Junior Fair Results are now posted on our website. Click here to view!
2020 Junior Fair Updates by specie have been organized and posted by specie on the OSU Extension/4-H website. Please note that this information is current as of 10/8/2020 and is subject to change. Updated documents will be reposted to this site with the updated date noted next to the specie should that need to happen. http://go.osu.edu/2020fairinfo
Items that have been updated since they were originally posted on 9/23/2020:
Please take the time to read all updates as it pertains to your family and Junior Fair participation this year. Please review the 2020 General Rules and Modified Junior Fair Schedule listed at the top of this page. Additionally, since no updated rule book was printed for 2020, it is important to read the 2019 Junior Fair Book rules as well for your respective specie. All of this information is listed on this page of the website.
Please reach out if you have any questions at all!
Here is a screenshot of our OSU Extension/4-H website where the updates are posted. Below the 2020 updates, you will find links to the 2019 Junior Fair Rule Book.
2020 Junior Fair Updates by specie have been organized and posted by specie on the OSU Extension/4-H website. Please note that this information is current as of 9/23/2020 and is subject to change. Updated documents will be reposted to this site with the updated date noted next to the specie should that need to happen. http://go.osu.edu/2020fairinfo
Please take the time to read all updates as it pertains to your family and Junior Fair participation this year. Please review the 2020 General Rules and Modified Junior Fair Schedule listed at the top of this page. Additionally, since no updated rule book was printed for 2020, it is important to read the 2019 Junior Fair Book rules as well for your respective specie. All of this information is listed on this page of the website.
Please reach out if you have any questions at all!
Here is a screenshot of our OSU Extension/4-H website where the updates are posted. Below the 2020 updates, you will find links to the 2019 Junior Fair Rule Book.
4-H members are required to complete a project or record book each year for each of the projects in which they are enrolled. In past years, advisors reviewed project books for livestock, horse, gardening/crop projects at the club level – unless members pursued the Premier Exhibitor Contest, where they turned in their project book at the fair to compete in the Project Book Contest.
Likewise, FFA members are required to complete project records for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects through AET. If FFA members chose to participate in Premier Exhibitor in the past, they also turned in a printed version of their project records from AET to be reviewed in the Project Book Contest.
In 2020, Skillathons returned to the Fairfield County Junior Fair and the Project Book Contest and Premier Exhibitor Test have been discontinued for the Premier Exhibitor Contests. Originally, our plan was to have project books reviewed as a station of in-person Skillathons. The books would have been quickly reviewed in person by a judge who also would have interviewed the exhibitors on what they have learned from their 4-H/FFA project(s). Due to COVID-19 and moving Skillathons virtually, this in-person book review could not take place and an alternative plan was established.
Our alternative plan to review project books this year will be a county level review. 4-H Project/Record Books will be reviewed by 4-H Staff at the Extension Office while FFA Record Books will be reviewed by each FFA Advisor in their respective chapters.
What do exhibitors need to do?
What do 4-H advisors need to do?
Drop-off schedule:
How will 4-H Staff/FFA Advisors review books?
Details on 4-H Project Books:
The newer 4-H livestock record books are designed to include records for all projects taken in that specie. Add additional pages if needed if you are keeping separate records (i.e. pygmy vs. dairy goats). If you are taking more than one project in a specie, you should fill out all information applicable for those projects in your 4-H record book (market, breeding, feeders, etc). Those projects that share ONE 4-H record book are as follows:
The 4-H livestock record books that have not been updated by Ohio 4-H in recent years have separate books for breeding and market. 4-H members taking both market and breeding should be completing a book for each project.
Additional books that should be completed for the following projects:
Book Drop-Off Exceptions:
Additional questions can be addressed to Leslie Cooksey, 4-H Extension Educator, by email at cooksey.25@osu.edu. Additionally, feel free to listen to this recording of an interview with Connie Smith featured on 88.9 The Farm Page on Saturday, September 12th where 4-H and FFA project/record books are discussed: https://u.osu.edu/thenews/files/2020/09/LeslieBooks.2020.mp3
For a printable version of this information, click here: 2020 Project Book Information
There have been many hours and planning put in to discuss Junior Fair options for the 2020 Fairfield County Fair. There is no doubt that the 2020 Fairfield County Junior Fair will be different – but we are doing everything to plan a fair for our 4-H and FFA members to showcase their projects they have been working hard on. These decisions are difficult and sometimes ever changing. We understand there is a lot to keep up with and we appreciate your patience and flexibility. Please note that multiple meetings have taken place by various groups of volunteers, FFA Advisors, 4-H Educators, Junior Fair Directors, Senior Fair Board members, and Superintendents. They have done so with the kids in mind every step of the way. More details will be forthcoming as it relates to health and safety expectations, how each specie will run their show with safety precautions, animal release details for each specie, camping, and admission. The 2020 Junior Fair will not be open to the public. Plans are in the works to provide a live broadcast for most shows/judgings during fair week.
