Youth Opportunity: 4-H Demonstration Contest – Signup by June 1st

Sign-up NOW through Thursday, June 1st to participate in the Fairfield County 4-H Demonstration Contest by calling the Extension Office at 740-653-5419.

When: Thursday, June 8th, 2023

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Who: Any 4-H member (project age)

What: A contest designed to demonstrate your ability to teach how to do something. There are Junior and Senior Divisions! For more information contact the Extension Office

Where: Ag Center, 831 College Avenue, Lancaster Why: To share your talents or skills with others and improve your teaching abilities.

Need tips on how to plan for a great demonstration? Click here!

Participants in the county demonstration contest have the opportunity to advance to the Ohio State Fair! For more information on guidelines and rules, review the Ohio State Fair Guidebook for Communication Days.

Teen Opportunity: Washington DC Immersion Project

The Urban Immersion Project is a 4-H initiative that combines cross-cultural learning, teamwork, and service-learning in the urban environment of Washington, DC.

Teens ages 15-18 are eligible for this 4-day service-learning experience that will build skills and abilities to prepare youth for success in a diverse workplace as well as build a cultural understanding of those who are different. This experience will not be about shopping or sightseeing, although we will visit some monuments and historic sites. The cost of the experience is $180. Limited scholarship funds are also available. The 4-H Educator will contact all teen applicants to complete an additional phone interview before selection.

Program Components

  • Diversity and the Urban Experience
  • Cooking in Food Groups
  • Service Projects
  • Ethnic Food Night
  • City Scavenger Hunt
  • Exploring Issues of Homelessness
  • DC Monument Night Tour
  • Latin American Youth Center

Who: Teens ages 15-18 (by the date of the trip)

Where: Washington, DC

When: Thursday (6 am), September 21st – Sunday, September 24th, 2023

Cost: $180

Applications can be found at: https://warren.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/urban-immersion-project/dc-immersion-project

Application Deadline: Monday, August 7th, 2023

Teen Opportunity: Regional Leadership Workshop in Jackson, OH

Join the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council on Sunday, May 21st for our first Regional Workshop! Held in Jackson County, teens from across the state will gather to learn more about leadership through interactive sessions and team building activities. Session topics will include leadership styles, public speaking, camp counseling, and more! Registration will close on Friday, May 12th. The link to register is: www.go.osu.edu/tlcworkshop. Grab a friend or come as a club, we can’t wait to see you there!

Last Call: Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) Applications due May 15th!

The Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available! This is an opportunity for teens 13-18 as of January 1 to get a short-term leadership experience at the state level. Applications are available at go.osu.edu/4HEYAapp and are due by May 15, 2023.

  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2023.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 11 or July 17)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2023-August 31, 2024. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sarah (longo.79@osu.edu)

Fairfield County 4-H Achievement Awards

4-H members who completed the Ohio 4-H Achievement or Junior Achievement Forms were recognized on April 4th at the Fairfield County 4-H Achievement Awards Program. Scholarship winners were also announced and recognized. A sincere thank you to Fairfield Federal for their continued sponsorship of this awards program. A big thank you to the Fairfield County Commissioners, Senator Tim Shaffer, and Representative Kevin Miller for providing certificates to our members. And a special thank you Commissioner Fix, Commissioner Levacy, Senator Shaffer, and Representative Miller for attending this event!

Thank you to our scholarship donors: Fenstermaker Family, Park National Bank, Kiwanis Club of Lancaster, and Feeder Creek Veterinary Services.

Additionally, we would like to thank our trip sponsors: Sewing Shefs 4-H Club, KKEZ 4-H Club, OK and Judy Schurtz, Fairfield County Farm Bureau, Fairfield County Homemakers, Justin Marteney Memorial Shooting Sports Education Camp Fund, OSU Endowment Interest Fund, 4-H Advisory Committee and the Bertha Wilson Trust.

For photos from the event, click here. Congrats to all and keep up the great work!

For a complete listing of 2023 awards: 2023 Fairfield County 4-H Achievement Awards Program and 2023 County Scholarship Winners

Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) Applications Available!

The Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available! This is an opportunity for teens 13-18 as of January 1 to get a short-term leadership experience at the state level. Applications are available at go.osu.edu/4HEYAapp and are due by May 15, 2023.

  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2023.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 11 or July 17)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2023-August 31, 2024. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sarah (longo.79@osu.edu)

Ohio Military Kids Camp Counselor Applications Live!

Hello 4-H Camp Counselors!

I would like to invite you to participate in a unique opportunity to be part of a statewide camp counselor team this summer! Ohio Military Kids (OMK) has launched applications for 2023 Camp Kelleys Island! If this is an opportunity you’d like to pursue, please read on and complete the online application links below!

