Teen Opportunity: Carving New Ideas (CNI) Camp

Carving New Ideas (CNI) is a camping opportunity that focuses on critical thinking and program facilitation for 4-H members in grades 8-12. The workshop is held at the scenic 4-H Camp Ohio in St. Louisville, Ohio. Campers develop their leadership skills while making new friends from across Ohio and participating in fun activities. Camp counselors are college students at The Ohio State University. Adult staff members providing risk management, nursing services, and meals are staff and volunteers from Franklin County 4-H.

Registration Fee: $95.00 (includes t-shirt and all meals)

Check-in: Friday, November 22, 2024, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Check-out: Sunday, November 24, 2024, 10:00am

Registrations can be completed by visiting go.osu.edu/CNIAll registrations are due by October 31, 2024.

Fairfield County youth who received CNI Trip Award this spring should register but NOT PAY as Leslie will be taking care of your sponsorship and registration payment.

Congrats to these 10 Fairfield County 4-H members selected for Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council!

Congrats to the following Fairfield County 4-H members who were selected for the 2024-2025 Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council:

Samantha Bader
Addie Dennis
Lilian Dennis
Aubrey Duke-Ward
Evelyn Hill
Brin Leigh Hoisington
Makenna Lybarger
Madison Menke
Sophia Preston
Kendall Wild

For more information about Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council, click here.

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Global Immersion Project – Greece – March 12-23, 2025

Participant Selection:  Ohio 4-H Professionals can nominate youth from their county to complete the short video application.  Final selection will be based on geographic characteristics and the below criteria:

  • Have an interest in pursuing a career in agriculture.
  • Can embrace unique and different cultures beyond their local communities.
  • Willing to share their experiences through presentations, newsletters, etc. at the local and state level.
  • A good representation of the local 4-H program.

Please contact Leslie Cooksey if you are interested in being nominated by your county 4-H Educator to apply for this experience. Teens must be nominated by their county 4-H Educator by October 1st.

What is it?

Ohio 4-H Global Immersion Project – Greece | March 12-23, 2025

Who: Ohio 4-H Teens 15-18 (Teens are nominated by Ohio 4-H Professionals)

Where: American Farm School (https://www.afs.edu.gr/) – Thessaloniki, Greece.  It was established in 1904, is renowned for its innovative approach to agricultural education. https://www.afs.edu.gr/afs-at-a-glance/

What: Participants will engage in a variety of educational classroom and field activities, including sensory analysis workshops with products such as feta cheese, honey, and olive oil.   They will tour the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its experimental farms and research centers. Teens will be part of a “Work Internship” with AFS high school students working in cohorts focused on different program units that include:  Animal and Plant Production, Food Science & Technology, and more.  Youth will also participate in a cross-cultural and agricultural career field exploration program designed to help youth learn about careers in agriculture, cross-cultural interactions, workforce preparation and leadership skills.

In addition, youth will help facilitate teambuilding and problem-solving activities through a Leadership Workshop with Greek high school and Jr. high students.  By engaging with these students, the teen leaders will expand their leadership skill development and gain insights into teaching an international audience.

Two off-site cultural experiences include hiking in the Enipea Canyon near Mount Olympus and a visit to UNESCO World Heritage site Meteora, which features monasteries built in the 11th century atop of limestone pillars.  A Greek cooking class, city history tour, and local farmers market activity are included.

Cost: To be determined – based on Grants received (Estimate- $2,000 – $3,000 –  includes airfare, all lodging, most meals, ground transportation, translation services, park entrance and program fees.)

Save the Date – 2025 Camp Dates

Start planning for Summer 2025, Fairfield County 4-H will have FOUR summer camp options for youth. Youth will sign up for camp based on the grade of school instead of age. This will be the camper’s grade as of May 1, 2025. We hope you are as excited as we are, so save the date and join us at Alley Park or Tar Hollow next summer!

**Please note, Camp Counselors who are still eligible to attend Senior Camp as a camper will not be slated to counsel at this camp. The Fairfield County 4-H Camp Staff are adding special things to Senior Camp that only our oldest campers will get to experience like multi-county camping, paint wars, outdoor cooking, kayaking, and more!**

Junior Fair Queen Applications Available: Due 9/6/2024

The 2024 Fairfield County Junior Fair Queen Cover Letter and Application can be found here.

Signed Junior Fair Queen Applications (with photo) are due to the Extension Office by 4:00 pm on September 6, 2024. Don’t forget to sign the application and include a picture!

The top 10 candidates will be invited to interview on Tuesday, September 17th.

Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Representative Online Application Due September 15th

New this year, all commodity ambassador/representative applications will be on ONE application. There will be one interview date to make selections for each commodity position. Please select and rank your interested commodity positions. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 15th. Click here to access the application. Commodity Ambassador/Representatives we be selected for Alpaca/Llama, Beef, Canine, Caprine, Dairy, Equine, Lamb & Wool, Poultry, Rabbit, and Swine.

The purpose of the Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Ambassador Program is:

  • To inform others and promote 4-H/FFA programs while strengthening the species’ image.
  • To encourage specie projects in the 4-H/FFA programs.
  • To improve knowledge and presentation skills.
  • To build a portfolio of excellence for future reference.

