Events

Exploring Agriculture Career Series

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The 2020-2021 Exploring Agriculture Program is set to kick-off on Tuesday, September 29th with Hord’s Family Farms at 6:00 p.m. virtually via Zoom.

For more information and how to register, please see the Exploring Agriculture Flyer

The Exploring program offers students aged 14-20 the chance to learn life and career skills through immersive career experiences and mentorship, facilitated through Ohio State University Extension. The Exploring Agriculture Post, based in Seneca County, but accepting all interested students, is designed to introduce youth to careers in agriculture throughout our region. Students can expect to “explore” agricultural careers via a series of monthly virtual meetings from September 2020 to April 2021. Each meeting will include visiting an area business or representative that serves the agricultural community and allows students to learn not only about what they do, but also about the jobs needed for that business to thrive.

This year students can expect to explore businesses like Hord’s Family Farm, Heritage Cooperative and Mennel Milling, as well as presentations about career paths in agriculture.

Free Screening of the film SILO

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Free screenings of the film SILO will be offered as a part of Farm Science Review 2020. It is a great opportunity for friends and family to spend an evening together watching a movie from the comfort of their own home – and a way to start a dialog around safety for families, FFA chapters, or older 4-H members.
Register for a digital pass:
Panel discussion follows each evening, link provided with registration.

4-H STEM at Farm Science Review

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While you won’t be able to visit the Farm Science Review in person this year, Ohio 4-H will still be offering many STEM activities virtually. You can view the schedule and sign up for the activities you’re interested in by visiting fsr.osu.edu. All sessions will be recorded, so if you are unable to join in live, you can view the recording after the Farm Science Review.

 

2020 Ohio National Poultry Show

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This year’s Ohio National Poultry Show, the largest poultry show in the nation, has gone virtual! This gives open and junior exhibitors a new way to compete and still be a part of the Ohio National. Information, including the catalog, can be found on their website at www.ohionational.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheOhioNational.

The entry deadline is Saturday, October 17, with Class Champions announced Saturday, November 14 and the Show Champion announced Sunday, November 15. Show awards will be mailed the week after announcing the champions.  There is no cost to enter.

For Open Show questions contact Tim Johnson at tejpoultry@gmail.com or Newt Long at wnewtlong@gmail.com. For Junior Show questions contact Tim &  Mary Neviska at blackstumpfarm@aol.com or Clell Agler at cagler@columbus.rr.com.

2020 4-H STEM Challenge

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Blast-off to Mars with Ohio 4-H and join the 4-H STEM Challenge

We’re launching a trip to Mars Base Camp and want to help you get there! The 2020 4-H STEM Challenge explores sending a mission to Mars and what it takes to sustain life in space. The Mars Base Camp kit includes activities that use STEM skills like mechanical engineering, physics, computer science, and agriculture.

We want Ohio 4-H families to join in and thanks to the Ohio 4-H Foundation and Google, you can receive an $8 discount on the Mars Base Camp family kit. The family kit is available at shop4-h.org for $15.95, plus shipping, but with the Ohio 4-H discount and the $5 discount available on their website, your final cost is just $7.80 + tax.

Want to learn more?

 And to help you on your Martian journey, the Ohio 4-H STEM Team is hosting a week of virtual, space activities from Oct. 4-10. Details at https://ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/4-h-science/mars-base-camp-4-h-stem-challenge . Get ready to blast-off!

Teen Driver Safety Billboard Contest

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The Licking County Health Department (LCHD) and Licking County Safe Communities Coalition, through support from State Farm®, is challenging Licking County high school students to create a public service announcement (PSA) billboard to educate their peers about teen driver safety.

The winning design will be displayed on a local billboard and the creator will be awarded $500.

Motor-vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens. The goal of the contest is to raise awareness leading up to National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 18 through 24.

