4-H Project Information

How do I get ready for Summer Judging?

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  1. Complete your project book and activities as outlined in your the 4-H Project Member Guidelines (located in the 2024 4-H Member Handbook and in the front of your project book) for your particular project.
  2. Practice reviewing your project with an adult. Have them ask you questions about what you did and learned from your project.
  3. Schedule an project judging appointment by Thursday, July 11th for each project that you are completing this summer by visiting go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging.
  4. What day is my project judging? Review your project information in the 2024 4-H Member Handbook
    • Can’t make it on your assigned day? No problem! Although you won’t be eligible for county awards/state fair consideration, you can sign-up for late/make-up summer judging on July 29th at the Ag Center/Extension Office by calling 740-653-5419 to make an appointment. There will be no early judging.
    • That still doesn’t work for you? No problem! Although you won’t be eligible for county awards/state fair consideration, you can talk to your 4-H advisor to work with you to review your project for completion for the year.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN INTERVIEW JUDGING?

Interview judging is a discussion between the judge and 4-H member regarding the member’s project, the member’s learning experience and development and plans for the future. It is a one-on-one discussion. Members do not have to participate in interview judging to complete a project, but it is an excellent way to build skills in interviewing and provides an opportunity to compete for county awards and state fair participation. Listed below are a few statements or questions often used in making the interview meaningful to the 4-H member. These types of statements help a judge find out about the member’s knowledge, accomplishments, interests, and challenges with the project.

I. PAST EXPERIENCES & PROJECT SELECTION
a. What projects have you taken in 4-H?
b. Why did you select this project this year?
c. What did you hope to learn from the project?

II. THE PROJECT
a. Knowledge of project – subject matter – use of project terms.
b. What went well with the project? What did you do? What did you accomplish?
c. What problems did you encounter?
d. What assistance did you have? – 4-H Advisor, Junior Leader, Parents, Friends or Relatives.
e. Questions related to 4-H project book content.

III. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
a. What more would you like to learn in this project area?
b. What project will you take next year?
c. What are your other interests?

IV. PERSONAL INFORMATION & KNOWLEDGE OF 4-H
a. What 4-H activities have you participated in within your club or county?
b. Leadership experience in local club
c. Overall knowledge of 4-H
d. Plans for future – schooling, career, etc.
e. What was the biggest thing 4-H taught you this year?

V. ADDITIONAL TIPS TO PREPARE FOR JUDGING:
This is an interview, so 4-Hers will want to keep in mind:
a. Wear nice clothes (dress pants/slacks, skirts, nice blouses, tops, etc.)
b. Grooming is essential. (hair, nails, etc. should be presentable)
c. Shake the judge’s hand
d. Be polite; use please and thank you
e. Do not have gum or other food in their mouth!

Scheduling for 4-H Summer Judging is OPEN!

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We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Summer Judged Projects will be judged on the following days:
    • Monday, July 15, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (by appointment).
      • Food & Nutrition NEW FOR 2024-NO FOOD IS BROUGHT TO JUDGING
      • Genealogy
      • Home/Money
      • Creative/Fine Arts (including Cake Decorating)
      • Healthy Living
      • Collecting
      • ALL Self-Determined Projects
      • Clothing
    • Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (by appointment).
      • Animal Science
      • Robotics
      • Communications/Leadership/Citizenship
      • STEM
      • Nature/Gardening
      • Woodworking

If you cannot attend judging during this week, you can:

  1. Attend Late Judging on Monday, July 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
  2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.
  • Please review the 4-H Member Handbook as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.
  • Youth enrolled in the Tractor Maintenance Club or Shooting Sports Club do not need to complete summer judging if they met all completion requirements at the club level for Small Engine/Tractor Projects and or 700 level Shooting Sports disciplines (Shotgun, Rifle, Archery). However, if they wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair for any of these projects, they must attend summer judging for each project.
  • Youth enrolled in Cake Decorating projects have the option for summer judging completion or county fair completion. If youth wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair, they must complete summer judging. All Pies, Candies and Pastries are judged at fair only.
  • NEW FOR 2024! Youth enrolled in Gardening and Crop projects must complete summer judging. Project books should be up to date and as complete as possible regardless of timing of harvest.
  • Food and Nutrition Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Food Project Insert packet.
  • Clothing Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Style Revue Card and  Clothing Project Insert packet.
  • Clothing Project Members plan to attend the Style Revue at Liberty Union High School, July 15, 2024, 7:00 p.m. This is a required part of judging to be eligible for county awards and State Fair participation.  A practice session will be available on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 6:30-7:00 p.m. at Liberty Union High School.
  • Scheduling is now open!
    • We ask that you schedule an appointment that works best for you by using this link: http://go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging
    • Scheduling will be open through MIDNIGHT, Thursday, July 11th. 
    • If you have more than one project, please be sure to schedule an appointment for EACH PROJECT and allow time between appointments to complete each interview.

