Month: December 2020

OSU Extension Office Temporarily Closing

Update: the Extension Office continues to remain closed thru January 15.

Effective Monday, December 21 through January 1, all OSU Extension county offices will be closed to the public. Extension employees are returning to 100 percent telework. The office open/close status (for January 4 and after) will be reevaluated by the state OSU Extension Administration before year-end 2020.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact our office at 740-376-7431. All voicemails will be directed to the appropriate staff.

OSU Virtual Junior Swine Day – February 20

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

2021 OSU Virtual Junior Swine Day
Saturday, February 20, 2021 – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

The Agenda for the Day:

9:00 a.m. – Welcome
Evaluating and Selecting Your Pig Project (Video evaluating pigs)
 A.J. Genter, Archbold, OH and Justin Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, IN
Nutrition and Feed Management
     Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Swine Nutritionist, Kansas State University
Meat Science
     Dr. Steve Moeller, OSU Swine Extension Specialist
When Science and Pig Shows Collide
Dr. Andy Bowman, OSU Veterinary Preventive Medicine
Vaccinations / Pig Health
Dr. Todd Price, North Central Vet Services, Sycamore, OH
Showmanship (Video with interviews and showmanship discussion)
Kelly Morgan, Manager of Showpig Programs, Ohio Pork Council
12:30 p.m. – Wrap Up and Answer Questions

4-H Year-end Survey

4-H members and parents are encouraged to check your email for a quick 4-H survey link about the Washington County 4-H Program. The email was sent out Dec 4th and the survey asks questions about your 2020 4-H experiences and how the program can be improved. It should take about 10 minutes to complete and the survey will be open until Dec 31.

Thanks for taking time to complete it!

Cloverbud Resources

Hey, Cloverbud advisors, while you are “Home for the Virtual Holidays,” find some great activities for your youngest members on the Cloverbud Connections blog. You’ll find details about a scavenger hunt, how to make a time capsule, virtual activities and more. And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to automatically receive updates!

Remembering Sharon Dearth

We were saddening to hear of the recent passing of Sharon Dearth. She worked as an Office Associate for OSU Extension in the Washington County Office for 30+ years and retired in 2012.  Her years were spent tirelessly working to support staff, parents, volunteers and youth through the 4-H program. Her obituary and online condolences can be found at:

https://www.mariettatimes.com/obituaries/2020/12/sharon-s-dearth/

4-H Winter Pen Pal Program

Hurry! Limited openings! Hey, current or former 4-H members or international exchange program participants ages 9-18! Interested in ‘virtually traveling’ to another country? Make a new friend across the globe and learn about another culture through the 4-H Winter Pen Pal Program! You’ll be matched according to age, gender and interests, and will communicate at least eight times (twice per month between Jan. 15 and April 15, 2021). English will be used, but you can try another language if you know a few words or want to learn! See flier below for more info and to register, or click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7N8RBHY

 

Connecting with Seniors During the Holiday Season

For clubs or individuals looking for a service project, here are some ideas of how you can connect with senior citizens living in nursing or assisted living homes! Please note – before you begin your project, reach out to the facility to see what their current policies are and what they are in need of; every facility is different. Thanks Brown County for sharing this idea!

4-H International Exchanges Cancelled for 2021

This just in from the State 4-H Office:

After careful consideration, we’re making an early decision and have cancelled all Ohio 4-H in-person international exchanges for 2021, including hosting and traveling. Our international volunteers (ICCs) and all interested participants are receiving this announcement today, as well. Instead, we’ll offer two pen-pal opportunities, a summer “virtual exchange,” and monthly ICC zooms. Info will be announced as it becomes available, and can always be found at Ohio 4-H International Programs. Thank you for your support in identifying terrific volunteers, host families and youth travelers over the years! We look forward to reinstating in-person international exchange programs as soon as it is safe to do so.       Mary Lynn Thalheimer, State Coordinator