Deadlines

Horse Exhibitors – EquiSTEP due May 1st!!

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Hello Fairfield County Horse Exhibitors,

Just a reminder that EquiSTEP (Equine Safety Training and Educational Program) is required this year in order to satisfy your helmet/horse safety requirement. Please make sure to complete the videos and quiz by May 1st. This is required for all 4-H and FFA members who want to show horses this year. READ THIS ENTIRE MESSAGE BECAUSE THERE ARE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS TO COUNT IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY!

Currently EquiSTEP is housed on an OSU ScarletCanvas online course that is run by the state office. You can enroll in the online course here: https://cfaesosu.catalog.instructure.com/courses/equine-safety-training-and-education-program-09-mz2-e41. If you did EquiSTEP online last year, you will need to re-enroll in this online course because the platform has changed.

If you are using the online course, remember to do the following:

  • If each member of the family has their own email:
    • Each member should sign up for the course
    • Select ‘Modules’ to see the 5 steps.
    • Watch the video(s) that corresponds with each step.
    • Complete the quiz associated with the training. You will need to score at least a 7 out of 10 in order to pass the training.
    • After scoring at least a 7 out of 10 on the quiz, complete the Certificate of Completion/Course Evaluation Survey. Both you and your county 4-H professional will be emailed a certificate that notes you have completed the EquiSTEP training.
    • This certificate of completion is how the Fairfield County 4-H Program knows you have completed the EquiSTEP
  • There is only ONE email with multiple families using it:
    • The family should sign up for the course
    • Select ‘Modules’ to see the 5 steps.
    • All horse exhibitors in the family, Watch the video(s) that corresponds with each step.
    • Complete the quiz on paper in the attached Horse Member Packet. You will need to score at least a 7 out of 10 in order to pass the training. Each member should turn in their quiz & signature form on the paper packet to their Advisor.
    • Complete the Certificate of Completion/Course Evaluation Survey. Both you and your county 4-H professional will be emailed a certificate that notes you have completed the EquiSTEP training.
      • This survey can be completed multiple times updating which family member is completing it
    • Make sure each member turns in their own hard copy (paper) Horse Member Packet to their Advisor. Advisors will submit all paper packets to the office by May 1st!

 

If you are having difficulty accessing the online course, we have found another way to complete the requirement. Below are direct links to all 4 videos. If you have NOT completed EquiSTEP, please watch these videos, complete the horse packet attached, and submit the 2021 Horse Member packet to your advisors. Advisors please turn in all paper copies of the Horse Member Packet to the office by May 1st.

Here are the links to the EquiSTEP Safety Program Videos:

  • Section 1: Head (Helmet Safety)

https://youtu.be/mi8Cov-ydL4

  • Section 2: Hands (Equine Safety & Handling)

Leading a Horse Safely: https://youtu.be/Xi9_pr6ZCg8

Grooming a Horse Safely: https://youtu.be/Q-g5wzk-W8o

Picking Hooves Safely: https://youtu.be/ye7xshZjTXM

How to Safely Hard Tie Your Horse: https://youtu.be/0HHxzWE4sCE

  • Section 3: Health (Equine Health & Nutrition)

Equine Preventative Health Care: https://youtu.be/sg8P86JYiZI

  • Section 4: Heart (Sportsmanship)

Dealing with Adversity: https://youtu.be/6a_NBfcMkpg

 

Make sure to complete the videos and quiz by May 1st. If you have any question, please let Aubry (Fowler.443@osu.edu or 740-653-5419) know.

2021 Barrow and Lamb MQP Information/Deadlines Announced

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Entries for the 2021 Fairfield County Jr. Fair Barrow and Lamb MQP programs are now being accepted. To be considered for a spot in either the 2021 Barrow or Lamb MQP, a completed application and essay (not to exceed 300 words) must be postmarked or received in the Extension Office by the end of business on May 1, 2021.

