4-H Alumni

Do you want to be a 4-H Advisor? Applications available, due February 1st!

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Are you interested in becoming a 4-H advisor? Starting a new club? Now is the time to let us know so we can help get you setup for the new 4-H year which will be starting soon! 

To be a 4-H Advisor (volunteer):

  1. Completed Application must be turned into the Extension Office by February 1st. New applications can be mailed, dropped off at the office (by appointment on Tuesdays or Thursdays), or you may leave at the locked drop box on the east side of the building (it is black with 4-H stickers on it!).
  2. Submit to a criminal history fingerprint record check (ideally by February 1st). Instructions and form are included in the application packet.
  3. Reference Forms must be completed by the individuals you included on your application.
  4. Review 4-H Volunteer position description.
  5. Review, agree to, and sign the volunteer standards of behavior form.

After the three items above are completed, prospective volunteers will:

  1. Complete an interview with 4-H Extension Educators.
  2. Attend a new volunteer orientation/training program. Dates TBA.
  3. Complete Policy 1.50 Training – Activities and Programs with Minor Participants (annual requirement).

Click here for the complete 2021 Prospective New Volunteer Packet.

All steps to the new volunteer process must be COMPLETED by May 1st (county enrollment deadline) to be a 4-H Advisor in 2021.

 

No ‘Fun Flippin’ Pancake Breakfast at County Fair this Year…

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Following directives from Governor DeWine’s Order, the State and Local Health Department and the Fairfield County Senior Fairboard recommendations, the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment Committee’s Pancake Breakfast at the 2020 Fairfield County Fair was cancelled.  This event has always been used as an fun awareness event for the Endowment Committee to welcome visitors to our County Fair.

With so many events being cancelled in 2020, the 4-H Endowment Committee was also forced to cancel their  major fund-raising event in June  “The Legacy Dinner.”     Thanks to the generosity of the local donors we were able to raise enough money to pay the $5.00 County Wide dues for over 940 youth involved in 4-H work in 2020. While this year has been anything but normal for all of us, one thing remains constant…Leaving a Legacy for Fairfield County youth to benefit from lessons learned in 4-H Clubs, Committees and Competitions is important to the success of today’s young people who chose to involved in 4-H project work!!   We sincerely thank you for your support!

For additional 4-H Endowment Updates, click here.

The 4-H Legacy Dinner; In spirit only this year

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Last Thursday evening should have been the 11th Annual Fairfield County 4-H Endowment’s Legacy Dinner most of us are at home eating what Dennis the Menace calls “groceries again!” Everyone on the Endowment Board and our 300 guests always look forward to sharing this fun evening of good food and good friends to raise funds to continue the legacy and tradition of the 4-H Program.

This year it is different, there is no Legacy Dinner due to COVID-19 and the Endowment Board decided in mid-April to cancel the Dinner. The Board knew there was absolutely no way to adequately have social distancing measures in place. But over the year’s what fun we have had!!! Read more.

Pictures needed of 4-H over the Years!

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While we’re all spending time at home, have you found 4-H memorabilia from over the years? The Fairfield County Junior Leaders and 4-H Advisory Committee will be building a picture quilt that will be on display at county events throughout the year. Please send any pictures with a short description to Fowler.443@osu.edu. We will also use these pictures to highlight 4-H over the years on our social media channels!

There will also be a display in the Display Barn during the Fairfield County Fair, so if you have physical items or pictures of items you would like to display there will be a call for those closer to fair time. If you have any questions or more ideas for celebration, let Aubry or Leslie know!

4-H Legacy Dinner Cancelled

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To our friends and supporters of the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment, we thank you for your continued support of all our efforts. After much careful and thoughtful consideration, the 4-H Endowment Board has decided to cancel the 11th annual 4-H Legacy Dinner which was originally scheduled for June 11, 2020 at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. This is the result of extreme caution and the concerns for safe distancing and the co-mingling of large numbers of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please watch your mailbox for a communication from the Endowment Committee offering a giving opportunity that will ultimately assist 4-H Clubs with payment of their county-wide 4-H dues. Again, we sincerely thank you for your support of the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment and their activities.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of the Endowment Board members. For more information about the Fairfield County 4-H Endowment Board and efforts, click here: https://u.osu.edu/4hlegacy/

Calling all 4-H First Responders!

