Leadership

Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp—June 1-5

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Are you interested in growing as a leader alongside your peers? Consider attending Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp (held June 1-5 at 4-H Camp Ohio)! This camp is a premiere leadership development opportunity that offers participants engaging sessions in topics such as motivation, communication, teamwork, and more! While at camp, participants are actively learning AND teaching their peers! This opportunity is open to Ohio 4-H members ages 14-18 – contact your county 4-H professional for more information on cost, scholarships, and registration or visit go.osu.edu/leadershipcamp for additional information.

Fairfield County 4-H will select our campers for Ohio 4-H Leadership Camp from our Trip Awards selections. Requirements include completing the 2026 Ohio 4-H Achievement Form and turning this in by Friday, January 9th. County commitment forms are due March 15, 2026 and must be submitted by county 4-H staff.

National 4-H Conference—April 9-15, Apply now!

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Apply Now: 2026 National 4-H Conference Delegate Opportunity! Applications are now open for Ohio 4-H members (ages 15–18 as of January 1, 2026) to represent our state at the 2026 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., held April 9–15. This prestigious event focuses on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development, bringing together youth from across the country to connect, learn, and lead. Interested members must complete the online application by December 1. More details and application link can be found here: https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

Save the date! Ohio 4-H Conference – March 21, 2026

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Mark your calendar for the 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference, held March 21, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where 4-H volunteers and teens (ages 13 and up) from across the state will come together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. With a wide variety of educational sessions designed for all interests and experience levels, this event is a chance to grow, share ideas, and strengthen Ohio 4-H programs. Registration will open by the first week of January and must be completed through your county office—don’t miss this opportunity to help make the best better!

Save the Date: December 2nd for our Achievement Form Workshops

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Be recognized for all you do in 4-H! It all begins with keeping great records of your 4-H accomplishments! Save the date of December 2nd for upcoming workshops! Details are in the flyer posted below.

Younger 4-H youth (ages 9-13 as of 1/1/2026) are encouraged to start completing your Junior Achievement Form. Junior Achievement Awards will be awarded in April 2026!

  • Please note that the Junior Achievement Form will be updated for 2026. Please be sure to use the new form.

Older 4-H youth (ages 14-18 as of 1/1/2026) are encouraged to explore the many teen opportunities available to them when they complete the Ohio 4-H Achievement Form including: County Merit Awards, College Scholarships, County Trip Awards, Outstanding 4-Her Award, State Achievement Awards – and perhaps earning a trip to National 4-H Congress! County Merit Awards, Scholarships, and Trip Awards will be awarded in April 2026!

 

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp June 1-5, 2026

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Are you interested in growing as a leader alongside your peers? Consider attending Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp (held June 1-5 at 4-H Camp Ohio)! This camp is a premiere leadership development opportunity that offers participants engaging sessions in topics such as motivation, communication, teamwork, and more! While at camp, participants are actively learning AND teaching their peers! This opportunity is open to Ohio 4-H members ages 14-18 – contact your county 4-H professional for more information on cost, scholarships, and registration or visit go.osu.edu/leadershipcamp for additional information. County commitment forms are due March 15, 2026 and must be submitted by county 4-H staff. Contact Leslie Cooksey for more info on Fairfield County’s selection process for Leadership Camp Trip Awards: cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Teen Opportunity: Applications are now open for Ohio 4-H Delegates to the 2026 National 4-H Conference!

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Any 4-H member in Ohio ages *14-18 is able to apply by completing the Qualtrics survey linked below in this email.

Basic Information:

  • National 4-H Conference is specifically focused on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development. Delegates arrive ready to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, their nation, and their world. In 2026, National 4-H Conference takes place in Washington, D.C., April 9-15, 2026 (Ohio delegates arrive a day early on April 9. Conference begins April 10).
  • Interested Ohio 4-H members must complete an application via Qualtrics (linked at bottom) by December 1 at 11:59 p.m. *Applicants must be 15-18 as of January 1, 2026, and currently enrolled as an Ohio 4-H member in 2026.
  • After an application is received, the State 4-H Office will request a referral from county 4-H professional for the respective candidate.
  • A selection board of advisors, 4-H educators, and past attendees will review applications and conduct interviews, as needed.
  • Those selected will be expected to fully engage in all pre-conference and conference activities and adhere to all National 4-H guidelines, complete all required work as a result of conference participation, and share knowledge gained with Ohio 4-H upon their return.
  • More information about the opportunity can be found on the website: https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

See the attached document for the example application (2026 National 4-H Conference Delegate Application), and then be sure to have interested members submit an application via Qualtrics: https://go.osu.edu/n4hcapp

Teen Opportunity: Carving New Ideas (CNI) Camp

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Each year, Collegiate 4-H at The Ohio State University organizes a weekend workshop called Carving New Ideas (CNI). It will be held at 4-H Camp Ohio, November 21-23, 2025, and is open to all teen 4-H members across the state. Please consider sharing this opportunity in your newsletters and on social media. It’s a fun weekend for teens to get to interact with college students who serve as the organizers, camp counselors, and session facilitators. This opportunity focuses on workforce development, future-forward thinking, and program facilitation for 4-H members in grades 8-12. Campers develop their leadership skills while making new friends from across Ohio. (Franklin County staff and volunteers provide the administrative details, risk management, nursing services, and food preparation for the weekend.)