Barrows will be harvested and processed at Bay Packing in Fairfield County. In order to accommodate such a large harvest and process the pork in a timely fashion, participants or those who have purchased the freezer pork from the participants, must agree to pick up their fresh/frozen pork prior to the Fair at a time to be announced. Cured product, such as bacon or ham, will be available for pick-up at a time yet to be determined after the fair.

Lambs will also be harvested at Bay Packing. Likewise with the freezer pork, in order to be able to accommodate such a large harvest and process the lamb in a timely fashion, participants or those who have purchased the freezer lamb from the participants must agree to pick up their fresh/frozen lamb prior to the Fair at a time yet to be announced.

The application process being required is intended to allow the Barrow and Lamb MQP Show Committees the opportunity to clearly communicate in a timely fashion to participants where they rank on the participant list. The subjective and age appropriate evaluation of the essays by several ‘judges’ will serve as the basis for that ranking that will be completed and announced by May 15 or as soon as possible.

Both Fairfield County’s Barrow and Lamb MQP programs will operate under the following guidelines:

  1. Applications for the 2021 Barrow and/or Lamb MQP programs must be postmarked or received in the OSU Extension office (831 College Avenue, Suite D, Lancaster) by the end of business on May 1, 2021. Applications are  available on the OSUE website under livestock forms. Paper forms will be sent upon request.
  1. With the application, on a separate paper, an essay, not to exceed 300 words, must be included for each contest that is entered. The title of the essay is to be, “Why I want to participate in a livestock project that’s focused on producing high quality pork/lamb that meets the consumer’s demand.”
  1. The essays will be scored and ranked by an independent panel of judges. Only the author’s age, not their name, will be revealed to the judges. Applicants will receive notice by May 15th or as soon as possible of their ranking on theparticipants list.
  1. If a participant must withdraw from the program, he/she must agree to notify the OSU Extension office immediately in order that participants that ranked below them may be moved up on the list.
  2. MQP barrows must be in the exhibitor’s possession by July 15th, and tagged by the club/chapter advisor between July 19th and 30th. The live MQP barrows must be delivered to the Fairgrounds for the conclusion on Sunday, September 26th, between 1 and 2 p.m.
  1. MQP lambs must be brought to the Fairgrounds for tagging and weighing on July 10th, and the live MQP lambs must be delivered to the Fairgrounds for the conclusion on Sunday, October 3rd, between 12:30 and 1 p.m.
  1. Freezer pork and freezer lamb cutting/processing sheets must be submitted when the animals are delivered to the Fairgrounds. These sheets will made available to exhibitors in September.
  1. Immediately following delivery on their respective dates and following the live evaluations, the Show Committees will transport the animals to Bay Packing for harvest on the following morning.Carcass data for both contests will be collected at Bay’s and the scoring of the contests will be conducted under the direction of OSU Swine Specialist Dr. Steve Moeller or his designee.
  1. The fresh frozen freezer pork and lamb must be picked up at a time to be determined prior to the Fair. Smoked/ cured pork product will be available after the Fair.
  2. A concluding educational program where the placings will be announced will be scheduled at a time and place yet to be determined prior to the Fair.

We are privileged to have a local packing house such as Bay Packing who is willing and able to help facilitate the Fairfield County Barrow and Lamb MQP programs by harvesting and processing at least 30 barrows and 25 lambs. We also appreciate the effort of faculty and students in the OSU Animal Science Department who are willing to help score and facilitate this unique program.

Applications can be found on the Fairfield County website under Livestock Information and Resources:

https://go.osu.edu/FClivestockresources

4-H Enrollment Due May 1st!

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Remember in 2020-2021, all 4-H families will again enroll themselves in the Fairfield County 4-H program. If you were a member in 2014-2020, you will be able to enroll your family with your current profile. We have gone to a new version of 4-H Online, version 2, so you may notice some differences. Please read this letter from the State 4-H Online Coordinator.

