We are excited to share a few things with you during our National 4-H Week Celebration of 4-H Beyond Ready!

• The Lawrence County 4-H Teen Leaders have begun meeting for the new year! Applications are due November 1 and can be found here: Teen Leader Application! We encourage any teen (14 and up as of January 1, 2025) to come to one of our introduction meetings; we have two remaining in the month of October:
  • Thursday, October 10th, 5:00pm at the Extension Office
  • Tuesday, October 22nd , 5:00pm at the Extension Office
• 4-H & FFA Blanket Fundraiser: Get your order in by October 18th in support of our Lawrence County 4-H & FFA Teens!

• Lawrence County 4-H Shooting Sports Meet & Greet will be October 27th, 2:00pm at 1049 State Route 217, Kitts Hill. Any youth, 9 years old (as of January 1, 2025) is welcome to attend to check out the 4-H Shooting Sports program and all the disciplines we have to offer!
• November 1st the New 4-H Enrollment year will open! You may begin logging into https://oh.4honline.com to enroll for the new year! Don’t wait until the March 15th deadline!
• Hold the Date: December 7! 4-H Officer Training hosted by Rome Guys and Gals 4-H Club, 10:00 – 12:00pm. Any youth interested in holding an Officer position should attend! Please contact Levi Martin by email at romeguysandgals4h@gmail.com for questions and to sign up!
• Market Beef Tag-In is scheduled for December 14th, 10:00 – 11:30am at Pratts Farm. All exhibitors planning to show a market beef animal at the 2025 Lawrence County Fair must bring their animals to tag-in to get an official fair ID.
• Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer In-Person Training has been scheduled! It will be February 8th, 9:30 – 12pm, at Chesapeake Elementary. More details to come!

It’s been a little over a month since we closed the gates at the Lawrence County Junior Fair. We are so thankful for such a great week, it takes so many to make the week successful for our youth and we are forever grateful for all the parents, volunteers, youth, senior fairboard and committee members who help make it happen! We look forward to working with our 4-H families who exhibit at the fair again next year. If you have feedback on the 2024 Junior Fair (4-H & FFA events) you would like to share or you have ideas for 2025 – please share those with us by emailing fraley.171@osu.edu.

Next up, we wanted to let you know about a few things:

• 4-H & Livestock Committee are looking for new volunteers! In September we will be hosting our Re-Organization meetings, where we will be voting on membership, officers, and begin planning for 2025. If you are interested in joining the committees, please notify Rachael at fraley.171@osu.edu of your interest!
  • 4-H Committee will be meeting on September 16th, 6:00pm at the Extension Office.
  • Livestock Committee will be meeting on September 19th, 6:00pm at the Extension Office.
• The 4-H Fall Campout originally scheduled for September 27-29th has been cancelled.
• 4-H School Enrichment Opportunities are available! If you are or know of a teacher looking for school enrichment opportunities, don’t forget about us and our resources! Please contact fraley.171@osu.edu for more information and to schedule your dates. A few we have available are:
  • Real Money, Real World, Financial Literacy
  • Chick Quest, Embryology
  • Rockets Away
  • Clovers Code
  • Cosi Water Kits (limit 50 kits available)
  • Botvin Life Skills
  • Mike Rowe Work Ethic SWEAT Pledge
• Ring on the River Beef Show sponsored by Farm Bureau is being held at the Fairgrounds again this year on September 29th!

2024 Pre-Fair Updates

First, I have a few quick requests:
• I was recently talking to a friend about leadership and then googled the definition of leader, “the best definition of a leader” was given as an option to view, I clicked it and it read “in general, the role of a leader is to coach, guide, and inspire others. They foster a collaborative culture and lead by example”. I share this because, during the county fair year after year – we get the opportunity to witness this throughout our youth, volunteers, and families. I encourage each of us to continue coaching, guiding, and inspiring; setting good examples along the way. Be positive and encouraging to one another!

