Volunteers

2025 Junior Fair Book is Available!

by

The 2025 Fairfield County Junior Fair Book is now posted on OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development and Senior Fair websites. Please review all Junior Fair Rules. Please also review Ohio’s Livestock Exhibition Rules that govern Ohio’s County and Independent Fairs. There may be minor updates to the Junior Fair Rule Book after this initial post, refer to online version for most up to date information. If any major changes are made, they will be posted on this blog and updated in the electronic version of the online book.

To access the Junior Fair Book, visit: go.osu.edu/fcjrbook. To access information regarding the 2025 Junior Fair Livestock Sale, visit: u.osu.edu/livestocksale.

Paper copies of the Junior Fair Book can be picked up at the OSU Extension Office or contact your club/chapter advisor as they can also request paper copies to be printed for the club/chapter.

Volunteers needed for September 6th and September 21st Skillathons

by

As many of you know, the Skillathon is a requirement for Fairfield County livestock/horse/dog exhibitors. For this event to be successful, we are going to need many volunteers. Complete this survey to sign up and volunteer: http://go.osu.edu/skillathonvolunteer.

The date for the first Skillathon is Saturday, September 6th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  This Skillathon is for exhibitors that will be showing beef, dairy beef, swine, sheep, meat goats and dairy cattle.  The second Skillathon will be held on Sunday, September 21st from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  This Skillathon is for the exhibitors showing rabbits, poultry, alpacas/llamas, horses, dairy goats and pygmy goats.

The volunteer time commitment is important for this event to be successful.  During your volunteer time, you will be asked to supervise various activity stations. The volunteer needs to select their top 3 areas for which you would like to participate and select a time period during which to volunteer.

Lunch will be provided for volunteers and staff both days.

Thanks for helping with this event and making it successful. Questions about volunteering for Skillathon events can be directed to Sarah Martin, Skillathon Superintendent, at semartin216@hotmail.com.

 

Volunteer Position Open: Junior Fair Dairy Superintendent (Apply by June 6th)

by

POSITION OPEN: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR DAIRY CATTLE SUPERINTENDENT(s)

This is a VOLUNTEER POSITION.

If you are interested in an opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills and be an active participant in planning the Fairfield County Junior Fair, we would encourage you to apply for the position of Junior Fair Dairy Cattle Superintendent. We are looking for individual interested in working with the Senior & Junior Fair Board and staff to provide the following duties:

  • Operate the Junior Dairy Shows during the Fairfield County Fair
  • In November/December, review the rules for the Junior Fair Dairy Show and assist in updating rules to meet current industry standards with advisement from the 4-H and FFA Advisors.
  • Provide input to the Skillathon event as needed.
  • Develop a communication instrument with exhibitors through email through out the year on upcoming events related to the dairy show. Database will be provided.
  • Assign and schedule stall assignments for dairy exhibitors.
  • Plan and conduct with your committee the Junior Fair Dairy Show at the fair.
  • Coordinate Junior Fair Dairy showmanship.
  • Complete all required documents regarding dairy show results and champions.
  • Work with sponsors and their commitment to award sponsorship.
  • Seek with assistance new award sponsors for new award areas.
  • Work closely with Junior Fair Director, Senior Fair Dairy Director, Fair Manager, and 4-H & FFA leadership.
  • Follow up in early September non-sponsored awards and assist in finding sponsors.

Skills required:

  • Excellent communication and organization skills.
  • Timely follow up on calls, emails, or problems.
  • Ability to work alongside volunteers, Junior Fair Board Members, parents, and exhibitors of all ages.
  • Computer skills utilizing spreadsheets and word processing skills.
  • An outgoing personality that will be the spokesperson for the Junior Fair Dairy Cattle Program.
  • Work in a cooperatively with the Senior Fair Board, Senior Fair Dairy Director, Junior Fair Superintendents, OSU Extension Staff, and 4-H & FFA leadership.

Applicants should send a resume with cover letter to Doug Shell, Junior Fair Director at lshell171@gmail.com by Friday, June 6th. Applicants must be a resident of Fairfield County.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected applicants will be interviewed.

