In this issue…
- Newest COVID-19 Update (as of April 7)
- Project Book Updates
- 4-H Camp Information
- Livestock Quality Assurance Information
- Video Demonstration Contest
- Scholarships and Opportunities
- 4-H Club News
- State 4-H Opportunities
- Madison County Fair Updates (Swine Ractopamine Use, Livestock Tag-In, etc.)
COUNTY UPDATES
LATEST COVID-19 & 4-H Update (as of April 7, 2020)
*All 4-H activities, club meetings, events and programs must be held virtually or cancelled until July 6. Read the letter for more information.
4-H Families:
Whew! We made it to April! It surely has been a strange past couple of months as many of us are spending a lot more time at home than we typically do. While it may seem crazy, scary, and surreal, one thing that I have noticed these past couple of months is how RESILENT we are as 4-H families and advisors. From when the first update was sent out that disrupted your laid out plans, I have seen members doing video demonstrations, clubs meeting virtually, families spending quality time together at home, members working diligently on their 4-H projects, and plenty of other creative things. We may not know what will happen in the next couple of months, but I do know one thing: our 4-Hers will continue to grow, learn, and develop into caring and competent individuals, and even more so because of this situation. No matter what happens, 4-H is still here. It may look different, but we are here and thriving! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so flexible and positive in this process. We are #InThisTogetherOhio and #4Hgrows here in Madison County!
Yours in 4-H,
Frances Nicol
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
PROJECT BOOK UPDATES!
Info updated as of 4.15.20. Check the latest info here: https://u.osu.edu/madison4h/2020/04/15/4-h-project-book-update/
Want to dig in to a 4-H project that’s a good match for staying at home? See our collection of Perfect Stay-at-Home Projects here: org/stayathomeprojects. When a copy opens on your screen, you can save or print it from there. (For accessible formats of these publications, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.)
OSU Extension is working on getting projects available for purchase on extensionpubs.osu.edu where you can use a coupon to get projects at the same cost as you would to by them at our office. Use coupon code FREE2020 for free shipping or 20IN2020 for 20% off your entire order!
Self determined idea starters are always available for free online here: ohio4h.org/selfdetermined
To help with this process, if you would like to add or change a project book, you have until April 30 to do so. Please contact Arlene at duffey.2@osu.edu or Frances at nicol.115@osu.edu or call us at 740-852-0975 to edit your projects BEFORE APRIL 30. This is a great way to add on a small project, or a self determined and gives your kids something to do that is educational and rewarding!
*ADVISORS: Following the stay at home order and advice from our governor and CDC, please refrain from distributing books to members!
Madison County 4-H Camp!
All county and state 4-H Camps, including our Madison County 4-H Camp and Cloverbud Day Camp, are cancelled for 2020. We will have opportunities for virtual camps available to our youth! Watch for details to come. Thank you for your understanding. We hope to see everyone at Camp Clifton in 2021!
Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser CANCELLED
Due to health and safety concerns with current events, the Little Caesars Pizza Kit fundraiser for camp has been cancelled. Please return any money collected to those that purchased. Thank you for your cooperation and thanks for supporting Madison County 4-H Camp!
Since there is no 4-H camp this year and therefore campers won’t be getting the typical commemorative shirt, consider this!
Order your 4-H CAMP COVID-19 t-shirt today! Reasons to order:
1. COVID-19 prison orange is fitting for our stay at home order
2. In 20 years you will want a t-shirt to remember this time
3. We will miss your annual camp t-shirt otherwise
4. $3 of each will go towards 4-H Camp Clifton (be sure to enter our camp name in your order!)
5. Solidarity of missing camp together!
Order by May 1 via: http://4hcovid19camp.cssprinting.org/
*Counselors and camp staff will be receiving a free shirt from the 4-H Committee!
Livestock Quality Assurance Info (Updated as of 4.16.20)
The dates scheduled below are for virtual QA options for 2020. ALL participants must register individual at go.osu.edu/MadCoVirtualQA:
- Session 1: Tuesday, April 28, 3:00-4:00pm
- Session 2: Tuesday, May 5, 5:00-6:00pm
- Session 3: Monday, May 11, 2:00-3:00pm
- Session 4: Wednesday, May 20, 5:00-6:00pm
- Session 5: Thursday, May 28, 4:00-5:00pm
- Session 6: Thursday, June 11, 6:00-7:00pm
- Session 7: Sunday, June 14, 4:00-5:00pm
- Session 8: Tuesday, June 23, 6:00-7:00pm
- Session 9: Thursday, June 25, 5:00-6:00pm
Members can also take advantage of the Online YQCA option. Cost is $12. Contact our office for details. *Note: There is a discount being offered from the company for APRIL ONLY! Contact us to get details on purchasing the coupon.
Finally, there may be a 3 year test out option for ages 12-14 and 15-18. Contact the office if you are interested.
For Ohio State Fair SWINE MARKET exhibitors only: Youth entering a market swine project at the Ohio State Fair for 2020 will be required to have a parent/guardian PQA certified in order to meet packer requirements by June 20th (certification number is required for online fair entry) . This training can be done online. Contact Frances ASAP at nicol.115@osu.edu if you need this certification!
