Temporary Changes for Madison County and Ohio 4-H

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Click here for the latest 4-H Update Letter sent via 4-H Online to 4-H Families and Advisors: 4-H & COVID-19 Update #3 as of March 27, 2020.

As you may be aware, The Ohio State University announced the suspension of face-to-face instruction and the move to virtual instruction for the remainder of the semester. Events deemed nonessential are postponed between now and at least May 15, 2020 (please note this date has been updated from our original notice due to COVID-19). Based on these guidelines, all in-person meetings of 4-H clubs, committees, advisory groups, and Extension are postponed or canceled until at least May 15. Activities are encouraged to continue virtually when possible.

These actions are in alignment with necessary precautions recommended by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ohio Department of Health.

Thank you for your patience with your county 4-H staff, the state 4-H office and OSU Extension as we navigate the process. Although this has caused a disruption, 4-H professionals are still working remotely, and many club members are working on their projects.  We’re committed to doing our part to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. We also know that when we choose to act together, we can have incredible positive impacts.

If you would like to learn more about the coronavirus and the university’s response, read more here.

Madison County club advisors are working hard to continue offering meetings and educational opportunities virtually. OSU Extension Staff in Madison County are available by email and phone. Our office has been temporarily closed as of March 18th. 4-H Project books cannot be purchased or distributed at this time and we will provide an update when this can happen soon. Thanks again for your cooperation and patience during this challenging time.

You can contact our mail phone line at 740-852-0975 or reach out to Frances or Arlene directly below:

  • Frances Nicol, nicol.115@osu.edu, 740-956-5048
  • Arlene Duffey, duffey.2@osu.edu, 740-956-5044

A message from Kirk Bloir, State 4-H Leader:

Dear 4-H Families, Volunteers, and Supporters,

It’s hard to believe that just three weeks ago we were preparing to welcome 1200 volunteers and teens to the annual Ohio 4-H Youth Conference in Columbus. We know much has changed since that time for all of us, but what hasn’t changed is the commitment of Ohio’s 4-H professionals to the youth in their counties.

I want to update you with information about how the 4-H program is moving forward during this global pandemic. One week ago, county OSU Extension offices temporarily closed to help reduce opportunities for the virus to continue to spread. 4-H professionals and their OSU Extension colleagues worked quickly to transition their materials and resources to be able to continue working from their homes. In just a few short days, they connected with you via email, began offering virtual meetings and regularly updated web sites and social media with current information and resources. I could not be prouder of their willingness to handle this challenge and seek ways in which to keep 4-H programming alive and well.

For many of our families, virtual (or online) meetings seem to be working well, however I recognize it doesn’t work for everyone due to accessibility issues in parts of the state. We are continuing to explore options and will share solutions in the next few weeks. In the meantime, there are tip sheets for club leaders with options and ideas for holding virtual club meetings at go.osu.edu/4hadvisorinfo. Keep checking this site, because we will continue to add information to help you.

We know the spread of coronavirus also presents great uncertainty about upcoming 4-H events—Will camps happen this summer? Will we be able to exhibit our projects at fairs? What about project judging? And the answer is that right now, we just don’t know. At this point, all 4-H activities, club meetings, events and programs must be held virtually or cancelled until May 15. The situation is dynamic and changes daily, so we will continue to monitor conditions and reevaluate as needed. This ban may need to extend beyond May 15. During this time of unprecedented health concerns, we will work together to keep you updated and informed.

We understand concerns that some fairs may not be able to take place this year due to the global pandemic health emergency. Any decision to cancel a local fair, festival, parade or other large group gatherings will be made by those authorized to protect the health and wellbeing of all Ohioans. 4-H members and their families should consider a number of factors as they make their decisions to purchase 4-H market livestock projects. Risks and rewards must be taken into account. For example, we encourage families to consider their overall available budget, space to care for livestock, availability of alternative markets, availability of local processing, family freezer space, and needs of local food pantries.

