Youth Opportunities

Youth Opportunity: 4-H Demonstration Contest – Signup by July 1st

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Sign-up NOW through Monday, July 1st to participate in the Fairfield County 4-H Demonstration Contest by calling the Extension Office at 740-653-5419.

When: Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Who: Any 4-H member (project age)

What: A contest designed to demonstrate your ability to teach how to do something. There are Junior and Senior Divisions! For more information contact the Extension Office

Where: Ag Center, 831 College Avenue, Lancaster Why: To share your talents or skills with others and improve your teaching abilities.

Need tips on how to plan for a great demonstration? Click here!

Participants in the county demonstration contest have the opportunity to advance to the Ohio State Fair! For more information on guidelines and rules, review the Ohio State Fair Guidebook for Communication Days.

2025 Junior Fair Book is Available!

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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.

4-H Summer Judging – Scheduling will open the week of June 16th

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Hello 4-H Members! We hope that you are busy working on your 4-H projects this summer. Here are a few important updates to be aware of:

  • All Summer Judged Projects will be judged on the following days: Monday, July 14th and Tuesday, July 15th. Scheduling for these dates will open the week of June 16th (watch email/blog posts for the scheduling link). Please be aware that certain projects will be judged on certain days – please review the 2025 4-H Member Handbook to determine your project judging day(s). Writing Projects have been moved to Monday, July 14th.

If you cannot attend judging during this week, you can:

  1. Attend Late Judging on Tuesday, July 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by calling 740-653-5419 to schedule an appointment. Participation in Late Judging receives a grade only and is not eligible for county awards or state fair consideration.
  2. Advisor Completion – Talk to your club advisor as they can work with you to review your project for completion only. No grades or awards will be given with this option.

Please review the 2025 4-H Member Handbook as you complete your project(s) and prepare for judging.

Youth enrolled in the Tractor Maintenance Club or Shooting Sports Club do not need to complete summer judging if they met all completion requirements at the club level for Small Engine/Tractor Projects and or 700 level Shooting Sports disciplines (Shotgun, Rifle, Archery). However, if they wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair for any of these projects, they must attend summer judging for each project.

Youth enrolled in Cake Decorating have the option for summer judging completion or county fair completion. If youth wish to qualify for the Ohio State Fair, they must complete summer judging.

Food and Nutrition Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Menu Planning Worksheet and Food Project Insert packet. Members WILL NOT bring food to judging.

Clothing Project Members should also review their project book inserts. These were tucked inside your project book if books were purchased at the Fairfield County Extension Office. If needed, you can download these here: Style Revue Card and Clothing Project Insert packet.

  • Clothing Project Members plan to attend the Style Revue at Liberty Union High School, July 14th, 7:00 p.m. This is a required part of judging to be eligible for county awards and State Fair participation.

Youth Opportunity: Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest – REGISTER BY JULY 3rd

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All 4-H members are encouraged to participate in the 2025 Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest on Sunday, July 20th at the Ohio Expo Center.

  • Check-In: 8:30 am – 9:30 am – Voinovich Livestock Center Show Arena
  • Contest Instructions: 10:00 am – Voinovich Livestock Center Show Arena
  • Judging Begins: 10:30 am – Denny Hales Arena
  • Awards Presentation – Following Contest Critiques in Voinovich

Pre-Registration is required by July 3rd and must have a county 4-H Educator’s approval – please contact Leslie Cooksey if you wish to participate. The cost is $15 per member and if Fairfield County 4-H youth wish to participate in this contest, members will be reimbursed by the 4-H Advisory Committee. Click here for additional rules and contest information.

Teen Opportunity: ExploreAg Camps – FREE! Register by June 13th

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Don’t miss out! Ohio Farm Bureau Federation hosts several free ExploreAg Camp experiences during the summer for high school students to explore careers in food, agriculture, and STEM-related areas! We have extended the application deadline to give students more time to apply for this wonderful opportunity. Please use this flyer to share this opportunity with rising high school students in your community and encourage them to apply by June 13.

ExploreAg Overview

Purpose: Discover careers linked to agriculture and related STEM fields through a series of immersive and hands-on experiences and tours.

Who: Ohio students entering grades 9-12 in the fall, or recent high school graduates.

Cost: Free 

Learn more and apply by June 13 at ExploreAg.org

2025 ExploreAg Summer Sessions

  • June 17-20, Wilmington College
  • July 6-11, University of Findlay
  • July 13-18, Ohio State Wooster Campus

Youth Opportunity: Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest – July 20th

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The rules and entry forms are officially posted for the 2025 Livestock Judging contest. Please visit our website for all of the up-to-date information. Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested. Currently, we do not have a livestock judging coach/team in Fairfield County. If you are interested in coaching a team, please contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu. If you are interested in competing in this state 4-H event, they can still do so (even without an organized team at the county level). Youth must be 4-H members in good standing and have a county 4-H educator sign off on your registration. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out!

The 2025 Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest will be Sunday, July 20th. If interested in participating, please contact Leslie Cooksey by July 1st (cooksey.25@osu.edu)

Ohio 4-H Livestock Judging Resources and Information: https://ohio4h.org/node/3429

Youth Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Avian Bowl and Poultry Judging

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The rules and entry forms are officially posted for the 2025 Ohio 4-H Avian Bowl, Poultry Judging, and Livestock Judging contests. Please visit the websites below for all of the up-to-date information. Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out! 4-H Advisory, Jeff Sweeney will be coaching the poultry team this year. If you are interested in participating in these events – please contact Leslie Cooksey (cooksey.25@osu.edu) by July 1st and she’ll get a list to Jeff.

Youth Opportunity: Ohio 4-H STEM Camp

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Registration for 4-H STEM Camp is open. Learn about all things STEM at 4-H STEM Camp this summer! Taking place from June 29 to July 1 at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, youth in grades 5-7 will have the opportunity to engage in a hands-on exploration of STEM interest areas and careers. Registration is open through June 15. More information can be found at go.osu.edu/4HSTEMCamp.

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

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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!