We wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and Happy New Year! Listed below are the days the OSU Extension Office will be closed for the upcoming holidays: December 23 – 29, & 31, 2021. The office will be open December 30 and re-open with regular hours on Monday, January 3, 2022. Please stay safe and healthy!
Month: December 2021
4-H Holiday Make-it & Take-it
The kids had a fun time at the 4-H Holiday Make it & Take event. They made ornaments, gift tags, cards, place-mats and blankets. We want to thank Joann’s for their donation of supplies that we use throughout the year for events like this, including camps, 4-H open house, and fairs. Here they are with their favorite project:
The Basics of Coyote Trapping
A great article about trapping coyote from the OSU Sheep Team:
With winter upon us, and lambing and kidding season near, I’m sure that most shepherds and producers are making their last minute preparations eagerly awaiting for the arrival of their next lamb or kid crop. For me, winter also comes with more time spent indoors researching ways to improve the American sheep industry. It’s no secrete that producers from across the nation face production issues associated with predation. For us in the eastern United States, coyotes rank amongst the top predators. According to the 2020 USDA Sheep Death Loss Report, approximately 600,000 sheep and lambs were lost in 2019 nationwide, with 32.6% of adult sheep and 40.1% of lambs lost due to predation. As markets for small ruminant products continue to grow, we must find strategies to reduce these losses. As you visit with family, friends, and fellow producers over the holiday season, you may discuss ways to dampen these statics. For those interested in taking matters into their own hands, take a look at this series of coyote trapping videos from Kansas State University Research and Extension.
2022 Jr Fair Guide – Now Available
The 2022 Jr Fair Guide is now available for viewing or printing. Printed copies will be available for pickup from the Extension Office starting January 3, 2022. Until then, you can access the guide here:
Entire Guide: 2022 Jr Fr Guide – 12-21-21
Livestock Dates and Rules for 3 Fairs: Jr Fair Livestock Rules – 3 fairs – Pages 43-45
Waterford Hog Rules: Waterford Hog Rules – Pages 46-48
County Fair Livestock Rules: County Fair Livestock Rules – Pages 49-66
County Fair Horse Rules: County Fair Horse Show Rules – Pages 67-70
Barlow Livestock Rules: Barlow Livestock Rules – Pages 74-78
2022 4-H Calendar – Now Available
Looking for dates to include in your 2022 family calendar?
Here you will find fair dates, tag-ins, 4-H camp dates, skillathon, project judging, etc. Click on the link below to find all these dates and more:
Learn to Code – Creating a Chatbox
It’s time to change the world!
Middle and high school students are invited to join 4-H World Changers and learn to code by creating a chatbot! It’s a great activity for the new year–register at go.uvm.edu/4hcoding
4-H Camp Counselor Applications – Time to Apply
4-H OPPORTUNITY: 4-H Camp Counselor
DEADLINE: Applications are due to the OSU Extension Office no later than March 4, 2022 by 4:00pm.
Online Application: https://go.osu.edu/washcampcounselor
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The 4-H Camp Counselors are a group of teens/young adults selected to assist in being responsible for campers ages 6-15 during 4-H camp. Roles and Responsibilities of 4-H Camp Counselors include:
- Attend required trainings prior to camp
- Market and promote camp
- Serve in a leadership and teaching role to other counselors
- Serve on committees or other groups to plan programs at camp
- Conduct self in an appropriate manner before, during, and after camp while serving as a role model to campers and peers
- Assist staff and other counselors with camp activities; work as a team to implement the activities
- Know and understand all safety guidelines, including emergency procedures, associated with the camp and program areas
- Follow and enforce camp rules
- Assure for safety of campers at all times including in cabins, sessions, and large group activities
- Be aware of child protection regulations and report any child abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect in accordance with university policy
- Identify and respond to camper behavior issues
- Ensure campers’ health and hygiene, e.g., brushing teeth, eating meals, taking medication, etc.
- Promote camper participation during camp
- Lead and supervise campers in activities at camp including but not limited to songs, teambuilding challenges, group activities, challenges, etc.
- Teach and lead campers at workshops or during other components at camp (table setting, song leading, etc.)
- Mentor and give guidance to campers to encourage positive youth development and enhancement of life skills
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be at least 14 years old by the start of camp.
- Must be able to get transportation to meetings and events as needed.
- Must complete a minimum of 12 hours of training. (2 of these hours must be on-sight for first time counselors).
- Must complete Child Abuse Awareness training.
- Must Sign Standards of Behaviors, complete the Code of Conduct form, and have a current Ohio 4-H Health History form on file.