OSU Extension and 4-H will continue working together to support our 4-H members, families, volunteers and local partners, including senior fair boards, classroom teachers, and magistrates, as we navigate this health emergency. As Governor DeWine shared earlier this week, we are “in this together Ohio.” Thank you for your continued patience and perseverance.

Yours in service to 4-H,

Kirk Bloir

Assistant Director, OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development

MADISON COUNTY SPECIFICS

*To reiterate, all club meetings, fundraisers, community service, etc. should be held virtually, postponed, or canceled through at least May 15*

The Madison County Extension Office will be CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. We are still working remotely! Call our main line at 740-852-0975. You can also contact Frances directly at 740-956-5048 or nicol.115@osu.edu.

4-H Camp: We are still planning to have 4-H camp this summer currently. Registration paperwork and more information will be posted mid-April. Please note that the Little Caesar’s pizza kit fundraiser was cancelled!

For livestock quality assurance (QA) for the 2020 year only: QA must still be completed before the opening day of exhibition, however the 45-day prior to the opening of the exhibition requirement will not be enforced.

  • Youth livestock exhibitors (8-18) may take the online YQCA certification (contact our office for more information). Note that this option costs $12 and is OPTIONAL
  • Test out options for ages 12-14 and 15-18 are currently available to schedule after May 15 by appointment only. Please note that they may need to be postponed as we get more information.
  • NEW LIVESTOCK QUALITY ASSURANCE DATES: Subject to change
    • Thursday, June 11, 6:00-7:30pm (Della Selsor Building, Madison County Fairgrounds)
    • Sunday, June 14, 4:00-5:30pm (Della Selsor Building, Madison County Fairgrounds)
    • Tuesday, June 23, 6:00-7:30pm (Della Selsor Building, Madison County Fairgrounds)

Livestock Ownership deadlines: As of now, the ODA still requires that all market livestock projects be in your possession by May 1st for Madison County (market goats, sheep, hogs).

Online demonstration contest! Check our Facebook page for a post about the demonstration contest and post your video in the comments there, or email to nicol.115@osu.edu to be eligible to win a pizza party for your entire club this summer/fall! Once the videos are posted, people can vote for which they like best by clicking “like” on their favorite video! All video submissions must be posted by Noon on Monday, April 6 and results will be tallied. Here is a resource for a good demonstration: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/4h-46.

Project books: As of now through at least March 30, project books cannot be ordered from anywhere. You can choose to order via extensionpubs.osu.edu, but there is a higher cost to order them there and have them shipped. Ohio 4-H is working on a plan to make these accessible to you at a lower cost. Stay tuned more information!

MADISON COUNTY 4-H SCHEDULE UPDATES:

  • Poultry Clinic – March 29 at 3pm – VIRTUAL/RECORDED MEETING: https://osu.zoom.us/j/202262645
  • Shooting Sports Safety Meeting – March 31 –– CANCELLED
  • *Junior Fair Board Meeting – April 1 – VIRTUAL (members should have received a link)
  • Camp Counselor Meeting – April 8 – VIRTUAL (counselors will receive a link to join Zoom)
  • Heritage Show Ring Success Seminar and Quality Assurance– April 11 – CANCELLED
  • Quality Assurance – April 14-16 – POSTPONED (see new dates above)
  • CANCELLED: Pizza Kit Fundraiser Orders for 4-H Camp – Please return any money you have collected
  • *Poultry Broiler Orders due online and mailed payments by April 15th (See info above for details)
  • Camp Counselor Meeting – April 22 – VIRTUAL
  • Sheep and Goat Tag In – May 2 – Watch for more info soon!
  • Camp Counselor Meeting – May 3 – VIRTUAL
  • *Junior Fair Board/Key Leader Meeting – May 6 – TBD
  • Camp Counselor Meeting – May 13 – VIRTUAL
  • Rabbit Showmanship Clinic – May 16 – Continue as planned
  • *Broiler Poultry Pick Up – May 21 – Continue as planned

*Please note – It is up to the Senior Fair Board to make the determination for fair-related activities and committees.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions. Thank you for your patience!

Sincerely,

Frances Nicol, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

740-956-5048, nicol.115@osu.edu

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