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Deerfield Ag Services is accepting applications for the 2023 Fair Funding Starter Scholarship. Thirty-six junior fair participants were awarded scholarships in its inaugural year of 2022.

During the 2023 fair season, Deerfield Ag Services will once again grant funding to individual youth exhibitors at the start of their projects to offset some of the initial investments associated with fair livestock projects.

Though these scholarships will not likely offset the full cost of getting started, the company hopes to help make it more attainable for junior fair participants to take part in exhibiting the livestock of their choice. The scholarship amounts vary by project, and are as follows:

• Rabbit & Poultry – $25

• Goat and Lamb – $75

• Horse – Up to $100

• Swine – Up to $250

• Beef – Up to $350

The scholarship is eligible to students in Portage, Stark, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties who are either  4-H and FFA participants. To sign up for the program, students must fill out a brief application below.

2023 Fair Funding Starter Scholarship Application

Interested in a FREE Summer Opporutnity?

Fill out and turn in the 2023 Achievement Record before February 3rd to the Extension Office!

2023 Achievement Record – PDF, Word

https://portage.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/youth-opportunities

What are you doing in June of 2023?

It is never too early to start planning!

We are looking for NEW applicants to become camp counselors for Portage County at 4-H Camp Whitewood!

Worried about the responsibility? This is NOT a summer long commitment!

Beginning in March to June, we meet every other week. Collectively, you can expect about 10 meetings. By attending these meetings, you recieve specialized training to help you prepare for anything you might face at camp! Camp this year will be June 25th – 30th.

Looking to gain real life work experience?

Being a camp counselor looks GREAT on resumes! Adding camp to your resume tells employers that you have strong people skills and a desire to work hard- skills that are critical for making it into the workforce.

Take Some Time and APPLY!

Online Application Link:  https://go.osu.edu/2023counselorapp

Applications are due by Monday, January 9, 2023. So please fill it out ASAP!! Camp Counselor interviews will be conducted on Monday, January 16, 2023. Applicants will be contacted through email by Wednesday, January 11, 2023 to set up a time for your interview.

Please reach out if you are unsure or have any questions!

Jesseca Housel OSU Extension Educator 1
Portage County 4-H Youth Development
705 Oakwood St. Suite 103, Ravenna, OH 44266

Apply to represent 4-H Youth Development on the Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board by March 1, 2023

The Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is made up of our great state’s best and brightest young leaders, hand-picked to contribute to the success of the Ohio State Fair each year. If the passion for 4-H Youth Development and the state fair is in your blood, consider applying to represent our organization by March 1!

What is the Junior Fair Board?

The Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is made up of Ohio’s best and brightest young leaders, hand-picked to contribute to the success of the Ohio State Fair each year. Selected to represent their respective youth organizations, these students serve on behalf of thousands of students across Ohio. Goals of the Junior Fair Board include:

• To serve the people of the Ohio State Fair
• To interact with fairgoers and provide the best experience possible
• To help other agencies and organizations with their tasks, booths, etc. at the fair
• To gain networking experiences and special opportunities

Which skills should a Junior Fair Board member have?

Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board members are dedicated leaders with outstanding characteristics such as:

• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Communication
• Professionalism
• Flexibility
• Responsibility
• Adaptability

What are the requirements?

In addition to being an outstanding leader, prospective members should meet the following general criteria:

• 16-20 years old
• Currently a member of 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or Farm Bureau
• Highly involved members in their organization
• Significant accomplishments within the organization (i.e. competition at the state and/or national level, leadership experiences, community service/volunteer experiences, etc.)
• Leadership experience with the potential and desire to continue to grow as a leader
• Very responsible, respectful, and professional
• Members are only eligible to serve one two-year term on the JFB representing one organization

What is the time commitment?

Junior Fair Board members commit approximately 2 weeks of time to the Ohio State Fair, arriving the Monday prior to the Fair’s Wednesday opening (this year, they would arrive on Monday, July 24, prior to the Fair’s Wednesday, July 26 opening, and will return home on Sunday, Aug. 6).