Process:

  • Applications must be submitted to the OSU Extension Office by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
  • All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee(s), the top three individuals per specie will be selected for an interview by a panel of judges.
  • Interviews will be conducted in person on the evening of Monday, September 23rd (time TBD) at the Fairfield County Ag Center (OSU Extension Office).
  • The representative(s) will be selected from individuals interviewed and notified via phone following the completion of all interviews and will be publicly introduced at the Junior Fair Panorama during fair week (exception – Lamb and Wool Queen will be announced at the Guy’s and Gals Lead on Wednesday of fair).

Requirements:

  • Applicants must be an active 4-H/FFA member and at least 14 years old as of October 1st of the current year.
  • Applicants must have an active project in the relevant specie project for the current year and exhibit this project at the Fairfield County Junior Fair.
  • Representative will be required to attend the Panorama and speak about the specie represented.
  • Representative will assist with award presentations during the Junior Fair shows related to their specie. Representative should present awards in between showing their own animal(s).
  • Representative will assist with Junior Fair Livestock Sales on Thursday and Friday of fair week.
  • Representative must be available to make guest appearances at community functions on behalf of the specie and fair (i.e. parades, festivals, other fairs, and commodity events).
  • Representatives are strongly encouraged to participate in 4-H Day to promote 4-H project work for their specie (1st Saturday of March).
  • Female applicants can also run for Junior Fair Queen (if they meet those requirements). If selected for both, applicant will serve in commodity role on the day of that specie’s show.

 

Ohio 4-H Launches CareerNext Online Course, Empowering Youth for Success in Tomorrow’s Workforce

Ohio 4-H proudly announces the debut of CareerNext: Are You Ready?, an innovative online course designed to equip young individuals with the skills and confidence needed to excel in the dynamic landscape of tomorrow’s workforce.

As the career landscape evolves rapidly, Ohio 4-H recognizes the importance of preparing youth for forthcoming challenges and opportunities. CareerNext stands as a comprehensive program integrating practical knowledge, interactive modules, and real-world scenarios to empower participants to explore various career paths, hone critical skills, and make informed decisions about their future.

Key features of the online course include interactive learning modules covering resume building, interview techniques, post-secondary education, and financial literacy. Participants also benefit from expert guidance, flexible learning options, hands-on activities, and resources for career exploration.

For more information about CareerNext: Are You Ready?, visit http://go.osu.edu/careernext.

Teen Opportunity: AG Yost Encourages High-School Students to Apply for Teen Ambassador Board

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is accepting applications for Yost’s Teen Ambassador Board (TAB) for the 2024-25 academic year.

TAB – which is designed for high-school juniors and seniors from public, private, charter and online schools statewide, including home-schooled students – offers young people an opportunity to engage with state government officials and discuss issues affecting their lives.

“This program allows Ohio teenagers to gain firsthand experience in law and government,” Yost said. “It’s a chance for our future leaders to have their voices heard and to play an active role in shaping their communities.”

Board members serve a one-year term, during which they convene twice in Columbus to collaborate and advise the Attorney General’s Office on matters relevant to teens.

The ideal applicant is a motivated, enthusiastic self-starter who has an interest in law and government, seeks to develop leadership skills, and wants to make a difference.

Board members participate in small group projects, attend presentations, meet with Attorney General Yost, and interact with assistant attorneys general and elected officials.

The submission deadline for applications – an application can be found here – is Sept. 15, 2024. For more information about the program, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/TeenAmbassadorBoard.

Said Yost: “Don’t miss this chance to be part of a dynamic group of young leaders and make a meaningful impact on the state of Ohio.”

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association (Deadline 1/15/2025)

Since the FCCA college scholarship program was begun in 1999 more than $36,000 in scholarships have been awarded to local youth. Scholarships are funded by the FCCA and, in part, through a donation from the Sally Grimm Community Fund in memory of past FCCA President Greg DeWitt. The scholarship application portal is now open and youth can find more details and apply on-line at: go.osu.edu/FCCAscholar.

Source: Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association Blog Post 8/23/2024

Teen Opportunity: ExploreAg Camps (free!)

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to announce we will be hosting two free ExploreAg Camp experiences this fall! If you know of any students who would be interested in applying, please encourage them to do so by Sept. 30. Please use this PDF flyer to share this opportunity with rising high school students in your community

ExploreAg Overview

Purpose: Discover careers linked to agriculture and related STEM fields through a series of immersive and hands-on experiences and tours.

Who: Ohio students entering grades 9-12 in the fall, or recent high school graduates.

Cost: Free 

Learn more and apply by Sept. 30 at ExploreAg.org

2024 ExploreAg Fall Sessions

  • Oct. 11, COLT Electric Lineman Training, Mt. Gilead
  • Nov. 1, OSU Columbus Campus

ExploreAg is Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, offering free week, multi-day and day-long immersion programs for high school students. In ExploreAg, teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators.

Questions or concerns? Contact info@exploreag.org.

ExploreAg is made possible through the support of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

Source: Ohio Farm Bureau email 8/15/2024