Month: May 2020

May 29 Update

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Greetings 4-H Families!

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Dewine released guidelines on county fairs. You can view them here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/County-Fairs.pdf. Around the state, families are asking “What happens now? and “What does this mean for our fair?” The decision-making processes in the days that follow will be difficult for everyone involved, no matter the outcome. There are a variety of factors at play that make it important to have the opportunity to make decisions locally – short and long term financial implications, ability to adhere to current guidelines that frequently change, and even the layout of the fairgrounds.

You may have heard by now that 4-H Educator Trevor Tom has made the decision to return to classroom teaching in the Franklin Local School District this fall. Please join me in thanking Trevor for the time he spent with OSU Extension, helping us explore and conduct programming that expand the definition of 4-H. Trevor plans to continue volunteering for and supporting our program!

Be safe and be well!

-Jamie
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Junior Fair Stall Sheets/Entry Forms 

  • I’m receiving several questions about when stall sheets will be available to download. As a reminder from our update on May 8 – for 2020, the Junior Fair entry has process has changed. There will be no stall sheets to download and print for submission. Instead, entries must be submitted by completing the appropriate online registration form/survey. Instructions on how to complete the entry process and links to entry forms are available on our website: https://go.osu.edu/muskcolivestockentry. You are strongly encouraged to review the instructions before beginning the entry process, especially if registering animals that typically have a pre-fair weigh-in (market goat, market lamb, breeding rabbit).
  • Exhibitors will complete one entry form per animal or class (poultry). 
  • The following entries are due by June 15 at 11:59 p.m. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
    • Beef Breeding/Market Steer
    • Dairy Heifer/Cow
    • All Goats
    • Owned Horses
    • Llama & Alpaca
    • All Poultry
    • Breeding Rabbits
    • All Sheep
    • Market Hogs
  • Entry forms are not currently available for the July 16 deadline (market rabbits and feeder calves).

Muskingum County Zoom Quality Assurance & Horse Education Programs

    • Registration is now open for Zoom Quality Assurance sessions on the following dates and times:
      • Tuesday, June 16 – 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
      • Thursday, June 18 – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
      • Monday, June 22 – 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
    • Registration is now open for Zoom Horse Education Program sessions on the following dates and times:
      • Wednesday, June 17 – 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
      • Thursday, June 25 – 6 p.m.
    • Registration is first come, first served and each session will be limited to 50 families. It is recommended that families with multiple youth who need to complete a Quality Assurance or Horse Education program requirement select a time when all family members can view together. Your family can share a device for the session, as long as everyone is visible and can see the screen easily. Proctors will monitor the sessions to ensure participants are engaged.
  • Sessions are designed to last one hour, but participants should allow up to 1.5 hours in case instruction runs over. Families can begin joining the Zoom ten (10) minutes before the scheduled start time, but must enter no later than 5 minutes after the scheduled start time in order to be allowed from the waiting room to the classroom. Youth must be present during the entire session, as attendance will be taken at the end of the session.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) 

May 21 Update

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Greetings 4-H Families!

We may not be able to attend 4-H Junior Camp this summer at 4-H Camp Ohio, but the Ohio 4-H Camping Design Team and our Camp Team has been working on a variety of opportunities to still celebrate our camp spirit in Muskingum County and throughout Ohio! These opportunities will take place in late May/early June. Ohio 4-H Camp…ish is open to a wider age range, 8-18!

Our efforts were highlighted in a CFAES News Release and will also be featured in a June article of the Ohio Country Journal.
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Muskingum County 4-H Camp at Home Challenge
June 1-10

Open to Muskingum County youth 8 years old and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and in any grade to age 13 as of January 1, 2020. Youth do not have to be enrolled in 4-H!

Challenge Guidelines:

  • Set up a campsite at your home any time between June 1 and June 10 and camp for at least one night. Youth can set up camp indoors or outdoors. Outdoor camp sites must be located on property the family owns.
  • Be creative with camp site set up, campfire, games, crafts, nature, cooking/snacks and other activities! Family members are encouraged to join the fun!
  • At least one photo should include the youth entering the contest.
  • Campers must follow local and state COVID-19 orders.
  • One entry per household.
  • Submit four photos of your Camp at Home experience via Qualtrics by June 11 at 11:59 p.m. Submission Link: https://go.osu.edu/campathomeentry.

Families have the opportunity to win scholarships for 2021 Junior Camp by entering! Scholarship winners can use the scholarship or designate a recipient. See our website for more details: https://go.osu.edu/campathome
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Muskingum County 4-H “Not a Camp”
June 11-12

Who? Muskingum County youth 8 years old and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and in any grade to age 13 as of January 1, 2020. Non 4-H members are welcome!

What? A virtual experience with traditional camp activities! It’s an opportunity to use our imaginations, like the children’s book Not a Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nif94VQ4Xsc.

When? June 11-12. There will be morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Each session will be approximately an hour, but not longer than 1.5 hours. A detailed schedule will be shared with registered campers. Youth are encouraged to participate in all sessions, but it is not required—those who attend all sessions will be entered to win 2021 Junior Camp Scholarships! Scholarship winners can use the scholarship or designate a recipient.

Where? From the comfort of your own home, via Zoom. Connection information and instructions will be shared with registered campers.

Why? We love camp and we do not want to forget about it this summer!

Cost: FREE! Some activities may require minimal supplies, provided by the camper. A “packing list” will be shared the week before camp!

For more details: https://go.osu.edu/notacamp

Register online by June 1, 11:59 pm: go.osu.edu/notacampregistration

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Ohio State – Muskingum County 4-H Facebook Page – Spotlight on Camp

June 9-13

During our regularly scheduled camp dates, we will post a variety of photos and videos to spotlight our camp team, campers and past camps. We welcome submissions from Junior Campers, as well as other fans of camp to be included in these spotlights.