The contest requires students to create their own billboard design with a PSA for teen driver safety and includes one of the following areas of teen driver safety: seat belts, distracted driving, speed, and peer pressure. The billboard design can be created using whatever media they are most comfortable with, including graphic design, drawing, painting, photography, etc. When using facts and statistics, students should use credible sources (i.e. teendriversource.org, safecar.gov), or through their own research.

A panel of judges will select the winning entry based on the following criteria: relevance, originality, creativity, aesthetic quality, and how well the message of teen driver safety is communicated through the design. A winner will be selected and announced through a press release to the community and their artwork will be displayed on billboards in Licking County for one month in recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week.

The winning design will receive a prize of $500. The referring teacher or school will receive $300 for promoting the contest. Homeschooled students are invited to participate.

For questions or more information, please contact Jon Kraus, Safe Communities Coordinator, at (740) 349-6500 or JKraus@lickingcohealth.org. See official rules here.

August 3rd Hartford Fair Update

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The following information was sent to all families on August 3, 2020…

Let me begin with THANK YOU! Thank you for your patience, thank you for your grace, as we have moved through the planning process for the 2020 Hartford Fair! The Hartford Fair is blessed with families who value kindness and understanding, and we have really cashed in on those traits in 2020! Although this year has brought us much uncertainty, we continue to move forward, work within the guidelines, and provide the best opportunities possible to our Junior Fair youth (and their families)! Let’s not forget how very fortunate we are to call the Hartford Fair “our” fair!

Although I certainly can’t promise that there will be no additional changes after this update reaches your email inbox, I still want to share with you what I do know at this moment – in hopes that it will be of assistance to many of you! I ask that you read through the details carefully, and maybe review a second time, before you begin to reach out with additional questions. There is still much to be done, and we are working as quickly as we can to ensure that all is ready as your family arrives to the fairgrounds over the next week or so.

As we model for our children, let us stay positive and know that everyone is doing their best, always assume the best intentions, and give everyone an extra amount of grace as we move throughout the next two weeks. This spring and summer have not been easy for most of us, but the Hartford Fair has a great amount of normalcy to offer – if we look for it! Regardless of the facial coverings and social distancing, we’ll still be together with our fair friends, enjoying the opportunity to watch our youth exhibit, eating some fabulous fair foods, and making wonderful memories…. We have much for which to be grateful!

