Gardening & Conservation

Save the Dates: 2023 Summer Judging will be July 11-13

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Continuing for 2023, we will be having summer project judging on 3 days. The judging schedule will be as follows and project judging will take place at the Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds. Additionally, one change for 2023 is that ALL Self-Determined Projects will be judged on the same day

Tuesday, July, 11, 2023

  • Food and Nutrition Projects
  • Creative Arts Projects
  • Family & Consumer Sciences Miscellaneous Projects
  • ALL Self-Determined Projects

Wednesday, July, 12, 2023

  • Leadership
  • Communications
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Sciences

Thursday, July 13, 2023

  • Clothing/Sewing Projects
  • Style Revue to take place that evening at 7:00 p.m. (location TBD)

Attention youth interested in beekeeping – here’s a scholarship opportunity!

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Student Beekeeping Scholarship Opportunity sponsored by the Fairfield County Beekeepers Association.

Fairfield County Beekeepers Association( FCBA) will award  2 or more beekeeping scholarships for 2023, to FFA student members, 4-H participants, or Ag. class students; ages 12 – 19. Students who apply should demonstrate a strong interest in becoming a beekeeper and have a strong work ethic.

The scholarship winners will receive:

  • A beginning beekeeping training class and text book, (Classes, bee yard, and club meetings are at St. Marks Church, Lancaster
  • Hands-on training in our bee yard
  • Monthly “Virtual Mentoring” on the 1st Sat., from 8:30-12:00
  • An experienced beekeeper mentor
  • Monthly educational bee club meetings
  • A  loaned, “work to own ” Beekeeping Kit  and the opportunity to earn the following , by carrying out the task requirements for the  program:
    • woodenware for 2 full beehives
    • a bee jacket with veil
    • bee tools
    •  two colonies of bees.
  •  They will also receive  a 1- year membership in the Ohio State Beekeepers Association, and a one year membership in FCBA.

If all tasks of the program are carried out successfully by the recipient; ownership of the 2 hives, colonies and all equipment will be awarded to  that recipient in January of  2024.

Interested applicants should read through the scope of the program and understand the work and learning requirements of being a beekeeper, before deciding to apply.  Parent permission and support is also required.

  • Applications are due to the club by Friday, January 14, 2023 if emailed. 
  •  If using US mail, applications should be mailed by Tuesday, January 11, 2023.
  •  Awards will be announced during the week of  February 7, 2023, by email and phone call.
  • The recipients chosen  will need to be available to take the all-day Beginner Beekeeping class on Saturday, February 11  or February 18, 2023.

Applications can be found at fairfieldcountybeekeepers.org under the tab > Bee School Scholarship. Information is also attached to this email, if you would like to provide copies to your students. There is also a poster provided.

Please pass this information on to your students as soon as you can!

Thanks for hanging in there to teach our youth during these crazy times!

 

Sincerely,

Jeannie Saum,

Retired elementary educator of 36 years, and

President, Fairfield County Beekeepers Association

614-975-6139 (for your use only)

presidentoffcba@gmail.com (for questions from you, parents or students)

 

Congrats to Ohio State Fair Project Winners (non-livestock)

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The non-livestock results from the 2022 Ohio State Fair are posted online. Click here to see a complete list.

Clothing:

Rian Raver, Sundresses and Jumpers, Outstanding of the Day

Saige Howard, Sew for Others – Junior, Outstanding of the Day

Hannah Brown, Dress Up Daywear, Clock Trophy Winner

Julia Ribo, Sew Fun – Senior, Outstanding of the Day

Mary Cate Kitsmiller, Clothes for High School and College, Outstanding of the Day

Scarlett R. Sims, Designed By Me, Outstanding of the Day

Rachel Sponseller, Ready, Set, Sew Active, Outstanding of the Day

Creative Arts:

Isabella Byrd, Get Started in Art – Senior, Outstanding of the Day

Jaela Kim, Seeing Through Graphic Design, Outstanding of the Day

Creative Arts – Cake Decorating:

Alexis Kline, Cake Decorating Advanced – Junior, Clock Trophy Winner

Communications:

Gracie Weber, Demonstration – Junior, Outstanding of the Day

Companion Animals:

