Volunteers

Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award – Nominations Open!

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The Fairfield County Junior Leaders are honored to recognize two former 4-H’ers who have been selected as outstanding 4-H Alumni. This award annually recognizes one male and one female former 4-H member (any county or state) for their outstanding contribution(s) to the 4-H program as adult volunteers. In addition to their own individual plaques, the outstanding 4-H Alumni will also have their names added to our 4-H Alumni Award Plaque which is on display in the lobby of the Fairfield County Extension Office.

Please submit this form: 2025 Outstanding Alumni Nomination Form by December 15th to nominate a former 4-H member for this award along with a short reason why he or she should be recognized.

Anyone is welcome to nominate Outstanding 4-H Alumni! Please nominate one man and one woman who are 4-H Alumni. They can be from any state or county 4-H program. This award is not limited to just current advisors! This award annually recognizes one male and one female former 4-H member (any county or state) for their outstanding contribution(s) to the 4-H program as adult volunteers. Please submit a nomination form for a former 4-H member for this award and include a short description on why they should be recognized.

4-H Advisors – Join the 4-H Advisory Committee

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Applications for the 4-H Advisory Committee are available NOW – This group of 4-H Advisors work to advise OSU Extension Staff regarding direction for the county 4-H program. They also provide organization of countywide 4-H events such as 4-H Day, Officer Trainings, Countywide Fundraisers and more. 4-H Advisors must submit an application to be reviewed by the Nomination Committee. New members are slated and elected by their peers to serve a 3-year term. All current Advisors, regardless of experience, are eligible to apply provided they are not already on the committee or completing a current term. New terms begin in January, and members will be notified via email if they are selected.

Application deadline has been extended to December 1st, and can be found here: Fairfield County 4-H Advisory Committee Application. This opportunity is open to all current Fairfield County 4-H Advisors. If you have questions, please contact our office (740-653-5419) or e-mail Aubry Fowler at Fowler.443@osu.edu

The 4-H Endowment Board is looking for new members to start the year!

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The Fairfield County 4-H Endowment Board is committed to supporting the County’s 4-H program in a variety of ways that includes fundraising for needs that are beyond traditional funding resources. Many thanks for the time and effort of our Board members past and present. The Fairfield County 4-H Endowment Board includes up to 25 members who may be 4-H volunteers, 4-H alumni, 4-H members, representatives from business and organizations, and the general public. The Board also includes the Fairfield County 4-H Educators and the County 4-H Advisory Committee President (or their designee).

The 4-H Endowment Board is always looking for new members from the community who wish to get more involved in our long term fundraising efforts of the Fairfield County 4-H Program. Persons interested in volunteering for the Board may complete an application at any time. Upon selection to the Board, the 4-H Endowment President will reach out to you with more information.

4-H Endowment Board Member Application

Board Mission: The purpose of the Board shall be to solicit contributions, gifts, grants, and bequests to be invested through The Ohio State University Endowment and the Fairfield County Foundation, the annual income from which shall be used to provide a sound source of program funding for the 4-H youth and volunteers of the Fairfield County 4-H Youth Development Program. This support may include, but is not limited to, the funding of trips and awards for 4-H members, volunteer leaders, and friends of 4-H; sponsoring seminars and programs; purchasing material and services that will supplement 4-H programming or increase visibility and public support of 4-H in Fairfield County; fundraising activities of the Board or other organizations conducting fundraising to benefit 4-H in Fairfield County; the partial or full funding of professional and administrative staff positions to administer the Fairfield County 4-H Youth Development Program; and other funding for the 4-H youth and volunteers of the Fairfield County 4-H Youth Development Program. For more details please read the 4-H Endowment Brochure.

Expectations: Support the mission of the board, attend meetings, assist with event preparation, work board events. There is no obligation to donate financially to the board’s mission. However, you may incur expenses while volunteering, such as your time and travel, that cannot be reimbursed. If selected to the 4-H Endowment Board, your attendance at board meetings, the annual Legacy Dinner, and awareness breakfast are expectations of all members.

Ohio 4-H Recognition Awards – Due December 1st

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The deadline to submit nominations for the 2026 Ohio 4-H Recognition Awards which are presented at the Ohio 4-H Conference in March is DECEMBER 1, 2025!! Nominations can be made by anyone (4-H Professionals, 4-H Volunteers, etc.) but the application must be filled out completely including references (if required) to be accepted.

