November 1 kicks off the new 4-H year and we are so excited! As always we have some updates to share with you:

• 4-H Online Enrollment is open November 1st. Visit https://oh.4honline.com to enroll. New and returning members and volunteers must enroll each year by March 15th. Curious about what project to enroll in, check out this year’s family guide: Family Guide | Ohio 4-H Youth Development (ohio4h.org)
  • Prior to enrolling it is also important to check out our updated Lawrence County 4-H & Volunteer Member Guidebook and 2024 Lawrence County Junior Fair Rules
    • Huge Thank you to our 4-H and Livestock Committee who spent hours discussing the needs/wants of our 4-H community and updating our rules to reflect needed changes!
  • The Ohio 4-H Volunteer Handbook has also been updated, club leaders it is important you also take a look at this to make sure your club is in compliance with all updated policies. For example, each club will be required to update their club constitution and by-laws this year. It will be due with your club charter and financials, January 31.
    • Club Constitution Template: 2023 Revisions 4-H Club Constitution 4.2023.pdf (ohio4h.org)
    • By-Laws Template: 2023 Revisions 4-H Club By-laws optional template 4.2023_1.docx (live.com)
  • New Volunteers: In addition to enrolling through 4-Honline, you must submit a volunteer application and complete the new volunteer process, information can be found by visiting: Become a Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer | Lawrence (osu.edu)
• 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunity – Join us for a Regional 4-H Volunteer Training at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp on Saturday, November 11th. This training opportunity does count toward your required yearly training. Those planning to attend must register by November 3rd, registration can be found at https://go.osu.edu/volunteertraining23
• 4-H Shooting Sports Fun Shoot: Are you a 4-H member, 9 years or older, as of January 1, 2024 and interested in the 700 level shooting sports projects? Join our 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors this Sunday, November 5th at 2:00pm for a Fun Shoot at 1049 State Route 217, Kitts Hill.
• 4-H Teen Leader Applications Due: Last Call – any teen, 14 years or older, interested in joining the Lawrence County Teen Leaders, also known as the junior fairboard, must complete an application by November 1st. Applications can be found at  go.osu.edu/lawcojfb. Applicants should also plan to attend the November 9th meeting at the Extension Office at 4:30pm.
• Market Beef Tag-In is set for December 16th from 10:00 – 11:30am at Pratt’s Farm.
• Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Dates: Mark your calendars!!
  • Teen Winter Retreat, February 3rd – 4th
  • Spring Fling, 3rd – 6th Grade, April 27th & 28th
  • Open House, May 5th
  • Adams, Lawrence, Pike, 3rd – 8th grade 4-H Camp, June 3rd – 6th
    • Camp Counselors will be ages 14 and older, with applications due February 1st.
  • Teen Camp, June 21 – 24
  • Cloverbud Overnight, June 28 – 29

Hello! The news below was printed and shared in each Club’s Pre-Fair Check In Packet but we wanted to make sure it was posted where all could find it.

One piece of news, that was not in the orginal announcements posted below is the decision made to cancel the 2023 Speciality Goat Show scheduled for Sunday, July 9th. This was a tough decision but based on the EXTREMELY low exhibition registrations, the decision was made to cancel for 2023. We will be looking at options for 2024.

2023 Lawrence County Fair Announcements

The Lawrence County Fair will begin on Saturday, July 8^th and go through Saturday, July 15^th. This is an exciting time for our 4-H and FFA members and families.

We hope each of our members are working hard to complete their projects and preparing them for exhibition. This is very important time to ensure you are checking out the 4-H Guidebook & the Livestock Exhibition Rules; these two documents help you to be aware of expectations, rules, and set you up for success.

Attached you will find the Lawrence County 4-H & FFA Fair Schedule with lots planned! Please note, we will now be utilizing the old food booth building for events originally planned for the 4-H Breezeway.

To kick off our week, we will be having a 4-H Horse Show on Friday, July 7^th at 6:00pm at LCHA.

Saturday, July 8^th:

• Our Beef, Sheep, Goats, Chickens, & Rabbits are required to be on the grounds between 8:00 – 10:00am for weigh in. All beef breeding, beef feeders, sheep breeding projects being housed on the grounds for the duration of the week must also report for check-in during this time. DUNF Form links will be provided the morning of – please be sure to complete while you wait in line to weigh in.
• We will also be hosting our Livestock Skillathon from 1:00 – 5:00pm inside the old 4-H Food Booth Building next to the grandstands. All market livestock exhibitors must complete skillathon to be eligible to show and sale. Bonus points will be given for completed project book.
• 4-H Club Beautification Projects – please note if your club is working on a club booth, a welcome display around the grounds, a flower pot, trash can, picnic table you can find the guidelines for judging inside the guidebook. These should be set up from 2:00 – 8:00pm on Saturday or 9:00 – 12:00pm on Sunday. Deadline to check in your club projects in Sunday at noon. Please note – it is your responsibility to care for any live plants during this time and also your responsibility to remove your displays by Saturday, July 15^th at 10:00pm.