Hannah Jones, You & Your Dog Interview (Ages 8-10), Outstanding of the Day

Gracie Weber, Reptiles & Amphibians (Age 8+), Honorable Mention

Engineering Excitement:

Kendall Wild, Science Fun with Electricity, Outstanding of the Day

Family Life:

Megan Maloney, Babysitting, Outstanding of the Day

Food and Nutrition:

Charlotte Werner, Yeast Breads on The Rise, Outstanding of the Day

Julia Luallen, Kitchen Boss, Outstanding of the Day

Cece Woods, Sports Nutrition – Senior, Outstanding of the Day

Health:

Max Sims, Staying Healthy-Junior, Clock Trophy Winner

Matthew Taylor, First Aid in Action-Junior, Outstanding of the Day

Home Decorating:

Sophia Preston, Makeover My Space-Junior, Clock Trophy Winner

Leadership:

Kate Johnson, Club Leadership, Clock Trophy Winner

Grace Terflinger, Leadership Self-Determined (Camp Counseling), Outstanding of the Day

Photography:

Daisy D’Amico, Controlling the Image – Level 2, Outstanding of the Day

STEM:

Gracie Weber, From Airedales to Zebras – Vet Science I, Outstanding of the Day

Shooting Sports:

Alayna Leppert, Shooting Sports-Archery, Junior, Outstanding of the Day

Brendan Logsdon, Shooting Sports-Archery, Senior, Outstanding of the Day

Natural Resources:

Josiah Edwards, Beekeeping – Junior, Clock Trophy Winner

Gracie Weber, Outdoor Adventurer: Beginning Fishing, Outstanding of the Day

Lucille Fish, Explore the Outdoors, Outstanding of the Day

Julia Ribo, Grow Your Own Vegetables, Clock Trophy Winner

Workforce Prep:

Brin-Leigh Hoisington, Workforce Prep – Junior, Clock Trophy Winner

 

Summer Judging Results and Photos

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Congrats to all 4-Hers, parents, and advisors! Summer Judging week has been wonderful as we get to see all of the hard work come together in our project interviews. Results for summer projects will be posted at this link and all results will be posted by the of the day on Friday, July 16th: go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudgingresults

State Fair packets will be ready starting on TUESDAY, July 19th during regular office hours.
 
All county award winners should save the date of August 13th at 7:00 p.m. for Summerfest!

Additionally, photos from summer judging have been posted on our Ohio State – Fairfield County 4-H Facebook Page. Direct links are as follows:

4-H Summer Judging for Natural Resources and Shooting Sports: Wednesday, July 13

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Hello 4-H Members enrolled in Natural Resources and Shooting Sports Projects!

We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Natural Resources and Shooting Sports Projects will be judged on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (by appointment, see scheduling info below).
    • If you cannot attend this judging day, you can:
      1. Attend Late Judging on Tuesday, July 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only, and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
      2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.
      3. There will be no early judging.
  • Scheduling is now open for summer judging!
    • We ask that you schedule an appointment that works best for you by using this link: go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging
    • Scheduling will be open through MIDNIGHT, Sunday, July 10th. 
    • If you have more than one project judged on this day, please be sure to schedule an appointment for EACH PROJECT. Also, please allow time between appointments to complete each interview.
  • Please review the 4-H Member Handbook and 4-H Project Member Guidelines as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.
  • Youth enrolled in the Tractor Maintenance Club or Shooting Sports Club do not need to complete summer judging if they met all completion requirements at the club level for Small Engine/Tractor Projects and or 700 level Shooting Sports disciplines (Shotgun, Rifle, Archery). However, if they wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair for any of these projects, they must attend summer judging for each project.
  • Youth enrolled in gardening have the option for summer judging completion or county fair completion. If youth wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair, they must complete summer judging.

Please contact the Extension Office if you have additional questions about project judging! We can’t wait to see you in less than one month!

Summer Judging Project Interviews – Scheduling opens next week!

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Summer project interviews will be coming soon! Dates for projects are correctly listed in the 4-H Member Handbook. Please note that there are errors on correct dates in the 4-H Project Guidelines for Self-Determined Projects. Again, pay attention to dates in the 4-H Member Handbook.

