If you completed a project during summer judging and have the project exhibited at the fair, you are eligible to receive the premium award based on the grade you received. Stop by the little red building east of the Junior Fair Office (on top of the hill) and pick up your premium. For those of you that are showing this week at the fair, you can get your premium the day AFTER your show. The ladies working in the premium office need your grade before they can give you your premium, and we need until the following morning to get them copies of your grades.
Awards
Panorama Invitations – Check Your Email on Monday!!
Hello 4-H & FFA Members,
Panorama invitations will be emailed on Monday. The following members will be recognized during the 2024 Junior Fair Panorama:
- Junior Fair Queen Finalists
- Junior Fair Commodity Ambassadors/Representatives
- 2024 Outstanding 4-Hers
- 2024 FFA American Degree Recipients
- 2024 FFA State Degree Recipients
- State Top 4 FFA Proficiency Award winners from each chapter
We look forward to having you be a special part of the 2024 Junior Fair Panorama on Saturday, October 5th. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Feeder Creek Show Arena, north of the racetrack. Please find your official invitation with further details. If you have any questions or did not receive the invitation, please reach out to Stacy Hicks at 740-653-5419..
Special Thanks to Farm Credit for Photo Banner Sponsorships
The Fairfield County Senior Fair Board has been working to capture some additional dollars from the Farm Credit Community Grant program for the Junior Fair Youth. In addition to the purchase of Champion Banners and gates last year, we are excited to add a backdrop banner to the Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena.
Please note that these Champion Banners must be returned to the Junior Fair Office the last day of the fair. These banners are not dated and the hope is to use them for several years. THE BANNERS ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN HOME by exhibitors or show committees.
We have invested nearly $2,500 to upgrade these banners in each barn and for each show, including Companion Animals, thanks to Farm Credit. In addition, to the Banners we have purchased storage tubes for the banners to remain in the Junior Fair Office when not in use during fair week. When possible, please send a thank you note to Leland Tinklepaugh, Farm Credit Mid-America, 7835 Lancaster-Newark Rd NE, Baltimore, OH 43105.
Thank You Note Station at Fair
Thank You Note Station: Be sure to visit the Thank You Note Stations housed in the 4-H Display Barn during the week of the Fairfield County Fair. Blank Thank You notes will available each day at the station, and all finished notes that are dropped off will be mailed.
Thank You Notes: We need to make sure our sponsors receive thanks and appreciation for supporting Fairfield County’s youth! This includes all youth receiving awards at Summerfest, as well as Junior Fair Exhibitors who will be receiving awards at fair. Please make sure thank you notes are sent to the award sponsors – even if it’s just a rosette or ribbon. Each rosette and trophy will have the sponsor’s name and address attached. Unfortunately, we have had sponsors stop donating for fair awards because they did not receive a thank you note. If a member is not sure of their sponsor for an award received at Summerfest or at the fair, check out the Awards Portion of the Junior Fair Book as it gives the name of the sponsor. If you are not able to find an address, please contact the OSU Extension Office and we can help you find it! Also encourage youth to include information about their project, award received, etc. as the sponsors enjoy reading this information. Sponsors also love pictures if members have any of their project they would like to share.
Unsponsored Junior Fair Awards – 2024
The following awards are currently not sponsored for 2023 as of June 5th, 2023. Please contact Carrie Stoneburner, Junior Fair Awards Coordinator at 740-503-7141 or by email at fairfieldcountyjrfairawards@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!
| Award Title | Award Type | Unit Price | Award Total |
| Division I 1st Place Dairy Goat Showman (Ages 15-Older) | Winner Banner | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Division III 2nd Place Dairy Goat Showman (Ages 9-11) | Winner Banner | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Division IV 1st Place Dairy Goat Showman (Beginners 1st year and Younger) | Winner Banner | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Heavy Weight Division Champion Market Lamb | Banner | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| 2nd Place Overall Sheep Premier Exhibitor | Banner | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| 2nd Place Overall Sheep Premier Exhibitor | Cash Award | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| 1st Place Overall Alpaca/Llama Premier Exhibitor | Banner | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| 1st Place Overall Alpaca/Llama Premier Exhibitor | Cash Award | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| 1st Place Pygmy Goat Showmanship (Age 9-10) | Trophy | $18.50 | $18.50 |
| 1st-5th Place Pygmy Wether, 3 Years & Over | 3 Rosettes | $4.50 | $13.50 |
| 3rd-5th Place Meat/Market Goat Showman (Age 11-12) | 3 Rosettes | $4.50 | $13.50 |
| 5 Year Member Pins | 16 Pins | $2.25 | $36.00 |
| 1st-5th Place Pet Rabbit (Age 8-11) | 5 Rosettes | $4.50 | $22.50 |
2024 Ohio State Fair Results: Alpaca Show
Congrats to the following Fairfield County 4-H members who participated in the Ohio State Fair Llama/Alpaca Show in late July.
