Teen Opportunities

Save the Dates: Ohio 4-H Teen Service and Social Days June 26 & 27

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Please save for the date for the Ohio 4-H Teen Service and Social Day(s) on June 26 and 27 across the state! Hosted by Teen Leadership Council, this is a day of service to a local community as well as fun, social bonding with fellow older 4-H members! This year there are 2 LOCATIONS – Northeast Ohio and Southern Ohio.

Registration will be launched in May and due by June 18 – we will send more information at that time. Please save the date and share with your teens and teen groups (fair boards, Jr. Leaders, counselors, etc.)!

More information:

What: TWO DAYS of service to the community and socializing with fellow Ohio 4-H teen members! Service activities include a park clean up with a picnic and outdoor games after the work is done!

When: June 26 and 27; 9:30am-3pm; Registration is open from May 1st-June 18th at go.osu.edu/TLCServiceSocial.

  • Northeast Ohio – June 26 – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Cuyahoga/Summit County)
  • Southern Ohio – June 27 – Rocky Fork State Park (Highland County)

Who: Any 13–18-year-old 4-H members (as of January 1, 2025)

Where: We will meet a local extension office/fairground will caravan to the service and social locations and return to the meeting place by 3pm.

Cost: $10. This price includes picnic lunch, service and social supplies and activities, and a t-shirt! Sponsored by the Ohio 4-H Foundation. Payment must be made by June 18 at www.go.osu.edu/TLC10.

Service and Social Flyer (1)

Scholarship Opportunity: Purina Animal Nutrition – due 4/17/2025

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The Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship is here! They are awarding FOUR students $5,000 each to help further their education. Whether you’re a high school senior, recent graduate, or current undergrad with experience in livestock, equine, or poultry, this opportunity is for YOU! Don’t wait—apply now! The deadline is April 17th. Click here for more information.
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Scholarship Opportunity: Cynthia Hayes – due 5/1/2025

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The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON) and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) have partnered together to create a scholarship in memory of Cynthia Hayes, co-founder and former director of SAAFON. Cynthia dedicated her life to serving African American organic farmers in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Cynthia Hayes Scholarship
This year, three students (one graduate and two undergraduate students) will receive $5,000 scholarship awards each, along with opportunities to engage with sustainable agriculture advocates and practitioners. Applications open on March 27, 2025, and close on May 1 2025.

Scholarship eligibility requirements:
– This scholarship is open to students who self-identify as Black and/or Indigenous
–  Students should have an interest in grassroots organizing, movement building, or agricultural policy and a commitment to promoting racial equity in our food and farm system
– You must be a student in good standing (2.5 minimum GPA
–  PhD students are not eligible to apply

Find more information here

Source: OSU ACEL Nutshell – April 2, 2025

Scholarship Opportunity: Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) – due 4/15/2025

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  • This year, thanks to a grant from ACN’s Professional Improvement Foundation and an endowment from Lyle Orwig, ACN is offering two scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing careers in agricultural communications: the Dr. James Evans Scholarship ($3,000) and the Past Presidents’ Scholarship ($1,500).
  • To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be members of the National ACT organization. If a local ACT chapter is not available for a student to join, the student may become an individual member of National ACT by emailing nact.treasurer@gmail.com and nact.president@gmail.com  expressing interest in becoming a member. National annual dues are $17.
  • Find more information here

Source: OSU ACEL Nutshell – April 2, 2025

Scholarship Opportunity: Dairy Farmers of America – due 6/6/2025

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As part of Dairy Farmers of America’s Mideast Area Council’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in the dairy industry, five $1,000 at-large scholarships are available for Mideast Area college students.

These scholarships are offered yearly to farmer-owners, their children and on-farm employees. There are no age or course of study restrictions. Students cannot have also received another DFA-sponsored scholarship including one offered through their college or university for the 2025-2026 academic year. Proof of acceptance or current college registration is required to be included with a completed application.

Applications must be postmarked by June 6, 2025, and can be downloaded from the Mideast Area section of the DFA farmer-only website, www.dfamilk.com.

The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON) and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) have partnered together to create a scholarship in memory of Cynthia Hayes, co-founder and former director of SAAFON. Cynthia dedicated her life to serving African American organic farmers in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Source: OSU ACEL Nutshell – April 2, 2025

Teen Opportunity: 2025 4-H Cultural Immersion Project – Puerto Rico

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The 2025 4-H Cultural Immersion Project—Puerto Rico applications are open. The experience will be from November 25 to December 3, 2025. Those teens interested should contact Leslie Cooksey to be nominated by April 30th.

After receiving the application, follow-up interviews will be scheduled to select participants. Final selections will be posted in mid-August. 4-H youth ages 15-18 (as of the trip’s date) are encouraged to apply. Teens must still be in high school as of the trip’s date to participate.

A 7-day immersive experience that seeks to understand Puerto Rican culture.  Teens will build multicultural skills and knowledge, as well as an increased ability to communicate in the increasingly diverse society that we live in.  Teens will experience and live in both the Old San Juan urban area and life in the remote mountain town of Castañer. The group will also work with Puerto Rican youth in joint service projects and lead teambuilding activities for the University Gardens High School and the Yauchecus Elementary School students.

More Information about 4-H CIP Program: News Article about the 2023 4-H Cultural Immersion Project – Puerto Rico trip

https://ohio4h.org/february-2024/4-h-teens-immerse-themselves-puerto-rican-culture

Once nominated by your 4-H Educator (multiple teens from each county may be nominated), you will receive an application to complete.

