Month: July 2020

2020 Hartford Fair Livestock / Equine Forms Due

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Members exhibiting LIVESTOCK and HORSES during the 2020 Hartford Fair are asked to carefully review the information found below as well as here. Many species / departments have forms that must be submitted prior to weigh-in / check-in at the fair. Rather than collecting these forms in paper-form, they will be collected only ONLINE in 2020! With this switch, you are being provided with the details as to which forms must be submitted, and where you can find the forms online… Please ensure that ALL FORMS are submitted by the DEADLINE of MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY, AUGUST 7th!  Please pay careful attention to directions pertaining to if the form is to be completed per animal / exhibitor / department / etc. Respective livestock will not be allowed to check-in / weigh-in at the fairgrounds until forms have been submitted. Don’t wait until the last minute, go ahead and get your forms turned in now…

 

Licking County 4-H Virtual Project Judging Results

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Thank you to all of those who participated in our virtual project judging! We know this year has been a challenge with lots of changes and cancellations. We certainly appreciate those members who took the time to complete the judging process. We know it was a big change and a new process, and we are so proud that many of you chose to participate in the virtual judging.

Our judges have viewed and graded all of the videos submitted and made selections for Superior, Honorable Mention, and State Fair Representative recognition. Congratulations to those who were selected for awards beyond a grade. The awards listing can be found here.

Members will receive their grade/feedback for their submission via email. It will be sent to the email address that was used when you submitted your video(s). Please allow some time for that email to arrive in your inbox. I have to go through each submission to email that feedback so it may take a few days for me to make it through all of the videos to send the feedback.

The videos will remain private unless you wish for me to make your video active for others to see. If you video is active, any person with the password (listed in the submission guidelines) used to access the grid will be able to view it. If you would like me to activate it, please let me know and I will do so. If you do not want to make it active for anyone to view but would still like to share your video with select people, you can share the unique URL that you received in your confirmation email with those you wish and they can use that URL to view your video. I’m sure your advisors would love to be able to view your videos!

All ribbons will be in club packets in the 4-H Center at the Hartford Fair during booth construction hours and if not claimed then will move to the Junior Fair Board office during fair week. Ribbons will NOT be available for pick up at the Extension Office in the days leading up to fair but any ribbons not claimed during fair will be returned to the Extension Office after fair and will be available for pick up by appointment.

Again, congratulations to all who participated. We are so proud of you!

ODA Asks Ohioans to Send in Unsolicited Seeds

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The Public Should Report the Seeds and Submit the Packages to USDA

After increasing reports of Ohio citizens receiving packages of unsolicited seeds in the mail, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is again urging the public to report and submit any unsolicited seed packets to ODA. In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine Office, ODA is working to investigate the number of seed packets sent to Ohio, what type of seeds they are, and where they were mailed from.

The USDA-APHIS and ODA are asking Ohioans who have received these unsolicited packages not to open, plant, or throw them away. Instead, citizens should report receiving seeds here and then submit the packages to USDA using one of the following methods:

1. If possible, place the materials including the seeds, original packaging material and your contact information in a resealable plastic bag and mail them to USDA-APHIS at the following address:

Attn: USDA -SITC
8995 East Main Street, Building 23
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

-or-

2. Place the materials including the seeds, original packaging material and your contact information in a resealable plastic bag and drop them off at your county’s OSU Extension Office during business hours. You can find the nearest extension office here: https://extension.osu.edu/lao. Please note that extension facilities may have COVID-19 specific signage detailing procedures such as wearing a facial covering that must be followed.

Unsolicited seeds could be invasive species, contain noxious weeds, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock. Invasive species and noxious weeds can displace native plants and increase costs of food production. All foreign seeds shipped to the United States should have a phytosanitary certificate which guarantees the seeds meet important requirements.

We will have the latest information regarding this investigation on our website.