Sunday, July 9^th

• Market Hogs must be on the grounds between 8:00 – 10:00am to be weighed in on Sunday. DUNF Form links will be provided the morning of – please be sure to complete while you wait in line to weigh in. Hogs will not be slap tattooed at time of weigh in, instead those consigned to the livestock sale will be slap tattooed by livestock committee members on Friday, immediately following drop slip load out.
• The 4-H Walking parade is scheduled for line up at 12:30pm to begin at 1:00pm. Please be sure our office has received your club script absolutely no later than noon on Sunday, to ensure we can share it as you walk in front of the grandstands.
• Shooting Sports Project Judging – please note, the slight time change, 700 level projects (especially archery) please report for judging at 3:30pm. Safe Use of Guns and Basic Archery – please continue to report at the 4:00pm scheduled time.

Sunday – Thursday Livestock Exhibition & Show Announcements

• Again, be sure you are checking out the rules, check out the dress code, and plan to report to your shows at least 30 minutes prior to the start. In each of our market shows, the classes are placed top to bottom. Then, for the final drive to name our champions and top 10 placings; we pull all first places into the ring to name the champion. Once Grand Champion is selected we pull 2^nd place into the ring from that class, to name reserve, and we continue until a full top 10 placings is selected. So, please be sure to stay for the duration of your shows.
• Also, it is expected livestock exhibitors:
  • Provide clean, fresh water at least twice a day
  • Feed your animals twice a day
  • Keep your pen and aisle way clean. Always keeping the barn cleaner than you found it!
  • Ensure your animal is happy and healthy
  • Conduct yourself according to the 4-H Code of Conduct
  • Be kind and helpful to others
• The barns will close at midnight, there are no generators allowed, and all aisle ways must be clear of fans, corn hole boards, etc. at all times.

Wednesday – Thursday 4-H Project Judging Announcements

• All 4-H members planning to be judged should have reserved your time slot for project judging. But have no fear, if you forgot – you may still show up at project judging, however you will be worked around those that have an interview scheduled. Call our office to get added to the interview schedule.
• Check out our guide book for project judging expectations.
• Members will check in at the tent outside of the 4-H Expo Center the day of judging.
• Any 1^st place member whose project is eligible for State Fair, must register for State Fair by the Friday, 3:00pm, July 14^th if they are interested in going. After Friday at 3:00pm, state fair eligible projects will be open to any Top 3 exhibitor to sign up!

Thursday, July 13^th

• A couple fun announcements:
  • 11:00 – 2:00pm – rides will be open for 4-H members and pizza will be served. Members must have their arm bands on and their food ticket!
  • 2:00 – 5:00pm – Ohio 4-H is bringing the mobile design bus for our members to explore! This will take place of the 4-H Experience It Project Exploration listed on the schedule at the 4-H Shelter. Instead, come check out the Mobile Design Bus for STEM activities near the large animal barn.
  • Spice of Life 4-H Livestock Costume Contest, Thursday, July 13th at 5:30pm: 4-H Livestock Members – grab your 4-H & FFA livestock animal being exhibited at the junior fair & dress up for a costume contest! Spice of Life will be awarding the Top 3 Overall with cash prizes! Come join in on the fun – all species are welcome!
  • Lawrence County Farm Bureau will be sponsoring the Pee Wee Showmanship at 4:00pm. They are asking those interested in participating be signed up by 1:00pm on Wednesday. Visit the large animal barn announcement board for signups!
  • Immediately following the Old Timer Show, will be a barn dance and games, Producers Inc. has sponsored the event and we are excited to add some fun entertainment for our youth!

Friday, July 14^th

• Senior & Junior Showman of Showmen is scheduled for Friday morning. Junior and Senior Overall Showman winners for each market division are invited to participate. Guidelines can be found in the livestock rules.
• Our 4-H Project Silent Auction is scheduled for 1:00 – 2:30pm. All first place life skills projects, who have something handmade, created by the exhibitor, are welcome to put the item in the auction. Auction items must be in place by 12:30pm at the 4-H Expo Center.
• All members and volunteers are invited to the showcase at 3:00pm. Scholarship Winners, Style Show, Overall Winners, Skillathon Awards, Volunteer Recognition, and Senior Salute will happen during this time! We are asking each club to donate two dozen cookies to share at this event!

Saturday, July 15^th

• Our livestock sale is scheduled for 10:00am. Sale order is goats, hogs, steers, lambs, rabbits, chickens. All animals will sale in the large animal barn. Please have yourself and nimal presentable following the Junior Fair dress code. Also, please remember – exhibitors may only take one animal through the sale ring. All animals going through the sale ring are terminal. Exhibitors do have the option to drop their animal from the sale for private treaty or to take home. But all animals going through the sale ring are terminal. Please see the fair schedule for drop slip deadlines. Also, we encourage members to place Thank you signs above their stalls; first year members – welcome buyers and returning members thanking their 2022 buyers. If you need a list of your buyers, please contact our office! Reminder, checks will not be mailed until after buyers have paid and no earlier than August 4^th!