• At 4-H Camp, we say, we always want to leave it better than we found it… let’s take pride July 6-13th in the beautiful fairgrounds we have available to us and leave it better than we found it. Walk through a dirty aisle in the barn? Grab some helpers and clean it up. Notice a bunch of trash in the stands? Throw it in the trash can as you walk by! It only takes a few seconds of many, to make light work!

Schedule Updates & Information

• Booth set up will not be happening from 9-12 on Saturday morning as indicated on the schedule. Please be aware the Pageant interviews will be taking place during that time and the 4-H Expo Center will be closed for the duration of judging. Booth set up, beautification check in will begin approximately around 2:00pm and the building will be left open for set up until 8pm. There will be time on Sunday, too! Please leave trash cans and flower pots to be judged near the 4-H shelter. At the end of the week, please remember to take this down by Saturday, July 13th at 6:00pm.

• Also note, Skillathon check in will now be at the 4-H Rabbit/Chicken Show Shelter. Members will check in, wait in the bleachers for their turn to participate in the skillathon. To help with flow, we hope clubs will utilize the following schedule:

• 12:00pm – Andis Cornhuskers, Arabia All-Stars,Backroad Haybalers, Barnbusters, Copperheads, Country Cousins & Kids
• 1:00pm –Country Rebels, Decatur Buckles & Boots, Dog Fork Haymakers, Farm Buddies, Farm Hands, Five-Mile Frontiersmen
• 2:00pm –Getaway Go-Getters, Gingham & Denim, Greasy Ridge Gang, Hilltop Crops & Critters
• 3:00pm –Kitts Hill Willing Workers, Over Yonder, Power Ranchers, Rabbiteers, Ranch Hands, Rome Guys & Gals
• 4:00pm –Scottown Farmer & Farmerettes, Silver Spurs, Southern Showstoppers, Starlite, Teen Leaders 4-H Club

Livestock exhibitors are expected to attend a barn meeting. There will be one at 10:30am and one at 6:00pm, Saturday July 6th.

• Due to the Feeder/Breeder show being moved back to Thursday, we have alotted time for the Old Timer Show after each of the large animal shows. We hope our “Old Timers” will still come out and support our 4-H and FFA organizations with their participation.

• Cloverbuds are invited to participate in the Cloverbud Interviews and Parade. Cloverbuds are encouraged to dress as their favorite animal in the parade and for the interview bring something they’ve worked on this 4-H year, something about their favorite animal, or both on Tuesday, July 9th at 1:00pm. After, Cloverbuds are invited to display the item they shared in the Cloverbud Corner on display in the building between the 4-H Expo Center and the Rabbit/Chicken Barn. Cloverbuds will also have carnival games on Thursday at 1:00pm at the 4-H Shelter.

• 4-H Experience It! Is an opportunity for youth to participate in an activity related to the 4-H projects being judging that day.

• Spice of Life Costume Contest is an fun time for livestock exhibitors to dress up in a costume with their project for a chance to win some fun prizes!

• NEW ANNOUNCEMENT! In the club packets, you will find Pizza Party ticket for all of our members! These tickets are to be used on Thursday! Thursday, the Finley Family, will be hosting a Pizza Party for our youth at the Senior Citizens Building from 11:00 – 2:00pm during this time the Senior Fairboard will be opening the rides from 11:30 – 1:30pm for all 4-H and FFA members only! Separate from this open ride time for our members, the Fairboard is also providing our youth with a ticket to be used on any day of their choice to be redeemed at the ride ticket booth for a free ride day!

• 4-H Showcase will highlight many successes throughout the week! We encourage our sewing projects to participate in the style show, our 4-H seniors will be recognized and special awards for our 4-H scholarship winners, volunteer recognition, overall 4-H project awards, and skillathon awards!