2020 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Market Animal Sale Photo Schedule

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Junior Fair Exhibitors are asked to note the following dates / times that sale photos will be taken. These photos will appear on sale placards that are presented to buyers during the respective sales…

Additional Notes: For those exhibitors who have photos scheduled as a part of weigh-in procedures, please ensure that animal is clean, and that exhibitor is present with project animal for sale photo, and is dressed appropriately (according to show/sale dress code) . For Rabbit & Poultry exhibitors, your photo will be taken with a rabbit or poultry model, but you are not permitted to bring your own project animals for photo. (Exhibitors will only have their photo taken with one animal per department in which they are selling!)

2020 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Exhibitor & Advisor ID Distribution

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Junior Fair Exhibitors (4-H | FFA | Steer Pool | Scouts), as well as their respective Club / Chapter / Troop Advisors, are asked to make plans to pick up their 2020 Hartford Fair ID in the B. Carr Pavilion during one of the following times:

  • Thursday, August 6 1:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, August 7 1:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 8 9:00 a.m.—7:00 p.m.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: We are asking that all passes be picked up during these times, as we will be located in an area that allows ample physical distancing. IDs may be picked up by the exhibitor, parent (with identification), or a club/chapter advisor (with identification). If the IDs are not picked up during the above listed times, they will be available in the Junior Fair Board Office (exhibitor IDs) and Senior Fair Board Office (advisor IDs) during posted office hours. Please be aware that admission will be charged at all entrance gates beginning the morning of Sunday, August 9. (Exception: Those in the 4-H Band will get their IDs from a Band Advisor after arriving to the fair, and those with exhibits in the 4-H Center only will obtain their ID from the 4-H Center.)

Hartford Fair Logo

REMINDER: Project Videos Due on Flipgrid by July 19th!

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Don’t forget to complete and upload your project video to Flipgrid by 11:59pm on Sunday, July 19th in order to participate in the judging process.

The guidelines and instructions for the judging process can be found on the website here. These documents are listed on both the Member Resources & Special Interest Project Information and What’s New pages. Please review them and reach out to me with questions or concerns. You can access your project’s grid by clicking on the link next to your project’s name in the Flipgrid Project List that is found on the website here. Once you reach the correct grid (project area), you will be able to select your project from the drop-down “topic” menu.

If you miss the deadline or if you do not feel comfortable completing your project judging through Flipgrid, please work with your advisor to have them review and grade your project. They can submit that grade to Adrienne (anderson.1410@osu.edu) by July 27th to be recognized at the fair. You WILL NOT be eligible for any award beyond a grade. Any project entered at the fair not receiving a grade will be eligible for a participation ribbon and premium only.

We look forward to seeing all of the creative and exciting things you have done in your projects!

REMINDER: Submit Your Project to the Ohio 4-H Online Project Showcase

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Now that you’ve completed your project, we encourage you to submit your project to the Ohio 4-H Online Project Showcase!

You’ll be asked to share what you liked about the project and one new thing you learned. Parents will also need to sign their approval for youth to participate.

Here’s more:

  • Select your favorite project – one per person
  • Send a great photo – at least 2 MB
  • Photos will be display after September 8 at ohio4h.org

Submit your photos by August 15 at go.osu.edu/4H2020Showcase. Questions? Contact Sarah Longo at longo.79@osu.edu.

July 16, 2020 Hartford Fair Horse Update

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The Hartford Fair is just around the corner, as a Fair Board we are excited to bring our fair family together for a modified 2020 fair. In an effort to keep everyone safe, your equine committee made the tough decision to hold a three day show for 2020. When making decisions we took time to review all relevant information with health and safety at the forefront of our decisions. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for exhibitors to safely compete at The Hartford Independent Fair.

We have received many great questions in the last month. Outlined below are common questions we wanted to pass along to help you prepare for the 2020 fair. Many of the answers can be found in the rules section of the entry information that can be found here.
If you have questions in the coming week, please do not hesitate to ask if you are not sure or something appears unclear regarding rules for our 2020 fair. Our intent is for everyone to have a fun and healthy fair experience. We are passing along information as quickly as things are decided.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Are we allowed to decorate our stalls?
Yes, we are trying to maintain many of the traditions of the horse complex. We encourage clubs to decorate their stalls, but in a simple approach. Limiting to curtains, lights and signs will cut down on additional sanitizing of objects typically available for high touch contact (props, benches, flower pots, etc). Referencing rule R under Responsible Restart Stalling Rules:
LIMITED STALL DECORATIONS: Only curtains, lights and a decorative sign with exhibitors name, photo, emergency contact info and Club information permitted: MAY NOT BE ATTACHED TO THE BARN WITH NAILS, SCREWS, TAPE, OR STAPLES!!! No extra props, benches or end of barn decorating permitted in 2020.

