Month: May 2025

What’s coming up on the auction block for the 4-H Legacy Dinner?! And, there’s still time to get your tickets!

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The 4-H Legacy dinner is just weeks away, and it’s approaching fast – Thursday, June 12th. The 4-H Endowment Board is hard at work preparing for this event, and we would like to extend a personal invitation to ensure you don’t miss this remarkable occasion. This event is a prime opportunity to support the Endowment Fund, which offers numerous benefits to 4-H organizations in our county. It’s also a chance to connect with others who share your passion and dedication to this cause. Get your tickets before May 31st by purchasing them online at go.osu.edu/legacy or sending in your response card to RSVP. Click here fore more ticket information.

This year, we are excited to return to the Fairfield County Fairgrounds as we prepare for the 175th anniversary of the Fairfield County Fair with a dinner catered by Da Que. We’re excited about the exceptional array of auction items up for bid. We owe huge thanks to everyone who has contributed items so far; the dinner wouldn’t be the same without your support.

Below is a preview of some of the items that will be up for auction:

  • Choice of OSU Men’s or Women’s Basketball (2025-2026 season) Suite at the Schottenstein Center. Includes 12 tickets with 3 parking passes and a $200 food voucher – donated by Fairfield Real Estate
  • 2 Night Stay at Golden Cabins in Hocking Hills – donated by Tim and Laura Gold
  • 10 yards of concrete – donated by Buckeye Ready Mix
  • 4 tickets/1 parking pass to the Omaha vs. Columbus Clippers Game on 8/19/2025 – donated by Buckeye Ready Mix
  • 2 OSU Football Tickets and tailgate to the 9/13/2025 OU vs. Ohio State Football Game donated by Buckeye Ready Mix
  • Live tree – donated by Auman Landscaping
  • Backpack Leaf Blower – donated by McGuire’s Distinctive Truck
  • 1/2 processed hog – donated by Bay Packing
  • Trail Cam – donated by Tractor Supply Co.

Expect to see a few bundles on the auction too:

  • Roomba and Spa Gift Basket
  • Homemade fresh baked goodies (pies, buckeyes, chocolates, breads, honey, cinnamon rolls)
  • 2 VIP passes to Lancaster Brewfest and Collectible Pink Glasses
  • Along with other baskets donated by area 4-H clubs along with other locally grown and made products.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity by sending in your reservations or even better scan the QR code and make your reservations online. Get yours at go.osu.edu/legacy

Or scan this QR code:

Find ticket information linked here. Don’t delay . . . if mailing in your reservation, please have it postmarked by Saturday, May 31!

Attend the 4-H Endowment Dinner on June 12th, Leave a Legacy!

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Make your reservation today, and plan to join us for an evening of fun, food and giving at the 2025 Fairfield County 4-H Legacy Dinner and Auction! This year’s event is being held at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on Thursday, June 12, and tickets are now on sale.

The Fairfield County 4-H Youth Development program strives to teach leadership, citizenship and life skills to nearly 1,200 4-H club members each year. While most of these young people participate in the traditional 4-H club experiences, children who are not yet 4-H age can participate in a non-competing, activity based curriculum known as the Cloverbud program. Nearly 1800 additional youth are exposed to 4-H work through our 4-H ChickQuest school enrichment program. In addition, the 4-H Youth Development program also offers training and leadership opportunities for more than 250 4-H advisors in our county.

While dollars to support the 4-H Youth Development program are received cooperatively through Federal, State and County funding, several years ago friends and former 4-Hers met to begin what is now known as the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment. The mission of this Endowment and the Board who manage it is to raise awareness and dollars for long term investment in the 4-H program. Their hope is to leave a Legacy for 4-Hers for generations to come by generating enough funding over time to endow a 4-H position in Fairfield County.

The major annual event of the 4-H Endowment Board is the Legacy Dinner and Auction which will be held this year on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the Ed Sands Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds in Lancaster. The evening will begin with appetizers, and the auction preview at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:00. The entire evening is dedicated to the benefit of the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment when you will enjoy great food, fellowship with other supporters of our county’s 4-H program, and perhaps most importantly, lots of fun!

You are invited to help leave a legacy by simply attending, and/or by becoming one of the contributing sponsors for the evening. There are actually four different ways for you to consider becoming involved and supporting the effort of the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment.

First, for $75 you can attend and simply enjoy a great meal!

Second, for $750 you may purchase a table for 8 to attend the Dinner and Auction and share the table with your business colleagues or friends.

