Citizenship

4 Fairfield County 4-Her’s return from Citizenship Washington Focus

by

50 Ohio 4-H’ers traveled to Washington, D.C. at the beginning of June to participate in Citizenship Washington Focus, a program that gives youth the opportunity to explore, develop, and refine their civic engagement skills. They spent six days exploring the nation’s capital, participating in hands-on educational workshops, learning about our country’s history, and meeting with government leaders. Attending from Fairfield County were Henry Hoisington, Evelyn Hill, Anna Wolfe, and Alaina Bell.

Thanks to these experiences, they developed leadership, citizenship, and communication skills that will help them become leaders in their community and agents of change for the future.

4-H Summer Judging – Scheduling will open the week of June 16th

by

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 14th and Tuesday, July 15th. Scheduling for these dates will open the week of June 16th (watch email/blog posts for the scheduling link). Please be aware that certain projects will be judged on certain days – please review the 2025 4-H Member Handbook to determine your project judging day(s). Writing Projects have been moved to Monday, July 14th.

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

  1. Attend Late Judging on Tuesday, 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 2025 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. 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 14th, 7:00 p.m. This is a required part of judging to be eligible for county awards and State Fair participation.

Teen Opportunity: 2025 4-H Cultural Immersion Project – Puerto Rico

by

The 2025 4-H Cultural Immersion Project—Puerto Rico applications are open. The experience will be from November 25 to December 3, 2025. Those teens interested should contact Leslie Cooksey to be nominated by April 30th.

After receiving the application, follow-up interviews will be scheduled to select participants. Final selections will be posted in mid-August. 4-H youth ages 15-18 (as of the trip’s date) are encouraged to apply. Teens must still be in high school as of the trip’s date to participate.

A 7-day immersive experience that seeks to understand Puerto Rican culture.  Teens will build multicultural skills and knowledge, as well as an increased ability to communicate in the increasingly diverse society that we live in.  Teens will experience and live in both the Old San Juan urban area and life in the remote mountain town of Castañer. The group will also work with Puerto Rican youth in joint service projects and lead teambuilding activities for the University Gardens High School and the Yauchecus Elementary School students.

More Information about 4-H CIP Program: News Article about the 2023 4-H Cultural Immersion Project – Puerto Rico trip

https://ohio4h.org/february-2024/4-h-teens-immerse-themselves-puerto-rican-culture

Once nominated by your 4-H Educator (multiple teens from each county may be nominated), you will receive an application to complete.

Who: Ohio 4-H teens ages 15-18 (by the date of the trip and still in high school)
Where: Puerto Rico (San Juan and the mountain village of Castañer)
When: Tuesday, November 25 – Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Cost: estimated to be $1,500 (includes airfare, ground transportation, most meals, lodging, and program fees)

Participation Selection Criteria: Ohio 4-H Professionals can nominate multiple youth from their county to complete the short video application. Final selection will be based on geographic characteristics and the following criteria:

  • Can embrace unique and different cultures beyond their local communities.
  • Willing to share their experiences through presentations, newsletters, etc. at the local and state level.
  • A good representation of the local 4-H program.

Nomination Deadline: May 1 (contact Leslie Cooksey by April 30th if interested in being nominated).

Teens will be notified of the nomination and will have until May 31 to complete the application requirements.

Participants will be selected and notified in late July 2025

Youth Opportunity: America’s Field Trip Contest….celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence

by

America’s Field Trip is designed to engage America’s youth in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The contest invites ​​3rd–12th grade students to reflect on what America means to them through artwork, poems, and essays for a chance to explore the historic places that have shaped our nation’s rich history. The 2024-2025 contest is now live and will accept submissions through April 16, 2025.

Student awardees will be able to:

  • Participate in a three-day, two-night field trip this summer with airfare and lodging expenses covered for the student awardee and their chaperone
  • Take part in specially curated educational experiences and behind-the-scenes tours at some of the nation’s most iconic historical and cultural sites from the Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo to the National Archives, Yellowstone National Park, and Fort Point at the Golden Gate Bridge

America250 has also worked with Discovery Education to develop lesson plans and other resources to help educators bring the America’s Field Trip contest to their classrooms.