This is lots of friendly reminders, where most can be found in already existing information, but where can you find this information and other important announcements throughout the week:

• Download the 4-H Now App. Then search Lawrence 4-H. Its so easy to navigate and find the information you are looking for!
• Visit our website at lawrence.osu.edu or our blog at u.osu.edu/lawrence4H
• Check us out on facebook, @lawrence4H
• Check your email. The email you provided in 4-HOnline.

Need something during Fair Week:

• Stop by the office during the fair – we are located on the fairgrounds under the grandstand the week of the fair; beginning July 7^th.
• Call us at 740-533-4322, our skype phones will be on and we can receive your call from our cell phones. Please be sure to leave a message. Or E-mail us at 171@osu.edu or Matney.30@osu.edu – these will be checked periodically.

We look forward to a great week with our 4-H families, volunteers, and members! It’s always one of my most favorite weeks and I hope it is for you too!

Thank you all for everything each of you do – members, parents, volunteers, and supporters all help to make fair week successful and it couldn’t be done without you! Please remember this can be a stressful time for many, everyone is busy trying to make it the best week for so many. Let’s be sure to show each other a little grace and kindness & remember this is about making the memories, the friendships that will last a lifetime, and the life skills to build our youth and the future of 4-H, Lawrence County, and beyond!

We are 25 days from the start of the 2023 Lawrence County Fair & we are so excited.

Taking a 4-H Project to the fair? Planning to participate in 4-H Club Beautification Projects? Wondering about rules & expectations? Please, please, please read the 4-H Guidebook and the Junior Fair Rules

Also be sure to download the 4-H Now App, in your phone’s App Store. Then search for Lawrence County 4-H! The APP is user friendly and has all of our most recent information, events, and registrations & more!

June 15th Deadline Day for the Following: 

• 4-H Project Judging Interview Sign Ups
  • Natural Resources, STEM, Animal Science Projects, Wednesday, July 12th at the Lawrence County Fair. Please rsvp by June 15 for your interview time at: Wednesday Judging RSVP 
  • Leadership & Citizenship, Creative Arts & Leisure, Money Management, Healthy Living, Home Living, Self-Determined Projects, Thursday, July 13th at the Lawrence County Fair. Please rsvp by June 15 for your interview time at: Thursday Judging RSVP 
  • Food & Clothing Projects will be judged pre-fair, June 22nd, 4:30 – 7:30pm at Resurrection Hope United Methodist Church in Ironton. Did you miss the June 1 interview registration deadline? Call the Extension Office, 740-533-4322 to reserve your spot. We will also take walk-in’s day of, but you will be worked in around rsvp’s!
• Breeding Animal Identification Form: All exhibitors planning to take a breeding project, non-market animal, to the fair – must complete their ID Form. Forms are due by June 15 and can be found at:  Lawrence County Breeding ID Form

Lawrence County 4-H Dog Obedience Judging: Judging will take place this Thursday, June 15th at 6:30pm at the Lawrence County Courthouse Lawn.

Lawrence County Ohio Fair Pageants Applications are due June 16th! Applications are available on our App – under Junior Fair Information! Questions should be directed to Jessi Newman, Pageant Advisor.

Lawrence County 4-H Horse Clinic: The Horse Clinic has been rescheduled for June 23rd, at LCHA, 6:30pm – must be a registered Lawrence County 4-H Horse Member to participate!

The Lawrence County 4-H Junior Fair Schedule is ready & available, check it out here. Ready to start planning for some of the Fair events:

