FFA

Attention 4-H/FFA Horse Exhibitors: Items due by June 1st

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Reminder, the following forms are due for Primary AND Back-up horses on June 1st to the Extension Office.

  • Horse ID Form with 1 Photo
    • Photo Requirement: It should be a side photo of the horse that must show youth, horse’s face and any leg markings
  • Negative Coggins Test from your Veterinarian
  • Horse Housing Form ( if not housed at your address)
  • Horse Lease (if applicable)
  • Pony Form (if applicable)

The following items are also due per exhibitor by June 1st:

If you have questions, please visit: https://fairfield.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/pas-horse-show-information or contact Aubry Fowler at email: fowler.443@osu.edu or phone: 740-653-5419.

Quality Assurance should be completed for Ohio State Fair exhibitors by June 1st

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Fairfield County 4-H and FFA youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2023 to meet the 45 days prior to the Ohio State Fair exhibition (as required by the Ohio Department of Agriculture). Youth who do not meet this requirement, will have any entries denied.

If youth still need to complete Quality Assurance to meet this requirement and your club/chapter is not planning to host their own QA Clinic by June 1st, we recommend you complete QA through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals online modules or attend the countywide makeup QA Trainings on May 6th or May 21st.

  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Saturday May 6th from 9:00-10:30 a.m. or Sunday, May 21st from 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. in the Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds. An RSVP is required. Please click here to register for a countywide QA makeup clinic.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2023, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/ for the training and quiz.
    • Instructions for using the new website can be found at: 2022 YQCA Website Instructions
    • Exhibitors must complete by June 30, 2023 or they will not be able to show at the Fairfield County Fair.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually).
    • When you are finished, please send name(s) and certificate number(s) to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Ohio Department of Agriculture – Exhibition Ownership Rules Clarified

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Complete list of rule updates: Ohio Youth Livestock Exhibition Rules 4.17.23

Leasing MARKET animals for youth exhibition projects is NOT permitted under any circumstances.

Ownership
For market animals, dairy animals, and owned (not leased) breeding livestock:
1. An animal cannot be used by more than one youth member per project year.

2. The same animal cannot be used for more than one project per project year (i.e., a single heifer cannot be shown as both a market and a breeding project).

3. An animal may only be exhibited by the project member in any junior livestock exhibition, including at the Ohio State Fair.
a. Excludes show/class conflicts at the exhibition, “showman of showmen” type classes, or extenuating circumstances. Check with local exhibition sponsor to determine what circumstances may qualify.
b. For junior fair classes where education or charity is the purpose (e.g., pee wee, special needs, Dean’s Charity Steer Show, etc.), ensure that the exhibitor is involved in the mentoring of the individual showing the animal in that class.
c. Refer to “junior livestock show/exhibition” definition above.

4. In shows outside of “junior livestock show/exhibitions,” a project animal may only be shown by the youth exhibitor or family members. If shown by a youth outside of the immediate family, this constitutes a change in ownership.
a. “Family” means the immediate family of an exhibitor, including but not limited to the exhibitor’s parent, step-parent, foster parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster grandparent, brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister, half-brother, half-sister, son, daughter, step-son, step-daughter, or legal guardian.

5. All market, dairy, and breeding animals exhibited at a junior livestock exhibition must be fully owned by the exhibitor or household as defined in OAC 901-19-39 as evidenced by a bill of sale or registration, including all showing rights, and in the complete custody and care of the exhibitor on or before possession deadlines.

6. Ownership of an animal shall be considered lost if the animal has been:
a. Leased to a different individual (not the project member) after the applicable possession date,
b. Consigned to or sold through an auction or any other type of transaction that takes place prior to the junior livestock exhibition, after the applicable possession date even if the animal is bought back by the exhibitor.

7. The exhibitor is expected to fully provide daily care for their animal(s) from the possession deadline to the conclusion of the exhibition/sale. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring adequate access to clean, fresh water, feed, and shelter while ensuring good health and welfare of the animal. If not possible, in extenuating circumstances, the exhibitor is responsible for contacting the local Extension office and/or FFA advisor to ensure transparency. Additional paperwork may be necessary, as determined at the local level (i.e., Ohio 4-H Livestock Care Agreement

Attention Livestock Exhibitors: Quality Assurance Requirements

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Quality Assurance is an annual requirement of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for youth taking livestock projects to county and state fair. In Fairfield County, Quality Assurance Training is required for all members who will be exhibiting a livestock project at the Fairfield County Fair or Junior Exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair. Beef (Breeding & Market); Dairy Breeding & Dairy Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.

Deadlines for 2023:

  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2023.
  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 30, 2023

At this time, Quality Assurance CANNOT be taught by club/chapter advisors to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA youth virtually (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Google Classrooms, Facebook Live, etc.).

