State Fair

ODA Launches 2017 “Ag is Cool!” Creative Expression Contest

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REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (April 05, 2017) –The Ohio Department of Agriculture today announced it will begin accepting entries for the 2017 “Agriculture is Cool!” Creative Expression Contest. Children enrolled in school or home schooled in Ohio during the 2016-2017 academic year have until June 5, 2017 to capture their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is cool for their chance to win prizes, including tickets to the Ohio State Fair.

“Ag is Cool!” entries, which can include an original video, photograph, drawing or painting, will be judged in the following age categories. One winner from each age group and category will be chosen:

  • Grades K-2: Photography, Drawing or Painting
  • Grades 3-5: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting
  • Grades 6-8: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting
  • Grades 9-12: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

Entries will be judged by a panel that may include representatives from the Office of Governor John Kasich, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio State Fair and professionals in the areas of video production, photography, drawing, painting and other visual arts. Judging will be based on the student’s visual representation of the “Ag is Cool!” theme, if it accurately reflects 21st Century agriculture, use of Ohio images, creativity and quality of work.

Winners of the art contest will be recognized by the Office of Governor Kasich and other state officials at the Ohio State Fair on July 26, 2017.

For additional information about the contest, a complete copy of the rules and entry form visit http://www.agri.ohio.gov/AgIsCool/ or call 614-752-9817.

Ashley McDonald, (614) 752-9817, Ashley.McDonald@agri.ohio.gov

2017 Ohio State Fair Clothing Judging Changes

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If you are taking a 4-H Clothing Project for 2017, the way classes are being judged has been updated for this year.  All eligible projects for a particular project will be seen on a single day, rather than spread out over 3 days.  State Fair Clothing Judging will be August 1 – August 3, 2017.

Classes to be judged Tuesday August 1, 2017 in the morning: Accessories for Teens, Clothing for Middle School and Creative Costumes

Classes to  be judged Tuesday August 1, 2017 in the afternoon: Sundresses & Jumpers, Shopping Savvy Jr., Shopping Savvy Sr. and Dress Up Outfit – Formal Wear

Classes to be judged Wednesday August 2, 2017 in the morning: Tops for Tweens, Active Sportswear and Dress Up Outfit – Daywear

Classes to be judged Wednesday August 2, 2017 in the afternoon: Sew Fun Jr., Sew Fun Sr., Look Great For Less, and Clothing for Your Career

Classes to be judged Thursday August 3, 2017 in the morning: Loungewear, em*bel*lish, and Clothes for High School & College

Classes to be judged Thursday August 3, 2017 in the afternoon: Fun With Clothes, Sew For Others, and Outerwear for Anywhere

For Fairfield County members, you would be part of the first session each morning and afternoon. Registration for our members would start at 8:15 am for morning classes and 1:15 pm for afternoon classes.  The morning style review is scheduled to begin at 11:30 am daily, and the afternoon style review will start at 4:30 pm daily.

For the complete rules of the 2017 Ohio State Fair Non-Livestock Judging, please see: http://go.osu.edu/17statefairnon-livestock

 

Mid-States Wool Growers Open House

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Mid-States Wool Growers, located at 9449 Basil Western Rd, Canal Winchester, will be hosting an Open House and “Make it with Wool’ Day on Saturday March 25, 2017 from 11 am to 1 pm.

The community is invited to look at and purchase pendelton wool fabric for 4-H Projects, Make it With Wool Competition and Guys and Gals lead classes. The supply store will also be open!

The 2016 Ohio State Fair Make it With Wool winners will be there with their outfits to answer questions, and there will be workshops, give aways and refreshments.

Contact Melinda Stevens, State Director at msstevens79@aol.com for more information.

 

Showing a Market Beef project at the 2017 Ohio State Fair? If so, read on!

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This is a reminder:
To be eligible to show market beef at the Ohio State Fair, junior exhibitors must have filed a DNA sample and USDA Official Electronic ID tag number by January 15, 2017 with the Livestock Office at the Ohio State Fair for each market animal to be exhibited. This does not constitute an official entry;  you still must fill out and submit the Ohio State Fair official entry form by the June deadline. Don’t forget, your 4-H Educator or FFA Advisor have to sign off on the sample.

Fairfield County Livestock Judging Team Celebrates a Great Year and Welcomes New Members for 2017!