  • What I’m asking of you…
    • Wear your mask / facial covering (if you are medically able to do so).
      • No, it’s not always comfortable, but it surely beats the alternative of not being able to see our youth show at the fair…
      • If you aren’t wearing a facial covering, please step away from the barns, show arena and concessions, where larger numbers of people may gather.
      • Facial coverings are not expected within the show ring, but they continue to be welcome – especially in situations where social distancing is not possible.
      • 4-H members are reminded that while state guidelines do not require facial coverings for those under the age of 10, while 4-H guidelines require facial coverings for all 4-H members during 4-H-related events…
    • Daily symptom assessments: check your temperature, monitor for fevers, watch for a dry cough or trouble breathing, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills, and loss of taste or smell…
      • If you’re not feeling well, or experience the above-listed symptoms, please don’t come to the fairgrounds.
    • Don’t forget to social distance when near others from outside of your family. It’s for everyone’s safety and well-being.
    • Wash or sanitize hands frequently…
    • Remember that the exhibitor (and their family) should have no physical contact with their judge during shows, nor their buyer during sales.
      • Buyer thank you notes and any gifts of appreciation should be sent to the buyer following the fair.
    • Be mindful of what you share on social media – and how it represents our fair – and our 4-H and FFA programs!
      • Early fairs were not successful in using facial coverings and maintaining social distance, and many photos were shared as evidence of disregard for those guidelines. Now we find ourselves impacted by those decisions with additional limitations and guidelines. The fairs that are scheduled to take place after us in August, September and October are hoping to be as fortunate as us – to offer Junior Fair programming. If we don’t choose to do the right things during the Hartford Fair, they may pay the price. When we share photos or make posts online, we need to be sure to have a mask on, and show ourselves being responsible. Hartford is often held up as an example to other fairs across Ohio, let us again be a positive example of how to do what’s right!
    • If you have questions, or don’t understand, be sure to ask! We’re happy to help!
  • Fair Schedule…
    • You can find the fair schedule online at www.hartfordfair.com > Schedule. It is in the process of being updated, to remove all of the non-Junior Fair activities and events. The newest version should be posted within a day or so, feel free to check back often! An updated SPECIES SCHEDULE can be found online at  http://www.hartfordfair.com/forms-2020/Department%20Schedules.pdf
    • No open class events will be held – in any species.
    • Junior Fair llama / alpaca show has been cancelled, due to lack of entries.
    • Some changes have been made to department schedules. Those are listed by department further down in the email message…
    • 4-H Center and FFA Building will be open… Check schedule for hours and plan to drop in to see our 4-H and FFA exhibitor displays.
      • Details regarding set-up of 4-H Club booths was distributed on August 3rd to the lead advisor for each club.
    • 4-H Band will be performing at TARA throughout the week, with concerts on Sunday (3:00 p.m.), Monday (1:30 p.m.), Tuesday (6:00 p.m. in NRA near Pond), Wednesday 8:00 p.m. and Thursday (6:00 p.m.). Be sure to go listen…
  • Admission / Attendance…
    • There are currently no limits on who / how many may attend, but all publicity for the fair has been suspended so as to keep attendance to a manageable level.
    • No admission will be charged at the gate.
    • Junior Fair exhibitors and club/chapter advisors are asked to pick up their IDs on Thursday (1-7 p.m.), Friday (1-7 p.m.) or Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) in B. Carr Family Arena.
      • IDs will still be used to pick up and cash premium vouchers.
    • By state guidelines, attendance in the sale arena during the sale will be limited to buyers and immediate family of exhibitor selling at that time.
  • The Fairgrounds…
    • The only area of the grounds open to attendees will be from the 4-H Center and Tara on the North, going East around the track to the Swine Barn. All areas to the South and West will be closed. (other than the SFB office)
    • Food vendors will be moved to the livestock barn area, with there being 10-15 vendors available. I’m sure that you’ll find some of your favorites!
    • Campgrounds will be limited to campers of exhibitors, advisors, SFB members, fair vet, etc.
      • If you need details about the campgrounds, be sure to reach our directly to the Fair Office.
  • General Notes…
    • Vouchers will be issued to exhibitors following completion of participation in each show.
    • The Bank will be open to cash vouchers, with hours posted on the Bank and in the Junior Fair Board office.
    • Curfew will be in place with everyone asked to vacate the barn / concession / office areas by 10:00 p.m. (or within 30 minutes of the conclusion of any event that ends after 10:00 p.m.).
  • Valuable Resources…

 Department Updates / Changes / Reminders: Updated SPECIES SCHEDULE – http://www.hartfordfair.com/forms-2020/Department%20Schedules.pdf

(I apologize in advance if I missed a change or a change is made after this message is sent… Stay up to date with the Hartford Fair and Licking County 4-H websites and Facebook pages!)

