Community Service

Next Bottle Cap Weigh In: May 18th

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4-H Clubs do you have bottle caps to weigh in?

Thank you to those who dropped off bottle caps on May 8th! The countywide collection is currently 75% toward its goal of 1,000 lbs.

If you still have bottle caps to drop off, please join the Junior Leaders on Tuesday, May 18th from 5-7pm in the Beef Barn.

Please bring all clean plastic bottle caps in a trash bag and/or box to the May Weigh-Ins at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds!

If you have questions, please contact Aubry (Fowler.443@osu.edu). If this date doesn’t work for you, a time can be arranged to drop them off at the Extension Office. Collection will continue until 1,000 lbs are collected.

Community Service Grants for ServeOhio Day – 4-H Club Opportunity

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Funding Available for ServeOhio Day Volunteer Projects

ServeOhio – along with partners American Electric Power Foundation and AmeriCorps – is pleased to announce the availability of grants to support community service projects organized for ServeOhio Day on June 19, 2021. ServeOhio Day coincides with the summer solstice – the day with the longest period of daylight in the year – providing the most ample opportunity to volunteer annually. Grant awards will range between $500 to $2,000.

How can the funding be used?

The grants support projects that create or improve community assets or infrastructure such as parks, schools, senior centers, community gardens or low-income homes through volunteer engagement. Funds may be used for supplies, materials and volunteer support.

Who is eligible to apply?

Non-profit and public organizations in Ohio including, but not limited to, volunteer centers, school districts, community colleges, universities, and local governments are eligible to apply.

Ready to apply?

For the application and instructions, visit the ServeOhio website. The application deadline is May 18, 2021 at 11:59 PM. We look forward to receiving your application.

New 4-H Volunteers Needed!

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There are many ways to volunteer with the Fairfield County 4-H Program! Now is the time to apply to be a 4-H Advisor and help in a current club within Fairfield County. There are many clubs that need YOUR help – You don’t have to start a new club or be a 4-H expert, just someone who wants to help youth make the best better!

Applications can be found here: 2021 Prospective New Volunteer Packet

Completed Applications and criminal history fingerprint record check are due to the Extension Office by February 1st. If you have any questions, please contact our office!

Summer Judging – Please Schedule an Interview Time by 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 10th!

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Greetings 4-Hers!

Thank you to those who recently responded to last week’s survey regarding project completion options. We have taken survey responses into consideration, along with OSU’s guidance on primarily using virtual options for events due to the potential continued spread of COVID-19. In that light, we will be conducting project judging interviews using the online video conference format called Zoom. This will allow for a live, interactive interview with a judge and 4-Her. For those 4-Hers that do not have access to adequate technology to support a Zoom interview, we will offer a few limited slots for an in-person interview. Please read details below before choosing your judging appointment.

All SUMMER project judging will be conducted the week of July 13th. Projects will be judged on these originally scheduled days:

  • Monday, July 13: Food, Home Dec, Genealogy, Laundry, Health, Child Care
  • Tuesday, July 14: Demonstration, Communication, Creative Arts
  • Wednesday, July 15: Engineering and Environmental Science
  • Thursday, July 16: Clothing

Awards this year will be simplified with Outstandings and Honorable Mentions across projects. There is no state-level competition this year, so the primary focus of county judging will be the interview experience and an opportunity for the 4-Her to share what they have learned. Note: we will not be awarding special overall food or clothing awards this year.

Project displays: in order to offer flexibility, you may create a poster and have it near you for zoom judging, or a digital poster that you could ‘screen share’ and later print out to display at the fair. Note: food projects will NOT be required to complete a portfolio this year. Instead you could do a mini poster to display at the fair. The choice is yours.

Online (Zoom) Judging for all summer projects:

  • Extension staff will ‘host’ the meeting and send a link to the judge and 4-Her. Staff will remain online throughout the meeting as tech support, timekeeper and to provide a 2nd adult to avoid any one-on-one meetings with youth.
  • 4-Her and judge will utilize their own computer with a camera or device from their own homes.
  • This is a ‘live’ interactive interview and the judge can ask 4-Her questions.
  • Training will be provided on how to participate in a zoom interview.

In-person Judging for youth without access to internet or computer/phone:

  • Note: this option is reserved for members who cannot do a zoom interview because they do not have access to technology
  • Safety measures:
    • 4-Hers, judges and staff will be asked to wear masks. (provided if needed)
    • Plexiglass tabletop shields positioned between the judge and 4-Her
    • 6-foot distance between everyone
    • Surfaces will be sanitized after each 4-Her
  • Held at the Ed Sands building at the fairgrounds the week of July 13.
  • 4-Hers will wait in their car until it is time to be judged.