We have not determined a date and time for decorating to occur, please watch an email near you for that information.

When are horses moving in?
Those who are choosing to stall will move their horse or pony onto the grounds Tuesday, August 11th 6:00am to 2:00pm. At this time, Vet check will be held at the stalls at 2:00pm. All stalled horses will be released on Saturday starting at 9:00am with all horses off the grounds by 1:00pm.

When is grading?
We will be holding grading, it will just look a little different this year. Grading will be held for stalled horses immediately following the barn meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Also, grading will take place each morning 8:00-9:00 for exhibitors choosing to haul-in.

Exhibitor Packets:
Each exhibitor will receive their back number, patterns, and department rules and schedule after they grade. We will NOT be hanging patterns this year to cut down on areas for people to gather.

Who is responsible for sanitizing our stall and tack boxes?
Please reference rule J under Responsible Restart Ohio Rules: Exhibitors and 4-H clubs are responsible for sanitizing their stalls, tack box and tack stall area every day.

Are we permitted to use the wash rack?
Yes, please be mindful of others and maintain 6 feet social distancing when appropriate. Also, clean up after yourself and your horse.

Haul-In Horses/Ponies:
We are trying something new in 2020. For many years, advisors have provided feedback for their clubs haul-in exhibitors to have use of a stall with their club. This year we are going to try it!

Advisors, please provide how many haul-in stalls you will need each day by July 31st to Alisha Tilley via email at equine.education@hotmail.com. In your email please include your club name with your number of haul-in stalls.

We realize some haul-in exhibitors may not need/want a stall. Please confirm how many haul-in stalls each day you expect to need for those choosing to stall for the day they are showing.  For example you have 12 members in your club, 6 of them are stalling, but you will only have 2 exhibitors hauling in each day. We will designate 2 haul in stalls in your block of stalls for your club. Keep in mind your club will be responsible for sanitizing the stalls between exhibitors.

Our goal is to try to meet each clubs desired per day haul-in stall need. Please keep in mind the exhibitors who have requested a stall are first priority. Also, these stalls are going to be haul-in and out same day, this is not an opportunity to stall a second horse.

Rule 14(d) still applies: Only one horse or pony per exhibitor may be stalled at the fair, No switching of horses.

The haul-in rules still apply, horses or ponies are expected to be off the grounds at the conclusion of the show. Please review 2020 Responsible Restart Ohio Haul-In Rules in the attached document.

Volunteering:
Here is a volunteer sign-up sheet for grading, trash clean up and gates. We are going to need extra help each day to clean up and put trash cans out for pick up and pull them back into the complex post pick up.

Seniors:
Unfortunately we will not be holding opening ceremonies at the 2020 fair. We will maintain our senior wall in the front barn for the 2020 fair. Exhibitors who will be graduating out of 4-H this year are welcome to create poster to be hung on the senior wall. Turn in posters to the announcer’s booth during the barn meeting to be hung by the Senior or Junior Fair Board.
Senior Poster Rules:
o        Signs should be constructed on a half poster board sheet (14”X 22”).
o        Please laminate or cover with clear contact paper as they will be outside.
o        No wooden, metal, or full poster board size signs permitted to allow for enough space for everyone.

Again, thank you for all your hard work and patience as we are navigating this evolving environment this year. Please take time to review with your club all the rules in the attached document. This year has presented many unique guidelines to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Please feel free to reach out anytime you may have a question. Due to my work schedule, I can be best reached via email at equine.education@hotmail.com.

Sincerely,
Alisha Tilley
Horse Department Chair
Hartford Independent Fair