sponsorships.
  • Assist with getting Junior Fair Board members ready for shows and events by assisting with hands-on training and program development.
  • Assist head advisor and JFB officers with planning and conducting meetings.
  • Serve as a positive role model to all Junior Fair Board members and exhibitors.
  • Use appropriate dress, behavior, and language when representing the Fairfield County Junior Fair.
  • Maintain a professional and cooperative attitude with Junior and Senior Fair Board Members, Show Committee Members, Junior Fair Exhibitors, Parents, and Fairgoers.
  • Support the decisions, policies, and activities of the Junior and Senior Fair Boards.

Skills required:

  • Excellent communication and organization skills.
  • Timely follow up on calls, emails, or problems.
  • Ability to work alongside volunteers, Junior Fair Board Members, parents, and exhibitors of all ages.
  • Computer skills utilizing spreadsheets and word processing skills.
  • An outgoing personality that will be a spokesperson for the Junior Fair Program.
  • Creativity and program planning skills.
  • Work in a cooperatively with the Senior Fair Board, Junior Fair Superintendents, OSU Extension Staff, and 4-H & FFA leadership.

Applicants should send a resume with cover letter to Leslie Cooksey, 4-H Extension Educator at cooksey.25@osu.edu by Tuesday, February 28th, 2023. All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected applicants will be interviewed.

Farmers Equipment “Invest in our Future” Scholarship due 4/15/2023

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Farmers Equipment “Invest in Our Future” Scholarship

Purpose:
Support local junior fair projects in counties with Farmers Equipment customers by offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors involved in their county fairs through 4-H or FFA.

Program:
Two $500 scholarships will be awarded in 18 counties that Farmers Equipment does business, to 4-H and/or FFA members who are graduating high school seniors.

Eligibility:

  1. Must be a high school senior in the county in which you are applying.
  2. Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year, two-year or a trade school for Fall Quarter/Semester of 2023.
  3. Applicant must be or have been involved in a junior fair program, such as 4-H or FFA.
  4. Applicant may not have been a previous winner of this scholarship.

All applications must be typed and received no later than April 15, 2023. Those applicants that are selected will be recognized at an event to be announced. They will be notified by email in advance of the event.

Click here to access the application.

Opportunities for Dairy Cattle Exhibitors: Judging Clinic, Judging Contest, and Dairy Palooza!

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Youth Dairy Judging Clinic, Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:00 am -1:00 pm, OSU Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Court, Columbus

  • Note: There will be no registration fee for this clinic but there will also be no lunch.  Please plan to eat before or after the clinic on your own this year.
  • There is a parking fee for the Animal Science parking lot, please be sure you find the parking meter at the northwest corner of the lot and enter through the back door of the Animal Sciences Building on the west side of the building.
  • For more additional information, please contact Sherry Smith at smith.10072@osu.edu, sbgs82@att.net, or 330.465.2376.

Ohio State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, Thursday, March 30, 2023, Ohio State Expositions Center, Columbus, Coliseum Arena, during Spring Dairy Expo

  • Preregistration for the contest will be online at https://springdairyexpo.com/judging-contests/ (available by February 1).
  • Registration will be from 8:00-9:00 am with the contest beginning at 9:00 am.
  • The cost is $7.00 for each contestant if pre-registered, but $10.00 on the day of the contest.
  • Lunch is not included in this fee.
  • This contest will be used to help in the selection of the State 4-H dairy judging team.
  • Individuals who would like to try out for the State team are expected to compete in this contest.
  • For more additional information, please contact Sherry Smith at smith.10072@osu.edu, sbgs82@att.net, or 330.465.2376

Dairy Palooza, Saturday, April 2023, Wooster, OH

  • For 10 different years, Dairy Palooza has offered a wonderful educational opportunity for dairy youth. It grew in success due to excellent financial support and dedicated volunteers. In an effort to update and work on some of the challenges, we will be offering the 2023 Dairy Palooza: Version II. This year, we will make an attempt to teach advisors and kids how to use what they learn.
  • It will be held on a Saturday during late April in the Wooster area.
  • Additional information will be available soon at https://ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/animal-sciences/dairy/events or you can contact Bonnie Ayars at ayars.5@osu.edu or bonnieayars@yahoo.com.

Source: Buckeye Dairy News – Volume 25: Issue 1

Ohio 4-H State Virtual Officer Training: February 27th

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Please find attached a flyer and image for you to promote the 2023 Ohio 4-H State Virtual Officer Training on Feb 27 from 7-8:30 pm.  The flyer will ask people to go to https://ohio4h.org/officerresources to register for a session.

  • Note – We have a session for adult 4-H Volunteers
  • Session leaders have been asked to record sessions and we will post those recordings on this webpage.

Counselors and Adult Staff needed for Ohio 4-H Sea Camp!

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Ohio 4-H Sea Camp returns for 2023 and we are in need of filling our roster of counselors and adult staff! Position descriptions are available online at go.osu.edu/seacamp for adult camp staff and guest instructors, while the camp counselor description can be found in the application survey specific to camp counselors. Please share as you see fit!

Applications Available for Sea Camp Staff and Counselors!

  • What: Ohio 4-H Sea Camp Staff and Counselor Recruitment
  • Who: 4-H members or adults ages 18+ at the time of July 14, 2023
  • When: Applications are available now and due by April 15! Camp is July 14-18, 2023 with staff and counselors arriving on July 13 at Kelleys Island for required training.
  • Website: go.osu.edu/seacamp
  • Applications available: Cabin Counselor, Adult Camp Staff, Guest Instructor

If you are interested in contributing to Sea Camp this year, please complete either the Counselor Application (to be a cabin counselor) or Staff Application (to be adult staff or instructor). Links are below.

If you are interested in being a counselor, please complete the counselor application and send the reference form link to be completed by two references (not immediate family). If you are interested in being a staff member/instructor, please complete the staff application. Applications and references are due by April 15, 2022.

Counselor Application: go.osu.edu/4HSeaCampCounselor

Counselor Reference Form: go.osu.edu/SeaCampReference

Staff Application: go.osu.edu/4HSeaCampStaff 

Teen Opportunity: Take the Leap Career Readiness Day – April 1st

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Excited to share with you that several teen leaders have been busy planning and we will again be hosting “Take the Leap: Career Readiness Day” on Saturday, April 1, 2023 (9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center! This event is open to any 4-H member – ages 13 to 18!  Event cost is $10. Several Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council members have been planning this event and are excited to facilitate this opportunity for their peers.

This day is jam-packed full of opportunities for participants with some highlights listed here:

  • Learn about 4-H opportunities at the state level
  • Rotate through career preparation workshops covering topics such as resume writing, interview skills, goal setting, and more
  • Network with peers who are also interested in preparing for their future

Flyer: Take the Leap Flyer 2023

Participants can register at go.osu.edu/taketheleap. Registration is due by March 15. Please share with your teens and community!

Please feel free to reach out to Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or me (longo.79@osu.edu) if you have any questions.