Skillathons

Are you scheduled for Skillathons?

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4-H and FFA exhibitors should schedule an appointment time for all Skillathons they wish to complete. Click here to schedule for each Skillathon you wish to participate in: http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon

Please note that Skillathon times are APPROXIMATE so that we can keep kids flowing through the event and an even pace. Once a member STARTS through the Skillathon line, they should be able to complete it in about 20-30 minutes.

Exhibitors need to abide to their appointment times so that we do not have a bottleneck effect with the lines. If this happens, everyone will get behind and wait much longer than anticipated.

To confirm or change appointment times, please contact Stacy Hicks at hicks.686@osu.edu.

Thanks!

 

Skillathons are Mandatory for Livestock/Horses/Dogs for the 2023 Fairfield County Junior Fair – Read more here!

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Skillathons are events for youth to show what they know about a species and to be recognized for their knowledge and skills. The Fairfield County Junior Fair requires the completion of at least one Skillathon per 4-H/FFA exhibitor in order to show at 2023 Fairfield County Junior Fair for all beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit (except pet rabbits), sheep, swine, dog, horse, and alpaca/llama projects. Fairfield County Skillathons may include (but are not limited to) animal anatomy/body parts, breeding and reproduction, feeds and nutrition, current events, diseases and animal health, equipment ID, feed ID, Quality Assurance, breeds, marketing, meats, and recordkeeping. 2023 Fairfield County Skillathons will include breeds, parts, feed identification, a completed project/record book and an interview. 

Here are options to meet this Junior Fair requirement:

1. Participate in a Fairfield County Skillathon event to be held September 9th and 24th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. 

  • Fairfield County youth interested in competing for any Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Award must complete the COUNTY Skillathon in eachrespective specie they play to compete in.
    • Example: Exhibitor wishes to compete for Swine Premier Exhibitor Award and Poultry Premier Exhibitor Award must complete both the swine and poultry Fairfield County Skillathons on September 9th, (swine) and 24th (poultry).
    • For more information about Premier Exhibitor Contests, see the next page.
  • Youth will be asked to complete a tiebreaker question at Skillathon – this will be used to break ties for Premier Exhibitor and/or Skillathon if needed.
  • Skillathon Species for Saturday, September 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes Beef, Dairy Beef, Swine, Sheep, Meat Goats, Dairy Cattle.
  • Skillathon Species for Sunday, September 24th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes Pygmy Goats, Dairy Goats, Horses, Alpacas/Llamas, Poultry, Rabbits.
  • Dog Exhibitors will complete Skillathon at Dog Check-In Day on Saturday, August 26th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Fairfield County Skillathons will take place in the Ed Sands Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
  • Scheduling for Skillathon will open in August.
  • Click here to schedule for each Skillathon you wish to participate in: http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon.
  • Top 20% Junior and Senior Skillathon Awards will be awarded at the fair.

2. Participate in the Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon.

  • Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathons are open May 30th through September 1
  • To complete an Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon, visit: http://go.osu.edu/osfskillathon.
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors at the Ohio State Fair to participate.
  • Fairfield County youth must complete Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon by September 1st if they choose this option to meet the county Skillathon requirement.

3. Participate in the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon.

  • Registration takes place on the day event at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors at the Ohio State Fair to participate.
  • For in-person Ohio State Fair Skillathon information, dates and times, visit: http://go.osu.edu/osfskillathon.

4. Makeup Skillathon

  • The makeup Skillathon will take place on Monday, September 25th (by appointment) from 4-8 p.m. at the OSU Extension Office.
  • Exhibitors can schedule to take a makeup Skillathon by calling the OSU Extension Office at 740-653-5419.
  • Youth completing the makeup Skillathon will not be eligible for the Premier Exhibitor Contest in that specie.
  • If youth need to complete the makeup Skillathon option, they will need to have all 4-H/FFA record books turned into the OSU Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22nd so that project book judges can review them on the second Skillathon day (September 24th).

This is printed on pages 21-22 of the 2023 Junior Fair Book.

LAST CALL – Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon Option must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on September 1st

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As previously shared, participation in the Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathons will be meet the 2023 Fairfield County Junior Fair Skillathon requirement. Please note that if a member chooses either of these options, project record books will need to be completed and turned into the OSU Extension Office by Friday, September 22nd so that they can be reviewed. If participating in the Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon, members must have completed this by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 1st.