• Livestock Skillathon, Saturday – July 8th from 1:00 – 5:00pm. We have updated the study guide to offer some more detailed guidance – please visit: Lawrence County 4-H Skillathon Study to prepare! This is mandatory for all livestock exhibitors! To help with organization, we ask members to report at the following times:
  • 1:00 – 1:30pm: Andis Cornhuskers, Arabia All-Stars, Backroad Haybalers, Barnbusters, Copperheads
  • 1:30 – 2:00pm: Country Cousins & Kids, Decatur Buckles & Boots, Dog Fork Haymakers, Farm Buddies
  • 2:00 – 2:30pm: Farm Hands, Five-Mile Frontiersmen, FFA, Getaway Go-Getters
  • 2:30 – 3:00pm: Gingham & Denim, Greasy Ridge Gang
  • 3:00 – 3:30pm: Hilltop Crops & Critters, Kitts Hill Willing Workers, Lawrence County Scottown Farmer & Farmerettes
  • 4:00 – 4:30pm: Over Yonder, Power Ranchers, Rabbiteers
  • 4:30 – 5:00pm: Ranch Hands, Rome Guys & Gals, Silver Spurs, Starlite, Teen Leaders 4-H Club, The Country Clan
• 4-H Club Booth, Beautification, Parade Sign Up: Club Advisors, please sign up by July 1: Club Sign Up Form. The theme this year is 4-H and Me in 2023!
• The Ohio 4-H Mobile Design Lab Bus will be visiting on Thursday, July 13th, 2:00 – 5:00pm with special activities for our youth interested in STEM! Please make plans to stop by!
• 4-H Free Ride & Lunch Day will be Thursday, July 13th from 11:00 – 2:00pm. 4-H members – plan ahead to join us on Thursday from 11:00 – 2:00pm! The Lawrence County Senior Fairboard has scheduled the rides to be open to 4-H members only! Also, Judge Christen Finley & Commissioner Mike Finley will be sponsoring a 4-H pizza party for members during this time! 4-H Ride & lunch passes will be distributed to 4-H Club Advisors at Pre-Fair Check-In. 4-H arm bands must be on to ride & receive lunch!
• Spice of Life 4-H Livestock Costume Contest, Thursday, July 13th at 5:30pm: 4-H Livestock Members – grab your 4-H & FFA livestock animal being exhibited at the junior fair & dress up for a costume contest! Spice of Life will be awarding the Top 3 Overall with cash prizes! Come join in on the fun – all species are welcome!
• 4-H Showcase & Cookie Celebration, Friday, July 14th, 3:00pm: we will be doing our 4-H Showcase and are asking each club to bring 2 dozen cookies to contribute to the celebration! You may drop off in the Extension Office or 4-H Expo Center anytime during the week! During the showcase we will be recognizing the style show, scholarship winners, overall project winners, volunteer years of service, skillathon awards, our 4-H seniors, present the Silent auction items! Volunteers: if you are being recognized this year for a special year of service – you will be receiving a personal invite in the mail this week!
• 4-H Cloverbud Events:
  • Sunday, July 9th – Cloverbud Rodeo & Barn Tour, Large Animal Barn at 1:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 11th – Cloverbud Show & Tell Parade & Interviews, Large Animal Barn at 1:00pm, Interviews at 2:00pm – Cloverbud’s bring a favorite item from home you want to share with others – this could be your favorite stuffed animal, something representing your favorite hobby, an activity or craft you did at a 4-H event, whatever you wish – be creative! However, no live animals are not permitted.
  • Thursday, July 13th – Cloverbud Carnival at the 4-H Shelter, 1:00pm
  • Cloverbud Corner – Inside the Breezeway we will have a Cloverbud Corner, if you would like to display a 1/2 sized poster or a small item representing something you learned or experienced during the 4-H year, you may do so in the 4-H Breezeway. Items will be collected immediately following the Cloverbud Interviews until 4:00pm. They will be displayed until Saturday, July 15th. Please pick up your items on Saturday if you wish to keep them!
• 4-H Club Pre-Fair Check-In: Tuesday, June 27th, 8:00 – 4:30pm. Advisors – please plan to stop by and pick up your passes! Rosters with meeting attendance must be turned in to receive passes. Members must have completed their 5 meeting requirement by July 1 to recieve their pass.

We have so much going on in Lawrence County 4-H right now, I just wanted to highlight a few of the upcoming deadlines and events:

Breeding Animal Identification Form: All exhibitors planning to take a breeding project, non-market animal, to the fair – must complete their ID Form. Forms are due by June 15 and can be found at:  Lawrence County Breeding ID Form

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Open House: Sunday, May 7th, 12:00 – 4:00pm. Bring your family and enjoy an afternoon of hiking, fishing, boating, archery, crafts, and refreshments.

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, June 5th – 8th: All Lawrence County 4-H’ers, 3rd – 8th grade, and their non-4-H friends are invited to attend Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp this summer. Lawrence County is camping June 5th – 8th with youth from Adams and Pike County. To more information and to register for camp, visit https://go.osu.edu/alp4hcamp Deadline to register is May 15th.

Market Rabbit Tattoo Date: Saturday, June 10th, 8:00 – 10:00am at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds. All members planning to exhibit market rabbits at the county fair must bring their rabbits to the fairgrounds to get their fair ID tattoo.

4-H Project Judging Interview Sign Ups: 

• Food & Clothing Projects will be judged pre-fair, June 22nd at Resurrection Hope United Methodist Church in Ironton. Please rsvp by June 1 for your interview time at: Food & Clothing Judging RSVP
• Natural Resources, STEM, Animal Science Projects, Wednesday, July 12th at the Lawrence County Fair. Please rsvp by June 15 for your interview time at: Wednesday Judging RSVP 
• Leadership & Citizenship, Creative Arts & Leisure, Money Management, Healthy Living, Home Living, Self-Determined Projects, Thursday, July 13th at the Lawrence County Fair. Please rsvp by June 15 for your interview time at: Thursday Judging RSVP 

4-H Project Books: Still need your 4-H project book? We have most in stock at the Extension Office. Call or email to place your order. Please remember this is a requirement for project completion and exhibition. Club advisors are expected to check project books and sign off on completion before receiving your fair pass.