Addysenn Cygan
- 1st Place Intermediate Youth Showman
- 3rd Place Intermediate Youth Trail Pack
Kendall Wild
- 2nd Place Intermediate Youth Showman
- 3rd Place Intermediate Youth Companion Public Relations
- 2nd Place Intermediate Youth Trail Pack
- 1st Place Intermediate Youth Freestyle Obstacle
- 2nd Place Youth Judging – Intermediate
- 1st Place Project Books – Intermediate Youth
- 2nd Place Llama/Alpaca Products Youth Project
- 2nd Place 4-H High Point Intermediate
Gracie Weber
- 3rd Place Intermediate Youth Showman
- 2nd Place Intermediate Youth Companion Public Relations
- 3rd Place Youth Judging – Intermediate
- 2nd Place Project Books – Intermediate Youth
- 2nd Place Crocheted Product
Katelyn Wynkoop
- 1st Place Senior Youth Showman
- 3rd Place Youth Judging – Senior
- 1st Place Project Books – Senior Youth
Johnny Crow
- 1st Place Intermediate Youth Companion Public Relations
- 1st Place Intermediate Youth Trail Pack
- 2nd Place Intermediate Youth Freestyle Obstacle
- 1st Place 4-H High Point Intermediate
Kristen Wild
- 1st Place Project Books – Junior Youth
Nolan Shaffer
- 2nd Place Project Books – Senior Youth
See you on Sunday, August 18th at 4-H Summerfest! (Summer Project Award Ceremony)
Attention summer project award winners and families:
Congratulations on your outstanding project work that you have completed this summer! Please join us to be recognized for your 4-H Project achievement or 4-H Speaking Event participation at Summerfest on Sunday, August 18th. Summer Judging project award winners will be announced, so please dress appropriately. Please join us on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 5:45 p.m. at the Fairfield County Liberty Center. While this event is not required, it is encouraged for you to attend.
If you are an Ohio State Fair award winner, please bring your Outstanding of the Day Ribbon and/or Clock Trophy with you to share when your county and state awards are announced on stage. For Clock Trophy Winners, please be prepared to answer a couple questions about your state winning project (What was your favorite thing that you learned and what did you learn from your Ohio State Fair experience, etc).
Event Details:
Fairfield County 4-H Summerfest
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Registration Begins at 5:45 p.m.
Fairfield County Liberty Center
951 Liberty Drive
Lancaster, OH 43130
Congratulations again! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! Thank you!
Friend of the Junior Fair Award – due 9/6/2024
The Junior Fair Board is again sponsoring the Friend of the Junior Fair Award. Agricultural students, 4-H members and community members in Fairfield County are encouraged to nominate a person or business in the community that has a strong influence in agriculture and has contributed to the lives of Junior Fair members and the Fairfield County Junior Fair. This award will be presented at the Junior Fair Panorama on Saturday, October 5th at 7:00 p.m. in Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
Applications are due Friday, September 6th and can be here: 2024 Friend of Fairfield County Junior Fair Award or at the OSU Extension Office or from a Junior Fair Board member. Nominate a deserving person or business you know today!
Thank your Summer Project Award Sponsors – Thank you note tips
A simple, handwritten thank you note goes a long way to express gratitude for time, service, sponsorship, donation, etc. As we approach project judging, camp, county fair, state fair and maybe other summer programming—it is important to remind our youth about thank you note importance. As Teresa Johnson mentioned in her “Saying Thank You” document, “A lot of respect can be earned or lost by our ability to say thanks”. A well written thank you note is worth it’s weight in gold and it not only makes the donor feel appreciated, but it may also have an influence on if they choose to give again. We want to make a positive impact! Encourage a handwritten note versus a typed one. Encourage youth to write as neatly as possible in blue or black ink.
