Volunteers

How do I get ready for summer judging?

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  1. Complete your project book and activities as outlined in your the Project Guidelines 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 July 8th for each project that you are completing this summer by clicking this link.
  4. What day is my project judging? Review your project information in the 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 27th at the Ag Center/Extension Office by calling 740-653-5419 to make an appointment.
    • 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!

Community Service Opportunity: Pet Heaven Cemetery in Reynoldsburg/Etna

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Read on if your 4-H Club is looking for a community service opportunity!

From Joe Downs, Cemetery Director at Pet Heaven Cemetery:

A brief explanation of who we are; Pet Heaven was purchased by The Basement Doctor in 2018, and is now one of their many sister companies. In the years prior to the purchase of the cemetery, it has been pretty neglected and overgrown. Since purchasing the cemetery in 2018, the employees at The Basement Doctor have been volunteering their time to mow, meet with families, dig graves, and even set monuments. Finally this year, they realized the cemetery has too much business to keep running on volunteer capacity, so they hired me. I am a former dog groomer and humane agent, as well as a current funeral director and crematory operator. I am now THE only person responsible for everything related to the cemetery.

Over the past few months I have contracted with casket suppliers, monument artists, and a lawncare team.

My final big task before re-opening the cemetery and accepting new burials; is landscaping!

Pet Heaven dates back to the 1950’s, and is home to hundreds of companions final resting places. Being that we have headstones from the 50’s and up, many families don’t make it out to care for the graves anymore, and I really want the grounds to be clean and welcoming before reopening.

Some of the biggest tasks I have include:

  • Washing off headstones with soap and water
  • Pulling weeds around headstones – we do not use a weed-eater around the headstones because the string contains metal reinforcement, and can damage the stone ☹
  • Leveling stones – Many of the headstones have settled into the ground over the years and shifted. Since our headstones are sized for pets, they are fairly small and lightweight. Most of the stones just need to be re-centered on their slabs, so the rows are in nice straight lines.
  • Gardening and landscaping – I have been reaching out to local nurseries and garden centers for donations of mulch and stone. Right now, the cemetery is just lawn and trees. I want to have a nice eye-catching entrance with bright flowers and dark mulch. We also have a large empty area in the center of the cemetery where I would like to add a “Pick-your-own flower garden” – growing a variety of flowers and greenery, offering a unique experience for visitors to pick their own arrangement of flowers to place on their loved ones grave.

I am reaching out to see if your 4H community would be interested in helping us complete any of these tasks. We are eager to open our doors again and start accepting burials for at-need families!

Everything necessary will be provided for our volunteers; gloves, sunscreen, glasses, brushes and cleaners etc…

I will also be installing a community board with local veterinary office info, coupons for pet supplies etc, and would be more than happy to add a big banner thanking the Ohio 4-H volunteers for making our cemetery beautiful!

***Pet Heaven as well as all of our sister companies have been completely covid free during the entire pandemic. While our employees are getting vaccinated, we are still enforcing a strict mask policy in our offices, vehicles, and common areas. Outdoor activities are mask optional as long as a 6-foot distance is still enforced, or members are from the same household.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this email, and I look forward to hearing back from you! 😊

JOE DOWNS 

CEMETERY DIRECTOR

PET HEAVEN CEMETERY

ADDRESS: 13701 NATIONAL RD. SW, ETNA OH, 43068

SITES: www.PetHeavenOhio.com / Facebook/PetHeavenCemetery

PHONE: 740.927.3582

~ JDowns@PetHeavenOhio.com ~

COVID-19 Update for Ohio 4-H Programs and Club Meetings

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Updated COVID-19 Club Resources as of June 1st, 2021:

Face Mask Requirements

  • Face masks are not required to be worn outside at any other OSU Extension (including 4-H) programs and activities, including 4-H club meetings/events and county-level events conducted by OSU Extension.
  • Masks are still required at indoor events, when visiting the OSU Extension office, and at any 4-H club meeting/event/program, regardless of vaccination status. Program participants ages five and older, and parent/guardians must wear a mask. Medical conditions or disability exceptions are permitted. Other COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, cohorts/pods and sanitizing remain in place.
  • When participating in outdoor activities, face masks are strongly recommended for those who are not yet fully vaccinated (strongly recommended means the individual chooses to wear a mask or not).

Include this message in your pre-meeting/event/program communications:

  • Individuals and/or family members may not attend if they or anyone living their household is experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste or smell, or as been directly exposed (confirmed or suspected) to COVID-19 if they are not fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccinations are our best current protection against infection and a fatal outcome. Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face mask outdoors, however we strongly recommend eligible, but unvaccinated, individuals to continue to properly wear a face mask when social distancing cannot be maintained

Find details at Ohio 4-H Planning Guide for In-Person Meetings & Events (link: https://ohio4h.org/families/stay-connected). Ohio 4-H continues to adjust guidelines as appropriate, and is relying on 4-H professionals, clubs, volunteers, parents and members to follow these guidelines so that activities continue to take place in person. These guidelines can change at any time if conditions change, or guidelines are not followed.

Reminder of Meeting Ohio 4-H Guidelines that went into effect April 26, 2021:

  • Club meetings and events can meet in larger groups than the previous limit of 50, as long as they can maintain physical distance, wear masks and practice good hand hygiene.
  • Fundraisers and community service activities may now take place. These events need to follow physical distancing, masking, and sanitizing guidance.
  • Food booths are permitted with local health department approval.
  • For other fundraisers involving food, food must be pre-packaged and dine-in events are not permitted.
  • Follow your local health department guidelines as they take precedence.
  • Potlucks and buffets are not permitted. Only pre-packaged food (e.g., boxed lunches) may be served.
  • In addition to the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, county and city health departments may release local health advisories limiting activities or encouraging additional caution. When a local health advisory is in effect, 4-H club meetings and activities must follow that guidance when it is more restrictive than these guidelines.