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Do you know a 4-H member, alumnus or club that is fighting COVID-19 in your community? Maybe it’s a 4-H’er that is delivering groceries to the elderly, 4-H programs that are finding innovative ways to deliver curriculum or other needed supplies, or a 4-H alumnus working as a nurse on the front lines? Submit stories of 4-H first responders, and we may feature them on that National 4-H News (4-H Day). Share your story here and let us know by emailing Leslie at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

4-H Bogs Boots – Get your orders in TODAY to guarantee receiving a pair!

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We are SO EXCITED to work with Walker’s Shoe Center in Lancaster for the opportunity to purchase the 4-H Bogs Boots that some of you have seen shared on Facebook! For each pair of boots sold, Bogs Boots will be donating $5 to 4-H! Additionally, Walker’s Shoe Center will also be making a donation to our local 4-H program in Fairfield County with every pair of boots sold.

Kid’s, Women’s, and Men’s sizes are available.

Pre-Orders (with payment) should be sent as soon as possible to Walker’s Shoe Center in Lancaster (DO NOT send orders to the Fairfield County Extension Office). This will put you on the list to receive the boots once they come in this fall. Anticipated ship date may be as early as September…just in time for FAIR!

A limited supply of boots will be ordered and sold directly at Walker’s Shoe Center in Lancaster and sold on a first come, first served basis this fall.

Click here for Walker’s Shoe Center – 4-H Bogs Boots Order Form!

Help Fairfield County 4-H Celebrate 100 Years

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The Fairfield County 4-H Advisory Committee is hosting a T-Shirt Design Contest. Submissions of ideas are due April 15, 2020 to Fowler.443@osu.edu or can be sent to the OSU Extension Office (831 College Ave., Suite D, Lancaster, OH 43130). More information can be found here: 100 Years T-Shirt Contest.

While we’re all spending time at home, have you found 4-H memorabilia from over the years? The Fairfield County Junior Leaders and 4-H Advisory Committee will be building a picture quilt that will be on display at county events throughout the year. Please send any pictures to Fowler.443@osu.edu.

There will also be a display in the Display Barn during the Fairfield County Fair, so if you have physical items or pictures of items you would like to display there will be a call for those closer to fair time. If you have any questions or more ideas for celebration, let Aubry or Leslie know!

Temporary Changes for Fairfield County and Ohio 4-H

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As you may be aware, The Ohio State University announced the suspension of face-to-face instruction and the move to virtual instruction for the remainder of the semester. Events deemed nonessential are postponed between now and at least May 15, 2020 (please note this date has been updated from our original notice due to COVID-19). Based on these guidelines, all in-person meetings of 4-H clubs, committees, advisory groups, and Extension are postponed or canceled until at least May 15. Activities are encouraged to continue virtually when possible.

These actions are in alignment with necessary precautions recommended by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ohio Department of Health.

Thank you for your patience with your county 4-H staff, the state 4-H office and OSU Extension as we navigate the process. Although this has caused a disruption, 4-H professionals are still working remotely, and many club members are working on their projects.  We’re committed to doing our part to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. We also know that when we choose to act together, we can have incredible positive impacts.

If you would like to learn more about the coronavirus and the university’s response, read more here.

Fairfield County club advisors are reaching out to members to begin the enrollment process for 2020. As of right now, we intend to keep our enrollment deadline of May 1st but please stay tuned for updates as it relates to enrollment form deadlines as we approach this date. Clubs are also encouraged to meet virtually during this time. OSU Extension Staff in Fairfield County are available by email and phone. Our office has been temporarily closed as of March 18th. 4-H Project books cannot be purchased or distributed at this time and we will provide an update when this can happen. Thanks again for your cooperation and patience during this challenging time.

 

Message sent via 4-HOnline to 4-H Families and Volunteers 3/26/2020:

March 26, 2020

Dear 4-H Families, Volunteers and Supporters:

We know that this is a stressful and confusing time, but as we get more information on the coronavirus outbreak, we are doing everything possible to keep our 4-H members, families and community supporters safe. At the end of the day we are committed to our members and want to keep everyone safe and healthy.

As you may be aware, The Ohio State University announced the suspension of face-to-face instruction and the move to virtual instruction for the remainder of the semester. Events deemed nonessential are postponed between now and at least May 15, 2020 (please note this date has been updated from our original notice due to COVID-19). Activities are encouraged to continue virtually when possible.

Based on these guidelines, all in-person meetings of 4-H clubs, committees, advisory groups, and Extension are postponed or canceled until at least May 15.

Thank you for your patience with your county 4-H staff, the state 4-H office and OSU Extension as we navigate the process. Although this has caused a disruption, 4-H professionals are still working remotely, and many club members are working on their projects.  We’re committed to doing our part to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. We also know that when we choose to act together, we can have incredible positive impacts.