America’s Field Trip 2024-2025 Fact Sheet

Teen Opportunity: Applications are now open for Ohio 4-H Delegates to the 2025 National 4-H Conference!

by

Any 4-H member in Ohio ages *14-18 is able to apply by completing the Qualtrics survey linked below in this email.

Basic Information:

  • National 4-H Conference is specifically focused on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development. Delegates arrive ready to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, their nation, and their world. In 2024, National 4-H Conference returns for youth delegates to attend in-person in Washington, D.C., April 10-16, 2025 (Ohio delegates arrive a day early on April 10. Conference begins April 11).
  • Interested Ohio 4-H members must complete an application via Qualtrics (linked at bottom) by December 1 at 11:59 p.m. *Applicants must be 15-18 as of January 1, 2025, and currently enrolled as an Ohio 4-H member in 2025.
  • After an application is received, the State 4-H Office will request a referral from county 4-H professional for the respective candidate.
  • A selection board of advisors, 4-H educators, and past attendees will review applications and conduct interviews, as needed.
  • Those selected will be expected to fully engage in all pre-conference and conference activities and adhere to all National 4-H guidelines, complete all required work as a result of conference participation, and share knowledge gained with Ohio 4-H upon their return.
  • More information about the opportunity can be found on the website: https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

See the attached document for the example application, and then be sure to have interested members submit an application via Qualtrics: https://go.osu.edu/N4HCapp

2025 National 4-H Conference Delegate Application Questions

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Global Immersion Project – Greece – March 12-23, 2025

by

Participant Selection:  Ohio 4-H Professionals can nominate youth from their county to complete the short video application.  Final selection will be based on geographic characteristics and the below criteria:

  • Have an interest in pursuing a career in agriculture.
  • Can embrace unique and different cultures beyond their local communities.
  • Willing to share their experiences through presentations, newsletters, etc. at the local and state level.
  • A good representation of the local 4-H program.

Please contact Leslie Cooksey if you are interested in being nominated by your county 4-H Educator to apply for this experience. Teens must be nominated by their county 4-H Educator by October 1st.

What is it?

Ohio 4-H Global Immersion Project – Greece | March 12-23, 2025

Who: Ohio 4-H Teens 15-18 (Teens are nominated by Ohio 4-H Professionals)

Where: American Farm School (https://www.afs.edu.gr/) – Thessaloniki, Greece.  It was established in 1904, is renowned for its innovative approach to agricultural education. https://www.afs.edu.gr/afs-at-a-glance/

What: Participants will engage in a variety of educational classroom and field activities, including sensory analysis workshops with products such as feta cheese, honey, and olive oil.   They will tour the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its experimental farms and research centers. Teens will be part of a “Work Internship” with AFS high school students working in cohorts focused on different program units that include:  Animal and Plant Production, Food Science & Technology, and more.  Youth will also participate in a cross-cultural and agricultural career field exploration program designed to help youth learn about careers in agriculture, cross-cultural interactions, workforce preparation and leadership skills.

In addition, youth will help facilitate teambuilding and problem-solving activities through a Leadership Workshop with Greek high school and Jr. high students.  By engaging with these students, the teen leaders will expand their leadership skill development and gain insights into teaching an international audience.

Two off-site cultural experiences include hiking in the Enipea Canyon near Mount Olympus and a visit to UNESCO World Heritage site Meteora, which features monasteries built in the 11th century atop of limestone pillars.  A Greek cooking class, city history tour, and local farmers market activity are included.

Cost: To be determined – based on Grants received (Estimate- $2,000 – $3,000 –  includes airfare, all lodging, most meals, ground transportation, translation services, park entrance and program fees.)

Teen Opportunity: AG Yost Encourages High-School Students to Apply for Teen Ambassador Board

by

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is accepting applications for Yost’s Teen Ambassador Board (TAB) for the 2024-25 academic year.