Awards include:

    • 4-H Hall of Fame: https://go.osu.edu/halloffameaward 
      • Recognizes individuals who have made significant lifetime contributions to the Ohio 4-H program and who have also made an important positive impact upon clubs, communities, and the state 4-H program. Must have at least 15 years of service.
    • Meritorious Service: https://go.osu.edu/meritoriousaward
      • Recognizes adult 4-H volunteers who have made a positive influence in the lives of Ohio 4-H members. Volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional service at the club or county level. Must have at least 10 years of service.
    • Community Service: https://go.osu.edu/4hcommunityserviceaward
      • Recognizes adults and youth 4-H volunteers who have collaborated with community groups or undertaken them with their own 4-H club or unit, community service projects or activities.
    • Innovator: https://go.osu.edu/innovatoraward
      • Recognizes adult and/or youth volunteers who have developed and implemented new programs, county projects, or activities.
    • Friend of 4-H: https://go.osu.edu/friendof4haward
      • An individual, family, business, or corporation that supports the Ohio 4-H Program in a charitable manner at the county, state, or national level.
    • 4-H Alumni: https://go.osu.edu/4halumniaward
      • Young Alumni Award (21-34)
      • Experienced Alumni Award (35+)
      • Recognizes Ohio 4-H Alumnus who has demonstrated distinctive achievement in career or service and can attribute part of their success to participating in 4-H.

For more information on the awards and applications go to: https://ohio4h.org/about/ohio-4-h-conference  The Qualtrics applications and the paper applications can be found on this site. Applications can be submitted in the Qualtrics or by completing the fillable “paper” or PDF application and sending it by email to smith.11958@osu.edu but we must receive them by December 1st.

***Reminder, if you submitted an applicant last year for an award and they were not chosen, please feel free to resubmit that application this year. We had many qualified applicants that were not chosen last year because of the amount of applications we received.

REMEMBER….Award applications must be received by Sunday, December 1, 2025

Tractor and Machinery Safety In-Service for Extension, High School Ag Teachers, and other Tractor Enthusiasts and Volunteers

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Please join us and also share this training opportunity with others who assist with tractor safety programs:

TRACTOR and MACHINERY SAFETY IN-SERVICE 

for EXTENSION, HIGHSCHOOL AG TEACHERS, and OTHER TRACTOR ENTHUSAISTS & VOLUNTEERS

 

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2025 from 10AM – 3PM

LOCATION: MOLLY CAREN AG CENTER – GWYNNE CONSERVATION CABIN, LONDON, OHIO

This in-service program is designed for instructors who would like to offer tractor safety courses for a variety of audiences: young workers, new & beginning farmers, and women in agriculture.

Learn the federal regulations for hiring youth and how to issue a Department of Labor training certificate for students wanting to work (for hire) on farms before age 16. This credential is also a great resume builder for any age.

Panel sessions will identify agricultural-friendly partners to help you teach and sponsor a tractor course in your area.

PROGRAM AGENDA 

9:30-10 AM – Registration with light breakfast snacks

10:00AM – Welcome, Introductions & Overview

  • The Why’s of Teaching Tractor Safety
    • Youth Labor Laws for Agriculture
    • Resources for Teaching Safe Tractor Operation

11:30AM – Lunch, with Panel Discussion

  • Working Together: school & community courses
  • Women in Ag trainings
    • New & beginning farmer programs

1:00PM – Hands-On Training:
• Written test and issuing training certificates

  • Skills and pre-operation stations Driving courses

2:55PM – Q & A, Wrap-up and Evaluation

3:00PM – Adjourn

REGISTRATION: $25 includes lunch

Payment can be made online with credit card or by check made payable to The Ohio State University.

Registration LINK: https://web.cvent.com/event/54059015-dd60-4106-8283-ca6f42b6b702/summary

Registration deadline: Nov 7. 2025

Join the 4 H For Good Challenge

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Help us recognize all the 4‑H’ers making a positive impact in their communities — and challenge others to do the same!

Starting October 9, through November 21, join the 4‑H For Good Challenge with the new film, Wicked: For Good, and put your hands and heart together to do good. Here’s how to join:

  1. Do Something Good, big or small, every act counts!
  2. Share a post on social with your heart hands  💚 💗 using #4HForGood and tag @4H.

Tag four friends and invite them to do something good too! Together, we’ll create positive change across the country.

DO SOMETHING WICKEDLY GOOD

Volunteers needed to help in the 4-H Display Barn during fair week!

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We are in need of volunteers to be barn guards for the display barn. During your time please keep an eye on the amazing display booths and help to answer questions from visitors. Barn guards can be older teens accompanied by parents, grandparents, advisors, and friends of 4-H. Please plan at least 2 hours and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your selected shift.

If you are working the first shift of the day, we will be unlocking the building for you and meeting you to give a brief orientation. With each shift change, please help share this brief orientation with the next group of volunteers. If working the last shift of the day, please stay until the end of your shift to meet those who will be securing the building for the night.

Please review the available time slots below and click on the button to sign up, comment the club/chapter you are affiliated with. Thank you!

If you are able to help out, please include your name and club at this link.

Friend of the Junior Fair Award – due 9/5/2025

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The Junior Fair Board is again sponsoring the Friend of the Junior Fair Award. Agricultural students, 4-H members and community members in Fairfield County are encouraged to nominate a person or business in the community that has a strong influence in agriculture and has contributed to the lives of Junior Fair members and the Fairfield County Junior Fair. This award will be presented at the Junior Fair Panorama on Saturday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. in Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

Applications are due Friday, September 5th and can be here: 2025 Friend of Fairfield County Junior Fair Award or at the OSU Extension Office or from a Junior Fair Board member. Nominate a deserving person or business you know today!

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