Here are the acceptable options to complete Quality Assurance in 2023:

  • In-Person 4-H Club/FFA Chapter Clinic taught by a 4-H/FFA Advisor who has completed the Quality Assurance Assistant Instructor Training this year. Advisors who attended this training will notify their members of their club/chapter QA Clinic date and will be responsible for getting all QA paperwork submitted to the Extension Office by the appropriate deadlines.
  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Saturday, May 6th from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and Sunday, May 21st from 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. in the Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds. An RSVP is required. Please click here to register for a countywide QA makeup clinic.
  • In-Person Beef Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person BQA taught by a certified BQA instructor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.
  • In-Person Pork Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person PQA taught by a certified PQA advisor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu. Youth MUST be age 14 or older (current age) to complete in-person PQA. Youth will receive a PQA certification number from the National Pork Board upon completion.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2023, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/ for the training and quiz.
    • Exhibitors must complete by June 30, 2023 or they will not be able to show at the Fairfield County Fair.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually). Members should complete the age appropriate training with age as of January 1st.
    • When you are finished, please send a copy of your completion certificate which includes your name and certificate number to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.
    • Instructions: YQCA_HelpDoc_GettingYourWBTCertification

Countywide (make-up) Youth Quality Assurance Trainings: May 6th and May 21st (RSVP required)

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The FIRST of two make-up countywide Quality Assurance Clinics will be held Saturday, May 6th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds (Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building) from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Advanced registration is required. RSVP by completing the survey at this link. Please arrive on time so we can get the training started promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Quality Assurance Training is required for all members who will be exhibiting a livestock project at the Fairfield County Fair or Junior Exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair. This includes the following projects: Beef (Breeding & Market); Dairy Breeding & Dairy Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.
Members are required to attend one Quality Assurance Clinic taught by a certified instructor. Members should sign in at the beginning of the clinic and complete a questionnaire at the end of the clinic. Please return the questionnaire to an adult instructor at the clinic.

The SECOND QA Clinic will be Sunday, May 21st from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., in the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building. Advanced registration is required. RSVP by completing the survey at this link.

Ohio 4-H Virtual Livestock Judging Contest

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How would you like to participate in a judging contest and gain judging experience from your phone? The contest began on Thursday via Facebook. Each week a class will be posted on the Ohio State – 4-H Animal Sciences Facebook page with a link to fill out your information and placing selections. It is open to participants of all ages and states. The species will include cattle, swine, sheep, and goats.

The rules are simple:

  • It is 100% FREE
  • Participate each week before results are posted
  • The contest is open to all ages
  • Results will be posted at the beginning of each week
  • The contest will run for 6 weeks

Division champions will be selected and are divided as follows:

  • Novice (0-7)
  • Junior (8-11)
  • Intermediate (12-14)
  • Senior (15-18)
  • Advanced (19+)
Check out judgingpro.com for additional species and resources.

Participate every week for a chance to be named the Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences Virtual Judging Champion!

Be sure to include this in your 4-H and FFA record books under learning experiences!

Sources: Licking County 4-H Blog and Ohio State – 4-H Animal Sciences Facebook Page

Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board Applications Open – due 3/1/2023

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Encourage your organization members to attend the virtual information session to learn more about JFB!

The Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is made up of our great state’s best and brightest young leaders, hand-picked to contribute to the success of the Ohio State Fair each year. These students come together for two weeks of hard work, building enduring friendships, and professional relationships along the way.

JFB virtual information session

Details: Join us for a virtual information session where past Junior Fair Board members will share the ins and outs of the position and answer questions from participants!
A recording of the session will be available at ohiostatefair.com/jfb the following day.

What are the requirements for my organization members?

In addition to being an outstanding leader, prospective members should meet the following general criteria:

  • 16 – 20 years old
  • Currently a member of 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or Farm Bureau
  • Highly involved members in their organization
  • Significant accomplishments within the organization (i.e. competition at the state and/or national level, leadership experiences, community service/volunteer experiences, etc.)
  • Leadership experience with the potential and desire to continue to grow as a leader
  • Very responsible, respectful and professional
  • Members are only eligible to serve one two year term on the JFB representing one organization

What is the time commitment?

Junior Fair Board members commit approximately two weeks of time to the Ohio State Fair, arriving the Monday prior to the Fair’s Wednesday opening. First year Junior Fair Board members are paid a flat-rate stipend for their service; returning members will receive a higher stipend for their second year of service.

How do my organization members apply?

Member of 4-H, Boy Scouts, Farm Bureau, FFA, and Girl Scouts are eligible to apply. Interested students can also apply to serve as an at-large member if they represent one or more of these organizations. All interested applicants should submit the official Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board application through the online application portal between January 1 and March 1.

Ohio FFA Foundation Scholarships – Due 2/1/2023

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One application for three scholarship opportunities!

Visit https://ohioffa.org/foundation/programs/scholarships to find the application link.

The application includes 3 essay questions and students must upload their current resume. Please have your essay responses and resume prepared in other documents to copy into the application, as you cannot save your work and return later. The resume file must be saved as a .pdf file.

Essay Questions (500 word limit for each question):

  1. Describe how your involvement in FFA has shaped who you are.
  2. What are your academic goals? Why did you decide to go to college?
  3. How has your involvement in the FFA prepared you to succeed in college?

***Question ONLY for those applying for the Ohio State Fair Endowment scholarship***

List in detail how you have participated at the Ohio State Fair including areas of participation and year. Be sure to include and highlight your FFA participation at the Ohio State Fair. (Please include your plans for this upcoming year).

You can find the questions and eligibility requirements by visiting the scholarship webpage found at https://ohioffa.org/foundation/programs/scholarships/.

Remember only one application is needed per student.

Questions can be directed to the Ohio FFA Foundation staff at kmann@ohioffa.org.

Source: Ohio Ag Ed Newsletter – January 24, 2023