Questions? Call our office at 740-852-0975 or email nicol.115@osu.edu.
Additional information can be found here: Madison County QA Information
Video Demonstration Contest on Facebook! Entries and Votes due April 13
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 13th andresults will be tallied. Here is a great resource for a good demonstration:https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/4h-46.
Madison County 4-H Scholarship – Due April 30
Madison County 4-H Committee scholarships are open now and due April 30th. There are 6 scholarships available to high school seniors or college freshman that are enrolled in 4-H for 2020. Visit go.osu.edu/madcoteenopportunities for the application!
Applications can be mailed to the OSU Extension Office, 217 Elm Street, London, Ohio 43140 OR emailed to Frances at nicol.115@osu.edu.
Market Poultry Broiler Orders due April 15
All market chicken project exhibitors MUST order their birds through the Poultry Key Leader by April 15!
Please fill out the form at the link below with the amount of birds you wish to order and the total amount due. Checks are made payable to OSU Extension. Mail checks to Madison County Extension Office, 217 Elm Street, London, Ohio 43140. Put your child’s name in the memo of the check.
Link to order broilers: https://forms.gle/QYbGV5eN3eRYLtATA.
Birds are $1.75 each. Pick up will be May 21 from 2-6pm at extension office.
Contact Amy Dodds, Poultry Key Leader (740-506-2829) or the OSU Extension Office (740-852-0975) for more information.
Project Guidelines Available:
Curious about what you actually need to complete for your project? Review the General Project Completion and Fair Guidelines. You can search for your project for a quick glance at the requirements (livestock and special interest!). It also includes links to the Ohio State Fair requirements.
4-H Project General Completion and Fair Guidelines
For specific information, review the Madison County Fair book and project specific guidelines. If you have any questions, contact a key leader or the extension office!
Upcoming events
Click here for the full 2020 4-H Calendar
April 15: Poultry Market Broiler orders and payment due
April 15: Ohio State Fair exhibitor scholarship due
April 30: 4-H Advisory Committee Scholarship Due
May 1: All horse and dairy projects owned and leased and in possession of 4-H & FFA members with lease agreements submitted to the Extension office. All market project animals owned and/or in possession of 4-H & FFA members. (As of 3.31.20)
May 2: Sheep and Goat Tag In and breeding forms due, Swine Ear Notch Forms due (Format TBD by Senior Fair Board, watch for more updates soon)
May 4: 4-H Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30pm – VIRTUAL
May 15: Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant Applications due
May 16: Rabbit Showmanship Clinic, TBD
May 21: Poultry Broiler order pick up, 2-6pm, Extension Office
May 25: Extension Office closed – Memorial Day
CLUB NEWS
4-H Advisors and Parents: if you have any information you would like to be shared ion the newsletter OR club reports that you want published on our blog, please email nicol.115@osu.edu or call our office!
Current Club News is available here.
STATE 4-H OPPORTUNITIES
Be sure to check Ohio4H.org for the most recent state 4-H information and follow the “Ohio State – 4-H Youth Development” Facebook page!
State Fair Exhibitor Scholarship – Due April 15
This scholarship is available to high school juniors and seniors and graduates that exhibit at the Ohio State Fair who are continuing their education at an accredited institution in an undergradutae course of study in any field.
Scholarship Information and application can be found at ohiostatefair.com/scholarships
Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant Applications due May 15
Interested in a leadership role at the state level? The 4-H Event Youth Assistants are a stateiwde group of teens that assist with Ohio State Fair events. It is a great way to gain leadershop skills and meet other 4-Hers from across the state! Events include: annoucing awards during the fair, assisting with project check in, helping with skillathons, etc.
Click here for more information and an application: https://ohio4h.org/families/just-teens/4heya
MADISON COUNTY FAIR UPDATES
Madison County Jr. Fair Book
The 2020 Madison County Jr. Fair Book is available here: Madison County Jr. Fair Book. All exhibitors are expected to read and understand these rules and guidelines prior to exhibition.
Ractopamine Guidelines for 2020 Madison County Jr. Fair Swine Show
Swine Exhibitors: Please review the following letter from the Senior Fair Board regarding the use of Ractopamine at the 2020 Madison County Fair: Ractopamine Guidelines
For more information about going Ractopamine-Free and a copy of the affidavit is available at ohiopork.org/ractopamine-free
For other updates and information about swine projects in Madison County, click here: https://madison.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/swine-projects
Sheep and Goat Tag In and Swine Ear Notch Forms CANCELLED for May 2
All sheep, goat, and swine tag information will be required to be submitted via Fair Entry by June 15. There will be no in-person tagging or weigh in or paper drop off on May 2!
More info to come soon on how to upload pictures and tag information onto Fair Entry.
Rabbit Award – Due April 15
First Year rabbit exhibitors have the opportunity to apply to get a donated rabbit for their project and to show at the Madison County Fair! Click here for the application.
Applications can be emailed to losterloh@yahoo.com or madisoncountyjfb@gmail.com. You can also text a quality picture of the application to 614-353-6800. Contact Lisa for any questions!