July is here and it is time for the fair! I am so excited to see all the hard work of our youth come together. As we go into the prime time of summer heat and fun, I challenge you all to remember how grateful we are to have a time and place that our youth can exhibit their projects and enjoy the experience. I like to remember the 4-H pledge during busy times: head to clearer thinking, heart to greater loyalty, hands to larger service, and health to better living. Let’s use our minds to think clearly and be good role models for those around us, help out our friends and family, help serve those that are in need, and maybe try to not eat fair food for every meal? (Okay, ice cream doesn’t count!).
In all seriousness, let’s have a great fair week and best of luck to all of our exhibitors!
In this issue:
- Jr. Fair Schedule and Book
- Special Interest Information
- Other Fair Contest Information
- Cloverbud Updates!
- Calendar
- State Opportunities & State Fair reminders
COUNTY UPDATES
Jr. Fair Schedule and Rule Book&SpeciesSpecificInformation
Be sure to review and print out the following to be best prepared for fair week:
As a reminder, the fair is put on by all volunteers and as such, there will be mistakes because we are human! Please remember to go into the fair week with a kind heart and good sportsmanship and above all, ENJOY the time together as our youth complete their projects they have worked so hard on all year long!
*Emails: Be sure to check your emails frequently this coming week as well as social media for the fair and OSU Extension as this is the main way we communicate any changes or information you need to know!
Swine Check in Information: All exhibitors should have received an email with the swine check in times and information. You can also find the info at: https://madison.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/swine-projects
Sheep and Goat Check In: Sheep and Goats will have to sign up for a check in time on Saturday at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4fadad2da5f85-sheep1 (has been sent via email to all sheep/goat exhibitors). Please sign up for ONE slot per FAMILY, NOT per animal.
Special Interest Project Judging
Project Guidelines – This document provides general information for each 4-H project on what you need to do to complete the project: 4-H Project General Guidelines
A judging packet with assigned times for each special interest (non-livestock) project has been sent. Check your email for more details
Click here for details for clothing and nutrition projects and other reminders for judging day!: https://madison.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/4-h-project-guidelines-project-selection/special-interest
Special Interest Awards will be annouced on Tuesday, July 13 at 7pm. Nutrition and Clothing Awards will be annouced after the Style Review on Wednesday, July 14 at 7pm.
SPECIAL INTEREST AUCTION – New in 2021!
This year, all youth exhibiting a special interest project that are NOT selling a livestock animal in the Jr. Fair sale have the option to auction off an item related to your special interest project! The form below must be turned in at the time of judging check in on July 10th and has the additional rules listed.
Special Interest Auction Entry Form and Rules
- When: Thursday, July 15 at 5:00pm (check in at 4:15 with item and get photo taken)
- Where: Della Selsor Building
- How: Turn in Auction Entry Form at Project Judging on July 10th
- Item must be 60% homemade, raised, or in some way created by the exhibitor and must be related to your project. You may only enter 1 item per exhibitor.
This is a great oppportunity to invite your family and friends too, and reach out to your small businesses that would love to sponsor a project! If you know someone interested in supporting, share this flyer with them!
Miscellaneous Fair Contests
- Thank Your Buyer poster contest – Sponsored by the Jr. Fair Sales Committee
- Posters can be turned into the JFB office by 8pm on July 10th . List your name, species, and club on the backside. Posters will all be displayed in the Eby Arena
- Poster cannot be larger than 11x18inches and must clearly list the previous year’s buyer and thank them for their support.
- Each livestock category will have 1 winner chosen. Winners are announed on Tuesday evening at the Special Interest Awards ceremony. Cash prizes are given
- Visit https://www.madisoncountyfairoh.com/junior-fairbook for the full list of rules
Cake Decorating Contest – Wednesday, July 14
- Compete in your different age divisions listed below:
- Adult/Senior Division (Age 15+) – 11:00am
- Intermediate Division (Ages 12-14) – 11:45am
- Junior Division (Ages 8-11) – 12:45pm
- Cloverbud Division (Ages 5-8) – 2:00pm
- All cake rounds and icing and tips are provided (Special thanks to Vallery Farmhouse Bakery for donating the icing!)