Need a refresher on formatting? No problem.
- Begin with a greeting, like “Dear Mr. Jones,” or “Dear Insert Organization Here”.
- Express appreciation and why the thank you note is being written. Be specific. Don’t be afraid to go into detail about how the item/gift will be used.
Example 1: “Thank you for serving as a class sponsor for the 2023 Trumbull County Jr. Fair Dairy Show. The duffle bag I received for first place is very much appreciated and will travel with me to future 4-H events! “
Example 2: “Thank you so much for purchasing my 4-H market rabbit at the 2023 Trumbull County Livestock Sale. The Trumbull County Fair has been a highlight of my summer since joining 4-H six year ago. The money received will be placed in a savings account to help pay for college. Thank you for your support of the Trumbull County 4-H Program and my 4-H project.“
- Express appreciation/acknowledge generosity again. “Thank you again for your support of Trumbull County 4-H and the Trumbull County Jr. Fair. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.” -OR- Thank you again for your generosity and for supporting the 2023 Trumbull County Jr. Fair. I hope to see you again next year!”
- Closing: “Sincerely, _______”. Make sure the youth member signs their name.
Other Tips:
- Encourage youth to be prompt in getting the thank you mailed- a suggestion is two weeks or less from the date the award, monetary gift, etc. was received.
- Make sure the nature of the thank you is positive! We do not want to criticize or express the desire for a different or additional gift.
- Personalize it: add a photo to the thank you, thank the buyer/donor the following year on a poster above the animal or exhibit, etc. Counties may already have buyer/donor appreciation gifts (i.e. goodie bag, etc).
- Make sure the youth member has the correct address for the individual/business.
- Do not assume everyone is a professional at writing thank yous! Go over formatting at a club meeting, committee meeting, or QA event. It’s also helpful to provide additional resources to families and/or advisors.
Source: May/June – Teen Leadership Snack Break (Ashlee Meardith, Trumbull County 4-H Educator)
2024 Fairfield County Junior Fair Premier Exhibitor Contest Information
This information is also posted in the 2024 Junior Fair Book under Optional Activities for Species: http://go.osu.edu/fcjrbook
Premier Exhibitor Contests
The objective of the Premier Exhibitor Contest is to encourage youth exhibitors to explore multiple aspects of the livestock
specie project they are enrolled in, and to reward those youth that participate at the highest level. While some exhibitors may
choose to only participate in a single aspect of an animal project, the reality is that all the various opportunities available for any
given project are interrelated and participation can enhance the knowledge, skills, and enjoyment gained from the project.
- Exhibitors will learn that market animals originate from breeding stock.
- Performance is vital to the profitability of livestock production.
- Efficient record keeping allows the owner to determine if the project was profitable.
- Livestock evaluation is the foundation for selecting both breeding and market livestock.
- Knowing breeds, body parts and muscle names and locations complements one’s ability to evaluate livestock.
It’s all interrelated and encouraging youth to expand the knowledge of their project by participating in a variety of opportunities
while also in a competitive environment will enhance the learning experience.
Requirements
- Exhibitors must be enrolled in a 4-H/FFA project in that species in their respective 4-H Club/FFA Chapter.
- FairEntry is made in the respective species by August FairEntry deadline.
- The exhibitor must complete the Fairfield County Skillathon for the specie they plan to compete in Premier Exhibitor. Those exhibitors who participate in the alternative Skillathon options will not be eligible for Premier Exhibitor (i.e., Ohio
State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon, Ohio State Fair IN-PERSON Skillathon, and/or Fairfield County Make-Up Skillathon).
Project books will be reviewed as part of the county Skillathon event. - An exhibitor must complete a Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor. If an exhibitor does not
participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon for that specie, they will be ineligible for Premier Exhibitor in that specie. - Exhibitors must show their own animal(s).
Eligible Species
Dairy Cattle
Beef
Swine
Sheep
Dairy Goats
Meat/Market Goats
Pygmy Goats
Poultry
Rabbits
Dogs
Alpacas/Llamas
Horses
Scoring
The Premier Exhibitor for each species will be the exhibitor with the highest point total from the activities listed for each specie
(dropping the scores as mentioned below).