Individuals completing the virtual OSF Skillathons will receive their score/certificate at the completion of their Skillathon. Please screenshot/print this certificate for your records.

Here is a link to the virtual Skillathon option:

Species available for Virtual Skillathon include beef, cavy, dairy, dog, goat, horse, llama/alpaca, poultry, rabbit, sheep, and swine.

Virtual Skillathons can be completed even if you plan to attend the in-person Skillathon on September 9th and/or September 24th. They are great for practicing!!!

If an exhibitor chooses the virtual or in-person Ohio State Fair Skillathons OR county makeup Skillathon on September 25th, they will not be eligible for Premier Exhibitor.

 

Project Books are required for EACH project coming to fair, read more:

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4-H/FFA Project Books are required for each project coming to fair.

  1. 4-H and FFA Record Books are required to be COMPLETED for each project.
  2. 4-H Members should have a NEW 4-H Record Book each year they take the project.
  3. 4-H and FFA Records Books will be reviewed at Skillathon.
    • For those who forget or don’t bring their book – the book will need to be completed and turned into the OSU Extension
      Office by Friday, September 22nd.
    • Exhibitors who do not properly complete a record book for each of their fair projects WILL NOT be allowed to exhibit at
      the fair. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    • No books will be reviewed after September 24th.

Project Books are required for each project coming to fair.

  • Cakes/Pies/Pastries/Candies – Bring complete/up-to-date book to judging at fair.
  • Companion Animals – Bring complete/up-to-date books for judging at fair.
  • Dogs – Bring complete/up-to-date books to Dog Check-In Day on Saturday, August 26th.
  • Crops/Hay – Completed project books need to be turned in to the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22nd.
  • All livestock/horse completed/up-to-date project books should either be:
    A. Brought to their respective Skillathon Day (if participating in that specie’s county Skillathon), or
    B. Turned into the OSU Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22nd (if Ohio State Fair Skillathon or no
    county Skillathon is being completed).

    • ALL LIVESTOCK/HORSE PROJECT BOOKS WILL BE REVIEWED ON SKILLATHON DATES BY OUR
      BOOK JUDGES. THEY MUST BE COMPLETE IN ORDER TO SHOW AT THE FAIR.
    • INCOMPLETE BOOKS WILL HAVE FAIR ENTRIES DENIED.
    • We will not collect books or give more time for books to be finished between the last Skillathon date and fair

This is printed on page 21 of the 2023 Junior Fair Book.

Special Accommodations for Skillathon: Winning 4-H Plan Requests – Due Tuesday, September 5th

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The Winning 4-H Plan is about Making 4-H Accessible for Club Members with Disabilities. Ohio 4-H welcomes and encourages youth with disabilities to participate. If you have not submitted a request and think your child may need one, all request forms are due September 5th, 2023.

Need more information about the Winning 4-H Plan?

  • Reasonable accommodations will be made for all youth with disabilities.
  • The Winning 4-H Plan Request Form can be found here and is due to Aubry Fowler (Fowler.443@osu.edu) by September 5th, 2023 if you have a member who need accommodations for Skillathon or fair.
  • The 4-H Educator will communicate all accommodations to the appropriate personnel
  • This completed accommodation document will be provided to the youth by the 4-H Educator
  • Requests for accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the accommodation does not fundamentally alter the event or provide a significant advantage or disadvantage to anyone participating.
  • Accommodations will be specific to the individual.
  • Judges may modify regular judging procedure to accommodate requests and will need to determine that
    modification would not inhibit the ability of other exhibitors and/or animals in the show.

Common Accommodations include:

  • Typed responses or use of scribe for longer passages in project bool
  • Help with _________ (ex. reading, writing, math)
  • Extra time for ___________ (ex. reading, writing, response answering questions, taking test)
  • Rephrase or reword questions as needed for understanding
  • Break down tasks/questions to simple instructions
  • Directions/questions provided orally
  • Hand over hand to perform skill/task
  • Reduce the number of questions/items performed
  • Use of interpreter (sign language)
  • Project books/materials provided in pdf, enlarged print, or other format. Pease contact Laura Akgerman (akgerman.4@osu.edu) to request project books in alternate/electronic format
  • Use of service animal or seeing eye person when deemed safe (in show ring)
  • Change of location to quieter setting for interview/judging/ task performance
  • Use of device, tool or mechanism that helps the individual perform the task

Winning 4-H Plan questions or concerns can be directed toward Aubry Fowler, 4-H Educator, at 740-277-4626 or fowler.443@osu.edu