Who: Ohio 4-H teens ages 15-18 (by the date of the trip and still in high school)
Where: Puerto Rico (San Juan and the mountain village of Castañer)
When: Tuesday, November 25 – Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Cost: estimated to be $1,500 (includes airfare, ground transportation, most meals, lodging, and program fees)

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

  • 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.

Nomination Deadline: May 1 (contact Leslie Cooksey by April 30th if interested in being nominated).

Teens will be notified of the nomination and will have until May 31 to complete the application requirements.

Participants will be selected and notified in late July 2025

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield SWCD – due 3/31/2025

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The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will offer up to three $1,000 college scholarships per year.

Applicants must be graduating from high school and be residents of Fairfield County. Home-schooled students are eligible as well. At the time of application, applicants must have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Applicants need to be pursuing a degree in the fields of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation or Environmental Education. Examples of some eligible degrees include: Agriculture, Ag Engineering, Aquatic Ecology, Biological Sciences, Conservation Planning, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation, Soils, or Wildlife. Call the SWCD office if you have a question about your area of interest.

Eligible post-secondary institutions include technical colleges, two-year associates, or four-year bachelor’s degree programs. If you plan to attend something other than the above, please call the SWCD office to check on eligibility.

Scholarship Application– due to the Fairfield SWCD office by March 31. Applications can be mailed or emailed to scholarship@fairfieldswcd.org.

Youth Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Adaptive Adventures Camp (Special Needs Camp)

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Camp season will be here before we know it! I wanted to send a quick reminder to share information about Ohio 4-H Adaptive Adventures Camp (formerly known as Special Needs Camp) with your audiences. The Camp was recently featured in the February addition of Ohio 4-H Highlights, which can be found here.

  • Camper Info – Registration due May 15. Ohio 4-H Adaptive Adventures Camp is held at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp with support of a 4-H Foundation grant. The facility is in Jackson County, Ohio, just south of Chillicothe.  Each summer, we offer a camping experience for youth aged 8-adult who have unique needs that cannot be accommodated in a traditional camp setting. We typically have a small group of between 15-25 campers and their caregivers who spend the weekend doing all the normal camp things, modified for their needs. This year, Camp will be June 6-8. Camper registration forms, along with some pictures and additional information about the event, are online at this site: www.go.osu.edu/AdaptiveAdventures
  • Counselor Info – Applications due April 15. Just as with our traditional camps, we have an opportunity to allow teen camp counselors to gain experience working with our Campers. Counselors should be active in your local counselor program to ensure they receive training. They do come to Camp on Thursday, June 5, to get onsite training hours and help transform Camp for our Campers. Since caregivers are onsite for this Camp, Counselors are in a more supportive role and not the primary caregiver. This is a great opportunity to see things from a different perspective and interact with individuals and families in new ways at Camp! Counselors who are interested should complete the application at the bottom of this page: www.go.osu.edu/AdaptiveAdventures

Teen Opportunity ExploreAg STEM Camps – Applications OPEN!

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Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, will once again be offering free weeklong camps and one-day experiences for high school students in 2025.

In ExploreAg, teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators. Participants visit locations like ST Genetics Ohio Heifer Center and Sunrise Cooperative, manufacturers like Bob Evans and CropKing, and college research laboratories at Ohio State, Wilmington and Findlay. During these multiday or daylong immersion programs, students are able to develop their leadership and collaboration skills and prepare for college and further careers.

“These camps truly highlight the vast array of possibilities for a meaningful career in Ohio’s farm and food industries for students who may have never considered seeking a role in these fields,” said Katie Share, ExploreAg and youth development specialist with Ohio Farm Bureau. “As the need for a strong next generation of workforce continues to grow, agriculture is teeming with opportunities in all aspects of food production, from agronomy to technology, and we are excited to share many of these opportunities with ExploreAg participants.”

As part of ExploreAg camp, students are introduced to various aspects of agriculture, food science, environmental sciences and more, both in the classroom and through opportunities for hands-on learning on and off-campus at The Ohio State University, University of Findlay, and Wilmington College. Students interact with and learn directly from internationally known teachers, scientists and researchers.

Subject areas include food science, precision agriculture, animal sciences, natural resources, management skills, technology, and agricultural business. In addition to the classroom experience, students will participate in field experiences that highlight cutting-edge research and meet industry partners to provide a glimpse of various careers in related fields.

Weeklong immersive session locations and dates:

• Ohio State Columbus, June 8-13

• University of Findlay, July 6-11

• Ohio State Wooster, July 13-18

• Multiday Camp

• Wilmington College, June 17-20

• Single-Day Camp: COLT Lineman Training Facility, May 30

The ExploreAg program is free to all high school students and includes on-campus accommodations, meals, staffing, program materials, and transportation. Supervision is provided at all times by faculty, staff, and program counselors who are current college students in related majors.

The deadline to apply is April 30 at exploreag.org. Students selected will be notified by May 1 of their selection. Parents and students can find more information at exploreag.org or by contacting info@exploreag.org.

Source: Ohio Ag Net 3/16/2025

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) Applications due 5/15/2025

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4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available! Please promote this to your 13-18 year old (as of January 1) 4-H members interested in state-level leadership experience! Applications are available at https://go.osu.edu/4HEYA and are due, along with supporting materials, by May 15, 2025.

  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2025.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 10 or July 15)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at [go.osu.edu/4HEYA25]go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sara (Deakin.5@osu.edu)