The goal is to encourage exhibitors to explore various opportunities available to them within their species and allow for lowest
scores to be dropped when sufficient experiences are able to be offered (for example, Beef Exhibitors have far more project
opportunities available to them than Pygmy Goats). The objective would be to encourage exhibitors to earn points for exhibiting
animals in at least two ways at the Fairfield County Fair in addition to participating in Skillathon, showmanship, rate of gain (if
applicable), and judging contests (if applicable). If exhibiting more than one animal in an activity, the highest placing animal will
be used for the Premier Exhibitor scoring.
- Dairy Cattle: The Dairy Cattle Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 6 of the 7 following Fairfield
County Junior Fair activities: Dairy Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Dairy Judging Contest, and
Breeding Class, Market Class, Feeder Class, and Rate of Gain. - Beef: The Beef Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 5 of the 8 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities:
Beef Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Beef Judging Contest, Breeding Class, Feeder Class, Market Class,
Carcass Class, and Rate of Gain. - Swine: The Swine Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities:
Swine Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Swine Judging Contest, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2. - Sheep: The Sheep Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Sheep
Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Sheep Judging Contest, Breeding Class, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2. - Dairy Goats: The Dairy Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities:
Dairy Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding (Kid/Yearling Class), and Breeding (Doe Class). - Meat/Market Goats: The Meat/Market Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6 Fairfield County
Junior Fair activities: Meat/Market Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Meat Goat Judging Contest, Breeding
(Meat Doe) Class, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2. - Pygmy Goats: The Pygmy Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 Fairfield County Junior Fair
activities: Pygmy Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Wether Class, and Doe Class. - Poultry: The Poultry Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities:
Poultry Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Class, Layers Class, and Market Class. - Rabbits: The Rabbit Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 of the 6 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Rabbit Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Class 1, Breeding Class 2, Market Class 1, Market Class 2.
- Dogs: The Dog Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dog Skillathon*, You & Your Dog Interview, Showmanship, Obedience Class, and Agility.
- Alpacas/Llamas: The Alpaca & Llama Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Alpaca/Llama Skillathon*, Showmanship, Public Relations Class, Costume Class, and Obstacle/Agility Class
- Horses: The Horse Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Horse Skillathon*, Showmanship, Pleasure Class, Pattern Class, and Contesting Class.
The *Fairfield County Skillathon will be a mandatory activity for participation in the respective species’ Premier Exhibitor Contest. A Skillathon is an activity to test knowledge of specific subject matter in a hands-on experiential learning model. Skillathons will take place on the assigned day and times in September, and this will be the only opportunity for participants to complete the Skillathon for their respective species and be eligible to participate in the respective Premier Exhibitor Contest. Exhibitors will earn corresponding Premier Exhibitor points based off of their raw score (out of 100 points). Skillathons will be comprised of four stations. A completed project book is required at Skillathon.
The Fairfield County Livestock Judging Contest will take place on Sunday of the Fairfield County Fair for swine, beef, sheep, and goats. Exhibitors will earn corresponding Livestock Judging Contest points based off of their raw score. Total points possible will be determined on the day of the contest. The Fairfield County Dairy Judging Contest will take place on Monday of the Fairfield County Fair for dairy cattle.
Rate of Gain will be available to all market beef, dairy steer, and dairy feeder exhibitors.
Breeding/Market/Showmanship/Rate of Gain class/heat points will be assigned according to class rankings (placing 1st through 5th, followed by participation points).
Livestock Sale: If the Premier Exhibitor has a market animal in that respective species, they will sell third in the market sale for that species following the Overall Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Animals. If an exhibitor chooses to take home and earns Premier Exhibitor, they will lose their sale slot. (In that case second place Premier Exhibitor will not move into that sale slot).
Ties: Exhibitors will complete a tiebreaker station at Skillathon for their respective specie. Scoring from the tiebreaker station will only be used to help break ties for the overall rankings of each specie’s Premier Exhibitor.
Awards will be given for 1st place winner of each age group (Age 8/9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), from which, overall 1st through 3rd place winners will be chosen for the Premier Exhibitor Program for each specie.
- 1st Place Awards for each age group (Age 8/9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) will receive a rosette and coupon to be used at the fair for a free sandwich at the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Food Booth.
- 1st Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $100 cash award.
- 2nd Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $75 cash award.
- 3rd Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $50 cash award.