Wish there was a way to keep up with the schedule, shows, and any special 4-H related announcements during the week of the Fair? We are trying something new! Follow us on the Band App!
• Yes, this is different then the 4-H Now app that holds all of our 4-H specific information. This is a Band channel for 4-H Family communication during the week of the Fair. We hope to utilize it to make special announcements, keep people updated on show progress, and more! If this interests you, click to download the app:

Join our ‘4-H & FFA at the County Fair’ group on the BAND app. Get updates and stay connected! https://band.us/n/aea905V7B0Dai

4-H Code of Conduct
The County Fair is a place where the most 4-H members, volunteers, and families are all in one place at one time, participating in many events representing the Ohio 4-H and Lawrence County 4-H program. Please be mindful of the 4-H Code of Conduct youth and parents sign each year! Take a minute to read over the 4-H Code of Conduct for a quick reminder of those expectations!

Stall Assignments & Tack
Livestock exhibitors stall cards will be up by end of day Wednesday, July 3rd. We do this in hopes to give members time to prepare their pens for the fair. Do not move stall cards.

Large Animal Barn: Tack will have designated areas and two tents have been ordered for outside of the barn. The expectation is for grooming chutes to be in the beef tent or in other designated areas indicated throughout the outside of the barn. The lamb/goat tent will be for grooming and tack. Hogs will utilize the outside parameter of the hog end inside the barn for tack. There should be no tack up against the end outside row of pens.We hope this will allow for more air flow, more space for people to work with their animals, and cut down on the crowding in the barn.
Small Animal Barn: There is shelving provided for your feed and supplies. You will not need carpet squares, it is provided. Please keep the shelves clean and neat and be sure to ask if you need to borrow something from a neighbor! Your pen is your responsibility to clean out and it should be done at least twice a day. We know many times you are sharing with another exhibitor, create a schedule and share the duty.

Also, remember to hang your Thank You Signs for our Buyers! There will be a contest again this year and we love recognizing so many throughout or community who support our youth at the Livestock Sale.

Project Judging
This is a special time for our members to showcase their projects. Help them finalize their projects and be sure to read through the rules and guidance provided for your project type.
• 4-H Projects judged on Wednesday and Thursday should take a look at the project judging requirements in the 4-H Guidebook.
• Livestock Projects should make sure they are following the Junior Fair Livestock Rules.
Need to take a look at them again? They are available on our website at lawrence.osu.edu or our blog at u.osu.edu/lawrence4h and on our 4-H Now App!

Which leads me to our last point… please, please, please check out our blog, website, 4-H Now, and/or Facebook page! These are fabulous resources for all Lawrence 4-H information. We try hard to be available for your questions as they arise and many times, but not always, answers can be found in these resources! We are always willing to help you by-pass these resources and get your answers to you as fast as we can. But over the next 10 days – we know sometimes, we are a little slow at responding due to the high volume of calls, texts, emails, fires, and celebrations… so before you panic take a look at these resources – I promise they will be helpful too!

The countdown to Lawrence County Fair is on, meaning there is lots going on in the next few weeks that require additional updates!

• Reminder, Food & Clothing Judging is scheduled for this Tuesday, June 25th at Mamre Church on Kitts Hill. Please be sure to contact our office if you haven’t scheduled your interview yet.
  • Participants will have the opportunity to take Skillathon during their project judging. Clothing Skillathon exhibitors should be able to identify sewing supplies, parts of a sewing machine, hand stitches, and parts of a pattern. Food Skillathon should be able to identify best practices for food shopping using ads, as well as answer questions around food safety, myplaye, and food prep.
• We recognize Saturday of the fair can be very busy & some of you are interested in getting livestock skillathon done early! We have decided to host two pre-fair skillathon opportunities:
  • June 27th – 8:30 – 4:00pm, Extension Office
  • July 2nd – 3:00 – 6:00pm, Symmes Valley High School Lecture Hall

For Skillathon, participants will want to look over the study guide and bring their completed project book! Youth will also take part in a short interview about their project.