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The Fairfield County Livestock Judging Team has concluded their 2016 season and anxiously anticipate another successful campaign in 2017. We look forward to seeing new and existing team members at our January 4th Informational Meeting/Club Sign-ups from 6-8pm at the OSU Extension Office!judgingteam16

Year in Review:

  • 1st place Overall – ATI Livestock Judging Contest in Wooster, Ohio
    • James Smith – 2nd high individual, 1st placings
    • Allie Poston 3rd high individual, 1st oral reasons
  • 2nd High Junior Team – Ohio State Fair
    • Notable finishes include Allie Poston, High Jr. Individual (2nd Cattle, 3rd Oral Reasons, 3rd Swine, 5th Goats); Josh Starner, 6th High Jr. Individual (7th Swine, 8th Cattle, 10th Sheep) and Jeff King (9th Swine)
    • James Smith represented the Senior Team well as 8th High Sr. Individual (7th Sheep, 9th Swine)
  • 3rd place Junior Team – Ohio Beef Expo
    • Teammates Jeff King, Josh Starner, Austin Hunker (Huron)
  • 5th place Junior Team – Ohio Beef Expo
    • Teammates Allie Poston, Lexi Smith (6th High Jr. Overall), Emma Preston
    • Abigail Thornton (11th High Sr. Overall)

No formal training is needed – just a desire to learn and an interest in livestock industry knowledge – open to 4-H and FFA members of all ages as their time allows. Participation in every practice or contest is not required, but is encouraged.

Anyone with questions about participating in the Fairfield County Livestock Judging Club may contact the coaches, Trey Miller (740-505-0514) or Justin Bachman (740-974-3369). You can also email fairfieldlivestockjudging@hotmail.com

Ohio State Fair Market Beef DNA Sample Collection

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The Ohio State Fair requires all market beef entered in the 2017 Ohio State Fair to have individual DNA samples taken from each animal that may potentially be entered. These DNA samples must be in the possession of the Ohio State Fair by January 15, 2017.

Click here for a document containing sample collection instructions: final-dna-sample-collection-instructions-2017. Those of you who are not familiar with last year’s procedures may have several questions, but hopefully by having these instructions now will give you a heads up on the requirements. Therefore, please read the attached instructions that will be a part of each sample collection kit and contact Stacey French, Agricultural Department at the Ohio State Fair, if you have any questions. Stacey’s phone number is 614.644.4049 and email is s.french@expo.state.oh.us.

DNA sample collection kits may be picked up either by 4-H professionals, FFA advisors, or the actual individual directly from Stacey French on the OSF fairgrounds. Prior to submission, the nomination envelope for each sample kit remitted must be signed by either the 4-H professional or FFA advisor, depending in which organization the youth is taking the market animal(s).

Also note that those showing at any of the BEST sanctioned shows must have EID tags in their calves prior to the first show in which they exhibit. BEST shows prior to the January 15 deadline to submit samples to OSF include: Heart of It All, November 26-27, Lima; AGR Holiday Classic, December 10-11, Columbus; and Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown, January 7-8, Columbus.

Early Release of 2017 State Poultry and Dog Event Dates

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Early Release of 2017 Poultry and Dog Event Dates
  • January 9 – Registration deadline for Ohio 4-H Dog Judges’ Seminar
  • January 21 – Ohio 4-H Dog Judges’ Seminar, OSU Animal Sciences Building, Columbus, OH
  • February 24 – Registrations due for Ohio 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training
  • March 4 – Ohio 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus, OH
  • March 25 – Bi-State Youth Poultry Clinic, OARDC, Wooster, OH
  • May 13 – Ohio 4-H Dog Expo, Fairfield County Fairgrounds, Lancaster, OH
  • May 17 – State 4-H Dog Bowl Contest postmark team entry deadline
  • June 17 – State 4-H Dog Bowl Contest, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus, OH
  • June 20 – Postmark Entry Deadline for Ohio State Fair Dog Agility and Regular Dog Show Entries (New deadline for 2017)
  • July 1 – Postmark Entry Deadline for Ohio State Fair Dog Poster Contest
  • July 26 – August 6 – Ohio State Fair
  • July 29 – OSF Dog Agility, Denny Hales Arena, Ohio State Fairgrounds
  • July 31 – August 3 – OSF Dog Show, Buckeye Sports Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds

These dates are posted on the Calendar of Events pages for Dogs and Poultry and on the 4-H Animal Sciences and Ohio 4-H Dog Program Facebook pages.

Additional State Fair Clothing Recognition

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Congratulations to the following youth who also received additional awards at the Ohio State Fair with their clothing projects.

  • Addison Squibb from the Thurston Flying Fingers was chosen the Daily Wool Award Winner for Wednesday.
  • Melissa Sommers from Scissors & Spice was chosen as a Roby Award Finalist on Wednesday.
  • Marissa Mattox from Awesome Animals was chosen as the Master Clothing Educator Senior Award Finalist on Wednesday and the Master Clothing Educator Senior State Award Winner on Thursday!