Youth Opportunities

It’s Cool—and These Projects Are Too!

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No horse? No problem. Horseless Horse invites all youth to explore the world of horses—with no hooves necessary. Youth explore over 20 different horse-related subjects with easy-to-use worksheets. Horseless Horse also may be used during the educational portion of club meetings.

Not Just Knots turns simple rope into serious know‑how. Youth learn 14 knots that matter, master skills that stick, and impress everyone with what they can do with a single piece of string. After that, they show off their skills with a capstone project. From camping to crafting to everyday problem‑solving, 4-H members will use these skills for a lifetime.

Horseless Horse (173) and Not Just Knots (540) are available through your county 4-H professionals and at extensionpubs.osu.edu.

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Say Thank You to a Mentor Who Made a Difference💚

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Mentors come in many forms—volunteers, teachers, coaches, caregivers, or someone who simply showed up when it mattered most.

We’ve created a simple fill‑in‑the‑blank message you can use to thank a mentor—a caring adult who helped you grow.

Because of you, I learned _____.
You helped me believe _____.
Your support changed _____.
Thank you for being someone I could count on.

Whether you send it in a text, an email, or say it out loud on a quick call, a few words can mean more than you know.

Source: National 4-H Council 1/15/2026

Educational Opportunity: Winter Equine Webinar Series hosted by OSU Extension

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Please help us share the word and invite others to our Winter Equine Webinar Series on January 21st! Flyer is attached. The webinar will be recorded, so you can catch it later if you miss it live.

Horse Zoom Series 2026 (4)

Registration: go.osu.edu/equinezoomseries25

Register for just one or for all three free webinars!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at hill.1357@osu.edu

Thank you for your help in sharing this webinar series!

Janessa R Hill
Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources Educator, Holmes County
111 E Jackson St, Millersburg, OH 44654
3306743015 Office
hill.1357@osu.edu / osu.edu

4-H Day Youth Volunteers – share your projects 4-Hers on March 7th!

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4-H Day is coming up on Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the AAA Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. We could not host this “open house” and 4-H kickoff event without the help of our 4-H volunteers, youth, and families. Here is what we need and are looking for:

  • Kids of all ages who want to show off their projects. All projects welcome – bring animals, project books, awards, displays, etc. Setup will begin at 12:00 p.m. and those kids who would like to have a display should contact 4-H Day Chairs, Jessica Scott and Bethany Miller, at fairfield.4hday23@gmail.com to let them know what they plan to bring. Also, you may sign-up for your project at the following 2026 4-H Day Sign-Up Genius Link.
    • Pens and cages will be available IF we know that they are bring an animal. If they bring an animal, they are responsible for feed, water, bedding, and cleaning up after their animal.
    • We will be limiting project displays to ONE per project so please let Jessica and Bethany know what you’d like to bring by signing up on the Sign-Up Genius website (i.e. we will not have 3 different members bring 3 pet rabbits!)
  • Adults (advisors….and parents are also welcome) to help with registration, answering general 4-H questions and club placement/check-out. Clubs looking to add members are strongly encouraged to attend and recruit at 4-H Day.

This is a great way for kids to engage in public speaking and add something to their Junior Achievement or Ohio 4-H Achievement Forms (4-H promotion/awareness at its finest!)

WANTED: Clubs & 4-H Advisors to help recruit new members and families at 4-H Day!

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4-H Day is coming up on Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the AAA Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. We could not host this “open house” and 4-H kickoff event without the help of our 4-H volunteers, youth, and families. Here is what we need and are looking for!

  1. Advisors who would like to put a club display/table together. We need to know how many tables/chairs you need. This is ideal for clubs who are able to add new members. Showcase what your club does over the course of the year. Cloverbud Clubs are welcome!
    • If your club would like to setup at 4-H Day this year, please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up found at this link.
    • This year will be a little different than in the past years. We will have club tables setup in the Ed Sands Barn during a Spaghetti Dinner that is being put on by the Advisory Committee. This will allow for clubs to spread out a little more and allow more room for projects that will be in the AAA Barn. Please include a good email address that communication can be emailed to as there will be further details to come as the event comes closer.
    • 4-H Day will be March 7th, 2026 from 1-3pm. However, the Spaghetti Dinner will be from 12pm-4pm. That said, clubs are asked to setup from 11am-4:30pm to not interfere with the Spaghetti Dinner. Any question can be directly emailed to fairfield.4hday23@gmail.com. Thank you!
  2. Advisors/Volunteers who can help with registration and serve as runners (on an as-needed basis) during 4-H Day in the AAA Building. We’ll let you know more specifics when you arrive that day!

We look forward to hearing from many of you! This is a huge event of the 4-H Advisory Committee where we expect over 100 youth and adult volunteers to make this happen. Additionally, we expect to see over 300 prospective guests who are interested in our county 4-H program! Let’s show them what we have to offer!