• Specialty Goat Exhibition Update: In 2023 the Specialty Goat Show was cancelled due to low exhibition which resulted in it not being on the schedule for 2024 until registration numbers came in to see if it was possible for this year. Unfortunately, the deadline for entry has passed and we have too few exhibitors to offer for 2024. We hope this project grows and makes a return in the future!
• Horse Show Registration is open! Registration to participate in classes during the horse show will be open until 1hr prior to the start of the show. Please register at this link: 2024 Horse Show Class Registration  Patterns will be posted one hour prior to start of the show!
•  Morgan Klaiber & Meredith Humphreys have news to share about a Master Exhibitor Opportunity:
  “This year we have a new opportunity for livestock exhibitors, with the help of our generous sponsors, we are offering a Livestock Sweepstakes. In years past, we have had beef breeding & market swine sweepstakes. Morgan and I were both fortunate to have received awards during our time as 4-H members. We wanted to offer this to all 4-H & FFA market exhibitors, to allow them to have a small incentive for all their hard work.
  Throughout the fair week, market exhibitors will receive points based on their placings in skillathon, quality market show, and showmanship. We have attached the point system below and potential ties will be broken according to skillathon scores and/or asking exhibitors general questions about the species that they are showing.
  Prizes will be awarded to the top three exhibitors for each species and are as follows:
  •1st Place- $100 and Livestock Sweepstakes champion banner
  •2nd Place- $75
  •3rd Place- $50
  Exhibitors will be awarded on Friday July 12th @5pm at the 4-H Showcase.”
• Yesterday evening, countless volunteers from senior fairboard, 4-H & Livestock Committee, Junior Fairboard and amazing 4-H families came out to set up pens in the barns! Trust me, it takes an army and some patience, and I am always grateful for the amount of people who are willing to jump in and help. So, thank you! We plan to have stall cards up on July 3rd so you can begin setting up your pen!
• Club Volunteers Pre-Fair Check In: Don’t forget pass pick up and club packets will be available for pick up on July 27th and receive the latest fair information and news to share with your members!
  • A couple things to note in preparation for the fair:
    • The posted fair schedule has a club booth set up time listed for 9 – 12:00pm and 2:00 – 8:00pm! Please use the 2:00 – 8:00pm; as the Expo will be closed from 9:00 – 12:00pm for Queens Contest Interviews!
    • All events listed in the 4-H Breezeway are going to be held in the old food booth/restaurant building between the grandstand and rabbit/chicken barn.
    • Barn Meeting expectation is all livestock exhibitors will attend a 10:30am or at 6:00pm on Saturday, July 6th. One tip we would like everyone to go ahead and start thinking about is animal care during the fair. Pens should be cleaned out regularly, animals should be fed and watered twice a day; with water made available regularly. If you are not planning to be at the fairgrounds for the duration of the fair, be working with your friends and family to set up a shared schedule to make sure animals are continually cared for at all times throughout the week. Barn committee will be doing checks between 7-8 am and 4-6pm each day!
      • Rabbit and Chicken exhibitors this includes that at the conclusion of the fair, your pen should be cleaned out prior to you going to the sale ring so that once you return with your animal, your duties are complete!

Hello!

We apologize for the delay in this newsletter, Rachael was away at 4-H Camp with our Lawrence County campers last week. But, we definitely have lots of information to share with you as the Lawrence County Junior Fair is only a little over 3 weeks from now!