The link to 4-H Online is https://oh.4honline.com

New 4-H Families: Here are directions to help you with online enrollment – 4-H Online Instructions

Returning 4-H Families: Here are directions to help you with online enrollment – 4-H Online Instructions

Need additional resources to help with Enrollment?

  • Project Selection Resources: 2021 4-H Family Guide and Project Central  can help you look at books and determine projects to take this year
    • Please note these are state publications and do not include our county only projects such as pies, candy making, alfalfa, hay, etc).
  • The 2021 Fairfield County Member Handbook 
  • If the youth is new to Fairfield County 4-H and does not live in Fairfield County, please have them complete an Across County Lines form as soon as possible.
    • Across County Line Membership Policy and Request Form – to be completed once in the lifetime of 4-H Club Membership unless the child moves
    • All forms are pending approval by 4-H Educators in the county of residence and the county they wish to join.
    • Please email these forms to us NOW rather than waiting until May 1st if at all possible considering the approval process. Send forms to Leslie at Cooksey.25@osu.edu as soon as you have them. Do not assume all requests will be approved.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Missy Koenig (Koenig.398@osu.edu or 740-277-4631)

Scholarship Opportunity for Rabbit Exhibitors – due 4/9/2021

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The Buckeye Bunny Supply Memorial Scholarship (In Memory of Alan Worthington) application is now available! Two $250 scholarships will be awarded to a high school senior or current college student who was active as a youth member in the rabbit industry that has excelled in all aspects of their 4-H or FFA career. Deadline to apply is April 9, 2021.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_xWYyyLXxwPE3vy7G7Gni1htGKbnGU32NXdVl9ewowCyHoA/viewform?pli=1

Application Deadlines extended to April 1st for Tar Hollow 4-H Camp Staff and Food Service Staff!

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Interested in sharing the 2021 camp experience with youth and volunteers from Athens, Fairfield, Pickaway, and Ross counties? Good news – the application deadlines for summer program staff and kitchen staff has been extended to April 1st, 2021!

Consider joining our camp staff! Application links with deadlines are posted here:

Camp Staff:

The 2021 Ross Hocking Extension Camp Association Staff Application is now due April 1st, 2021. Staff positions available for Camp Manager, Assistant Camp Manager, Canteen Director/Activity Assistant, Recreation Director, Waterfront Director/Canteen Helper, Lifeguards/Canteen Helpers, Craft Director/Canteen Helper, Naturalist/Canteen Helper.

All positions are subject to changes and modifications after interviews. All positions will be responsible for helping with other camp duties as directed by the Camp Manager/Camp Director and may include basic health checks and cleaning duties.

Kitchen Staff:

The application for 2021 food service staff for the 2021 Tar Hollow 4-H Camp season is now available and will now be due April 1st, 2021. Food Service Staff positions available for Camp Food Service Manager and Staff. Please click here to view and download the application: 2021 Food Service Staff Application Ross Hocking Extension Camp Association.

2021 Camp Staff Applications are Available!

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Interested in sharing the 2021 camp experience with youth and volunteers from Athens, Fairfield, Pickaway, and Ross counties?

Consider joining our camp staff! Application links with deadlines are posted here:

The 2021 Ross Hocking Extension Camp Association Staff Application is due March 1st, 2021. Staff positions available for Camp Manager, Assistant Camp Manager, Canteen Director/Activity Assistant, Recreation Director, Waterfront Director/Canteen Helper, Lifeguards/Canteen Helpers, Craft Director/Canteen Helper, Naturalist/Canteen Helper.

All positions are subject to changes and modifications after interviews. All positions will be responsible for helping with other camp duties as directed by the Camp Manager/Camp Director and may include basic health checks and cleaning duties.

Fairfield County Market Beef Tagging, Weighing, and DNA Sample Collection Procedure for 2021

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For those planning to exhibit 4-H and FFA market beef projects at the 2021 Fairfield County Junior Fair:

This information is available at this link as well.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to change the way we do many things in life that had become seemingly routine. Fortunately, in most cases the advances in technology have allowed many of these changes to take place almost seamlessly. The annual Junior market beef weigh-in and tagging in Fairfield County is an example.

