Teen Opportunities

Teen Opportunity: Ignite by 4-H National Summit – apply by September 19th!

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Ohio will be returning to Ignite by 4-H National Summit for 2026 and we are looking to take roughly 15-20 teens who are interested in Agriscience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living or STEM. Please share this information with teens who might be interested and might benefit from this experience. Online application is due by September 19 at go.osu.edu/4hignite.

Ignite by 4-H National Summit

Wednesday, March 25h – Sunday, March 29th in Washington D.C

Ignite by 4-H is a national summit designed to bring high school youth (between 14-18) together from across the country and give them the opportunity to explore the best 4-H has to offer in different tracks including Agriscience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living and STEM. A hallmark of Ignite is the Lead to Change campaign which empowers youth to be Agents of Change where you (as a delegation) will create and present a proposal to address issues within your community. The best proposals are then awarded funding for implementation. In 2026, Ignite by 4-H returns for youth to attend in-person in Washington D. C. during March 25-29, 2026. For more information, please visit go.osu.edu/4hIgniteOhio

Who: High School Aged Teens (14-18) interested in Agriscience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living and STEM

Where: Washington, DC (Washington Hilton – 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC)

When: Wednesday, March 25th – Sunday, March 26th

Application: Apply online at go.osu.edu/4Hignite by September 19th at 8:59pm

Cost: Selected delegates will have summit registration and travel expenses covered

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association (Deadline 1/15/2026)

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The Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association scholarship application portal is now open and youth can find more details and apply on-line at: go.osu.edu/FCCAscholar.

Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association

College Scholarship Application
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Information and Requirements
  • At least one $750 college scholarship will be awarded
  • High School Seniors and Undergraduate College Students attending both 2 and 4 year programs are eligible to apply. College schedule or other proof of college enrollment must be provided before scholarship is awarded.
  • Applicant or his/her parent/guardian must be a ‘Lifetime’ member of the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association at the time of application submission.
  • Applicant must have completed and exhibited a market beef, beef feeder, and/or beef breeding project for at least four years at an Ohio County and/or State Fair, either through 4-H and/or FFA.
  • Applicant must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Include HS and College transcript/advising report. You will have the opportunity to upload these at the end of the application.
  • Applicants are eligible to receive a total of four (4) FCCA Scholarships in a lifetime.

Teen Opportunity: ExploreAg Camps

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Don’t miss out! Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is hosting three free ExploreAg Camp experiences during the fall for high school students to explore careers in food, agriculture, and STEM-related areas!

 

Please use this PDF flyer to share this opportunity with rising high school students in your community and encourage them to apply by Sept. 30.

 

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

 

2025 ExploreAg Fall Single-Day Sessions

  • Oct. 17, Eastern Ohio Camp
  • Oct. 24 COLT Lineman Training, Mount Gilead
  • Oct. 28, Meat Processing Camp

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.

 

Warm regards,

Katie Share

ExploreAg & Youth Development Specialist

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

 

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

Special Accommodations for Skillathon: Winning 4-H Plan Requests – Due August 29th

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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 Friday, August 29th.

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 August 29th 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

Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Representative Online Applications Due September 5th

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Continuing 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 Friday, September 5th. 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 Friday, September 5, 2025.
  • 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.
  • Applicants will be notified if they will have the opportunity to interview (or not) the week of September 15th. If selected to interview, the applicant will be able to select an available time on our schedule.
  • Interviews will be conducted in person on the evening of Monday, September 22nd from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Check-in at the Ed Sands Building.  
  • 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 AND Equine will be announced on Sunday 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 for the current year and exhibit this project at the 2025 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.

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Fashion Board – applications due August 24th

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As a teen enrolled in clothing projects, we’d like to encourage you to consider applying for the 2025/2026 State 4-H Fashion Board. The application deadline is extended. Apply at https://go.osu.edu/state4hfashion by 11:59 PM, Sunday, August 24th.

The State 4-H Fashion Board unites 4-H teens statewide who share a passion for clothing and textiles. They play a vital role in the State Fair 4-H Fashion Revue, lead clothing workshops, and champion 4-H clothing initiatives. Around 15 teens are chosen for a one-year term. There is no limit on the number of applicants per county. Interested teens with 4-H clothing experience and who are currently at least 4-H age 14 or older can apply. Zoom interviews will follow in September. More details about the board are available at https://ohio4h.org/families/just-teens/state-4-h-fashion-board and at the attachment linked at the bottom of this email.

Sincerely, State Fashion Board Advisors

Laryssa Hook , Extension Educator – 4-H Youth Development, hook.26@osu.edu

Danielle Combs, Extension Educator – 4-H Youth Development, combs.311@osu.edu

Junior Fair Queen Applications Available: Due 9/5/2025

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The 2025 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 5, 2025. Don’t forget to sign the application and include a picture!

The top 10 candidates will be invited to interview on Tuesday, September 16th.

 

Community Service Opportunity: Lithopolis Honeyfest

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If you may know of 4-H members in need of community service hours, we have a few areas during the Honeyfest in need of volunteers! Recommended ages for these positions are ~15 and older teens. If younger and unable to work independently, the volunteer must be accompanied by a parent at all times to assist.

Sign-ups are directly via our Sign-Up Genius webpage. Once signed up, the volunteer will receive a confirmation e-mail with event details.

A few areas of potential interest:

  • Busy Beehive – help young kids with craft projects
  • Bee Train – assist young kids on/off the train
  • Welcome Center – greet visitors and pass out event program booklets
  • Honey Sitter/Contest Support – this is indoors – good for someone who needs to remain seated most of the time or cannot be in the heat/weather (we are rain or shine)

Sign-Up:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DACA72DA7FDCF8-54446649-lithopolis#/

Please note that I will be away from 7/11 through 7/23. E-mail is welcome, however I won’t be able to respond until after my return.

Thank you for sharing with the clubs!

June Queen

Lithopolis Honeyfest Volunteer Coordinator

junemqueen@aol.com

4 Fairfield County 4-Her’s return from Citizenship Washington Focus

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50 Ohio 4-H’ers traveled to Washington, D.C. at the beginning of June to participate in Citizenship Washington Focus, a program that gives youth the opportunity to explore, develop, and refine their civic engagement skills. They spent six days exploring the nation’s capital, participating in hands-on educational workshops, learning about our country’s history, and meeting with government leaders. Attending from Fairfield County were Henry Hoisington, Evelyn Hill, Anna Wolfe, and Alaina Bell.

Thanks to these experiences, they developed leadership, citizenship, and communication skills that will help them become leaders in their community and agents of change for the future.

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council Applications due 8/8/2025

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Do you have teens in your program looking for their next level of involvement? Encourage them to consider applying for the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council for the 2025-2026 program year!

Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council (TLC) applications for the 2025-26 year are now available and can be found on our website at go.osu.edu/TLC! Please let any interested individual know so they may apply. Please note, because it is only a one year term, current TLC members who wish to continue their service must re-apply. Every member will select a committee to join that is based on a program in Ohio 4-H (STEM, Healthy Living, College and Career Readiness, 4-H Promotion and Advocacy, and Animal Science) – they will be working closer with design teams to help review and provide feedback to programming as well as creating new programs and resources and advocating for that program and project area – see attached graphic for more details.

  • Applications and more information about the group can be found online at: go.osu.edu/TLC. Please note: applications (and other materials, including letters of recommendation and program fees) are due by Friday, August 8, 2025.  The term for selected individuals will be September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026.