• Lawrence County Fair Royalty Contest application deadline is June 14th. Applications can be turned in at our office for your convenience. You can find applications at Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)
• Market Rabbit Tattooing is scheduled for June 15th from 8:00 – 10:00am. All rabbit exhibitors must bring your rabbits to tattooing on Saturday to the Lawrence County Fairgrounds for official ID.
• Breeding Forms due June 15th. All members planning to exhibit a breeding animal, breeding forms must be submitted by June 15th. To find your form, visit: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)
  • Fancy Poultry exhibitors: We would like to provide some clarification – A male/female pair will count as 1 entry. However, a pair is not required to participate.
• Fancy Poultry Pollorum Testing available Friday, June 21st from 9:30 – 10:30am at Randolph Stables, 764 County Road 31, Chesapeake. Cost is $10 per bird.
• Project Judging Requirements – can be found in the Lawrence County 4-H Guidebook by visiting here: Lawrence County 4-H Guidebook
• Food & Clothing Pre-Fair Judging is scheduled for June 25th at Mamre Church in Kitts Hill. There will be no make-up judging date this year. To reserve your interview slot, please register by June 15 by visiting: go.osu.edu/lawcoprefairjudging
• 4-H Project Judging (Wednesday/Thursday of Fair interview sign ups are now available!
  • Wednesday, July 10th: STEM, Animal Sciences, and Natural Resources – go.osu.edu/lawcowednesdayprojectjudging
  • Thursday, July 11th: Creative Arts, Communication, Career Exploration, Workforce Development, Healthy and Home Living, Leadership & Citizenship, Money Management, and Self Determined – go.osu.edu/lawcothursdayjudging
• Ohio State Fair Livestock Entries due June 21: Livestock Competitions (ohiostatefair.com)
• Club Advisor Fair Check-In will be Thursday, June 27th, our office will be open 8:00 – 4:30pm for pass pick up. During this time, club advisors will need to bring their club roster with verification of club meeting attendance and project book completion. As a reminder, all members must attend 5 meetings to receive their fair pass and be permitted to exhibit at the county & state fair by July 1.
• Lawrence County Fair 4-H & FFA Information such as the schedule, rules, skillathon study guide, etc can be found at Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)
  • Additional new information release & important reminders includes:
    • The Finley Family will be sponsoring a pizza party for all 4-H & FFA youth on Thursday during the Fair from 11-2pm. During this time, the Lawrence County Senior Fairboard is providing a free ride time for the 4-H and FFA youth from 11:30 – 1:30pm. Volunteers will receive meal and ride tickets at the pass pick up day to distribute to members.
    • Livestock Skillathon is required again this year, members will participate during their scheduled club time on Saturday of the Fair. Schedule will be released by June 27th.
      • Just Added: Pop-Up Skillathon at the Extension Office, 8:30 – 4:00pm, June 27th for those that would like to get it done before the Fair.
      • Reminder, your project book will be checked for points & you will participate in an interview as part of skillathon.
    • The Barn Meeting is back and scheduled for 10am at the 4-H Shelter and 6:00pm at the Large Animal Barn on Saturday, July 6th. During the 6pm meeting there will be an exhibitor dinner for all 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors. All exhibitors are expected to attend a barn meeting. A few things to note as you start preparing your fair supplies, animal pens must be clean and presentable at all times, barn inspections will happen twice a day. If you are not staying on the grounds, please develop a schedule ahead of time to work with your fellow club members.
    • Chicken exhibitors – it has been recommended you find cardboard or old yard signs to place into the bottom of your pen, then place bedding on top of it, to keep your chickens from cutting their legs. Please note, these will also need to be cleaned and replaced as needed.
  • Club Beautification and Contest Participation registration can be found at: https://go.osu.edu/lawcofairclubparticipation
    • Club Beautification spot selection will be available on a first come, first serve basis during 4-H Club Fair Check In on June 27. After that, clubs will check in upon arrival at the fair on Saturday to select their spot.
    • For more information on the specifications of these projects, please check out the guidebook: Lawrence County 4-H Guidebook
  • Cloverbud Interview and Parade: Tuesday, July 9th starting at 1:00pm at the Large Animal Barn. This year we encourage Cloverbuds to come dressed as their favorite animal. For the interview bring any project they’ve worked on throughout the year or anything to do with their favorite animals!

Market Chicken Pick-Up

Exhibitors who purchased market chickens for Lawrence County Fair exhibition need to plan to pick up their chickens tomorrow, May 23rd between 1:00 – 4:30pm. Our office will begin calling 30 minutes prior to the chicks arrival. All market chickens must be picked up by 4:30pm.

Breeding Forms

Looking for the Beef Feeder/Beef Breeding, Sheep Breeding, Fancy Poultry, Breeding Rabbit & Specialty Goat forms, please visit https://lawrence.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/lawrence-county-fairDeadline to register your animal is June 15th.

Skill-A-Thon

The study guide for this years Skill-A-Thon is now available! Please visit for the study guide information: https://lawrence.osu.edu/sites/lawrence/files/imce/skillathon%202024%20study%20guide.pdf

Skillathon is mandatory again this year and will take place during the Fair.