Please contact the Extension Office if you have additional questions about project judging! We can’t wait to see you!

Junior Leader Outdoor Furniture Sale – NOW OPEN!

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Thank you to all the 4-H Clubs who collected plastic bottle caps for the Fairfield County 4-H Junior Leaders! Now we need your help to sell benches and tables to put those caps to good use. Any outdoor furniture purchased is for that customer’s own use and will need to be picked up from the Ag Center (831 College Ave, Lancaster). A fillable order form can be found here. All orders and money are due July 5th to the Fairfield County Extension Office. Questions? Contact our office at 740-653-5419! Order Form: Outdoor Furniture 2024 Sale fillable

To order an item, complete an order form above. Checks can be made out to the Fairfield County Junior Leaders. Please drop off order forms and payment to the OSU Extension Office by July 5, 2024. 

These items will be ordered mid-July and will be available for pick up in August. More details will be shared with those who purchase an item as timelines are finalized.

 

Sponsors Needed – Benches for the Fairfield County Fairgrounds

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The Fairfield County Junior Leaders will be ordering new benches for the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Sponsors are needed to cover the cost of these benches, and we need your help!

This year we are purchasing ten 6-foot deluxe benches that will sit out during the 2024 Fairfield County Fair (see the picture below). Each bench costs $550.00 and will include a personalized plaque. The size and color of bench have been selected by the Fairfield County Senior Fair Board in order to continue improving the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

Approved payment method: Cash or Checks can be made out to the Fairfield County Junior Leaders. Money is due to the OSU Extension Office by July 1st.

If you are interested in sponsoring a bench, please contact Aubry Fowler (Fowler.443@osu.edu or 740-653-5419) with Sponsor Name, Wording for the Plaque on the bench, and preferred payment method by July 1st. 

4-H Summer Judging – Scheduling will open the week of June 24th

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Hello 4-H Members! We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Summer Judged Projects will be judged on the following days: Monday July 15th and July 16th. Scheduling for these dates will open the week of June 24th (watch email/blog posts for scheduling to link). Please be aware that certain projects will be judged on certain days – please review the 2024 4-H Member Handbook to determine your project judging day(s).

If you cannot attend judging during this week, you can:

  1. Attend Late Judging on Monday, July 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
  2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.

Please review the 2024 4-H Member Handbook as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.

Youth enrolled in the Tractor Maintenance Club or Shooting Sports Club do not need to complete summer judging if they met all completion requirements at the club level for Small Engine/Tractor Projects and or 700 level Shooting Sports disciplines (Shotgun, Rifle, Archery). However, if they wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair for any of these projects, they must attend summer judging for each project.

Youth enrolled in Cake Decorating have the option for summer judging completion or county fair completion. If youth wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair, they must complete summer judging.

Food and Nutrition Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Menu Planning Worksheet and Food Project Insert packet. NEW FOR 2024 – members WILL NOT bring food to judging.

Clothing Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Style Revue Card and Clothing Project Insert packet.

  • Clothing Project Members plan to attend the Style Revue at Liberty Union High School, July 15, 7:00 p.m. This is a required part of judging to be eligible for county awards and State Fair participation.

Summer Judging Workshop – June 10th – Registration OPEN!

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Are you a new 4-H’er who wants to see what Summer Judging is all about? Are you a returning 4-H’er who still has questions? Join the Fairfield County Fashion & Nutrition Board and Fairfield County Junior Leadership Club to learn more. General tips for judging will be covered as well as project tips for specific areas such as: clothing, communication, creative arts, healthy living, leadership, nutrition, STEM, and natural resources.
Please register at https://go.osu.edu/summerjudgingworkshop by June 6, 2024.