We will be scheduling interviews by appointment. The summer project judging sign up link will be sent to all youth enrolled in these respective projects via 4-HOnline next week.  The email will say from 4-HOnline, so please be on the lookout – some email systems don’t like 4-HOnline.

Please contact Stacy Hicks at 740-653-5419 if you have questions about summer judging sign ups!

Projects to be judged on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (see page 11 of the 4-H Member Handbook):

  • All Food and Nutrition Projects
  • Family Life (Babysitting)
  • Genealogy
  • Home Living
  • Scrapbooking
  • Photography
  • Cake Decorating (youth must complete summer judging option if they wish to qualify for Ohio State Fair)
  • Collectibles
  • Creative Arts/String Art/Graphic Design
  • Money Management
  • Quilting
  • Creative Writing
  • Healthy Living

Projects to be judged on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (see pages 11-12 of the 4-H Member Handbook):

  • Self Determined 365.00
  • Self Determined 365.04 Natural Resources
  • Self Determined 365.06 Workforce Prep
  • Communication/Leadership/Citizenship
  • Discovering 4-H/4-H Around the Globe
  • Horseless Horse/All About Dogs
  • Veterinary Science
  • Science Fun
  • Aerospace
  • Robotics
  • Bicycle
  • Electricity
  • Knots
  • Small Engines
  • Energy
  • ATV
  • Woodworking
  • Welding
  • Natural Resources
  • Gardening (youth must complete summer judging option if they wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair)

Projects to be judged on Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (see page 12 of the 4-H Member Handbook):

  • All Clothing Projects

The Style Revue will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14th for all clothing project members.

OSU Extension Resources for Earth Month

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OSU Extension is celebrating Earth Day this year with SENR’s Sustainability Institute by offering a collection of six 4-H Earth Is Our Home Activities. Ohio 4-H members and others are encouraged to try these activities anytime on their own, in their clubs, and in school. They’re guaranteed to spark interest and create exciting learning opportunities.

Many thanks to 4-H colleagues and authors Erin Dailey, Rachael Fraley, Kristy Watters, Travis West, Jo Williams, and Tracy Winters. The ice core activity is from the 4-H project book Exploring Polar Science, so thanks to authors Molly Hunt and Jason Cervenec of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center too.

Please share these resources widely: go.osu.edu/4hearthday.

Did you participate in these activities? If so, we want to hear about it! Contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

4-H Club and Member Opportunity: Celebrate 4-H on Earth Day!

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is looking for passionate 4-H students to use their skills and talents to spread a message of education, service, and stewardship this Earth Day. ODNR is seeking proposals for student-led programs to take place at participating Ohio State Parks. Programs will be open to the public.

“We are impressed by the passion for conservation we see in Ohio’s 4-H students,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “We would love for these students to take that passion and find out-of-the-box ways to engage their community, to improve our natural world, and have a little fun while doing it.”

The chosen programs will be offered to the public, free of charge, at Ohio State Parks between Friday, April 22 and Sunday, April 24. Examples of desirable programming include, but are not limited to invasive species removal, Earth Day art projects, sustainable fashion, and campfire cooking.

For a list of participating parks and to apply click here. The deadline to apply is March 14, 2022. Contact Alyssa Yaple with any questions about project proposals. Winning proposals will receive recognition at ODNR’s Natural Resources Park at the 2022 Ohio State Fair.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills as they work in partnership with caring adults. The program is committed to helping young people develop skills that will help them succeed. Read more about it here.

The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides exceptional outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing outstanding customer service, education, and conservation of Ohio’s 75 state parks and waterways.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov

Congrats to Ohio State Fair Project Winners (non-livestock)

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The non-livestock results from the 2021 Ohio State Fair are posted online. Click here to see a complete list.