4-H Meeting Requirement Reminder

We have been starting to get lots of questions regarding club meetings. Please remember, each member must attend 5 4-H Club Meetings prior to July 1 to be eligible to participate in the Junior Fair. County/State-wide Clinics, Quality Assurance, and other events do not count as a club meeting; unless a club advisor holds a meeting in conjunction with the event.

Market Rabbit Tattooing

June 15th, 8:00 – 10:00am, all Market Rabbit Exhibitors must bring their market rabbits to tattooing at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Please see the Lawrence County Fair Rules for guidelines on rabbit number allowances, etc.

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp Updates

• Teen Camp, June 21 – June 24th: Registration can be found at: go.osu.edu/teencamp. Registration closes on June 4.
• Cloverbud Overnight, June 28 – June 29th: Registration can be found at: go.osu.edu/canterscloverbudcamp. Registration will close on June 12.

4-H Life Skills Project Judging

• Food & Clothing Judging will be June 25th at Mamre Church Fellowship Building, beginning at 4:00pm. We will release interview sign ups soon!
• Also, be on the look out for interview sign ups for all project judging scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Fair. The Fair schedule indicate project category judging dates can be found here: 2024 Lawrence County Fair Schedule 

Community Service Challenge Reminder

The Lawrence County 4-H Committee is sponsoring a “4-H Doing More In 2024″ Community Service Challenge! Clubs can submit one entry per community service event completed from November 1, 2023 to June 27th, 2024. Entries can be submitted at https://go.osu.edu/lawcodomorechallenge

Helpful Resources

• 2024 Lawrence County Junior Fair Rules
• 2024 4-H Rules & Resources

Its a busy time in Lawrence County 4-H, which calls for a 2nd April news update!

• We have released 4-H Camp Registration for the Adams, Lawrence, Pike 4-H Camp, June 3rd – 6th. Registration can be found at: https://go.osu.edu/alp4hcampDeadline to apply is May 15th! Please be watching Specialty Camps | Canter’s Cave (osu.edu) for Cloverbud, Teen Camp, and other registrations to open!
• Our Lawrence County Junior Fair, 4-H & FFA, schedule has been released! It can be found at Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)
  • As a part of the schedule, we implement many Cloverbud Events and this year the Cloverbud Parade will be “Dress as Your Favorite Animal”!                     
• The Lawrence County 4-H Committee is sponsoring a “4-H Doing More In 2024″ Community Service Challenge! Clubs can submit one entry per community service event completed from November 1, 2023 to June 27th, 2024. Entries can be submitted at https://go.osu.edu/lawcodomorechallenge
• Quick reminder, Lawrence County Lamb, Goat, and Hog Tag In is scheduled for this Saturday, April 27th from 8:00 – 10:00am at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds.
  This is the same day as the Proctorville/Rome Clean Up Day so we will be using the midway entrance and exit through the Fairland end. Do not use the barn entrance! Please follow instructions once you are on the grounds. Reminder, all animals must be on the grounds between 8:00 – 10:00 am to be tagged for the Lawrence County Fair
  Another reminder, exhibitors will be required to submit pictures of their livestock with Fair Tag ID present. There will be stations set up day of tag in to help with this process, but you can also complete on your own by following the instructions at https://go.osu.edu/lawcotagid This must be completed by April 30th.

Hello! It’s an exciting, busy time in Lawrence County 4-H and it’s time for your April update.

• Cloverbud Discovery Days start today, Monday, April 8 at 6:00pm at the Extension Office. It will continue through this month:
  • Tuesday, April 16th
  • Wednesday, April 24th
  • Thursday, May 2nd