- Participants are timed (Seniors = 30 min, Intermediates = 45 min, Beginners & Cloverbuds=60 minutes)
- Placing awards are given from a qualified judge (Cloverbuds receive participation ribbon)
- Compete in your different age divisions listed below:
Cloverbud Participation at the Fair!
- Cloverbud Show & Tell – July 12 @ 7pm in the Della Selsor Building: Each club takes the stage for members to share about the project that they made and what they enjoyed about 4-H! Club advisors register 30 minutes prior to the event
- Cloverbud Passport to the Madison County Fair – July 14 @ 10:30: Sponsored by the Madison County Farm Bureau, any youth ages 5-8 can attend for a tour of the fairgrounds to meet the animals, enjoy games and crafts, and a special prize! Arrive at the Della at 10:30 to participate on July 14
- Cloverbud Cake Decorating – July 14 @2pm: Test out your cake decorating skills! All youth are given a cake form and icing to decorate a cake with and to display the remainder of fair week.
Upcoming Events – July: View the full calendar here
July 5: Office Closed – Observed Independence Day
July 10: Special Interest Judging, Livestock Move In/Check in (Some animals move in/check in July 9th. Check the Fairbook for details)
July 10-17: Madison County Fair! Visit www.madisoncountyfairoh.com for the full schedule!
July 19-23 – State 4-H Junior Horse Show
July 28-August 8 -Ohio State Fair
August 13 – Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Applications due to State 4-H office
September 1 – Junior Fair Board applications due
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!
Cloverbot Challenge
In honor of the Mars Rover, this year Cloverbuds will be going to space with the challenge happening on Mars. Cloverbuds will design a place to live on the Red Planet and create a model featuring their method of transportation. The Challenge will take place virtually on Monday, July 12 or Thursday, July 22 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. We will be utilizing breakout rooms in ZOOM so that teams will have the opportunity to share their projects. With help from the Ohio 4-H Foundation, teams can order a kit to get them started. Information is posted on the Ohio 4-H website https://ohio4h.org/families/cloverbuds/cloverbot-challenge and via Facebook.
Teen Leadership Council Applications Available!
Applications and more information to be an Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council (TLC) member for the 2021-22 program year are now available online at: go.osu.edu/TLC. Please note: applications (and other materials, including letters of recommendation and program fees) are due (received, not postmarked!) by Friday, August 13, 2021.
The Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council (TLC) is a statewide group of 4-H teens and young 4-H alumni that provides a youth stakeholder perspective in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Ohio 4-H programming. In this process, council members develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations needed for future success. Council members share advice and recommendations to 4-H professionals in order to improve, strengthen, and expand the Ohio 4-H program. Members also make recommendations regarding opportunities for Ohio 4-H teen programming. They serve as a sounding board for Ohio 4-H program direction.
Ohio 4-H Summer Shooting Sports Education Clinics
Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports is offering 4 days of shooting education clinics to youth interested in expanding their skill set in a specific area at Canter Cave 4-H Camp in Jackson, Ohio. You do NOT have to be enrolled in a shooting sports project to attend! Register in advance at go.osu.edu/SSclinics by July 9 as space is limited!
Contact our office to ask about potential funding to cover the $30/day/participant fee!
Dates are:
- Sunday, July 18: Beginner Clinics
- Monday, July 19: Adult/Youth Day
- Tuesday, July 20: Intermediate/Introduction to Advanced skills
- Wednesday, July 21: Advanced Skills
Stay Connected! – ohio4h.org/stayconnected
Now more than ever it’s time for 4-H’ers to make the best better! While youth are at home and staying safe, we still want you to stay connected. Below are links to activities for youth and resources for volunteers. Check back frequently for additional links and program updates!