The main ideas on the following schedule are as follows:
All of these decisions are for 2020 only. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Junior Fair Director, Chuck Miller, (keywest100@att.net) or 4-H Educator, Leslie Cooksey, (cooksey.25@osu.edu).
As approved by the Fairfield County Senior Fair Board as of 8/25/2020:
Friday August 28th
4 p.m. All Junior Fair Entries are due in the Senior Fair Office
Tuesday September 1st
8 a.m. Junior Fair Virtual Skillathons open on-line for all Junior Fair Exhibitors (information will be sent by email and posted on the 4-H Blog). Click here for more information.
Friday September 4th
All Junior Fair Livestock Exhibitors must have completed Quality Assurance.
Friday September 11th
4 p.m. Junior Fair Queen, Commodity Representatives, and Friend of the Junior Fair Award Applications are due at the OSU Extension Office.
Sunday September 20th
In-person Skillathon (by appointment) for those needing internet access. Click here for more information.
Monday September 21st
8 a.m. Project books completed through September 18th may start to be turned into the OSU Extension Office by way of the 4-H/FFA Advisor. (Last day to turn in is Friday, September 25th 4 p.m.).
6 p.m. Lamb & Wool Queen Applications due to Trish Preston: e-mail Trish at raridanpreston1@gmail.com
8 p.m. Must have completed the Virtual Skillathon.
Tuesday September 22nd
6 p.m. Queen Finalist Interviews, Location TBA
Friday September 25th
4 p.m. Project Books completed through September 18th must be turned into the OSU Extension Office – Advisors must have all members books turned in by 4 p.m.
6 p.m. All beef exhibitors must contact Chris Turner, Beef Superintendent, to inform him if you are stalling in the barn or tying out your beef project at the fair. Email Chris at turnerc@libertyunion.org
Sunday September 27th
1 p.m. Barrow MQP Show – Feeder Creek Vet Arena.
Wednesday September 30th
7 p.m. Show Committee Meeting – Zoom or Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building, Location TBD
Sunday October 4th
12:30 p.m. Sheep MQP – Feeder Creek Vet Arena
Saturday October 10th
8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Swine Weigh-In & Check-In – Swine Barn
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Breeding Rabbit Check-In – # 50 Building – DO NOT BRING YOUR BREEDING ANIMAL, but you must check in with Rabbit Committee to verify your classes for Thursday’s Show.
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Market Rabbit Weigh In & Tagging – # 50 Building – You may bring up to two pairs (1 fryer pair, 1 roaster pair). Market rabbits will be placed in cages after weigh-in and stay at the fair.
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Market Beef & Feeder Weigh-In – Beef Barn
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Beef Heifer & Feeder Weigh-In & Check-In.
4 p.m. All 4-H/FFA Shop and Crop Exhibits must be in place in the 4-H Display Barn.
Sunday October 11th
8 a.m. Dog Show Registration and Show – Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena
TBD – Junior Fair Livestock Judging Contest
10 a.m. Companion Animal Show – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
10 a.m. Market Sheep arrival and to be penned in the AAA Building
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Market Sheep Weigh-In & tag checking – AAA Building
12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Market Chicken & Market Duck Weigh-In # 19 Poultry Building – Market Animals will be housed at Poultry Barn until show on Monday.
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Breeding Poultry Projects & Turkey Projects – Check-In and verify your classes with the Poultry Committee – # 19 Poultry Building. (DO NOT BRING YOUR BREEDING ANIMALS UNTIL POULTRY SHOW ON MONDAY).