To register, please visit https://go.osu.edu/lawcodiscoverydays

• Quality Assurance Test-Out Opportunity, Tuesday, April 9th, 3:00 – 5:00pm. Livestock members, 12 and older, who have at least one year of Livestock Exhibition experience can test out of Quality Assurance. Come take the test during open office hours 3:00 – 5:00pm. Members can take the 12-14 year old test or the 15-18 year old test, based on their 4-H age. Once members take and pass the 12-14 year old test, they are not required to take Quality Assurance again until age 15. Once at least 15 years old, members can take the test, and with a passing score will not be required to take Quality Assurance again. If this date, does not work for you – please contact our office for an appointment.
• Registration for Spring Fling, April 27-28, is now available at go.osu.edu/CantersSpringFling 
  Campers in grades 3-6 will enjoy a fun, one-night stay at camp jam packed with all sorts of fun activities! Don’t miss it! Register by April 15th! Campers should print health forms and bring them with them the day of camp. For more information visit: https://4hcanterscave.osu.edu/…/specialty…/spring-fling
• April 15th is also the deadline for Lawrence County Camp Scholarships for Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, to apply please visit 4-H Camp | Lawrence (osu.edu)
• Horse Exhibitors: May 1st is an important date for you to mark on your calendar! By May 1st, horse exhibitors must complete their Equistep Training and their Horse ID form. Forms and Online Training link can be found here:
  • 2024 Horse ID Form 
  • 2024 Equistep Training
    • If you would prefer to receive your Equistep Training in person, we will be hosting an in-person Equistep Training on Monday, April 15th at 7:00pm at the Extension Office. During the in-person Equistep Training, we will also be giving each family a copy of the Ohio 4-H Uniform Horse Rules, information regarding PAS shows, and upcoming county/state horse opportunities. If you are unable to make this in-person option, we will be mailing packets on the Tuesday following to all horse members, however members will be responsible to complete the online Equistep by May 1.
• Livestock Exhibitors: May 1 is also an important date for you, too! All livestock exhibitors are required to complete Quality Assurance by May 1st. Club Advisors trained as Assistant Instructors must submit your attendance sheets by May 1. Other upcoming important dates for Livestock members include:
  • Lamb, Goat and Hog Tag In: April 27th, 8:00 – 10:00 am at the Fairgrounds
    • Please note, we will not be housing animals at the fair based on your arrival time to tag in. It will be randomized using a numerical system, with an effort to group family and club members together.
  • Rabbit Tattooing: June 15th, 8:00 – 10:00am at the Fairgrounds
• 4-H Project Books: Most project books are in-stock and ready for pick up at the Extension Office. Cost for most are $8 but prices do vary based on the project book. All members enrolled in a 4-H project are required to complete their 4-H project book to be eligible for project judging/exhibition. Please contact our office before stopping by, so we can confirm your order is ready for pick up.

Lawrence County 4-H Volunteers, each of you should have received the following information in your email – but just in case you missed it:

The much anticipated 2024 Lawrence County 4-H Volunteer Training Recorded option is now available. Volunteers must complete each step in the order below by March 15th!

Please allow for 1 hour to complete each of the following requirements.  So, to complete this option:

1.) Volunteers must register and watch the entire recorded zoom at: https://go.osu.edu/2024lawcotrainingrecording Please note your registration and view time is recorded.

2.) Volunteers must complete the volunteer training survey found at: https://go.osu.edu/2024lawcotrainingsurvey. You must have the passcode provided during the recorded training to access the survey.

3.) Volunteers must also complete the online 2024 Ohio 4-H Youth Activities and Programs Policy Training found at: https://go.osu.edu/YAP, Once you complete, Ohio 4-H sends us an email of your certification, so if prompted, please be sure to check the box to have certificate emailed.

Again, each step must be complete by March 15th to be approved for the 2024 year! If you have any questions or have trouble accessing, please let us know.

Its Enrollment time and a month full of deadlines, so please be sure to read through this one 🙂

Let’s celebrate Ohio 4-H Week, March 3rd – 9th!

• Super Supporter Sunday
• 4-H Member Monday
• Turn It Green Tuesday
• Why 4-H Wednesday
• Thankful Thursday
• 4-H Favorites Friday
• Celebrate Saturday

March 7th:  Next Thursday, March 7th our office will be hosting a meet and greet. Members may stop by between 6-8pm and pick up their project books, ask questions about requirements, visit with teens and learn about the different 4-H opportunities. Members planning to exhibit livestock projects can also complete Quality Assurance at this time, if they register, at: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu)

• Are you a club wanting to participate at the meet and greet, visit our February News for sign ups and more information.