CAMP DATES for 2023:

  • Teen Camp (campers ages 12-15) – July 30-August 3 with mandatory staff training on July 28-30
  • Youth Camp (campers ages 9-11) – August 6-10 with mandatory staff training on August 4-6
  • Optional In-Person Counselor Training: Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Columbus, OH

Keep in mind opportunities for involvement with your local county fairs and the Ohio State Fair this summer. It is possible to be involved as an OMK Camp Counselor and participate in your 4-H activities, but be mindful of your potential involvement in project judging days.

Camp activities include: swimming, archery, crafts, games, snorkeling, kayaking, tie dying, visits from military special guests, large group activities, campfire songs, skits, dances, and so much more! Housing for all staff and campers is traditional cabins with bunks.

If you are interested in applying to be a counselor, please complete the following steps:

  1. Complete an application as a New or Returning Counselor (to Ohio Military Kids): go.osu.edu/OMKVolunteer
    • This is open to any 4-H members who are returning as a counselor for OMK or are NEW to being a counselor for OMK. Age eligibility is 15 years and older.
  2. Have 2 references completed

APPLICATION AND REFERENCES ARE DUE BY: 11:59 pm, February 5, 2023

Please let me know if you have any questions! I appreciate the continued enthusiasm and partnership of our 4-H teen leaders with military youth!

Yours in 4-H, Justin Bower

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

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)

Treasurer’s Book Contest Results

Congratulations!

The Fairfield County 4-H Treasurer’s Book Annual Contest is proudly sponsored and funded each year by the Friendly Bremen Banking Center. Thank you, Jodi Motta and Vinton County Bank, for their support and organization of this contest.

The role of the club treasurer is to handle all money matters of the club and maintain accurate financial records.  When the Treasurer’s Book is complete, it should document the activities by its members for one year. It becomes a historical document to that accurately records the club’s income and expenses, and shows that the club is in good financial standing.

All treasurers are eligible and encouraged to submit a book each year. There is a monetary award that goes to the winners and they go directly to that individual. The 4-H Treasurer Book Rubric was used to evaluate each treasurer’s book that was submitted in the contest. Employees of the bank will review the books and choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Each member who places will receive a visa gift card.

The 2022 results are:

  • Brianna Downey – 1st place. Brianna is a member of the Rough Riders 4-H Club.
  • Lily Dennis – 2nd place. Lily is a member of the Amanda Work and Win 4-H Club.
  • Colton Tooill – 3rd place. Colton is a member of the AC Extreme 4-Hers 4-H Club.

Thank you to all of the members who participated in the Treasurer’s Book contest this year. Keep up the good record keeping! If your club did not participate this year, we hope you will keep this contest in mind and participate next year.

Secretary’s Book Contest Results

Congratulations!

The Fairfield County 4-H Secretary’s Book Annual Contest is proudly sponsored and funded each year by the family of Robert L. Hillman who was a 4-H advisor for many years in Pickaway County. Mr. Hillman believed strongly in teaching and practicing quality record keeping within the structure of the 4-H program. He continued to support his grandchildren, Adam, Milea, and Sarah Maxwell, in their 4-H endeavors in Fairfield County until his death in 2003. To continue his long-standing commitment to the tradition of record keeping and the 4-H program, his family is proud to sponsor this competition in his memory.

When the Secretary’s Book is complete, it should document the activities by its members for one year. It becomes a historical document to be enjoyed for years to come as individuals review it with fondness and memories.

All secretaries are eligible and encouraged to submit a book each year. There is a monetary award that goes to the winners and they go directly to that individual. The 4-H Secretary Book Rubric was used to evaluate each secretary’s book that was submitted in the contest. Each book was evaluated and received a one-, two-, or three-star rating based on the rubric. Based on the star ratings, the top  individual will receive a monetary award.

The 2022 results are:

  • Scarlett Sims – 1st place, 3 Star Book. Scarlet is a member of the Sewing Chefs 4-H Club.
  • Jadin Triplett – 2nd place, 3 Star Book. Jadin is a member of the Rough Riders 4-H Club.
  • Annie Deyo – 3rd place, 2 Star Book. Annie is a member of the Fairfield County Junior Fair Board
  • Catherine Buckley –  1 Star Book. Catherine is a member of the Amanda Work and Win 4-H Club.
  • Lydia Smith – 1 Star Book. Lydia is a member of the Blue Ribbon Showmen 4-H Club.

Thank you to all of the members who participated in the Secretary’s Book contest this year. Keep up the good record keeping! If your club did not participate this year, we hope you will keep this contest in mind and participate next year.