For more details on what and how to submit: https://go.osu.edu/spotlightoncamp

Submission Deadline: June 1
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Ohio 4-H Camp…ish

June 9-11
Ohio 4-H Presents Statewide “Camp…ish” Opportunity!
Calling all stay-at-home campers! Ohio 4-H staff miss summer camp as much as you do, and we want to do what we can to bring elements of camp to your home!

On June 9-11, you are invited to join us for Ohio 4-H Camp…ish! It is open to any youth ages 8-18 across the state of Ohio. Friends who are not in 4-H are welcome to register, too!

There is no cost for attending, although some activities will require the use of basic art supplies, household items, or things found outdoors.

Please visit go.osu.edu/campish to register by June 7! Activities will be hosted at the following times each day: 9-11 AM, 1-3 PM, 4-5 PM. Campers are not required to attend all sessions, so sign up and come for the times you can enjoy Camp…ish activities brought to you by Ohio 4-H Camp…ish Directors!

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4-H Camp Ohio Buckeye Funder

4-H Camp Ohio Buckeye Funder was created as an emergency response to unprecedented COVID-19 needs. How are you giving back in honor of your own camp experience? Share and inspire others to give together, even when we’re apart.

Now more than ever, 4-H Camp Ohio needs your support. As a result of these challenging times, the income loss from camp closures may be more than we can withstand. Your gift today helps us to make it through this storm to welcome campers back next summer.

For nearly a century, 4-H Camp Ohio has helped to grow leaders and make the best better. Show your camp love by supporting our camp to ensure we are still here next year to welcome our 4-H youth and continue the tradition of excellence.

Donate today!

May 8 Update

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Today’s update will provide you with information related to the status of the Extension Office, Junior Fair Entries and Events, the Ohio State Fair Horse Show and FAQs without Answers.

According to our current instructions, OSU Extension staff will be teleworking through July 6. We have limited access to mail (Debbie can pick up office mail every two weeks) and we can only go to our office with permission from our supervisor, which is only being granted in specific cases.

Junior Fair Events – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will there be a fair? Right now, planning for fairs across the state continues. Some early fairs have adopted modified schedules or plans. If plans for the Muskingum County Fair should change, we will provide information to families as Senior Fair Board instructs.
  • What about Quality Assurance and Horse Education Programs? These programs will still be required for youth enrolled in specific projects to exhibit. Virtual options for both will be released in the near future.
  • Are entries for leased horses still due May 15? YES. Please refer to instructions later in this e-mail about submitting entries.
  • What about horse body condition scoring and vaccination requirements? Both requirements are still in effect for the 2020 fair. Body condition scoring will NOT take place on May 27, June 2 or June 3. As Junior Fair rules indicate that the fair horse veterinarian must do the body condition scoring, the Saddle Horse Committee will be discussing options at a meeting in the near future. Signed documentation of a five-way vaccine from a veterinarian is required when completing the Junior Fair entry (due May 15 for leased horses and June 15 for owned horses). Exhibitors should get the vaccinations and documentation from their own veterinarian.
  • Will Market Lamb and Goat Registration take place on June 1? Market Lamb and Goat Registration will NOT be held on June 1. Instead, exhibitors will be required to submit three photos with their entry form: 1)  FRONT VIEW photo of the animal from a close distance, Scrapie ID should be visible; 2) Photo of the ear with Scrapie ID tag so the number can be read; 3) SIDE VIEW photo of the animal from a close distance. Please refer to instructions later in this e-mail about submitting entries.
  • Will Breeding Rabbit Registration take place on June 1? Breeding Rabbit Registration will NOT be held on June 1. Instead, breeding rabbits must be tattooed at the fairgrounds during Market Rabbit Registration on July 16, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. if they have not been tattooed. If your rabbit does not have a tattoo at the time of entry, please enter “none”. If your rabbit does have a tattoo, please enter it on the entry form. Please refer to instructions later in this e-mail about submitting entries.
  • I haven’t seen any stall sheets on the website. Are they Junior Fair Entries still due June 15? YES. As a result of the July 6 programming/office restrictions and the Stay Safe Ohio Order, no paper or PDF Registration and Stall Sheet forms will be provided for Junior Fair entries due June 15. Instead, youth will submit Junior Fair livestock entries by completing the appropriate Qualtrics survey, available on the Extension Office website under 4-H Youth Development>Junior Fair. Exhibitors are encouraged to review 2020 Muskingum County Junior Fair Livestock Entry Instructions to familiarize themselves with the process and reach out to Jamie (mcconnell.210@osu.edu) if you have questions.

Ohio State Junior Fair Horse Show
There will not be PAS qualifying horse shows this year. Registration for the Ohio State Fair will be accepted first-come, first-serve with members in their final year of 4-H receiving priority. Registration opens June 1. State Fair has allowed counties to have additional requirements to qualify for the horse show. The Muskingum County 4-H Saddle Horse Committee has determined eligibility requirements and communicated this information to volunteers with horses in their club. Results of the selection process will be shared with club volunteers on May 25, allowing youth to have time to register for OSF. Reminder: State Fair horses must have a current negative Coggins test dated on or after January 1, 2020. Coggins paperwork must be submitted to Jamie (mcconnell.210@osu.edu) by July 1 for submission by the entry deadline. All Coggins paperwork will be submitted by the county.

FAQs without Answers
The following questions are being frequently asked, and we are still waiting on guidance before finding solutions. Thank you for your continued patience, as we work through numerous unknowns.

  • What is the status of royalty/ambassador contests?
  • What about public speaking contests, workforce preparation day and still project judging?
  • What about Livestock Skillathon?