- First time applicants must provide two references, attend assessment, and complete an interview (during counselor assessment as a group).
- If the individual is 18+ year old at least two months prior to camp, the individual must have their background check conducted.
SELECTION PROCESS:
- Individuals who complete the application and fulfill application requirements will be contacted regarding the selection process.
MEETING DATES/TIME/FREQUENCY
Please see the attached document for dates and times of assessment, interviews, and counselor trainings. Please note, the majority of trainings are held on Sunday afternoons again this year.
Counselors are expected to notify the Camp Director or Extension Office if an absence is unavoidable.
TO APPLY:
- Complete the application in its entirety.
- Provide reference link to two non-family members. (First Time Applicants Only) https://go.osu.edu/counselorreference
- Read the Standards of Behavior, Camp Counselor Code of Conduct, and Cell Phone Policy forms and acknowledge that read you them on the application.
- Submit application by March 4, 4:00pm.
4-H Camp Counselor Training Dates, Camp Dates & Registration Fees
POSITION: 2022 4-H Camp Counselor
LOCATION: Hervida 4-H Camp, Waterford, Ohio
TRAINING DATES:
Sunday, March 20 3:00-5:00 PM 1st & 2nd Year Counselor Assessment & Interviews
(Interviews completed as a group during assessment) Extension Office
Sunday, April 10 3:30-5:30 PM Counselor Training Extension Office
Sunday, April 24 3:30-5:00 PM Counselor Training Extension Office
Sunday, May 15 3:30-5:00 PM Counselor Training Extension Office
June 1 – 2 TBD Counselor’s Camp Hervida
Sunday, June 19 3:30-5:00 PM Counselor Training Extension Office
Tuesday, June 21 5:00-7:00 PM Counselor Training Extension Office
CAMP DATES & FEES FOR CAMP COUNSELORS
Counselor Camp at Camp Hervida June 1-2 TBD No Charge
Space Adventure Camp at Marietta College June 14-16 (Counselors’ Training – TBD) No Charge
Junior Camp at Camp Hervida June 27-July 1 (Counselors Arrive Sun. Evening) $40
Cloverbud Day Camp at Camp Hervida July 5 (Counselors Arrive day of) No Charge
Beginner Camp at Camp Hervida July 6-7 (Counselors Stay After Cloverbud Camp) $20
Senior Camp at Camp Hervida July 17-21 (Counselors Arrive Sun. Evening) $40 (Cost same whether
Counselor or Campselor)
Day Camp at County Fairgrounds July 22 (Counselor Arrive day of) No Charge
DESCRIPTION: Immediate openings available for older youth wishing to be involved in the 2020 4-H camping program. Responsibilities include serving on at least one committee to plan and implement specific portions of a camp’s program; assisting in morning classes; and assignment to a cabin providing round-the-clock care for the campers living in that cabin. Position reports directly to the Camp Director; with supervision by total camp staff.
REQUIREMENTS: Candidates must be at least 14 years old by the start of camp and enjoy working with young children. Selection based upon application, advisor and other adult recommendations, assessment station scores, interview, and previous leadership and camping experiences. Candidates must satisfactorily complete the counselor training program, including an interview.
BENEFITS: Develop leadership skills, gain self-confidence, assist in personal development of younger 4-H members, meet new friends, and reduced camp fee.
INTERESTED PERSONS SHOULD COMPLETE THE APPLICATION MATERIALS BY March 4, 2022 TO:
Martha Webster, Camp Director PHONE: (740) 376–7431
OSU Extension – Washington County Cell: 740-350-7585
1115 Gilman Avenue
Marietta, OH 45750
Have you cashed your Livestock Sale Check?
If you have not cashed your livestock sale check from Waterford, County Fair or Barlow, please do this ASAP. The boards and committee need to close out their records for the year.
It’s always good to think about how that money will be handled too. Good financial practices include:
- Save some in a savings account or investment
- Set aside some for 2022 livestock projects
- Support a local cause like a charity or your church
- Spend some on something you need
Smitty’s Pizza for 4-H – Dec 16
How to Start Your Own Farm Business
Are you a home gardener interested in cultivating your growing skills into a small business? Have you thought about getting into farming but don’t know where to start? This free, online introductory training will help participants develop a sustainable plan for continued growing. Whether farming to generate income or for personal consumption, this program help participants with setting financial goals, selling their products, and establishing collaborative relationships.
Saturday, Dec 11 from 9:30 – 12:30 pm via Zoom
Register by visiting: go.osu.edu/farmbusiness
Learning Sessions:
- Financial Goal Setting
- Selling Your Products
- Collaborative Food and Ag