As we continue to be surrounded by the virus, in order to tag market beef as safely as possible, yet ensure the integrity of our show, this year we will be employing a tagging process similar to that utilized by the Ohio State Fair market beef show in recent years.

Youth will be required to tag their market beef animals with a visual and EID tag (unless their calf already has an EID tag, in this case they will apply only a visual tag) and must submit a hair follicle DNA sample prior to weigh-in on March 13, 2021. In advance, families with market beef projects will also be required to reserve a weigh-in time for the March 13 event, and only those directly involved in transporting and weighing-in calves should plan to attend . . . please, no spectators! The goal is to reduce congregation at weigh-in and minimize the transfer of paperwork. Specifically, the step-by-step process includes . . .

1) The deadline for ownership and possession of a market beef project in Fairfield County remains March 1.

2) Youth/families planning to weigh/tag-in market steers and market heifers for the 2021 Fair must submit a request for their tags on-line by completing the survey linked here before March 2, 2021. Complete only one request survey per family.

3) When requesting your tags on-line you will be asked for the first date you would like to pick up your tags and the necessary tagger(s) at the Sr. Fair office. Please order your tags at least two working days prior to your preferred date to pick them up. Senior Fair staff will then contact you to make an appointment for pick up when your tagging packets and taggers are ready. Please be reminded that the Sr. Fair office is typically open M-F from 8:30 a.m. until Noon.

4) The ‘tagging packet’ will include a combination visual numbered ear and EID tag (EID tags are sometimes also called RFID tags; radio frequency identification), and a small zip lock plastic bag for supplying a hair/DNA sample. If a calf already has an EID tag, that original tag must remain in the animal and you will not receive a new EID tag for that calf. It is a violation of Federal law to EVER remove an ‘840’ EID tag.

If your calf does not already have an EID tag, your kit for that calf will include a combo visual/EID tag.

NOTE: Tag applicators may be borrowed from the Sr. Fair Office at the time tagging packets are picked up and must be returned in a timely fashion at a time agreed upon at the time they are received. Exhibitors needing assistance in tagging should contact their 4-H/FFA advisor for assistance.

5) Youth/families are expected to apply the required tags in the calf’s ear prior to weigh/tag-in on March 13, 2021 and submit their individual exhibitor, calf tagging, housing and County Bred, Born & Raised information on a second survey linked here before March 11, at 12 noon.

NOTE: Those participating in the Born, Bred, and Raised (B, B & R) in Fairfield County show may upload their breeder signed B, B & R form when submitting their individual calf information on-line in the second form found linked above, or must turn in their signed B, B & R in an envelope on weigh in day. A copy of the B, B & R form is linked here. Be certain all information is complete and your breeder is a member of the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association (FCCA). FCCA membership details may be found linked here.

6) In the second survey linked above each family will also select the time they will arrive with their calf(s) to be weighed and checked in on March 13. All tagged calves must be weighed in on March 13, 2021, at the Fairfield Cattle Company facility located at 3443 Cincinnati-Zanesville Road (S.R. 22), Lancaster.

7) By the time of tagging youth/families are also expected to submit a hair follicle DNA sample from each calf they tag in. The zip lock plastic bag for submitting this hair sample is included in each ‘tagging packet’ and can be seen in the photo above. If you’ve not done this before, see this one minute YouTube for detail on how to collect the hair sample: https://youtu.be/Upl-09ZOLF0

8) Any unused tagging packets including the tags and/or any extra EID tags must be returned to the Sr. Fair Office along with completed tagging packets that include the hair DNA sample, and details of who will be potentially exhibiting each calf. These packets may be returned at the time taggers are returned, or at weigh-in on March 13, 2021.

For more information on this new tagging and weighing process for your 2021 Fairfield County Fair market beef animals, contact Junior Fair Director Chuck Miller at: keywest100@att.net.