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Pygmy Goat Check-In – Round Cattle
3 p.m. Swine Showmanship – Feeder Creek Vet Arena
4 to 5 p.m. Dairy Feeder Weigh-In – Round Cattle Barn
6 p.m. Junior Fair Queen Contest (By Invitation only)
Monday October 12th
8 a.m. Opening Ceremony & Queen Announcement and attendants – Ricketts Hall (by Invitation Only)
8 a.m. Poultry Turkey and Breeding Animals should arrive for Show – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
8:30 a.m. Market Swine Show – Feeder Creek Vet Arena
9 a.m. Poultry Show (Turkey & Showmanship) – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
11 a.m. Pygmy Goat Show – Round Cattle Barn
12:30 p.m. Poultry Show (Market & Breeding) Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
3 p.m. Cakes, Pies, and Candies Judging – 4-H Display (1:30 to 3 p.m. for Zoom, if requested)
4 p.m. Market Goat Weigh – In AAA Building
Tuesday October 13th
7:30 a.m. Dairy Goat Check-In – AAA- Building (animals will be trucked in and trucked out)
8:30 a.m. Dairy Feeder Show – Round Cattle Barn
9 a.m. Dairy Goat Show – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
10 a.m. Beef Show, Breeding, Feeders, Steers – Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena
12 p.m. Meat Doe and Market Wether Goat Show – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
Wednesday October 14th
8:30 a.m. Horse Show Competition (Classes 1 through 33) – Horse Show Outdoor Arena
8:30 a.m. Sheep Show (Showmanship – starting with Seniors, Breeding, Under/Over Market Class, Lunch Break, Market) – Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena
8:30 a.m. Market Rabbit Show – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
10 a.m. Dairy Cattle Breeding Show and Showmanship – Round Cattle Barn
12:30 p.m. Rabbit Showmanship – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building (No animals required)
Thursday October 15th
9 a.m. Horse Show (Classes 34 through 64) – Outdoor Horse Arena
TBD Super Showmanship
10 a.m. Alpaca Show – Round Cattle Barn (Truck in day of show)
10 a.m. Breeding Rabbits should arrive at the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building (Must be checked in on Saturday October 10th with Rabbit Committee to show.
12 p.m. Rabbit Breeding Show – Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building
5 p.m. Junior Fair Livestock Auction Session 1 – (Market Beef, Dairy Products, Dairy Feeder, Swine) Feeder Creek Vet Arena
Friday October 16th
9 a.m. Junior Fair Livestock Champions on Display #50 Building
9 a.m. Rain Date for Horse Show – Outdoor Horse Arena
10:00 a.m. Junior Fair Livestock Auction Session 2 – (Market Lambs, Market Rabbits, Market Poultry, Dairy Goat Products, Market Goats) – Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena
*** Animals will be released following your show (both market & breeding) except for Champion and Reserve Champion Market Beef/Market Goats/Market Sheep/Market Swine. The exact time you can remove your animals will be determined by Junior Fair Director and Superintendents of your show and will be announced.
The Fairfield County Fair Board has set a 10 p.m. curfew for the grounds each day as requested by the Governor at 10 p.m. No exhibitors or parents should be in the buildings so cleaning can be taking place.
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Award sponsors should have received their invoices to make payment toward sponsoring 2020 Junior Fair Awards. Please send payment in as soon as possible. If questions, contact Ashleigh Traster at 740-503-4980 or by email at ashleigh.trasterffw3@gmail.com. Please note, Ashleigh is the new Junior Fair Awards Coordinator!
The following awards are currently not sponsored for 2020 as of August 19, 2020. Please contact Ashleigh (contact information listed above) to be sure the award is still available. Thank you in advance!
Book 1 – Dairy
Book 2 – Beef
Book 3 – Swine
Book 4 – Sheep
Book 6 – Dairy Goats
Book 7 – Meat/Market Goats
Book 10 – Poultry
Book 11 – Rabbits
Book 12 – 4-H/FFA Crops
Book 13 – FFA Agriculture Engineering/Production
Book 14 – Dogs
Book 15 – Companion Animals
Book 19 – Nutrition
Book 20 – Clothing
Super Showmanship
Special 4-H Club Awards
We are so proud of the hard work 4-H members have put into their projects this year! Congrats to all!
Here are the results of our members who participated in judging on Day 3 (Wednesday, July 15th). For a complete list of results, click here.
The 2020 Junior Fair Project guidelines are now available. This is an overall snapshot of what should be completed in your project book, possession dates, quality assurance and skillathon information, as well as what is expected for those projects that are to be interview judged at the fair (cakes, pies, candies, companion animals).
All dates are subject to change as adjustments are made to accommodate health and safety priorities related to COVID-19.
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:
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:
In-person Judging for youth without access to internet or computer/phone:
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
Dandelion Detectives is a STEM activity targeting 3-7 graders where participants work together to measure the value of weeds for insects. Dandelion Detectives will take place over the summer of 2020 and participants can be located in Ohio or surrounding Midwestern states.
The Dandelion Detectives project can be completed in one day of your choice (June-August) and involves: taking a pre and post questionnaire about insects; observing insects at an “Observation Dandelion” created using simple provided materials and sugar water mixture; and conducting a lawn weed survey. Participating Dandelion Detectives will be able to upload their findings to a project website. At the end of the project, students will receive a “Student Scientist” certificate and will have access to all of the data collected by the project team!
Toolkits containing all materials to participate in Dandelion Detectives can be ordered for $10 (to cover shipping fees) at this link. We also offer a do-it-yourself option here.
To sign up for Dandelion Detectives or for more information, visit this website: https://u.osu.edu/dandeliondetectives/
Contact the DD team with any questions: dandeliondetectives@gmail.com; Dr. Gardiner is a Professor of Entomology at the Ohio State University and an Extension State Specialist.