• Any 2020 Muskingum County 4-H Volunteer who wishes to remain active in 2021 MUST complete the Mandatory Volunteer Training course by February 15.
• Volunteers will need to self enroll in the course here: go.osu.edu/musktrainingenroll. You will need to enter your Full Name, E-mail Address, Phone Number and Postal Code to enroll in the course. (Company/Organization & Professional Title are not required.)
• You will receive an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address and complete the registration process. You must complete this process by creating a password BEFORE you will be able to access the course. Save your password!
• You will want to begin with the Module 1: 2021 Volunteer Update and review the Course Introduction for details on completing the course.
• The course can be completed on a computer or mobile device.
• The amount of time it will take to complete the course is comparable to the time we would spend together in person, so don’t wait until the last minute. I can see how much time you spend in the course. You will be more successful starting the year after completing the course.
• To access the course once you are enrolled, visit: go.osu.edu/muskvolunteertraining and enter your login information.

Let Jamie know if you have questions or need help, this is new for all of us!

We will reopen on Tuesday, January 19, utilizing our previous office reopening plan. We will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10 a.m.-12 noon and 2-4 p.m. by appointment.

Ohio 4-H Volunteer Mental Health Training series each Wednesday in January. These trainings will be held virtually on ZOOM from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Each training is stand alone, so you can pick and choose which training(s) you’d like to attend.

• January 6 – Mental Health 101
• January 13 – Typical Adolescence vs. Emerging Mental Health Problems
• January 20 – Trauma Informed Approaches Training
• January 27 – Recognizing the signs and symptoms of Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

To register for any of the trainings, please go to http://go.osu.edu/4HMHtraining

Effective Monday, December 21 through January 1, ALL OSU Extension county offices will be closed to the public. Employees will return to 100% telework during this time.

Our staff can still be reached by calling our office number (740-454-0144) and selecting the correct extension.

We can also be reached via e-mail:

The OSU Virtual Junior Swine Day is scheduled for February 20, 2021. The complete agenda and registration information can be found at this link: www.go.osu.edu/jsd2021

Since 2015, the Muskingum County 4-H Committee has awarded scholarships to recognize 4-H members and alumni for their achievements. In 2021, a minimum of two $500 scholarships will be awarded and announced during Muskingum County 4-H Week.

Applicants must:

• be a current 4-H Member or alumni of Muskingum County 4-H;
• be a current year graduating high school senior, or equivalent of a college freshman or sophomore (proof of equivalent in a home school program by the end of the current school year is acceptable);
• be active in 4-H for the previous three (3) consecutive years;
• have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on the most recently completed semester;
• plan to attend (or currently attending) any post-secondary educational institution.

Complete the application: go.osu.edu/musk4hscholarship.

Applications are due January 31.

To Our 4-H Families:

As you know, COVID-19 is on the rise in Ohio and because 4-H’ers pledge their health to better living, we must do our part to not contribute to its spread. Ohio 4-H is a part of a land-grant academic institution; we follow science and  model what the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and other experts stress is important in addressing this virus. As a result, in an effort to keep our 4-H families, volunteers, and communities safe, effective December 7, 2020, all 4-H meetings and events are to be canceled, postponed, or held virtually until January 15, 2021.

All 4-H volunteers are expected to follow these guidelines regarding 4-H meetings and events. Volunteers who are not in compliance and hold in-person 4-H events and activities will receive a first warning. A second incident disregarding our effort to protect the health, safety and well-being of members, families and communities will result in immediate termination of volunteer status.

The Ohio Public Health Advisory System indicates the status of counties based on a color-coded system. If a county is purple or approaching purple, OSU Extension offices will be closed and employees will be working virtually. If a county is red, OSU Extension offices will be staffed by appointment only. You will need to call in advance to schedule a time to go to the office. Please note there may be additional guidelines from county health departments.

We are incredibly proud of the efforts of our 4-H youth and volunteers who remain committed to making the best better and look forward to the time when we can safely meet together.

Yours in service to 4-H,

Kirk Bloir

State 4-H Leader

Assistant Director, OSU Extension

2021 Market Steer Weigh-In is scheduled for December 7, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. at Muskingum Livestock Auctio Company. Please review the following information in preparation for the event: 2021 Market Steer Weigh-In Details. This information can also be found on our website: https://muskingum.osu.edu/juniorfair. Youth enrolled in a 2020 market steer or feeder calf project who are eligible to exhibit in 2021 will also receive a letter in the mail.

Important Notes (PLEASE READ!)

Due to constantly evolving restrictions related to COVID-19, the following information is subject to change. If Muskingum County is at a level 4 public health emergency (color coded purple) steer weigh-in will be cancelled.

Changes will be posted on the Ohio State – Muskingum County 4-H Facebook page and shared via e-mail. Please read the entire letter, as some items have changed from previous years and you will be expected to adhere to all outlined health & safety protocols.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines

Approved by Muskingum County Joint Unified Command

1. Participants should be alert for symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Do not attend in person activities if you or anyone living in your household is experiencing symptoms associated with the coronavirus or any other communicable illness. Make other arrangements for your animal to be at steer weigh-in.
2. Face masks or face covers are required inside and outside at all times.
3. Maintain 6 feet between individuals at all times.
4. Attendees should be limited to the number of people needed to bring the animal safely through the weigh in process, two or less.
5. No groups of 4 or more will be permitted at the tag in area or the weigh in area.
6. Youth are encouraged to complete the steer registration form in advance of the event. If completing at the event, sanitize writing utensils, clipboards, etc. after each use.
7. Cattle will arrive at the west side trailer drive through to unload. From there, they will proceed through the north side aisle to the tag in areas. After tag in, the cattle will process to the south side scale area. After being weighed, the cattle will exit through the south side aisle to the south side trailer drive through to exit.

NEW THIS YEAR!

To reduce contact among attendees and help with traffic flow, the Junior Fair Livestock Committee is asking that you complete the registration form for each steer BEFORE weigh-in. It is available online: https://go.osu.edu/musksteer. The form must be completed by December 6 at 11:59 p.m. You will be required to submit a side view photo of your steer. If steer weigh in is cancelled, this form will serve as your registration

College Night 2020 is a community service project developed by area county high school counselors to provide parents the tools necessary to help their children choose an appropriate post secondary education.
Scholarship Central and the Muskingum County Community Foundation agreed to lend their financial support to the project. Participation is free of charge for all attendees. There are two more weeks left – November 11 and November 18!

Several scholarships will be awarded! Every session a student attends is another entry to win a scholarship.

More information and online registration: https://www.mccf.org/Scholarship-Central/College-Night/.

Adults who give their time and talents to the 4-H program are appreciated, especially in a challenging year like 2020. Shout out to all of our 2020 4-H Volunteers!