As a reminder, if you have a project that you do not plan to complete, please email Missy Koenig at Koenig.398@osu.edu with the project you wish to drop from your record. You also have the option of interviewing with your club advisor for project completion. Please contact your advisor to make arrangements.

We are excited to see all that you have completed and learned in your 4-H projects this summer. Please click on this link to schedule your SUMMER judging appointment by 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 10th: Summer Judging Scheduling Link.  Please note:  If you have multiple summer projects or multiple 4-H members, you will need to re-select the link to schedule additional projects, it is not member specific.

~Fairfield County 4-H Team

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.

Sewing masks?

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For those families who have been sewing masks to assist with COVID-19 efforts, we are getting numerous contacts on places that are seeking donations. We will continue to list contact information for these places on this blog post.

Homemade cloth masks:

2021 4-H Youth in Action Award Applications Now Open!

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In 4‑H, you’ve developed your passion. You’ve found your purpose. You’ve inspired others – and now you’re moving forward. Share how 4‑H propelled you to change your community and you could earn a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. for National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards!

The 2021 4‑H YOUTH IN ACTION APPLICATION is now open! 

Learn more about the 2020 4‑H YOUTH IN ACTION PILLAR WINNERS AND FINALISTS HERE.

The 4‑H Youth in Action Program recognizes four confident young leaders with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives in our core pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM.

Each Pillar Winner will experience an exciting year of telling their 4‑H story and celebrating their leadership. Winners receive:

  • $5,000 higher education scholarship
  • Promotional video showcasing their 4‑H impact story
  • All-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards
  • Networking opportunities with 4‑H celebrities and other prominent alumni
  • Recognition as the official 4‑H youth spokesperson for their pillar

One Pillar Winner will be selected as the 4‑H Youth in Action National Award Winner and will receive an additional higher education scholarship.

For more information, click here.

The Junior Leaders Need YOUR Help!

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The Fairfield County Junior Leaders are partnering with the Lancaster Kiwanis Club to participate in Project Backpack. Items are needed to fill backpacks that will be given to children in Fairfield County who are receiving emergency care from Child Protective Services.

Items needed are:

  • Travel Size Shampoo, Body Wash, or Toothpaste
  • Single Packaged Toothbrushes
  • Small Coloring Books
  • Small Packs of Crayons
  • Stickers
  • Small Stuffed Animals (Beanie Baby Sized)
  • Age Appropriate Books for Babies to Teen
  • Journal Notebooks

Items can be dropped off at the Fairfield County Extension Office (831 College Ave, Suite D, Lancaster, OH). Items need to be received by Mon. March 23rd

Share the flyer below with your club families as this would be a great community service project to start off the 4-H year!

National 4-H Youth in Action Awards: 2021 Applications are OPEN!

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It’s a new year, and we’re introducing a new application season for the Youth in Action program! We’ve heard from Extension professionals and students that spring is a better time for youth to apply for scholarships, so we’ve shifted our application season to better support 4-H’ers and professionals alike! From January 29 – April 27, 2020 youth can share their stories of developing passion, finding purpose and inspiring others by applying for the 4-H Youth in Action Awards for a chance to earn a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, DC! Learn more.

Junior Leader 1st Meeting – January 13th!

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Fairfield County youth ages 13-18 are welcome to join Junior Leaders –  Join us Monday, January 13th at 6:00p.m. at the Extension Office as we kick off our year!

What is Junior Leadership Club?

A group of older 4-H youth from across the county. This club is designed for older youth BY older youth. Some of the activities we do throughout the county are: social outings, community service, fundraising, leadership opportunities, and assisting at county events.

When do they meet?

The Junior Leaders typically meet monthly on Mondays at 6 PM and ending at 7:30 PM.

Where are the meetings at?

The OSU Extension Office in Lancaster (831 College Ave.) also known as the Ag Center.

Who can join?

Anyone who is 13-18 years old and a current 4-H member of Fairfield County.

When can you join?

Any time during the year. All you have to do is show up to a meeting.

What do we do at the meetings?

Jr. Leaders discuss and plan what is going to happen each year in Fairfield County 4-H. Members of Junior Leaders work on different committees to come up with the plan of work each year.