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ExploreAG STEM Camps Open for 2023

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EXPLORE AG

Hello,

Providing students with opportunities to explore the variety of educational and career opportunities open to them is always a struggle. At the same time, our society is faced with the great challenge of feeding a growing world population while doing so sustainably. It is going to take this generation of students to get the job done.

That’s why the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is excited to be offering its signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, again in 2023.

ExploreAg offers FREE weeklong camps and one-day experiences for high school students. Students are introduced to various aspects of agriculture, food science, environmental sciences, and more, both in the classroom and through opportunities for hands-on learning both on and off-campus at the Ohio State University, University of Findlay, and Wilmington College. Students will interact with and learn directly from internationally known teachers, scientists and researchers.

Subject areas include food science, precision agriculture, animal science, natural resources, management skills, technology, and agricultural business. In addition to the classroom experience, scholars will participate in field experiences that highlight cutting-edge research and meet industry partners to provide a glimpse of various careers in related fields.

With ExploreAg, we hope to expose students to opportunities in the agriculture industry. ExploreAg is designed for students currently in traditional agriculture education programs and for students who might never have considered studying agriculture as a career.

Weeklong immersive sessions will be held:

  • The Ohio State University Columbus Campus – June 11-16
  • The Ohio State University  ATI Wooster Campus – June 18-23
  • University of Findlay- July 9-14

Mini-Camp immersive sessions will be held:

  • Wilmington College – June 4-7
  • Hocking College – July 31- Aug. 2

One-Day scheduled immersive sessions will be held:

  • COLT Electric Lineman Training – June 9
  • Rio Grande College – June 30
  • John Deere Training Facility – July 7

Note: More one-day sessions are being planned.

The ExploreAg program is free to all high school students and includes on-campus accommodations, meals, staffing, program materials, and transportation. Supervision is provided at all times by faculty, staff, and program counselors who are current college students in related majors.

The deadline to apply is April 10 and details can be found at exploreag.org. Applicants will be asked to submit the email of one reference along with a short application. Students selected will be notified in April of their selection. 

Please share this information and the flyer with your students and their parents. This is a science camp they will not want to miss! If you have any further questions, contact me at exploreag@ofbf.org or jmussard@ofbf.org 

Best Regards,

Jana Mussard

ExploreAg and Ag Literacy Specialist, Ohio Farm Bureau

Ohio Youth Poultry Clinic

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REGISTER NOW FOR THE YOUTH POULTRY CLINIC!

 

The Youth Poultry Clinic is open to all youth (and adults) interested in learning more about poultry.

WHEN: March 18, 2023 8:15am to 4:15pm

WHERE: OSU ATI, 1328 Dover Road Wooster, OH 44691

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, March 7, 2023

COST: $20.00 per youth and $25.00 per adult.

Everyone MUST register to eat refreshments and/or lunch, whether or not attending sessions.

Topics include: Poultry Nutrition, Broiler Evaluation, Poultry Necropsy – Comparative Anatomy, Mortality Disposal, Biosecurity/HPAI, Poultry Carcass Cut-up, Q & A Corner.

 

Poultry Quality Assurance will be offered after lunch for Ohio youth needing Youth Quality Assurance certification for 2023.

 

The registration form and information are available at: https://ohio4h.org/events/2023-ohio-youth-poultry-clinic

Window Decorating and Promotion for Ohio 4-H Week

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This year, our 4-H window decorating and promotion will take place during Ohio 4-H Week March 5-11th. Your club can participate in a few ways to get information out about our program and how to join!

  1. Promote 4-H by
  • decorating a business window,
  • setting up a 4-H display in a school,
  • promoting 4-H with posters/signs in the community,
  • or promoting 4-H in your own yard!

 

*You must get permission from the location to set-up and you must also tear it down/clean up at the end of the week (or as long as the location allows).

  1. Send a picture to the Extension office of your 4-H promotion in the County. Also include the name and location address of the business/school you are promoting by March 4th at 11:59 pm. Email – Housel.15@osu.edu
  2. Participating clubs will be able to count this in their 2024 Honor Club Application.

 

Portage County Junior Fair Board Applications Available!

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Applications and Recommendations can be emailed or postmarked no later than March 1, 2023 OR delivered to Randolph Fair Office by March 1st @ 3:00pm to be considered for selection.

 

The purpose of the Junior Fair Board is to improve and coordinate junior fair activities with the Senior Fair Board.  To promote youth and youth involvement, attitudes, and abilities; to present to the public the best Junior Fair possible; and to advance the ideas and ideals of good citizenship and sportsmanship.

Age Requirements:

A Junior Fair Board member must be at least 14 years and not over 19 years of age on January 1 of the year that they are selected to serve.

Members who reach the upper age limit, while an active member, may continue in active membership until the age of 21, as set by the Senior Fair Board

2023 JFB Application

General Membership & Information 2023

2023 JFB Recommendation Form

 

Are You Career Ready?

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Take the Leap: Career Readiness Day

Saturday, April 1, 2023 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau Center, Open to ages 13 – 18. Cost is $10.

Several Teen Leadership Council members have been planning this event and are excited to facilitate this opportunity for their peers.

This day is jam-packed full of opportunities for participants with some highlights listed here:

  • Learn about 4-H opportunities at the state level
  • Rotate through career preparation workshops covering topics such as resume writing, interview skills, goal setting, and more
  • Network with peers who are also interested in preparing for their future

Participants can register at go.osu.edu/taketheleap. Registration is due by March 15. 

Take the Leap Flyer 2023

Ohio 4-H Conference 2023

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Ohio 4-H Conference, Saturday, March 11, 2023 Greater Columbus Convention Center Columbus, Ohio

Session information and registration form can be found here!

Adult Members will be paid for by the 4-H Advisory Committee and youth members will be paid for by the Youth Benefit Committee. No payment is necessary for Portage County 4-H youth and volunteers for registration.

Please turn the registration form to the Portage County Extension Office no later than February 9th. You can email the form to Jesseca at housel.15@osu.edu, mail, or drop off at the Extension Office (705 Oakwood Street, Suite 103, Ravenna, OH 44266).

Summer Internship Available!

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Come Spend the Summer with Us!

Come experience OSU Extension behind the scenes! Learn how to build programs, and engage communities in 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences and Agriculture & Natural Resources.

2023 Volunteer Training

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ALL Volunteers must attend one of these offered trainings. If you are unable to attend, please contact Jesseca Housel at housel.15@osu.edu or call 330-296-6432 for alternative training solutions.
New volunteers are welcome, however, additional training will be required.

Valentines Card Making

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Please have your bags dropped off to the Portage County OSU Extension Office by Wednesday, February 8th, 2023.

Our office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 9am-4pm. (Additional times are available, just email Jesseca at housel.15@osu.edu to set up a drop off time outside of these hours)

Sign-up and let us know how many cards you or your club plan on creating!!