Fairfield County youth who received CNI Trip Award this spring should register but NOT PAY as Leslie will be taking care of your sponsorship and registration payment.

 

Congrats to these 9 Fairfield County 4-H members selected for Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council!

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Congrats to the following Fairfield County 4-H members who were selected for the 2025-2026 Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council:

Samantha Bader Fairfield Officer – VP of Outreach
Cora Bell Fairfield Member
Evelyn Hill Fairfield Officer – President
Brin-Leigh Hoisington Fairfield Member
Macy Lybarger Fairfield Member
Makenna Lybarger Fairfield Member
Madison Menke Fairfield Chair – Animal Science
Sophia Preston Fairfield Member
Kendall Wild Fairfield Member

2026 Ohio 4-H Global Immersion Project – Greece (April 19-30) – 4-H Teen Nomination Information

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Ohio 4-H Global Immersion Project – Greece | April 19-30, 2026

Who: Ohio 4-H Teens 15-18 (Teens are nominated by Ohio 4-H Professionals)

Where: American Farm School (https://www.afs.edu.gr/) – Thessaloniki, Greece.  It was established in 1904, is renowned for its innovative approach to agricultural education. https://www.afs.edu.gr/afs-at-a-glance/

What: Participants will engage in a variety of educational classroom and field activities, including sensory analysis workshops with products such as feta cheese, honey, and olive oil.   They will tour the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its experimental farms and research centers. Teens will be part of a “Work Internship” with AFS high school students working in cohorts focused on different program units that include:  Animal and Plant Production, Food Science & Technology, and more.  Youth will also participate in a cross-cultural and agricultural career field exploration program designed to help youth learn about careers in agriculture, cross-cultural interactions, workforce preparation and leadership skills.

In addition, youth will help facilitate teambuilding and problem-solving activities through a Leadership Workshop with Greek high school and Jr. high students.  By engaging with these students, the teen leaders will expand their leadership skill development and gain insights into teaching an international audience.

Two off-site cultural experiences include an overnight experience in the historical town of Xanthi.  Youth will have the opportunity Kayak and experience the beautiful landscape.   There will also be a visit to UNESCO World Heritage site Meteora, which features monasteries built in the 11th century atop of limestone pillars. A Greek cooking class, city history tour, and local farmers market activity are included.

Cost:     To be determined – based on Grants received (Estimate- $3,000 – includes airfare, all lodging, most meals, ground transportation, translation services, park entrance and program fees.)

Participant Selection:  After receiving a nomination from their County 4-H Professional, youth will be emailed an application and complete a short online Qualtrics application that includes the submission of a short video due by October 24.  Final selection will be based on geographic characteristics and the below criteria:

  • Have an interest in pursuing a career in agriculture.
  • Can embrace unique and different cultures beyond their local communities.
  • Willing to share their experiences through presentations, newsletters, etc. at the local and state level.
  • A good representation of the local 4-H program.

Deadline for 4-H Teen Nomination by 4-H Professional:    October 1, 2025     

Informational Flyer: 2026 GIP Flyer

Teen Opportunity: Ignite by 4-H National Summit – apply by September 19th!

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Ohio will be returning to Ignite by 4-H National Summit for 2026 and we are looking to take roughly 15-20 teens who are interested in Agriscience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living or STEM. Please share this information with teens who might be interested and might benefit from this experience. Online application is due by September 19 at go.osu.edu/4hignite.

Ignite by 4-H National Summit

Wednesday, March 25h – Sunday, March 29th in Washington D.C

Ignite by 4-H is a national summit designed to bring high school youth (between 14-18) together from across the country and give them the opportunity to explore the best 4-H has to offer in different tracks including Agriscience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living and STEM. A hallmark of Ignite is the Lead to Change campaign which empowers youth to be Agents of Change where you (as a delegation) will create and present a proposal to address issues within your community. The best proposals are then awarded funding for implementation. In 2026, Ignite by 4-H returns for youth to attend in-person in Washington D. C. during March 25-29, 2026. For more information, please visit go.osu.edu/4hIgniteOhio

Who: High School Aged Teens (14-18) interested in Agriscience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living and STEM

Where: Washington, DC (Washington Hilton – 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC)

When: Wednesday, March 25th – Sunday, March 26th

Application: Apply online at go.osu.edu/4Hignite by September 19th at 8:59pm

Cost: Selected delegates will have summit registration and travel expenses covered

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