4-H Now, Lawrence County 4-H App is Live: Download 4-H Now in your App store and then search Lawrence County 4-H. The App keeps you up to date with a calendar of events, live links to register and complete all the forms and is easy to navigate!

The 4-H Club Season is in full force and we have a few things we would like to bring to your attention; some reminders and some new updates!

4-H Enrollment Changes: Need to add or delete a project? Make a club change or addition? Our office will accept changes to your 4-H enrollment up until March 31st. To make changes you must contact our office – 740-533-4322 or email Rachael at fraley.171@osu.edu or Paige at matney.30@osu.edu. After March 31st, no changes or project additions will be accepted.

4-H Dog Obedience: Taking the 4-H Dog Obedience Project? Classes start this Thursday, March 30th, 6:00pm at the Extension Office. Members enrolled in this project should check your email for further information and required forms.

Market Chicken Orders: Any youth planning to exhibit Market Chickens must purchase their chickens through the OSU Extension Office. Orders must be received and paid for by April 1st. The Market Chicken Order Form can be found here: 2023 Market Chicken Order Form 

4-H Project Book Orders: Don’t wait until the last minute, get your 4-H project book ordered today. We have many in-stock at the Extension Office, but it’s best to check with your club advisor and our office before purchasing.

Cloverbud Discovery Days Continues: Next Monday, April 3rd, 5:30pm at the Extension Office. Cloverbuds are welcome to join Zoie, our 4-H program assistant, and 4-H Teen Leaders to explore 4-H project areas. The schedule includes, April 3rd: STEM, April 17th: Creative Arts, and April 24th: Health H. To register to attend visit: Lawrence County 4-H Cloverbud Discovery Registration

Lamb, Goat, and Hog Tag In: Saturday, April 22nd, 8:00 – 10:00am at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds. All animals and alternate animals must be tagged in during this designated tag-in date. For more information on animal allowances and rules for the projects visit: 2023 Lawrence County Fair Rules.pdf (osu.edu)

Horse Project ID Form & Equistep Training: All youth planning to exhibit a horse during the 2023 4-H year must complete their Horse ID Form and Equistep Training. The Horse ID Form is due April 17th and can be found here: 2023 Horse ID Form. Also Equistep Training can be done online on your own time by visiting: 2023 Equistep or you can join us for our county-wide training, April 17th at 6:00pm at Collins Career Center. Equistep must be complete by May 1 for all Lawrence County 4-H exhibitors.

Non-Livestock/Breeding Form Now Available: Any youth enrolled in a Non-Livestock/Breeding Project such as Beef Breeding, Beef Feeders, Dairy/Pack/Pygmy/Meat Production/Fiber Goats, Sheep or Rabbit Breeding, and/or Fancy Poultry must complete an animal ID and class designation form by June 1. The form is now available online at: 2023 Animal ID Form 

Lawrence County 4-H Camp: Lawrence County youth are invited to attend 4-H camp this summer, June 5th – 8th at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp. This year we will be camping with Adams and Pike County, 3rd – 8th grade. Scholarship applications are now available at: Lawrence County 4-H Camp Scholarship Application. Scholarship applications are due April 15th and Camp Registration will be made available in the next few weeks!

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Spring Fling: 3rd – 6th grade youth interested in checking out camp for an overnight are invited to attend the Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Spring Fling, April 22nd – 23rd. Registration is $40 and can be found at: Spring Fling Registration

4-H Community Service/Fundraiser Opportunity: Looking for a fundraiser/community service opportunity? Lawrence County Senior Fairboard Members are hosting an auction at the fairgrounds on Saturday, April 17th, in an effort to support Junior Fair improvements and they are looking for a club interested in hosting a concession stand. Interested clubs should contact, Montana Runnels.

Ohio 4-H Healthy Club Challenge: We pledge our “health to better living” but do we actually practice it? The 4^th H Club Challenge encourages Ohio 4-H Clubs to learn, practice, and advocate for healthy choices and behaviors at 4-H club meetings. Practicing healthy habits and choices now has lifelong effects on the health of youth. Each club that completes the challenge before the deadline will enter into the $100 voucher drawing for their region to use for their club (project books, educational tools, etc.)! Each region will have a winner. The first 25 clubs that complete the registration and pre-survey will get an extra entry. How does it work? Apply 3 healthy practices per meeting at 6 or more 4-H clubs/meetings from April – December 2023. For more information visit: https://ohio4h.org/4thHChallenge

Quality Assurance: Quick reminder all youth exhibiting an animal project at the county/state fair must complete Quality Assurance by May 1st. For quality assurance opportunities visit: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)

Food & Clothing Project Judging: Youth enrolled in a food and clothing project, including cake decorating and quilting, please hold the date for project judging: June 22nd at 5:00pm! More specific information will be shared to your emails soon!