2023 Fairfield County Skillathon Scheduling is Now OPEN!

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The Fairfield County Junior Fair will require the completion of at least one Skillathon per 4-H/FFA exhibitor in order to show at 2023 Fairfield County Junior Fair for all beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit (except Pet Rabbits), sheep, swine, dog, horse, alpaca/llama projects.
The Fairfield County Skillathon event will be held September 9th and 24th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. For additional Skillathon information, please review the 2023 Junior Fair Book.
  • Fairfield County youth interested in competing for any Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Award must complete the COUNTY Skillathon in each respective specie they play to compete in.
    • Example: Exhibitor wishes to compete for Swine Premier Exhibitor Award and Poultry Premier Exhibitor Award must complete both the swine and poultry Fairfield County Skillathons on September 9th (swine) and 24th (poultry).
    • For more information about 2023 Premier Exhibitor Contests, please review this area of the 2023 Junior Fair Book.
  • Youth will be asked to complete a tiebreaker question at Skillathon – this will be used to break ties for Premier Exhibitor and/or Skillathon if needed.
  • Skillathon Species for Saturday, September 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. include: Beef, Dairy Beef, Swine, Sheep, Meat Goats, Dairy Cattle
  • Skillathon Species for Sunday, September 24th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. include: Pygmy Goats, Dairy Goats, Horses, Alpacas/Llamas, Poultry Rabbits
  • Dog Exhibitors will complete the Skillathon at Dog Check-In Day on Saturday, August 26th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Please note that Skillathon times are meant to schedule exhibitors throughout the day and we will do our best to stay on track with time. It is important for families to stick to their Skillathon time to keep our lines moving efficiently. Exhibitors will have 5 minutes per station and should be completed with Skillathon in 20-30 minutes ONCE they start through their respective Skillathon line.
  • Fairfield County Skillathons will take place at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
  • Scheduling for Skillathon is now open – click here to schedule for each Skillathon you wish to participate in: http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon.
  • Skillathon Awards: The Top Junior and Top Senior Skillathon Winner will receive an award. Additionally, the Top 20% of Juniors and Seniors will receive a ribbon at their respective specie’s show at the fair in October.

Skillathon Volunteers needed for Sept. 9 and Sept. 24

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As many of you know, the Skillathon is a requirement for Fairfield County livestock/horse/dog exhibitors. For this event to be successful, we are going to need many volunteers. Complete this survey to sign up and volunteer: http://go.osu.edu/skillathonvolunteer.

The date for the first Skillathon is Saturday, September 9th from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  This Skillathon is for exhibitors that will be showing beef, dairy beef, swine, sheep, meat goats and dairy cattle.  The second Skillathon will be held on Sunday, September 24th from 11:00am to 4:00pm.  This Skillathon is for the exhibitors showing rabbits, poultry, alpacas/llamas, horses, dairy goats and pygmy goats.

The volunteer time commitment is important for this event to be successful.  During your volunteer time, you will be asked to supervise various activity stations. The volunteer needs to select their top 3 areas for which you would like to participate and select a time period during which to volunteer.

Lunch will be provided for volunteers and staff both days.

Thanks for helping with this event and making it successful. Questions about volunteering for Skillathon events can be directed to Sarah Martin, Skillathon Superintendent, at semartin216@hotmail.com.

Congrats! Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon Results – SWINE

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Congratulations to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA members completing the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon for Poultry. For a complete list of Ohio State Fair Skillathon Results, visit: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-skillathons

Age 13:

  • Brin Leigh Hoisington, 6th Place

Age 16:

  • Henry Hoisington, 3rd Place

Age 17:

  • Grace Ahrens, 10th Place

Congrats! Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon Results – POULTRY

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Congratulations to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA members completing the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon for Poultry. For a complete list of Ohio State Fair Skillathon Results, visit: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-skillathons

Age 10:

  • Garrett Basnett, 1st Place

Age 11:

  • Gracie Weber, 6th Place

Age 12:

  • Hunter Basnett, 1st Place
  • Chase Deahl, 2nd Place

Age 15:

  • Logan Basnett, 6th Place

Congrats! Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon Results – DAIRY

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Congratulations to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA members completing the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon for Dairy. For a complete list of Ohio State Fair Skillathon Results, visit: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-skillathons

Age 8/9:

  • Carrington Kohler, 6th Place

Age 14:

  • Silas Kohler, 8th Place