A third alternative for participation is a donation for either the silent or live Legacy Auction that is held during the Legacy Dinner. Examples of suggested items that are appreciated for these auctions include themed gift baskets, event tickets, autographed memorabilia, gift certificates, jewelry, photography, art work, baked goods and sweet treats, or any items that represent 4-H and youth. You may also find a listing of few items already included in the Auctions on the Legacy Auction page.

If you would like to offer your support by simply become a contributing sponsor of the event, there are multiple levels of support available ranging from donations and/or sponsorships. Consider sponsoring a 4-H teen to attend this event at $75 or being a Friend of 4-H and donate any amount of your choice.

Regardless of the extent you choose to participate, we do hope you will come and share in an evening of food, fellowship and fun in support of the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment Dinner and Auction.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity by sending in your reservations or even better scan the QR code and make your reservations online. Get yours at go.osu.edu/legacy

Or scan this QR code:

Don’t delay . . . if mailing in your reservation, please have it postmarked by Saturday, May 31!

Dine to Donate: Schaffner’s Drive In – June 10, 2025

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Stop out and plan to eat lunch or dinner at Schaffner’s Drive In on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Baltimore (601 W Market Street) from 4:00-8:00 p.m. 15% of sales that bring the flyer below will be donated to the Fairfield County 4-H Junior Leaders. A printable flyer can be found here: 06.10.25 Schaffner’s
The Junior Leaders are a countywide teen leadership that focuses on 4-H community service, leadership, and more! Their big events include planning the Fairfield County 4-H Advisor’s Recognition, donating a county 4-H Scholarship, and the Bottle Cap Project!
Thank you for the support!

Teen Opportunity: ExploreAg Camps – FREE! Register by June 13th

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Don’t miss out! Ohio Farm Bureau Federation hosts several free ExploreAg Camp experiences during the summer for high school students to explore careers in food, agriculture, and STEM-related areas! We have extended the application deadline to give students more time to apply for this wonderful opportunity. Please use this flyer to share this opportunity with rising high school students in your community and encourage them to apply by June 13.

ExploreAg Overview

Purpose: Discover careers linked to agriculture and related STEM fields through a series of immersive and hands-on experiences and tours.

Who: Ohio students entering grades 9-12 in the fall, or recent high school graduates.

Cost: Free 

Learn more and apply by June 13 at ExploreAg.org

2025 ExploreAg Summer Sessions

  • June 17-20, Wilmington College
  • July 6-11, University of Findlay
  • July 13-18, Ohio State Wooster Campus

Swine, Lamb, Goat and Dairy Feeder Check-in Details are Released

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UPDATE: there have been some changes to this procedure. Please see the new blog post.

All trailers should enter the main gate off Fair Avenue

Plans for the Fairfield County Jr. Fair ‘live’ market swine, swine MQP, ‘live’ lamb, lamb MQP, ‘live’ goat and dairy feeder check-in on June 28 at the Fairgrounds have been finalized.

Exhibitors are responsible for seeing their animals are tagged with an EID tag prior to arrival at the Fairgrounds on June 28. For those animals not presently with an 840 EID tag, tags and taggers are available from the OSU Extension office. Details for tagging and securing tags are linked here. https://u.osu.edu/fairfield4h/2025/05/07/protocol-for-tagging-market-lambs-market-hogs-market-goats-and-dairy-beef-feeders/

Prior to June 28 exhibitors with MQP pigs, market lambs (both live and MQP), market goats and dairy beef feeders must Continue reading Swine, Lamb, Goat and Dairy Feeder Check-in Details are Released →

Scholarship Opportunity: Meat and Poultry Scholarships Available – Deadline 5/31/2025

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Passing along a scholarship opportunity shared with us by our partners at Bob Evans Farms in case you would like to pass along to your graduating 4-H members. Some deadlines approaching quickly.

Meat and Poultry Scholarships Available for Students.  

The Meat Institute is deeply supportive of education for students interested in a career in meat and food industries, including majors that are related to meat and food processing. In addition to the Meat Foundation scholarships, students should check out these additional scholarship opportunities to support funding their education. Deadlines and qualifications may vary.

Applications for all scholarships are processed online and are open to all undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Animal, Meat, Poultry or Food Sciences or enrolled in a Culinary Arts program or interested in a career in the meat industry and enrolled at an accredited university. Applications require department support, and a transcript must be uploaded at the time of application. The deadline for applying is May 31, 2025.

Volunteer Position Open: Junior Fair Dairy Superintendent (Apply by June 6th)

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POSITION OPEN: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR DAIRY CATTLE SUPERINTENDENT(s)

This is a VOLUNTEER POSITION.