Livestock Skillathon: Again this year, Livestock Skillathon will be a mandatory requirement to show and sale your project animal. The study guide and information for this years Skillathon is now available: 2023 Skillathon Study Guide.pdf (osu.edu)

4-H Lifeskills/General Projects: Please be sure you are checking out your 4-H project book and our Lawrence County 4-H Guidebook for information on project judging expectations and requirements. 4-H Guidebook

Lawrence County 4-H Guidebook: The 2023 Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer & Member Guidebook is not only good for project judging requirements but shares lots of information surrounding the structure and expectations of our county program. Visit Lawrence County 4-H Guidebook and be sure to take a deep dive into reading it!

Also, the Lawrence County 4-H App is now LIVE! We are so excited to provide this App as a way to connect to all of our 4-H families through your phones App store. It’s a free download. Once inside the 4-H Now App, search for Lawrence County and Download our program. It is regularly updated, so be sure to clear it out of your open apps and check it for all the latest information! The App can be found for Anroid users here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grandstand.now4h Apple Users: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/4-h-now/id1330050098

Now that the 4-H Enrollment season for Fair has ended, we hope you are off to a great start. Please reach out to us if you have any questions along the way! We are here to help 🙂

Rachael fraley.171@osu.edu

Paige matney.30@osu.edu

740-533-4322

It’s March 1st, which means Lawrence County 4-H Enrollment Deadline is in 15 days! 

2023 4-H Theme: 4-H & Me in 2023

4-HOnline: All volunteers and members must be enrolled by 11:59pm on March 15th to be eligible for junior fair participation this year. Enroll at oh.4honline.com New families should create a profile, but returning families or members who need help logging in – please contact our office. DO NOT create a new profile!

4-H Volunteers: please don’t forget to complete your volunteer training by March 15th. Failure to complete will result in your ineligiblity to be a 4-H volunteer for the 2023 year – details can be found at 2023 Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Training | Lawrence County 4-H (osu.edu)

Meet & Greet, Set Up for Project Success: Need help with enrollment? Want to look through some project books to help make your decision? Want to purchase your project book and get project completion requirements? Join us on March 7th, 4:00 – 7:00pm at the Extension Office.

Senior Scholarship Opportunities: Due March 20th, 2023, application links are below. Please encourage your senior 4-H members to apply. The Lawrence County 4-H Scholarship Application will be used to select the Ohio Valley Bank Scholarship recipient as well as the Lawrence County 4-H Committee Scholarship recipient.

• Lawrence County 4-H Scholarship Application
• Lawrence County Junior Fair Sale Scholarship Application

Cloverbud Discovery Days

Cloverbud Discovery Days is open to all 5-8 year old Lawrence County 4-H Cloverbuds. Discovery Days will happen at the Extension Office starting Monday, March 27th continuing April 3rd, April 17th, and April 24th. Each Monday new activities will be introduced starting at 5:30pm. Registration is required at go.osu.edu/lawcodiscoverydays

Quality Assurance: The last county-wide Quality Assurance Training will be held on March 23rd at 5:00pm, via Zoom, QA Registration is required to recieve the connection link. Registration can be found: Meeting Registration – Zoom Other Quality Assurance Options can be found here: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu) Quality Assurance must be completed by all livestock exhibitors and attendance submitted to the Extension Office by May 1st.

Full Junior Fair Schedule: The 2023 Lawrence County Junior Fair Schedule has been posted to our website! You can find it by visiting: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu) A few highlighted changes:

• Market Chicken Show moved to Tuesday, July 11th at 9:00am
• Market Lamb Show moved to Monay, July 10th at 10:00am
• Skillathon only offered Saturday, July 8th from 1:00 – 5:00pm
• Cloverbuds & Families, you will also see a few Cloverbud events have moved around and some extra activities for all have been added!

Market Chicken Order Form: All 4-H members taking Market Chickens at the 2023 Lawrence County Fair must order their chickens through our office by April 1st. Payment and order must be received by the 1st! Each member receives 10 market chickens at a cost of $25.00. Order form can be found at go.osu.edu/lawcochickenorder

Lawrence County 4-H Horse Projects: Youth planning to exhibit a horse at the Lawrence County 4-H Horse Show must submit their project id form by March 31, ID Form can be found here: 2023 Lawrence County 4-H Horse ID Form Youth must also complete Equistep training by May 1. Training registration can be found here: EquiSTEP 2023 – College of FAES (instructure.com) Please be sure to keep a copy of your certification for verification. Lawrence County 4-H Horse program will be hosting an in-person, group Equistep Training, date to be released soon.

Lamb, Goat, Hog Tag-In: Any exhibitor enrolled in the Market Lamb, Goat, and/or Hog project must bring their animals to Tag-In on April 22nd from 8:00 – 10:00 at the Lawrence County Fairground Large Animal Barn to be tagged with their official fair ID.

 Spring Fling: Registration is now open for our 2023 Spring Fling! Spring Fling Overnight is open to 3^rd – 6^th grade. It will be held April 22^nd – April 23^rd. Camp will begin at 4:30pm on Saturday & end Sunday at noon!Cost is $40 and registration is due by April 14th. Visit http://go.osu.edu/cantersspringfling to sign up today. Activities will include hiking, outdoor recreation, line dancing, a campfire, and more!

