Save the Dates: 2024 Summer Judging will be July 15 & 16

NEW for 2024, we will be having summer project judging on TWO days. The judging schedule will be as follows and project judging will take place at the Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds.

Monday, July 15, 2024

  • Food and Nutrition Projects
  • Creative Arts Projects
  • Family & Consumer Sciences Miscellaneous Projects
  • ALL Self-Determined Projects
  • Clothing/Sewing Projects
    • Details are still being worked out for the Style Revue.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

  • Leadership
  • Communications
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Sciences

CANCELLED: 4-H Projects in the Parks Day (May 18th, 2024)

UPDATED AS OF 2/22/2024 – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2024.

Please hold the date of May 18, 2024, for the 4-H Project Day in the Park at Deer Creek State Park, in Mount Sterling Ohio. Please watch for future information (marketing flyers) about this event for you to share with your families.

What is it? A partnership program between 4-H and ODNR to promote our State Parks and Careers in Natural Resources.

What will 4-H members get to do? 4-H members will have the opportunity to sign up for one or both 4-H project sessions. They will work with professionals in those fields and complete at least two activities in their 4-H Project books that day!

Cost? As of right now the event is free!

Time? Tentative schedule right now is from 9:45 am – 3:00 pm (See tentative schedule below, families can stay for two sessions or just come for one.)

Sponsor: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Contact: Jordan Conner jordan.conner@dnr.ohio.gov

4-H MEMBERS BRING (Backpack Recommended)

  • Project book for selected workshop (NOTE: Forgot book? They can fill out responses at home)
  • Pencil(s)
  • Closed-toe shoes or boots.
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (If raining, raincoat)
  • Water bottle
  • Packed lunch
  • Items needed for specific workshops will be communicated in advanced.
  • NOTE: 4-H members and their parents will be informed that parental supervision is required.

ODNR PROVIDES

  • Workshop instruction
  • Workshop material and equipment, if applicable
  • Extra pencils
  • Snacks for participants who forget a packed lunch (Goldfish, fruit snacks)
  • Extra bottled water
  • First aid

 

Exhibitor Premiums for Summer Projects – collect at fair!

If you completed a project during summer judging and have the project exhibited at the fair, you are eligible to receive the premium award based on the grade you received.  Stop by the little red building east of the Junior Fair Office (on top of the hill) and pick up your premium.  For those of you that are showing this week at the fair, you can get your premium the day AFTER your show.  The ladies working in the premium office need your grade before they can give you your premium, and we need until the following morning to get them copies of your grades.

Save the Date for 4-H Summerfest: Summer Project Awards Ceremony is August 12th

Our annual Summerfest Awards Program will be held Saturday August 12, 2023 at Ohio University-Lancaster. Members who completed their summer projects and received a 1st-3rd place, Honorable Mention or Outstanding will be mailed postcard invitations to the event soon. The event will begin at 7 p.m.  We look forward to seeing you help us celebrate the great work done with summer projects. This event is open to the public.

Summer Judging Results and Photos

Congrats to all 4-Hers, parents, and advisors! Summer Judging week has been wonderful as we get to see all of the hard work come together in our project interviews. Results for summer projects will be posted at this link and all results will be posted by the of the day on Friday, July 14th: go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudgingresults

State Fair packets will be ready starting on TUESDAY, July 18th at NOON during regular office hours.
 
All county award winners should save the date of August 12th at 7:00 p.m. for Summerfest!

Additionally, photos from summer judging have been posted on our Ohio State – Fairfield County 4-H Facebook Page.

Did you miss Summer Judging this week? Sign up for Late Judging!

We strongly encourage completion of 4-H projects. If members are unable to have projects completed or have scheduling conflicts during Summer Judging dates, we would like to invite them to sign up for late judging. Late judging (for grade only) will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at the Extension Office by appointment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You must call the Extension Office at 740-653-5419 to schedule an interview time. 

How do I get ready for Summer Judging?