Meet the Authors of 4-H Project Books – KITCHEN BOSS and SUPERHERO YOU!

by

Would an experienced 4-H member you know like to learn boss-level cooking skills, or would you like a youth to discover their superpowers? If so, plan to join National 4-H’s next Meet the Authors Webinar!

Authors Emily Marrison, Rhonda Williams, and Christy Millhouse will showcase the Ohio 4-H projects, Kitchen Boss and Superhero You in back-to-back sessions.

Register for the webinar today at go.osu.edu/4hmta and mark your calendar for May 28, 2025, at 3:30 pm!

NOW AVAILABLE – Purchase your 4-H Books from the Extension Office!

by

As a reminder, 4-H Project Books are available at the Fairfield County Extension Office. This is the best way to make sure you get the correct book for your project and save a little money.

Members, check with your advisors if they are doing a club order for books. If so, make sure they have the books you want on their list. If your club is NOT doing a big order, you can email Stacy (hicks.686@osu.edu) your book order. You will receive a confirmation email when your order is ready for pick up.

Advisors, please fill out the 2025 Book Order Form for your club. Please make sure to download this PDF before filling it out. Book order forms can be emailed to Stacy as well. You will receive a confirmation email when your order is ready to pick up. The Extension Office is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m – 4:00 p.m.

As a reminder, project books are available for purchase year-round at the Extension Office. It is requested that clubs use the project book order form when ordering the entire club’s books for the year. Payment is required upon receipt of books. Volunteers, members, parents, and general public, however, may purchase 4-H publications at any time as needed. The cost for project books varies by project. Tax will be added on to all books paid with a personal check or not paid for by a club.

If you have any questions, you may reach out to Leslie Cooksey (cooksey.25@osu.edu) or Aubry Fowler (fowler.443@osu.edu) – Fairfield County 4-H Educators.

You’re all Making the Best Better in 4-H!

Learn Tips To Safeguard Your Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm: Defend the Flock Webinar on 4/17/2025

by

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is in all 50 states. With wild birds migrating this spring, your flock – and susceptible livestock – are at increased risk for HPAI.

Boost your biosecurity know-how now to protect all your animals. Download the Spring 2025 edition of our newsletter to get answers to questions like:

  • Why are poultry and susceptible livestock at increased risk this spring?
  • Why is biosecurity so important for your farm or backyard?
  • What can you do to protect your livestock?

Join fellow flu fighters on 4/17 at 2:30 p.m. EDT to hear APHIS Poultry HPAI Incident Lead Dr. Melissa Yates present “From Backyard to Barnyard: Biosecurity for Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm.” Register NOW at this link.

Download the PDF here >>>

Community Service Opportunity: Pickerington Lions Community Earth Day

by

I am representing the Pickerington Earth Day Community Cleanup. Would any of your 4-Hers be interested in volunteering? This is a large event that draws a couple hundred volunteers to pick up litter and plant trees. In the past, we have had Boy Scouts and Girl Scout Troops but we would love to have 4-H clubs join us as well.

I have attached a flyer. We are a Pickerington Lions Club event and associated with Green Columbus.  We have a sign up for litter clean up and a sign up for tree planting in a nature preserve.

Thanks,

Rachel Scofield
(614) 561-2249

www.pickeringtonline.com

Cloverbud Volunteers: Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Meeting Menu

by

The Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Meeting Menu is a tool to help you offer an exciting year of Cloverbud meetings. Choose from a selection of components to engage your 4-H Cloverbuds. The 2025 theme is: Flying High

You will find a variety of lessons, activities, games and snacks created around a yearly theme. You can find all of these activities at: https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/cloverbud-meeting-menu-2025/

Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Engineering Adventure

by

Fairfield County 4-H Cloverbud Volunteers – if interested in the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Engineering Adventure….read on!

Up, up and away with the 2025 Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Engineering Adventure. This year’s adventure will get Cloverbuds thinking about the science of flight whether in an airplane, a helicopter or even a hot air balloon. They will have opportunities for discovery, creativity and problem solving as they explore this year’s challenge.

Let your Cloverbud’s imaginations soar as they explore different types of aircraft that fly within earth’s atmosphere. Use the problem solving questions and other learning opportunities to narrow down to one type of aircraft. Create a model of your aircraft in action.

This year there are nine locations across Ohio to showcase your adventure. Find the showcase location closest to you!

https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/engineering-adventure/