Attention 4-H/FFA Horse Exhibitors: Items due by June 1st

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Reminder, the following forms are due for Primary AND Back-up horses on June 1st to the Extension Office.

  • Horse ID Form with 1 Photo
    • Photo Requirement: It should be a side photo of the horse that must show youth, horse’s face and any leg markings
  • Negative Coggins Test from your Veterinarian
  • Horse Housing Form ( if not housed at your address)
  • Horse Lease (if applicable)
  • Pony Form (if applicable)

The following items are also due per exhibitor by June 1st:

If you have questions, please visit: https://fairfield.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/pas-horse-show-information or contact Aubry Fowler at email: fowler.443@osu.edu or phone: 740-653-5419.

Ohio State Fair Dog Show and Agility Trial – Entries are Open

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The 2024 Ohio State Fair Dog Show JUNE 17-19 is open for entries.

Entries close May 21 at 1:00 pm. There are no late entries.

Please go to the Ohio State Fair website for detailed information at:

https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions

Scroll down to DOG SHOW. Read Competition Information and Information for entering dogs online.

Then click on the red – ENTER THE 2024 DOG SHOW (ENTRY LINK)

 

The 2024 Ohio State Fair Agility Trial July 24 is open for entries.

Entries close June 21 at 1:00 pm. There are no late entries.

Please go to this link to enter; https://go.osu.edu/osfagilityentries

 

The OSF Agility Trial is the first day of the fair. It has a different entry process and deadlines.

 

All the information is available on the Ohio State – 4-H Dog Program Facebook page. Information is also available on the Ohio 4-H Youth Development Dog page at:  https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/dog/dog-ohio-state-fair

NOW AVAILABLE – Purchase your 4-H Books from the Extension Office!

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As a reminder, 4-H Project Books are available at the Fairfield County Extension Office. This is the best way to make sure you get the correct book for your project and save a little money.

Members, check with your advisors if they are doing a club order for books. If so, make sure they have the books you want on their list. If your club is NOT doing a big order, you can email Stacy (hicks.686@osu.edu) your book order. You will receive a confirmation email when your order is ready for pick up.

Advisors, please fill out the 2024 Ohio 4-H Project Books and Resources Volunteer Order Form. Please make sure to download this PDF before filling it out. Book order forms can be emailed to Stacy as well. You will receive a confirmation email when your order is ready to pick up. The Extension Office is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m – 4:00 p.m.

Here are some way to find the right project book for you:

  • Find the perfect book. Refer to your Family Guide in print or online to learn about the projects available this year. You can also preview books on Project Central and learn more about each project.
  • Make your own. If you would rather not purchase a book in this way, self-determined projects are an excellent choice for self-motivated members eager to get started by creating their own projects. Although self-determined projects may be better suited for older 4-H members, they are available for any member and are often based on idea starters already available online. Many of the idea starters are great stay-at-home projects too, for example, Music, Bats, String Art, Climate Change, American Sign Language, etc. (For project judging, self-determined projects are judged in self-determined categories.)

If you have any questions, you may reach out to Leslie Cooksey (cooksey.25@osu.edu) or Aubry Fowler (fowler.443@osu.edu) – Fairfield County 4-H Educators.

You’re all Making the Best Better in 4-H!

Attention 4-H/FFA Horse Exhibitors: Items due by June 1st

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Reminder, the following forms are due for Primary AND Back-up horses on June 1st to the Extension Office.

  • Horse ID Form with 1 Photo
    • Photo Requirement: It should be a side photo of the horse that must show youth, horse’s face and any leg markings
  • Negative Coggins Test from your Veterinarian
  • Horse Housing Form ( if not housed at your address)
  • Horse Lease (if applicable)
  • Pony Form (if applicable)

The following items are also due per exhibitor by June 1st:

If you have questions, please visit: https://fairfield.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/pas-horse-show-information or contact Aubry Fowler at email: fowler.443@osu.edu or phone: 740-653-5419.