Natural Resources

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

Summer Judging Award Results and Photos are POSTED!

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We are so proud of all of the hard work each of our 4-H members (and their families…and their advisors!) have put into the last few months as you have worked through your 4-H project work and completed summer project judging last week!

Please know that we hope that each 4-H member is able to learn and grow from their 4-H project judging experiences – an opportunity to be asked questions and respond, an opportunity to open up and talk to an adult that they do not know, an opportunity to be brave! As 4-H staff, we truly have the best seat in the house on judging days watching the kids and their projects come through the door and we are so proud!

Did you miss summer judging? No problem…call our office (740-653-5419) to schedule an appointment for late judging which will take place on Tuesday, July 27th at the Ag Center/Extension Office. Members participating in late judging are no eligible for awards for state fair consideration.

The results from 2021 Summer Judging have been posted on our website. Click here to check them out! On the webpage, please select each day to view Summer Judging results. Eligible youth will be contacted when State Fair packets are available. Please note: State Fair Delegates are selected at the discretion of the judge(s). Not everyone will qualify for State Fair Selection.

Save the date for our Summer Judging Awards Program: Summerfest! Scheduled for Saturday, August 21st from 7-9 pm, Ed Sands Building, Fairgrounds. Invitations will be sent to the Award Winners soon!

Additionally, we tried to get photos of most youth while participating in judging this week. All photos have been posted in our Facebook Photo Album: Click here to access.

How do I get ready for summer judging?

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  1. Complete your project book and activities as outlined in your the Project Guidelines for your particular project.
  2. Practice reviewing your project with an adult. Have them ask you questions about what you did and learned from your project.
  3. Schedule an project judging appointment by July 8th for each project that you are completing this summer by clicking this link.
  4. What day is my project judging? Review your project information in the 4-H Member Handbook.
    • Can’t make it on your assigned day? No problem! Although you won’t be eligible for county awards/state fair consideration, you can sign-up for late/make-up summer judging on July 27th at the Ag Center/Extension Office by calling 740-653-5419 to make an appointment.
    • That still doesn’t work for you? No problem! Although you won’t be eligible for county awards/state fair consideration, you can talk to your 4-H advisor to work with you to review your project for completion for the year.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN INTERVIEW JUDGING?

Interview judging is a discussion between the judge and 4-H member regarding the member’s project, the member’s learning experience and development and plans for the future. It is a one-on-one discussion. Members do not have to participate in interview judging to complete a project, but it is an excellent way to build skills in interviewing and provides an opportunity to compete for county awards and state fair participation. Listed below are a few statements or questions often used in making the interview meaningful to the 4-H member. These types of statements help a judge find out about the member’s knowledge, accomplishments, interests, and challenges with the project.

I. PAST EXPERIENCES & PROJECT SELECTION
a. What projects have you taken in 4-H?
b. Why did you select this project this year?
c. What did you hope to learn from the project?

II. THE PROJECT
a. Knowledge of project – subject matter – use of project terms.
b. What went well with the project? What did you do? What did you accomplish?
c. What problems did you encounter?
d. What assistance did you have? – 4-H Advisor, Junior Leader, Parents, Friends or Relatives.
e. Questions related to 4-H project book content.

III. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
a. What more would you like to learn in this project area?
b. What project will you take next year?
c. What are your other interests?

IV. PERSONAL INFORMATION & KNOWLEDGE OF 4-H
a. What 4-H activities have you participated in within your club or county?
b. Leadership experience in local club
c. Overall knowledge of 4-H
d. Plans for future – schooling, career, etc.
e. What was the biggest thing 4-H taught you this year?

V. ADDITIONAL TIPS TO PREPARE FOR JUDGING:
This is an interview, so 4-Hers will want to keep in mind:
a. Wear nice clothes (dress pants/slacks, skirts, nice blouses, tops, etc.)
b. Grooming is essential. (hair, nails, etc. should be presentable)
c. Shake the judge’s hand
d. Be polite; use please and thank you
e. Do not have gum or other food in their mouth!

Youth Outdoor Writing and Photo Contest

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OWAA STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST AND NORM STRUNG YOUTH WRITING AWARDS

MISSOULA MT (January 15, 2021) — To reward budding outdoor writers and photographers, the Outdoor Writers Association of America announced the opening of the 2021 Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards as well as the inaugural OWAA Student Photo Contest! Prizes are awarded to winners in grades 11–12 and college students, with first-place winners receiving $200, second-place receiving $100, and third-place receiving $50. Those who place will also receive an OWAA student membership valued at $25 as well as inclusion in a press release announcing the winners.