March 15th is deadline day:

• By March 15th all volunteers and members must be enrolled on oh.4honline.com to be eligible for project exhibition. Changes will be accepted until March 31st. Returning families should not create a new profile, so if you need help accessing your account please contact our office!
• By March 15th all volunteers must have completed their volunteer training for the year, been rescreened if it was their year to get a new background check, and turn in club paperwork (financials, club calendar, and constitution/by-laws). All club paperwork needed for your club can be found in the blue tab of your club’s 4-H packet given at volunteer training or to a designated volunteer who picked it up. Copies can also be found on our website at:Lawrence County 4-H Club Advisor Resources | Lawrence (osu.edu)  If you have yet to pick up your club packet for the year, please do so asap! Failure to complete club and volunteer requirements by the 15th could result in club termination.
  • Volunteer Training Recorded Online Option: Volunteers who did not attend the in-person volunteer training need to check their emails for access and instructions on how to complete the recorded zoom version. E-mail was sent today (February 29th). There are 3 parts to the online option; register and view the recording, complete the survey, and complete the Protecting Our Minors canvas course. Please follow the steps outlined in your email… if you can’t find your email – please contact us as we probably need to update your email in the 4-Honline system!
    • If you attended in-person volunteer training on February 3rd, you do not need to complete the online version.
• By March 15th any senior wishing to apply for senior scholarships must complete the applications. There are two applications available; as the Lawrence 4-H application is used for Lawrence 4-H Committee Scholarships and the Ohio Valley Bank Scholarship. The 2nd application is for the Junior Fair Sale Scholarship. Both applications can be found at: SCHOLARSHIPS

Quality Assurance:

• County-wide Quality Assurance (QA) trainings are happening this month, please visit: Lawrence County Fair | Lawrence (osu.edu) for dates and registration. Also found on the website is information on the YQCA option and test-out. Please note, there will be NO zoom options this year.
• Some of our 4-H Clubs opted to have volunteers trained at Quality Assurance Assistant Instructor Training on February 3rd. Clubs are to set dates and provide them to the Extension Office by March 15th. Only volunteers trained at the Assistant Instructor Training on February 3rd are able to provide Quality Assurance for the 2024 year.
• Important: ALL livestock exhibitors (market and breeding) must complete Quality Assurance by May 1.

Project Dates/Information:

• Dog Obedience – Orientation meeting set for March 27th at 6:00pm, Extension Office. No dogs permitted at this meeting.
• Market Chickens – the order form is available and chicks must be ordered and paid for by April 1st: Order Here
• Breeding Projects – the opportunity to lease projects is available this year, following all guidelines outlined in the rules and breeding lease form found at: Breeding Lease This does not apply to any market livestock project including market feeder heifers and steers. It is for breeding projects only.
  • Beef Feeder & Breeder Projects: With this change and some changes coming to the requirements of DUNF forms,  please be aware your breeding form and your feeder ID form will require a tag id, so please plan accordingly.
• Tag-In Dates – 
  • April 27th: Lamb, Goat, and Hog Tag-In from 8:00 – 10:00am, Lawrence County Fairgrounds.
  • June 15th: Rabbit Tattoo Date from 8:00 – 10:00am, Lawrence County Fairgrounds.
• Project Books – Project books are a requirement for all 4-H projects and for exhibition at the county fair. Project books can be purchased in our office, however we would suggest sending a quick email or calling our email to check our inventory before making the trip to our office. We do our best to keep project books in stock, but they are moving fast!

4-H Camp Dates are set, dates and scholarship application can be found at 4-H Camp | Lawrence (osu.edu) Deadline to apply for camp scholarships is April 15th!

It’s a busy time in the 4-H office, we will provide news and updates as we have them! So, please check back here regularly, download the 4-H Now App and search Lawrence 4-H, follow us on facebook, check your email and our website – whatever combination works best for you!