Community Service Opportunity:  Hometown Love has contacted the Extension Office looking for 4-H clubs to help with a Spring Fair being hosted at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 22nd at 9:00am. For more information and potentially volunteering your 4-H club to help, please contact Brandi Ross at 304-360-0422 or message the group on Facebook at HomeTownLove – Rome.

Hello Lawrence County 4-H Returning Volunteers:

Returning Lawrence County 4-H Volunteers opting to take the on-line training to complete the 2023 Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Training Requirement, must complete the following steps:

1st: Register to view the recorded zoom training by clicking: Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Training Registration  Once you register, you will receive access to the training!

2nd: While viewing the presentation, many online website links are referenced within the shared powerpoint, click: Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Training Powerpoint to follow along and have access to the links to view resources such as the Calendar, Roll Call, Guidebook, Financial Updates, etc. Clicking the title of each underlined resource will directly connect you to the shared resource.

3rd: On the last page of the shared powerpoint presentation, you will find the link to the completion survey. The recording must have been viewed in its entirety and survey must be complete to receive training credit for 2023.

2023 Lawrence County 4-H New Volunteers seeking their 4-H Volunteer Training – should check their email for instructions or reach out to Rachael at fraley.171@osu.edu, as this training option does not meet your training requirements for the year!

This training must be completed by March 15th to be an approved volunteer for the 2023 Lawrence County 4-H Year.

Welcome to our monthly Newsletter! We have lots of important information to share:

Lawrence 4-H Enrollment Deadline: We are a little over a month away from the Lawrence County 4-H enrollment deadline for Junior Fair participation! Enrollments are coming in quickly & we are so thankful members are not waiting until the last minute! Join them in getting your enrollment in before the March 15th deadline by visiting oh.4honline.com – remember all 4-H members and volunteers must enroll every year. Need help finding a project, visit ohio4h.org/familyguide. We also have copies available at our office! 4-H Volunteers – your enrollment will not be accepted until you have completed your yearly 4-H training!

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Counselor Applications: Last call! Youth interested in counseling at our 4-H Camp this summer, June 5th – 8th, must complete their application by tomorrow, February 1st. Applications can be found at go.osu.edu/alpcounselorapp

Lawrence County 4-H Senior Scholarship Applications: We are excited to announce the Lawrence County 4-H Senior Scholarship Application is now available! Please note, the deadline for applications has changed to March 20th! With this deadline change, comes opportunity: by completing this one application – Lawrence County 4-H Seniors will be eligible for 1 of our Lawrence County 4-H Committee Scholarships, as well as be considered for the Ohio Valley Bank Scholarship! For more information and the application, please click: Lawrence County 4-H Scholarship

2023 Lawrence County Livestock Show Schedule: The 2023 Lawrence County Junior Fair Livestock Schedule has been released! Please look it over carefully, as there have been a few changes! For example, the Market Chicken show has been moved to Tuesday morning and the Market Lamb Show has been moved to Monday evening. Please visit to view the Livestock Schedule: 2023 Lawrence County Fair Schedule of Events (osu.edu)

2023 Quality Assurance: All youth exhibiting a Livestock project must complete Quality Assurance.

• A few county-wide Zoom trainings are still available: 
  • February 23, 5:00pm, ZOOM click QA registration to register for your space.
  • March 23, 5:00pm, ZOOM click QA registration to register for your space.
• Lawrence County 4-H Club Based Quality Assurance Training – 4-H Club advisors interested in providing quality assurance within their club must become a Quality Assurance Assistant Instructor. Lawrence County QA Assistant Instructor Training date is February 28th at the Volunteer Training.
  • **Youth – if you are planning on this option – please be sure to check with your club advisor to make sure it will be offered in your club! Clubs are not required to provide this option.
• YQCA Online Training – on your own pace, in your own space by registering through YQCA.org. Cost is $12.00 and youth must register for their Quality Assurance Age Option. Exhibitors must be enrolled in the oh.4honline.com system prior to yearly completion & complete between November 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023; certificates of completion must be sent to fraley.171@osu.edu. For more information on registration, visit YQCA Online Training
• Quality Assurance Test-Out Option (12 years and older): Lawrence County 4-H Members who would like to take the Quality Assurance Test to test-out of QA training must set up an appointment by calling 740-533-4322 or emailing fraley.171@osu.edu; test out scheduling begins in January of 4-H year. If you have taken the 12-14 year old test and are now 4-H age – 15, you must re-test or complete the yearly training! Please contact our office to check on your test-out status if you are unsure!

Ohio 4-H Conference: The Ohio 4-H Conference takes place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on March 11th.