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 Dairy Cattle Superintendent. We are looking for individual interested in working with the Senior & Junior Fair Board and staff to provide the following duties:

  • Operate the Junior Dairy Shows during the Fairfield County Fair
  • In November/December, review the rules for the Junior Fair Dairy Show and assist in updating rules to meet current industry standards with advisement from the 4-H and FFA Advisors.
  • Provide input to the Skillathon event as needed.
  • Develop a communication instrument with exhibitors through email through out the year on upcoming events related to the dairy show. Database will be provided.
  • Assign and schedule stall assignments for dairy exhibitors.
  • Plan and conduct with your committee the Junior Fair Dairy Show at the fair.
  • Coordinate Junior Fair Dairy showmanship.
  • Complete all required documents regarding dairy show results and champions.
  • Work with sponsors and their commitment to award sponsorship.
  • Seek with assistance new award sponsors for new award areas.
  • Work closely with Junior Fair Director, Senior Fair Dairy Director, Fair Manager, and 4-H & FFA leadership.
  • Follow up in early September non-sponsored awards and assist in finding sponsors.

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 the spokesperson for the Junior Fair Dairy Cattle Program.
  • Work in a cooperatively with the Senior Fair Board, Senior Fair Dairy Director, Junior Fair Superintendents, OSU Extension Staff, and 4-H & FFA leadership.

Applicants should send a resume with cover letter to Doug Shell, Junior Fair Director at lshell171@gmail.com by Friday, June 6th. Applicants must be a resident of Fairfield County.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected applicants will be interviewed.

Sponsor a NEW Junior Fair Board Member!

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We are excited to have 7 new members joining the Junior Fair Board this year! Congrats to Julia Barber, Ryan Buchwalter, Braeden Neff, Chelsea Steitz, Taylen Thompson, Brianna Downey, and Izabel Peters. Collectively, 30 teens serve as members of the Junior Fair Board along side 3 Junior Advisors. When a new member joins the board, it is an honor to receive the legendary red jacket along with other items to start their JFB experience! We are looking for individuals, organizations, and businesses to sponsor a “new Junior Fair Board Member” at $100. This sponsorship covers their new red JFB jacket, t-shirt, and other supplies needed to start out their first year! If you are interested in sponsoring a new JFB member, please contact a current member, advisor, or 4-H Educator, Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

There are 4 remaining sponsorship opportunities for this year. Help us color in the remaining red jackets and be a sponsor today! Sponsors will be recognized in the Junior Fair Book and announced at Junior Fair shows during fair week.

4-H Dog Exhibitors – Items due June 1st

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Hello Dog Project Exhibitors – This post serves as a reminder for all 201D You and Your Dog Exhibitors about upcoming dates regarding your project. Information was also emailed to those enrolled in the 4-H Dog Project on May 14th via 4-HOnline. 

The 2025 Ohio Dog Project Identification Form and Vaccination Certificate is due June 1, 2025, to the OSU Extension Office (831 College Avenue, Suite D, Lancaster, OH 43130). As we know that this deadline is on a weekend, we will be accepting paperwork through the end of day on Monday, June 2, 2025. Our business hours are Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you are unable to make it during business hours, we do have a drop box on the right side of our building, this box is by the door and will have the 4-H logo on it. The 2025 Ohio Dog Project Identification Forma and Vaccination Certificate can be found here: 2025 Ohio Dog Project Identification Form and Vaccination Certificate

 Additionally, we are urging members and families to view the State Ohio 4-H Dog website for more information regarding rules, resources, and the 2025 Showmanship and You and Your Dog questions. This website will also have the links to the rules and scoresheets that we utilize at the Fairfield County Fair. The link to the State 4-H Dog Website is: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/dog/dog-resources.

 Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this information.

 

Youth Opportunity: Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest – July 20th

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The rules and entry forms are officially posted for the 2025 Livestock Judging contest. Please visit our website for all of the up-to-date information. Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested. Currently, we do not have a livestock judging coach/team in Fairfield County. If you are interested in coaching a team, please contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu. If you are interested in competing in this state 4-H event, they can still do so (even without an organized team at the county level). Youth must be 4-H members in good standing and have a county 4-H educator sign off on your registration. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out!

The 2025 Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest will be Sunday, July 20th. If interested in participating, please contact Leslie Cooksey by July 1st (cooksey.25@osu.edu)

Ohio 4-H Livestock Judging Resources and Information: https://ohio4h.org/node/3429