4-H and FFA youth can show what they know about 9 different animal species through 10 skillathon events during the Ohio State Fair (see the schedule). Skillathons are free, registration is the day of the event (an adult must accompany the youth), youth can come anytime between the hours listed, and youth do not have to be a state fair exhibitor or be enrolled in an animal project in order to complete. Youth vying for the Outstanding Market Exhibitor (OME) award for goat, sheep, poultry, swine, and beef must participate in the Skillathon, showmanship, and live animal show in order to qualify. Rules, study resources (including the station topics for each species), and other information are available at: go.osu.edu/osfskillathons

The following Junior Fair forms are now available on our website:

2018 Junior Fair Booth Entry Form – due July 15
2018 Junior Fair Parade Entry Form – due August 1
2018 Barn to Barn with Cloverbuds Registration Form – due August 1
2018 Farm Chore Olympics – NEW THIS YEAR – due August 1

All forms can be turned in to the Muskingum County Extension Office.

Please note: Saddle Horse Committee will be hosting an opening ceremonies for Saddle Horse Clubs in the horse arena directly following the Horse Barn Meeting on Sunday, August 12, 2018. No horses will be ridden in the 2018 Junior Fair Parade. 

Organizational advisors should continue to fill out the Junior Fair Parade Entry Form as normal. There is no entry form for the Saddle Horse Opening Ceremonies. The Saddle Horse Committee will communicate directly with clubs who have members enrolled in horse projects with more information about horse opening ceremonies.

Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council (TLC) applications for the 2018-2019 year are now available!  Please let any interested individual know, so they may apply!  Please note, because it is only a one year term, current TLC members who wish to continue their service must re-apply. Muskingum County had three representatives to the Council this year: Rachel Hampp, Treva Hampp and Samantha Mozena.

Applications and more information for this group are now available online at: go.osu.edu/TLC.  Please note applications (and other materials, including letters of recommendation) are due (not postmarked; received!) by Friday, August 10, 2018.  Please note that this deadline is right before the start of the Muskingum County Fair! Youth are required to have a reference from a county 4-H professional, so be sure you don’t want until that week to ask us!

Here are some highlights about the responsibilities of the council:

• Age: Individuals must be 14-18 as of January 1 the year of application to apply for council member, committee member, committee chair, and officer.
• Number of Meetings/Events: See the program structure outline on the application for specific numbers of meetings and events. Members are required to attend at least 75% of meetings and events.
  • Working Events: Members are required to work a number of statewide events at the Ohio State Fair, and elsewhere throughout the state (Farm Science Review, Legislative Luncheon, etc.).  Each level of membership differs in the number of events that are required.  See the program structure for more information.
• Location of meetings: Meetings are typically held at the Ohio 4-H Center in Columbus, Ohio, but there are occasionally instances when they are held elsewhere due to events on Ohio State’s Campus.  In these instances, meetings may be held at locations close to campus.  Refer to the application for the locations for the 2018-2019 year.  Members will be notified prior to the location change.
• Additional Opportunities: Depending on the level of involvement, council members have the option to apply for additional opportunities including the National 4-H Conference, Ohio 4-H Foundation Board, and other opportunities that may arise.

The term for selected individuals will be September 1, 2018-August 31, 2019.

Got talent? Check out this new event at the Ohio State Fair Youth Center. The event will be held Saturday, July 28 at 6:00 p.m. and is open to 4-H members only.  Members have a chance to win a clock trophy! Spots are limited and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so register soon! Please go to ohio4h.org/ohiostatefair for the application to apply.

On Tuesday, June 19th, 15 youth participated in our county Demonstration and Illustrated Talk competition and two youth competed in the Health and Safety speaking contest. During the evening, we learned about funeral procession laws and etiquette, human trafficking, hedgehogs, cupcakes and more! All participants received a certificate and $10.00 Wal-Mart gift for their hard work and and achievements. Gift cards were graciously provided by the Muskingum County 4-H Committee.

The following youth were selected to represent Muskingum County at the Ohio State Fair in Demonstration and Illustrated Talks:

The following youth were selected to represent Muskingum County at the Area III Health and Safety Public Speaking Competition on July 6, 2018 at the Nationwide and Farm Bureau Ohio 4-H Center:

Congratulations to all our contest participants and state representations! A special thank you goes out to our judges for taking time out of their evening to evaluate our speakers and help us make the best speeches, better! We look forward to another great competition next year!