 

2026 Homegrown Market Lamb – Register your Ewe/Lambs within 2 weeks of lambing!

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The Junior Fair Sheep Committee is pleased to continue the Homegrown Class in the Junior Fair Market Lamb Show for 2026. Read on for further details:

Homegrown Market Lamb Division

  1. To be eligible, entries must be born from a ewe owned by the exhibitor prior to January 1st of the current year and raised at the 4-H/FFA member’s immediate family property or family property that adjoins the exhibitor’s residence (i.e. grandparents, aunt/uncle). Proof of ownership of the ewe will be in the form of registration papers, farm Scrapie tag, or Scrapie tag with an accompanying bill of sale.
  2. Entry must be one of the exhibitor’s junior fair market lamb projects. Lambs must be born after January 1st of the current year.
  3. The market lamb selected to be shown in the homegrown market lamb show will be included in the general market classes.
  4. Homegrown market lamb class will be held separately – before the general market lamb show, and only one lamb per exhibitor will be permitted to show in this class.
  5. The top five (5) places will be selected and receive an award. The Champion Homegrown Market Lamb and Reserve Champion Homegrown Market Lamb selected will sell 6th and 7th in the overall sale order (unless it places either Grand or Reserve Grand Champion in the general market lamb show or the exhibitor is selected as the Sheep Premier Exhibitor).
  6. Exhibitors must complete the Homegrown Market Lamb Intent Form (http://go.osu.edu/homegrownmktlamb) as soon as possible following the birth of their Homegrown Market Lamb(s). This will notify the Sheep Committee to make a farm visit within two weeks of lambing.
  7. All entries must agree to a market lamb committee member(s) entering their barn/housing unit for visual inspection of animals. Failure to do so will lead to immediate disqualification.

Homegrown Market Lamb(s) must take part in June weigh-in at the fairgrounds. No exceptions.

Dairy Judging Contest Opportunity: February 28th in Wooster

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4-H and FFA Members and Advisors – you are invited to participate in the annual Ohio State ATI Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. This year’s contest will be held on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at the OARDC Krauss Dairy located in Wooster.

Further details are listed at this link:

2026 Ohio State ATI Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Information

Shooting Sports Open House – Rescheduled for Sunday, Jan 18th at 1pm

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The new date for the 2026 Fairfield County Shooting Sports Open House is Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Fairfield County Ag Center (831 College Avenue, Lancaster, OH 43130)

Attendance Requirement

To participate in the 2026 Fairfield County Shooting Sports program, both the youth member and a parent or guardian must attend this event. During the Open House, families will take part in a required parent meeting, learning about the disciplines offered, complete registration forms, and pay club dues. If you are a returning 4-H member, please be sure to bring your 4-HOnline log in information, as we will also be completing 4-HOnline enrollment that day.

Important Notes for the 2026 Season

  1. Registration: All registration will take place during the Open House on Sunday, Jan 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Attendance by both the youth and parent or guardian is required.
  2. Archery Discipline: Archery will once again be the final discipline offered this year. Advisors will coordinate with members and the Extension Office for those interested in summer judging for archery.
  3. Participation Limits. Each discipline has a maximum number of participants. Registration will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis during the Open House.

Interested in Volunteering?

We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help make our program successful. To learn more and apply, please visit go.osu.edu/FCVolunteer to learn more!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office (740-653-5419).

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, Jan 18, 2026  at 1:00 p.m., at the Fairfield County Ag Center.

Tractor Maintenance & Small Engines 4-H Club – 1st Meeting: Jan 5th

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The Tractor Maintenance & Small Engines 4-H Club is accepting new members! 4-H is a non-formal, educational youth development program for individuals aged 8 and in 3rd grade or 9 years old through age 18, as of January 1, 2026.

This 4-H club is unique in that they focus on one specific topic – Small Engines and Farm Tractors. Meetings are on Monday nights, January through March each year. Advisors teach members how to work on small engines and tractors while visiting different businesses and agriculture shops throughout the county. No experience is necessary – This is a great opportunity to learn something new!

The club is also using a new curriculum that focuses on tractor safety and how to properly perform tractor maintenance. The Tractor Maintenance courses are available to members who have completed the small engine project books or have had previous experience working on machinery.

The club meets every Monday in January through Mid-March. The first meeting will be Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00p.m. at the Fairfield County Ag Center, 831 College Ave, Lancaster. Joining 4-H is relatively inexpensive – Members can participate in the Tractor Maintenance and Small Engine Club for $25! All interested members are welcome to attend this first meeting to learn more and get registered! For more information, contact the Fairfield County Extension Office at 740-653-5419

Virtual National 4-H Opportunity for Livestock Exhibitors: National 4-H Animal Science Career Night

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National 4-H Animal Science Career Night, sponsored by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals – Animal Science Working Group

December 18, 2025

7–8pm EST / 6–7pm CST

FREE for youth in grades 7–13 (ages 12–19)

Join us for an exciting evening with two incredible guest speakers from the animal science industry! Hear real-world career insights, ask questions, and explore future pathways in animal science.

Featured Speakers:

  • Mr. Jack Ward – Executive Vice President, American Hereford Association
  • Mr. Sam Cohen – Zoological Supervisor, Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL)

Register by December 17, 2025 at 11:59pm EST

Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up or visit https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/…/SV_6Jt5H9mJnKy8En4

Questions? Contact: mb2173@njaes.rutgers.edu

A great opportunity to participate in a NATIONAL 4-H experience for your 4-H award forms and project work!