  • Market Steer / Breeding Beef / Steer Pool
    • Steer Pool Vet Check will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday
    • Steer Pool Barn Meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Kohman Wing.
    • Steer Pool will be released at 9:15 p.m. on Monday, following show. Packer truck arrives at 9:15 p.m. Monday for packer load out.
    • Feeder Calf show will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
    • Breeding Beef show will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
  •  Dairy / Dairy Feeder…
    • Dairy heifer move in will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday, with all heifers being in place by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Dairy cattle will be released from the grounds after the show on Thursday.  This will allow exhibitors who are bringing dairy feeders to the fair to make one trip if they would like, but will not force the dairy exhibitors to be at the fair any longer than necessary.
    • The Dairy Feeder Steer show on Wednesday starts at 8:30 a.m. with showmanship.  The show itself will then follow immediately after the conclusion of showmanship.
  • FFA Building…
    • Set up: Thursday 9 a.m. (Change!) |  Project arrival : most on Thursday / maybe some on Saturday  |  Judging: Sunday 9 a.m.  |  Removal: Saturday 3 p.m.
  • Market Hogs
    • Market Hogs must be in place by 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
    • Market Hogs released following show on Tuesday.
  • Rabbit & Poultry Departments…
    • Poster Contest Rules
      • The purpose of the contest is to demonstrate the Junior Fair exhibitor’s project knowledge, to stimulate interest, and to demonstrate to others the diversity of Rabbit and Poultry projects.
        • Each posted must be made by the 4-H / FFA member.
        • Posters must be made using 22”x28” poster board, displayed horizontally, with stiff backing. It is suggested that your posted be covered in plastic.
        • Each poster must be clearly labeled in the lower right-hand corner, in a space no larger than 3”x5” with the exhibitor’s name, club or chapter, and age as of January 1st of the current year.
        • Posted will be judged based upon: Educational Content (50 points) / Neatness & Appearance (30 points), and Originality (20 points).
        • Posters will be displayed during Rabbit & Poultry Shows.
        • Junior Division: ages 9-13 / Senior Division: ages 14-19
        • No entry fee – this is a free class – no premiums will be paid.
        • Rosettes will be awarded for 1st-5th placings.

2020 Farm Science Review Will Be Virtual

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For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, scheduled for Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, will not be held in-person. Instead, a virtual show will be implemented for 2020.

The farm show, sponsored by Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), annually attracts over 100,000 visitors from all over the United States and Canada to the show site in London, Ohio.

“We are committed to delivering a robust and innovative virtual show in support of agriculture during this pandemic,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president and dean of CFAES.

“Throughout its history, the Farm Science Review has been at the forefront of showcasing the future of agriculture,” she said. “While it may look different in 2020, we will continue to meet the needs of our growers and partners through access to exhibitors, virtual demonstrations, and education about the most recent advancements in agricultural production.”

The three-day event normally allows agricultural producers to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, view field demonstrations, and learn the latest in agricultural production. Popular educational programs feature specialists from The Ohio State University, Central State University, and other land-grant institutions.

“Due to the rapidly changing conditions in the spread of COVID-19 across the U.S., the decision was made to hold a virtual show,” said Nick Zachrich, Farm Science Review manager. “We have
worked diligently to plan for another incredible show demonstrating the newest developments in equipment, research, and application to support agricultural production.”

Current conditions are not conducive to hosting an in-person event. “With our multi-generational audience, we determined a need to prioritize everyone’s health and ensure that we are doing our part to contain the spread of the virus during this global pandemic,” he said.

While extremely disappointing for everyone involved, Zachrich said that Farm Science Review management and its executive committee believe this is the right decision to keep visitors, exhibitors, partners, and staff safe.

In addition, the State of Ohio Responsible Restart guidelines currently limit mass gatherings. There is little reason to anticipate changes in the next two months that would provide for the ability to meet Farm Science Review’s daily in-person attendance of between 35,000 to 50,000 visitors.

“We understood early on that regardless of the number of cases, the show would have to take a drastically different approach in order to meet the health and safety requirements for COVID19, such as physical distancing and sanitization,” Zachrich said. “While we would have liked to wait until closer to the event to make a decision, we felt compelled to let suppliers, exhibitors, and partners know so they can begin to plan for a virtual show.”

More information will be shared in the forthcoming weeks about the 2020 virtual Farm Science Review program and how to engage. Visit fsr.osu.edu for ongoing updates.
All media inquiries should be directed to Sherrie Whaley, CFAES media relations coordinator, whaley.3@osu.edu, 614-292-2137.

Writer:
Sherrie R. Whaley
whaley.3@osu.edu
614-292-2137 / 614-582-6111

Source:
Nick Zachrich
zachrich.13@osu.edu