The Ohio State University, including all County Extension Offices, will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1. We look forward to spending time with our family and friends and observing the university’s winter academic recess.
Thanks to our community partners, volunteers, and 4-H members for a great 2025. We look forward to connecting with you in early 2026!
You are invited to participate in the annual Ohio State ATI Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. This year’s contest will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the OARDC Krauss Dairy, located at 2250 Oil City Road, (between Dover Road and Secrest Road), Wooster, Ohio.
With the contest being held at Krauss Dairy, contestants will be divided into 6 rotating groups. Contestants will judge the live animal classes from the animal alleys with the animals being restrained in tie-stalls or walking in a group pen. Contestants will need to wear appropriate clothing to be in close contact with animals. Schools/clubs are expected to provide plastic boots for their contestants. Coaches/advisors may be asked to help with the contest as a ring or group leader.
Registration will be in the Krauss Dairy office and/or breakroom. Only coaches/advisors should come into the Krauss Dairy office/breakroom to register their contestants. There is minimal heat in the facilities at Krauss Dairy – dress appropriately for the weather. Coaches and advisors may want to bring a portable chair as seating will not be provided.
Contest Schedule: 8:15 to 9:15 am Registration at Krauss Dairy (2250 Oil City Road, Wooster, OH)
Parking is available at Krauss Dairy on the north side of the dairy complex around the hay, silage, and equipment storage barns/areas. Students from the ATI Dairy Club will be assisting with parking – please follow their directions.
FFA chapters and 4-H clubs can enter as many individuals on a “team” as desired. The scores for the top three individuals from each “team” will become the official team score.
Entry fees are $10.00/contestant (cash or check) and are due at the time of registration. Make checks payable to: The Ohio State ATI Dairy Club.
Rules for the contest are listed below in the accompanying document. The contest will be scored by Tom Oglesby (Ohio FFA CDE coordinator). The Ohio FFA computerized scan form will be used to score the contest. An example of the form is in this document. Results will be posted at www.judgingcard.com as soon as possible after scoring.
In the event of cancellation, notification will be posted on the Ohio State ATI website: http://ati.osu.edu/
Full details and a map to the facility can be found here: 2026 Ohio State ATI Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Haley Campbell: 330-462-6321 or campbell.2708@osu.edu
You’re invited to participate in this year’s Aquaculture Challenge! The Aquaculture Challenge is a competitive science and business competition hosted by the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network and Lake Superior State University (LSSU). It is open to all schools, homeschool groups and individuals, and education non-profits. The challenge has a middle school division (6th – 8th grade) and a high school division (9th-12th grade).
During the challenge teams of students can choose one or more categories to compete in:
Teams can work on the challenge as part of a class or as an after-school activity. Multiple teams can register per school, and teams can also register as part of after school clubs or other academic related organizations. This competition is open to all interested individuals regardless of location (although stipends are only available to those in Great Lakes states).
Teams can submit for awards for each category they compete in plus a cumulative award.
Teams are supported with online resources, training over Zoom, a small team stipend ($150 for those in Great Lakes states), and a liaison (Sea Grant/LSSU) who helps guide the team during the season.
The registration deadline is January 14, 2026, with competition running from late January through early April. Student teams will submit videos showcasing their accomplishments, as well as supporting materials online. The deadline for submissions is April 24, 2026. A virtual awards ceremony will be held on May 7th, 2026.
Registering a team is simple and free: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScv_9jEkBq81fBSjxo_ncIQVOIluJr-jwEz2OE33D-Y9jhEFQ/viewform
More Information:
Feel free to share this with others who may be interested.
To learn more about the challenge or get some questions answered, there will be two informal Q&A sessions where interested educators or students can attend to ask questions about the challenge. These Q&A sessions will be over Zoom on the following dates (Zoom links embedded):
Coach Q&A/Information Sessions NEW Schedule. Each session will start with a 10-minute presentation followed by 50 minutes of Q&A time where coaches can pop in to ask questions. Attendance for the full hour is NOT required, and coaches can hop on anytime during the full hour to get questions answered.
1. December 19th, 2025, 12:30pm eastern / 11:30am central, https://msu.zoom.us/j/94522501807?pwd=BEHex5Jaia1tY7bmZ69glPJ9C4Hl7G.1
2. January 8th, 2026, 4pm eastern / 3pm central,
https://msu.zoom.us/j/95360546694?pwd=uAFea9YcZppwiTuBsPjRop0uuhVBdW.1
In Ohio, contact Nicole Wright, Aquaculture Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant: wright.1128@osu.edu, 330-202-3594.
If you are interested in becoming a Licking County 4-H advisor for 2026, you can find the application HERE. Completed applications are due to the Licking County Extension Office by January 1, 2026. Please note that all applicants must be at least 20 years of age as of 01/01/2026 – allowing for at least one year between enrollment as a member and stepping in to an Advisor role. Applications can also be emailed to Lisa McCutcheon at mccutcheon.46@osu.edu. If you are interested in starting a new club, please turn your advisor application in as soon as possible so we can get that process started as well.
The Licking County Pest Management Committee is providing a scholarship opportunity. Applicants for the scholarship must meet the following guidelines:
ELIGIBILITY
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT
The deadline to submit the application is April 1, 2026. You can find the application HERE.
The Licking County 4-H Committee, in partnership with the Licking County 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, will be choosing two 4-H members, who are currently completing Grades 3-6, to participate in State 4-H Junior Shooting Sports Camp. State 4-H Junior Shooting Sports Camp is a residential camp, and will be held at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp in Jackson, Ohio during June 12-14, 2026.
Please note that applicants do NOT need to be enrolled in a 4-H Shooting Sports project to apply.
Complete the APPLICATION and return to the Licking County Extension Office by Friday, January 17, 2026.
The Ohio State University, including all County Extension Offices, will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1. We look forward to spending time with our family and friends and observing the university’s winter academic recess. If you need to reach out to us or visit our office before the end of the year, please be sure to do so by December 23, 2025.
Thanks to our community partners, volunteers, and 4-H members for a great 2025. We look forward to connecting with you in early 2026!
Registration is now open for the Shooting Sports Winter Workshop! Join Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports February 20-22 at 4-H Camp Ohio for an exciting and educational experience. To secure your spot, visit the link below and clock the red register button. Don’t wait— registration closed January 15 at 5:00pm. Learn more by visiting the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor (State) Training Workshops webpage!
Please note:
Mark your calendar for the 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference, held March 21, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where 4-H volunteers and teens (ages 13 and up) from across the state will come together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. With a wide variety of educational sessions designed for all interests and experience levels, this event is a chance to grow, share ideas, and strengthen Ohio 4-H programs. Registration will open by the first week of January and must be completed through your county office—don’t miss this opportunity to help make the best better! Learn more at the Ohio 4-H Conference webpage.
Ready to learn about 4-H opportunities, service ideas, and project spotlights? Check out the latest issue of the Ohio 4-H Teen News!
This month’s highlights include:
Read the full update: https://buckeyemailosu-my.sharepoint.com/…/IQAwBedgTEeq…