Fairfield County club advisors are reaching out to members to begin the enrollment process for 2020. As of right now, we intend to keep our enrollment deadline of May 1st but please stay tuned for updates as it relates to enrollment form deadlines as we approach this date. Clubs are also encouraged to meet virtually during this time. Our office has been temporarily closed as of March 18th however the OSU Extension Staff are available by email and phone. 4-H Project books cannot be purchased or distributed at this time and we will provide an update when this can happen. Thanks again for your cooperation and patience during this challenging time.

Please read through the following date changes as they related to the Fairfield County Extension and 4-H Programs and mark your calendar accordingly.

4-H CLUB GUIDELINES:

  • All 4-H Club Meetings need to be virtual (Skype, Google Hangout, etc.) or postponed until May 15, this means NO face to face meetings, programs, or events until at least May 15th.
  • As of this time, all Fairfield County 4-H Enrollments are still due May 1st.
  • Any 4-H or Junior Fair Forms due May 1st – stay tuned for a way to submit these forms to use online. Forms can also be mailed to the OSU Extension Office at 831 College Avenue, Suite D, Lancaster, OH 43130.

Schedule changes through May 15th:

  • POSTPONED March 28/April 25 – Cake Decorating Workshop – Rescheduled Date TBD
  • CANCELED March 28 – OSU Jr Swine Day
  • CANCELED March 29 – Cloverbud Easter Egg Hunt
  • POSTPONED March 30 – Quality Assurance (for advisors)
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 1 – New Volunteer Training (New Advisors watch for an email with details)
  • CANCELED April 2-5 – Equine Affaire in Ohio
  • CANCELED April 6 – Fashion and Nutrition Board Meeting
  • POSTPONED April 7 – 4-H Achievement Banquet – Date TBD
  • POSTPONED April 8 – Junior Fair Board Retreat – Date TBD
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 14 – 4-H Endowment Committee Meeting
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 15 – Camp Counselor Training
  • POSTPONED April 17 – Spring Horse Clinic – Date TBD
  • RESCHEDULED April 18 – Dig into Gardening – Rescheduled for Sat., June 27 at Christ United Methodist Church, Baltimore
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 20 – Junior Leaders Meeting
  • POSTPONED April 20, 21, 27, 28 – Slow Cooking, Fast Cooking Series – Date TBD
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 21 – 4-H Horse Advisory Committee
  • MEETING April 21 – Senior Fair Board Meeting – check with Leslie for future details (this may very well be VIRTUAL, waiting to hear more from SFO).
  • CANCELED April 25 – State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
  • RESCHEDULED April 25 – State 4-H Communications Contest – NEW DATE May 16
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 27 – Camp Counselor Training
  • VIRTUAL MEETING April 29 – Junior Fair Board Meeting
  • POSTPONED May 3 – QA Makeup Option 1 – Date TBD
  • VIRTUAL MEETING May 4 – Camp Counselor Training
  • CANCELED May 11 – Fashion and Nutrition Board Meeting
  • VIRTUAL MEETING May 12 – 4-H Endowment Committee Meeting
  • VIRTUAL MEETING May 13 – Junior Fair Board Meeting
  • CANCELED May 14 – In the Garden 2020: Wagnall’s Master Gardener Volunteer Education Series

Future programming will be evaluated as we receive additional information from the state. Programming updates will be announced on our Ohio State – Fairfield County 4-H Facebook page as well as our Events tab on our OSU Extension website (http://fairfield.osu.edu).

For up-to-date information on the coronavirus and how to prevent its spread, please visit:

The best way to reach us is via email:

Leslie Cooksey           cooksey.25@osu.edu

Aubry Fowler              fowler.443@osu.edu

Extension Educators, 4-H Youth Development

OSU Extension Fairfield County

CANCELLED AS OF 3/12/2020: Attend Plowboy Prom on March 14th!

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UPDATED AS OF 3/12/2020: Following OSU guidelines and the cancellation of the Ohio 4-H Conference, the Plowboy Prom hosted by Collegiate 4-H, scheduled for March 14 has been cancelled.

 

Previously posted on March 9, 2020:

It’s time for the annual Plowboy Prom, hosted by OSU’s Collegiate 4-H chapter! Join us on March 14, 2020 at the Nationwide & Ohio 4-H Farm Bureau Center for an evening of square dancing, food and fun with music from The Pleasant Valley Boys. Admission is just $5 and doors open at 6 p.m. See you there for the “Captivating Carnival!”