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 13^th. 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 2^nd 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