  1. Complete your project book and activities as outlined in your the 4-H Project Member Guidelines (located in the 2023 4-H Member Handbook and in the front of your project book) 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 Friday, July 7th for each project that you are completing this summer by visiting go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging.
  4. What day is my project judging? Review your project information in the 2023 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 25th at the Ag Center/Extension Office by calling 740-653-5419 to make an appointment. There will be no early judging.
    • 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!

4-H Summer Judging for Natural Resources and Shooting Sports: Wednesday, July 12

Hello 4-H Members enrolled in Natural Resources and Shooting Sports Projects!

We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Natural Resources and Shooting Sports Projects will be judged on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (by appointment, see scheduling info below).
    • If you cannot attend this judging day, you can:
      1. Attend Late Judging on Tuesday, July 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only, and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
      2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.
      3. There will be no early judging.
  • Scheduling is now open for summer judging!
    • We ask that you schedule an appointment that works best for you by using this link: go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging
    • Scheduling will be open through Friday, July 7th. 
    • If you have more than one project judged on this day, please be sure to schedule an appointment for EACH PROJECT. Also, please allow time between appointments to complete each interview.
  • Please review the 2023 4-H Member Handbook and Project Guidelines as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.
  • Youth enrolled in the Tractor Maintenance Club or Shooting Sports Club do not need to complete summer judging if they met all completion requirements at the club level for Small Engine/Tractor Projects and or 700 level Shooting Sports disciplines (Shotgun, Rifle, Archery). However, if they wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair for any of these projects, they must attend summer judging for each project.
  • Youth enrolled in gardening have the option for summer judging completion or county fair completion. If youth wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair, they must complete summer judging.

Please contact the Extension Office if you have additional questions about project judging! We can’t wait to see you in less than one month!

4-H Summer Judging for Food & Nutrition Projects: Tuesday, July 11th

Hello 4-H Members enrolled in FOOD and NUTRITION Projects!

We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Food and Nutrition Projects will be judged on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (by appointment, see scheduling info below).
    • If you cannot attend this judging day, you can:
      1. Attend Late Judging on Tuesday, July 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only, and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
      2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.
      3. There will be no early judging.
  • Scheduling is now open for summer judging!
    • We ask that you schedule an appointment that works best for you by using this link: go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging
    • Scheduling will be open through MIDNIGHT, Friday, July 7th. 
    • If you have more than one project judged on this day, please be sure to schedule an appointment for EACH PROJECT. Also, please allow time between appointments to complete each interview.
  • Please review the 2023 4-H Member Handbook and Project Guidelines as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.
  • Food and Nutrition Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Food Project Insert packet.

Please contact the Extension Office if you have additional questions about project judging! We can’t wait to see you in less than one month!

4-H Summer Judging for Clothing Projects: Thursday, July 13th

Hello 4-H Members enrolled in CLOTHING Projects!

We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Clothing Projects will be judged on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (by appointment, see scheduling info below).
    • If you cannot attend this judging day, you can:
      1. Attend Late Judging on Tuesday, July 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only, and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
      2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.
      3. There will be no early judging.
    • Scheduling is now open for summer judging!
      • We ask that you schedule an appointment that works best for you by using this link: go.osu.edu/fcsummerjudging
      • Scheduling will be open through Friday, July 7th. 
      • If you have more than one clothing project, please be sure to schedule an appointment for EACH PROJECT. Also, please allow time between appointments to complete each interview.
  • Please review the 2023 4-H Member Handbook and Project Guidelines as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.
  • Clothing Project Members should also review their clothing project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Clothing Project Insert.
  • The Style Revue will be held on Thursday, July 13th at 7:00 p.m. at Liberty Union High School. You will need to submit your Narration Card at project judging. If you need a copy of this, click here: Style Review Card BlankThe Style Revue is mandatory for those who wish to be considered for awards and the Ohio State Fair.

Please contact the Extension Office if you have additional questions about project judging! We can’t wait to see you in less than one month!