Entering the contests is easy. Any outdoor-themed written or photographic work created during 2020 can be submitted between January 15, 2021, and March 1, 2021, at owaa.org/contests/. Complete rules of the contests are also available at that site.

Winners of the North Strung Youth Writing Awards will be given additional consideration when applying for OWAA’s Bodie McDowell Scholarship and are highly encouraged to do so.

“We’re passionate about encouraging the next generation of outdoor media professionals,” said Chez Chesak, Executive Director of OWAA. “And we’re even more excited this year to be able to reach out to young photographers in addition to writers. We cannot wait to see their work.”

About OWAA:

Outdoor Writers Association of America is an international nonprofit organization that represents a diverse group of professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. The OWAA seeks to improve the professional skills of its members and encourages public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources. Find out more about the Outdoor Writers Association of America on https://owaa.org.

Summer Judging Results from Day 3 (Wednesday, July 15th): Engineering & Environmental Science

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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.

Summer Judging – Please Schedule an Interview Time by 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 10th!

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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:

  • Monday, July 13: Food, Home Dec, Genealogy, Laundry, Health, Child Care
  • Tuesday, July 14: Demonstration, Communication, Creative Arts
  • Wednesday, July 15: Engineering and Environmental Science
  • Thursday, July 16: Clothing

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:

  • Extension staff will ‘host’ the meeting and send a link to the judge and 4-Her. Staff will remain online throughout the meeting as tech support, timekeeper and to provide a 2nd adult to avoid any one-on-one meetings with youth.
  • 4-Her and judge will utilize their own computer with a camera or device from their own homes.
  • This is a ‘live’ interactive interview and the judge can ask 4-Her questions.
  • Training will be provided on how to participate in a zoom interview.

In-person Judging for youth without access to internet or computer/phone:

  • Note: this option is reserved for members who cannot do a zoom interview because they do not have access to technology
  • Safety measures:
    • 4-Hers, judges and staff will be asked to wear masks. (provided if needed)
    • Plexiglass tabletop shields positioned between the judge and 4-Her
    • 6-foot distance between everyone
    • Surfaces will be sanitized after each 4-Her
  • Held at the Ed Sands building at the fairgrounds the week of July 13.
  • 4-Hers will wait in their car until it is time to be judged.

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

Please Respond: Member survey regarding 2020 4-H Projects

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All 4-H members (excluding Cloverbuds) should have received an email from Stacy Hicks on Tuesday, June 16th that shares an overview of 4-H project completion. Families with multiple 4-H members should receive multiple emails personalized to each member. We are asking that all 4-H members reply to the survey so we can continue making plans for summer judging. We have decided to extend the deadline for response to this email to Sunday, June 21st.  Please refer to the email you received for a link to follow and complete the survey to help us plan for judging this year.  The survey will take less than 30 seconds to complete.  If you have any questions, please contact the office at 740-653-5419. If you did not see an email with this survey link, please let us know (and be sure to check your junk/spam folders in your email).

Thank you for your help!

Perfect Stay at Home 4-H Projects – DOWNLOAD 4-H Books for FREE!

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Download these 4-H Project Books for free. A special collection of project books is available for free on the Perfect Stay-at-Home Projects web page (https://ohio4h.org/stayathomeprojects). Click on the book you want, and when the file opens on your screen, save or print it from there.

The following 4-H Project Books are available and currently posted on the website listed above:

  • 91 Discovering 4-H
  • 409 Sew Fun
  • 496 My Favorite Things (collectibles)
  • 588 The Writer In You
  • 592 Get Started in Art
  • 442 Family History Treasure Hunt
  • 459 Let’s Start Cooking
  • 462 Yeast Breads on the Rise
  • 485 Racing the Clock to Awesome Meals
  • 359 Your Thoughts Matter
  • 405 The Laundry Project
  • 491 It’s My Home
  • 375 Leadership Road Trip: Where Are You Going?
  • 376 Pantry Panic
  • 611 Explore the Outdoors
  • 621 Ohio Birds
  • 493 Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry
  • 540 Not Just Knots
  • 173 Horseless Horse
  • 500 Science Fund with Physics

For accessible formats of these publications, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.

Additionally, Fairfield County Only Projects (COP) Books are available for a FREE Download for our Pie and Candy Projects. Click here to download these books: COP Fairfield County Pie Project or COP Fairfield County Candy Project.

Please make sure these projects are added to your 4-H enrollment this year. If you have already submitted your enrollment and it has been approved, email Missy Koenig (koenig.398@osu.edu) with the changes you would like to make to your projects. Enrollments are due May 1st!