Health

  • Staying Healthy, Jr. – Ashlyn Priebe, Clock Trophy Winner
  • Medicine Science & Safety – Isabella Byrd, Outstanding of the Day

Quilting

  • Self Determined Quilting, Sr. – Elizabeth Swinehart, Outstanding of the Day

Creative Arts

  • Get Started in Art, Jr. – Samantha Flynn, Outstanding of the Day
  • Scrapbooking, Jr. – Ashlynn Smith, Outstanding of the Day

Leadership

  • One on One 4-H Mentorship – Katelynn Lykins, Outstanding of the Day
  • Club Leadership – Kyle Buchwalter, Clock Trophy Winner
  • Teens on Board – Logan Hampton, Outstanding of the Day

STEM

  • From Airedales to Zebras (Vet Science 1) – Kate Johnson, Outstanding of the Day
  • All Systems Go! – Henry Hoisington, Outstanding of the Day

Clothing

  • Creative Costumes – Sofia Gugliemotto, Outstanding of the Day
  • Sew for Others, Jr. – Bailey Shy, Outstanding of the Day
  • Sew for Others, Sr. – Julia Luallen, Outstanding of the Day
  • Sew Fun, Jr. – Eve Fish, Outstanding of the Day
  • Sew Fun, Sr. – Elizabeth Billingsley, Outstanding of the Day
  • Clothing for Your Career – Gabriella Schumacher, Outstanding of the Day and Wool Award Winner
  • Loungewear, Jr. – Rachel Sponseller,  Outstanding of the Day
  • em*bel*ish – Sofia Gugliemotto, Outstanding of the Day
  • Designed by Me – Mya Michelsen, Outstanding of the Day

Food & Nutrition

  • Yeast Breads on the Rise – Elizabeth Rippl, Outstanding of the Day
  • You’re the Chef – Gabriella Schumacher, Clock Trophy Winner
  • Global Gourmet – Julia Ribo,  Clock Trophy Winner
  • Racing the Clock to Awesome Meals, Sr. – Faith Witte,  Outstanding of the Day
  • Party Planner, Jr. – Cienna Lodge,  Outstanding of the Day
  • Let’s Start Cooking, Sr – Isabella Byrd,  Clock Trophy Winner

Natural Resources

  • Beekeeping, Jr. – Sophia Preston, Outstanding of the Day
  • Beekeeping, Sr. – Samantha Bader, Outstanding of the Day
  • Exploring Polar Science – Alison Sponseller, Clock Trophy Winner
  • Geology: Can You Dig It? – Tess Johnson, Outstanding of the Day
  • Self Determined, Natural Resources – Charlotte Werner, Clock Trophy Winner

Natural Resources – Shooting Sports

  • Rifle, Jr. – Madison Menke, Outstanding of the Day
  • Archery, Jr. – Alayna Leppert, Clock Trophy Winner

2021 Junior Fair Rule Book is now available!

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Please find a link to the 2021 Junior Fair Rule Book below. Since there will not be a print version this year, the on-line version you see is what we will be working from this year, and likely into the future. As you review it, please note the following:

  • Near the top of the index page that will open from the link below, you’ll find links to the NEW Junior Fair Entry Forms. Links to these forms are also included within each Department link you find in the index. Carefully read and follow the protocol for completing and submitting entry forms that you find on the Entry Forms page.
  • In addition to each specie, in the index also find links to the General Rules, DUNF, Premier Exhibitor, Skillathon and Project Book Review, Showmanship, the Livestock Judging Contest and the Livestock Auction. Carefully review these pages for further instruction.
  • Rules for ‘take home’ animals and the livestock auction have changed. Carefully review these changes found under the Exhibitor Info ’21 link on the 78th Fairfield County Fair 4-H & FFA Livestock Auction page.
  • We know there may still be some mistakes in this new on-line version of the Junior Fair Rule Book. Newly adopted rules plus over 60 pages from the old rule book have been converted from PDFs and Publisher into a web format. We know some things didn’t convert perfectly . . . if you find them, please share with us and they can be quickly fixed.
  • IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS please email them to us. We will be hosting a live ZOOM August 11th at 6:00 pm and will address all your questions then, and share additional information about how best to utilize this new on-line Rule Book and Entry forms. Register here for the zoom meeting.
  • Entries will be accepted at the Sr. Fair Office on the Fairgrounds from Advisors on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from August 16 thru August 27, 2021.

Use this link to access the 2021 Fairfield county Junior Fair Rule Book: https://go.osu.edu/jrfairbook

Please review the entire book before you start asking questions.  There are now pages with the Entry Forms, Showmanship Information in one place, DUNF information, Skillathon and Project Book Review, Livestock Judging Contest, and Super Showmanship.  We are still working with a committee to finalize Premier Exhibitor information and hope to have that posted by Sept. 1. Continue reading →