The Ohio 4-H Conference is the largest gathering of 4-H volunteers in the United States! Nearly 1,200 teen and adult volunteers participate each year. The Ohio 4-H Conference is designed to equip participants with resources, information, and skills to meet the ever-changing needs of youth. Attendees have the opportunity to receive training in more than 125 different topics such as career exploration, risk management, camping, leadership, cake decorating, dancing, animal sciences, and much more.

In addition to the educational sessions, the day features the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Recognition Luncheon highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of volunteers. The teens (age 13 and older) have a luncheon where they recognize their peers and often features a keynote speaker.

Click here for additional Conference information and registration materials.

Ohio 4-H Animal Science Learning Opportunity: All About Sheep & Goats – Zoom Webinars beginning this Thursday, February 2nd, 6:00pm. This weeks session will be on Small Ruminant Nutrition, click this connection link to attend: Launch Meeting – Zoom, password: 945126 – Each week, a few days prior to the webinar – connection information will be shared on the Ohio State – 4-H Animal Sciences facebook!

4-H Club and Volunteer Update: Organizational club leaders, don’t forget – today, January 31st is the deadline to submit your financial documents for 2022! Forms can be found: Lawrence County 4-H Club Advisor Resources | Lawrence (osu.edu)

Also continue to hold the date, February 28th, 6:00pm at Collins Career Center for our annual in-person Volunteer Training! Volunteers will receive more information via email closer to date! We will release a recorded training option March 1st to be completed by March 15th!

Check out our website at lawrence.osu.edu or our facebook @lawrence4h or more information! Live now on facebook is a vote for our 2023 Theme – please feel free to comment on this blog for your choice:

• 4-H & Me in 2023
• Find Your Path in 4-H
• 4-H: Check Us Out!

Questions? Please feel free to contact our office at 740-533-4322 or email Rachael at fraley.171@osu.edu

Happy 2023!

When January rolls around, I truly begin to feel the excitement for the 4-H Community Club and Fair Season. In December, 23 Market Steers were tagged for the 2023 Market Beef Show, which is up 10 from last year’s show! We’ve completed our first round of volunteer training with 7 returning volunteers and we already have 28 memberships pending in 4-H online for the new 4-H Year!

4-H Online Enrollment is open!

All 4-H Volunteers and Members must enroll each year by March 15th, to enroll visit: oh.4honline.com

Lawrence 4-H Volunteer Updates

Next Tuesday, January 10th, we will be hosting a Pop-Up Volunteer Training at 5:30pm in person at the Extension Office. This volunteer training is open to 20 volunteers. To reserve your spot, click: RSVP for Volunteer Training If you attended the ZOOM volunteer training on December 1st, you do not need to attend.

Other Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Training opportunities include:

• January 24th, 5:30pm, Virtual Zoom, to register for link visit: RSVP for Virtual Volunteer Training
• February 28th, 6:00pm, at Collins Career Center
• Make-Up, Online, Self-Paced Training will be available, March 1-15.

Don’t forget, all returning and new volunteers must complete annual 4-H volunteer training to be an approved volunteer! Training must be complete by March 15th. Special Note: 4-H & Livestock Committee members will receive yearly training at the January/February Committee Meetings.

Also, coming up, is the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference, March 11th, Columbus, OH. More information and registration form can be found here: https://ohio4h.org/events/ohio-4-h-conference

End of Year Club Paperwork Due January 31st! The yearly financial summary and club charter checklist was mailed in October to each organizational club leader, but copies can be found here: Lawrence County 4-H Club Advisor Resources If your club was selected for a club audit, your audit forms are also due January 31st. Forms can be emailed to lawrence4H@osu.edu or dropped off to our office.

Club/Volunteer/Member Recruitment Survey Request Around this time of year we get many requests from potential new members looking for information on clubs located near them. We are requesting a volunteer from each club, complete the following survey by January 10th. Please click to complete: 4-H Club Information Survey 

Lawrence 4-H Member Updates

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Counselor Applications are due February 1st. Counselors must be 14 as of January 1, 2023. The application can be found online at 4-H Camp | Lawrence (osu.edu)

Quality Assurance Training: All members planning to exhibit a livestock project at the county fair, must complete Quality Assurance. For a full list of training dates and opportunities, please visit: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)

We have recently added a date for a ZOOM Quality Assurance: January 19th, 4:30pm, Click Quality Assurance Registration to register for connection link. For more dates and options, visit the Lawrence County Fair link above.

FAFSA Is For You: Ohio 4-H is partnering with the Ohio Department of High Education to help answer frequently asked questions about the FAFSA! If you are interested in post-secondary education opportunities, join Ohio Department of Higher Education and Ohio 4-H on January 12th, 6-7pm, virtually by registering at https://go.oedu.edu/fafsa4u

Looking for more information? 

Email Rachael at fraley.171@osu.edu, give us a call at 740-533-4322 or check out website at lawrence.osu.edu

Other Helpful Resources include: 

• 2022 – 2023 Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer and Member Guidebook: plan ahead calendar, project and club requirements, and much more!
• 2022 – 2023 Lawrence County Junior Fair Rules