First year Junior Fair Board members are paid a flat-rate stipend for their service; returning members will receive a higher stipend for their second year of service.

Where will I stay?

Housing, as well as complimentary meals, are provided by the Ohio State Fair. All Junior Fair Board members will stay in dormitories located at the Ohio State Fair in the Rhodes Center building.

How do I apply?

Visit ohiostatefair.com/jfb and submit applications through the portal.

Learn More at our Informational Webinar on Wednesday, February 1

This year, the Ohio State Fair will host an informational webinar with current Junior Fair Board leaders, past presidents, and advisors to share information on what we look for in members, what you can expect, and more. Can’t join on Feb. 1? No worries – a recorded version of the video will be available after the webinar at ohiostatefair.com/jfb.

More Information

• Informational Flier
• Selection Infographic
• Video about the Junior Fair Board
  • YouTube link to video
• Webinar (not available until after the informational session on Feb. 1)

FAFSA IS FOR YOU

Did you know $111 million goes to waste if it is not claimed for post-secondary education opportunities? Ohio 4-H is partnering with the Ohio Department of Higher Education to help answer the most asked questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!

It is NEVER too early to start preparing–no matter what career pathway students take after high school!

January, 12, 2023 • 6-7 p.m. • Virtual

Register here: https://go.osu.edu/fafsa4u

We are looking for clubs (or individuals) to participate in creating Holiday Cards for our local Portage County Home Instead Senior Care Services.

These cards can be of any shape and size, color, holiday related, and written with a message to warm the hearts of some of our local seniors during the cold season ahead! (If youth are signing, please only use first names & club names can be listed!)

We will be collecting cards at the extension office until the last week of November! They are looking for us to help create 200 cards!

Thursday, December 8th: Beef Cattle Nutrition https://osu.zoom.us/j/93877489686?pwd=d05nUHlPVTVGUS92amxpUEl3SHFSUT09

Nutrition best practices, how nutrition impacts meat quality

Wednesday, December 14th: Beef Cattle Health https://osu.zoom.us/j/95523380238?pwd=UnhZNHZLcUdkQnNRejlQWVB4N2NSUT09

Protecting animal health at home and at the fair, common disease ID, and more!

Monday, December 19th:Beef Cattle Handling and Welfare https://osu.zoom.us/j/92425818988?pwd=MU84WG55Y0FMd2d0YWgrR2ZYV3ByUT09

Animal handling and welfare at home and at the fair, impact of handling and stress of meat quality

Ohio 4-H is proud to partner with Believe in Ohio (https://believeinohio.org/) to kick off a new STEM- based 4-H SPIN club this fall and winter for high school youth.

This club will meet virtually on Thursday from 6:30 – 8:00 pm starting on 10/27 – 12/15 (skipping Thanksgiving).   Youth will learn about the components of an entrepreneurial business plan and create a STEM-based project and pitch video as the final product.  Projects will be eligible for local ($100-500), regional ($1,000) and state ($5,000) based scholarships.  In Spring 2022 not all scholarships were given out.

Youth who participate will be 2023 4-H members in the county they live in.

To participate in the club, sign up using the link below.

https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6m1FfsTCTRNrNWe

Youth can only miss 2 meetings to be eligible for awards. Youth can also submit their project as a self-determined 4-H project in their own county for county based awards and recognition in summer 2023.

All meetings will be recorded.  Youth will work on their STEM business plans with the help of a STEM advocate from Believe in Ohio from 12/15/22 – 1/31/2023.

More information about the scholarships and program can be found here: https://believeinohio.org/scholarships/

If you cannot make the Thursday night meetings, you could also participate on your own as an independent student, but would not receive the support of the STEM Advocates, and learning with other 4-H members.

https://believeinohio.org/independent-students/

PDF: Entrepreneur Spin Club