Cloverbud Connections: Ohio 4-H Cloverbot Challenge

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The 2021 Cloverbot Challenge will help Cloverbuds imagine how could they live on a newly established colony on the planet Mars. They will explore what a colony might that look like, where to live and how they could move from place to place.

The 4-H Cloverbot Challenge is a statewide event designed just for our youngest 4-H’ers. Teams will work together to research a topic, build a model out of interlocking bricks and create a poster highlighting their experience. Teams will present and share virtually via Zoom either Monday, July 12 or Thursday, July 22.

Cloverbud teams will learn about the planet Mars and potential modes of transportation. Teams will also learn more about the challenge by answering these questions:

  • What are similarities and differences between Earth and Mars?
  • What might your colony look like on Mars?
  • What kinds of transportation do you use on Earth?
  • How would transportation you use on Mars be different or similar to what we use on Earth?
  • What jobs are associated with space travel?
  • How might you stay safe when using transportation on Mars?
  • How does the environment on Mars impact transportation?

Teams may have a minimum of two members, but no more than eight, and are coached by an adult team leader. Details and registration information can be found at https://ohio4h.org/families/cloverbuds/cloverbot-challenge

Questions? Contact Christy Millhouse at millhouse.10@osu.edu or Rhonda Williams at williams.418@osu.edu. And a special thanks to the Ohio 4-H Foundation for their ongoing support of the Cloverbot Challenge.

Flyer: 2021 Cloverbot Challenge

Source: Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Connections: Ohio 4-H Cloverbot Challenge

Community Service Grants for ServeOhio Day – 4-H Club Opportunity

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Funding Available for ServeOhio Day Volunteer Projects

ServeOhio – along with partners American Electric Power Foundation and AmeriCorps – is pleased to announce the availability of grants to support community service projects organized for ServeOhio Day on June 19, 2021. ServeOhio Day coincides with the summer solstice – the day with the longest period of daylight in the year – providing the most ample opportunity to volunteer annually. Grant awards will range between $500 to $2,000.

How can the funding be used?

The grants support projects that create or improve community assets or infrastructure such as parks, schools, senior centers, community gardens or low-income homes through volunteer engagement. Funds may be used for supplies, materials and volunteer support.

Who is eligible to apply?

Non-profit and public organizations in Ohio including, but not limited to, volunteer centers, school districts, community colleges, universities, and local governments are eligible to apply.

Ready to apply?

For the application and instructions, visit the ServeOhio website. The application deadline is May 18, 2021 at 11:59 PM. We look forward to receiving your application.

Bottle Cap Weigh In: May 8th and/or May 18th

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4-H Clubs do you have bottle caps to weigh in?

Please bring all clean plastic bottle caps in a trash bag and/or box to the May Weigh-Ins at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds!

Weigh Ins will take place in the #4 Beef Barn at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on:

  • Saturday, May 8th, 9:00 – 11:00 am
  • Tuesday, May 18th, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

If you have questions, please contact Aubry (Fowler.443@osu.edu)

 

Reminder on the rules:

  • Work within your club to collect clean plastic bottle caps and lids.
  • Collect only caps that are approved – they must be ALL plastic and clean (no food residue please)
  • Store them during our “off” time in bags – inside a box – they will get heavy
  • Bring them to the Extension Office for the Club Weigh-In 
  • Fundraise to purchase a bench for your club Contact Aubry (Fowler.443@osu.edu) for more details (optional)
  • The club who collects the most caps by weight will receive a bench sponsored by the Junior Leaders and a personalized plaque for their bench.

Acceptable Plastic Caps:

  • Empty and Clean K-Cups are now accepted as well!

Leigh Miller of Amanda Work & Win 4-H Club receives Milestone 4-H Award: 50 Years of Service

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Leigh Miller, of Amanda, was recently honored for 50 years of volunteer service to the Ohio 4-H Youth Development program. This award is sponsored by Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.

Leigh says, ”I continue to volunteer for 4H because I want to keep giving back for what I got.”  The 2021 awards presentation was held on March 11 and can be viewed online at https://ohio4h.org/about/ohio-4-h-conference/2021-award-winners.

Ohio 4-H is the youth development program of Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. In 2020, over 83,000 Ohio youth participated in clubs, school programs, and camps. Ohio has more than 18,000 active 4-H volunteers.  Learn more at ohio4h.org. OHIO 4-H GROWS TRUE LEADERS IN 2020

For more information about 4-H in Fairfield County, contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu or visit fairfield.osu.edu.

Kris Doyle of the Blue Ribbon Showmen receives Milestone 4-H Award: 40 Years of Service

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Kris Doyle, of Lancaster, was recently honored for 40 years of volunteer service to the Ohio 4-H Youth Development program. This award is sponsored by Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.

Kris says, ”I continue to volunteer because I have seen over the years how 4-H has impacted the youth in so many ways. I want to be a part of that experience, to see them grow into outstanding adults who contribute in their own ways to their community.”  The 2021 awards presentation was held on March 11 and can be viewed online at https://ohio4h.org/about/ohio-4-h-conference/2021-award-winners.

Ohio 4-H is the youth development program of Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. In 2020, over 83,000 Ohio youth participated in clubs, school programs, and camps. Ohio has more than 18,000 active 4-H volunteers.  Learn more at ohio4h.org. OHIO 4-H GROWS TRUE LEADERS IN 2020

For more information about 4-H in Fairfield County, contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu or visit fairfield.osu.edu.