TAB – which is designed for high-school juniors and seniors from public, private, charter and online schools statewide, including home-schooled students – offers young people an opportunity to engage with state government officials and discuss issues affecting their lives.

“This program allows Ohio teenagers to gain firsthand experience in law and government,” Yost said. “It’s a chance for our future leaders to have their voices heard and to play an active role in shaping their communities.”

Board members serve a one-year term, during which they convene twice in Columbus to collaborate and advise the Attorney General’s Office on matters relevant to teens.

The ideal applicant is a motivated, enthusiastic self-starter who has an interest in law and government, seeks to develop leadership skills, and wants to make a difference.

Board members participate in small group projects, attend presentations, meet with Attorney General Yost, and interact with assistant attorneys general and elected officials.

The submission deadline for applications – an application can be found here – is Sept. 15, 2024. For more information about the program, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/TeenAmbassadorBoard.

Said Yost: “Don’t miss this chance to be part of a dynamic group of young leaders and make a meaningful impact on the state of Ohio.”

Teen Opportunity: 4-H Urban Immersion Project in Washington D.C. Apply by July 31st

by

The 4-H Urban Immersion Project (UIP) is an Ohio 4-H initiative that combines cross-cultural learning, teamwork and service learning in the urban environment of Washington, DC.  This year marks the 11th anniversary of the UIP Experience!

4-H teens ages 15-18 and still in High School are eligible for this 4-day service-learning experience that will build skills and abilities to prepare youth for success in a diverse workplace as well as build cultural understanding of those who are different.  This experience will not be about shopping or sightseeing, although we will visit some monuments and historic sites. The cost of the experience is $200.  All teen applicants will be contacted to complete an additional zoom video/phone interview before selection.   More information about the experience can be found at https://warren.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/urban-immersion-project/dc-immersion-project

  • Who: Teens ages 15-18 (by the date of the trip – still in High School)  –  Space is limited.
  • Where: Washington, DC     (Washington Seminar Center –  201 4th St. SE, Washington, DC)                      
  • When: Thursday (6am), September 19th – Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
  • Application: https://warren.osu.edu/sites/warren/files/imce/2024%20Urban%20Immersion%20Application%20-%20Washington%20D.pdf
  • Cost: $200 (check payable to Warren County Extension) Includes most meals, program fees, overnight lodging and transportation.

4-H Advisors – please pass this information on to those teens who would benefit from an experience like this one.  Application is attached and weblink to application is above.

2024 Urban Immersion Application – Washington D

2024 Summer Judging Results

by
Wow! 403 project judged in two days at 4-H Summer Judging! This includes 273 of our 4-H project members! We are so proud of all members who worked so hard on these projects (additional photos coming soon!).
In the meantime, RESULTS ARE POSTED! go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudgingresults
(sort by division or search by name).
If selected as an Ohio State Fair Participant – please confirm your participation by picking up your OSF packet as soon as possible at the Extension Office (831 College Ave, Suite D). If you can not attend OSF, please notify the office so that we can reach out to the alternate! We need to finalize OSF participation by Monday, July 22nd.
Award winners will receive information later this month about 4-H Summerfest (scheduled for Sunday, August 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Liberty Center).

Ohio 4-H Achievement Award Forms (ages 14-18) due 1/12/2024

by

For youth 14-18 as of January 1, 2024 interested in applying for state & county achievement/merit awards (Beef, Clothing, Leadership, etc.), county trips (Sea Camp, Leadership Camp, etc.), National Dairy Conference, Ohio Township Award, etc. Please use the current version of the form and please use Microsoft Word to edit. DO NOT open/edit in Google Docs!

Ohio 4-H Achievement Form (2024 Form- Word document- Please download to complete)

2024 Achievement Form Instructions – PLEASE READ!

Ohio Achievement Form Suggestions – Achievement form section suggestions can by found by reviewing this form.

State Resource Page

Paper copies of your Ohio 4-H Achievement Form are due to the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12th, 2024. Member should turn in a paper copy of this for for each state opportunity, project area, and trip selected on the cover page.

Questions can be directed to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.