Month: February 2023

Take the Leap: Career Readiness Day

Several Ohio 4-H teen leaders have been busy planning and will again be hosting “Take the Leap: Career Readiness Day” on Saturday, April 1, 2023 (9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center! This event is open to any 4-H member – ages 13 to 18!  Event 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

Below is a flyer you can share. Participants can register at go.osu.edu/taketheleap. Registration is due by March 15. Please share with your teens and community!

Please feel free to reach out to Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or me (longo.79@osu.edu) if you have any questions.

Flyer: Take the Leap Flyer 2023

March 25 – SEOPA Spring Poultry Show

Southeast Ohio Poultry Breeders Association is having its 21st annual show Saturday March  25th in the jr. Fair building at the Washington Co. Fairgrounds, starting at 9:00 AM.  There will be hundreds of standard-bred poultry shown.  Also, there will be an egg decorating contest, and new this year- an egg quality contest.  Food will be available, as well as a  youth showmanship contest.  This show is open to ALL.  Admission is FREE.  Entries for birds need to be be made by February 27, but eggs to be entered in the egg quality contest can be submitted by 9:00 the day of show.  Eggs and egg paints/decorations are included in egg decorating contest entries and are to be done during show and completed by noon.   Come join us in a fun, affordable, wholesome family-oriented day!  For more information or to enter birds, contact:

Association FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/seopba

  • Brian Justice, secretary: 740-444-9505
  • Amber Peck, president: 740-434-8058
  • Colleen Michaels, egg quality and egg decorating coordinator: 740-213-7841

Project Highlight of the Week: Vet Science

We have three Veterinary Science Projects to choose from:

From Airedales to Zebras (Vet Science 1): This is the first in a series of three veterinary science projects to help you learn all about animals. Complete a variety of activities to learn about animals’ basic needs, the purpose of body systems, how to improve biosecurity in your home or farm, identify common veterinary tools, and so forth. Designed for youth in grades 3 to 5, but may be taken by any youth in the first three years of this project.

All Systems Go (Vet Science 2): Explore a wide range of activities related to veterinary sciences. Research proper environments for animals, examine parasite life cycles, conduct a food safety experiment, investigate disease-causing agents, and more. Designed for youth in grades 6 to 8, but may be taken by any youth who has completed From Airedales to Zebras. May be taken for three years.

On the Cutting Edge (Vet Science 3): Learn more about animal behavior, animal diseases, genetics, and anatomy and physiology. Delve deeper into careers in veterinary medicine and other animal-related careers. Designed for youth in grades 9 to 12, but may be taken by any youth who has completed Veterinary Sciences 1 and 2.

College & Personal Development Scholarship Applications Due – March 1

Click here to download the application: 2023 Scholarship Application

  • College Scholarship – up to three $500 college scholarships awarded
  • Personal Development Scholarship – up to four $250 personal scholarships awarded

College Scholarship Guidelines:
1. Applicants must have been enrolled and in good standing (completed projects) in Washington County 4-H Program at least three years.
2. Applicants must be a high school senior or college freshman at the time of application.
3. College scholarships are not renewable and will be a one-time recipient.
4. Awardees will be notified by April 1st and receive the scholarship payment at the conclusion of the first semester/quarter of college by submitting a copy of their grades to document the achievement of a minimum 2.0 grade average. Funds must be claimed by July 1, 2023.
5. Funding for scholarships is made possible by the Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee.
6. Applicants must attach a letter of acceptance (if available) from the college you are planning to attend Fall 2022. Can be any accredited associates or bachelors program.
7. Include a current photo with the application. (Senior picture preferred)
8. Attach a resume up to three pages highlighting: 4-H Project & Participation, 4-H Leadership (roles & activities), 4-H Awards, All Community Service, and Other Non-4-H Experiences.
9. Also include one letter of recommendation from one of the following: Your 4-H Club Advisor (not same family), Jr Fairboard Advisor, Camp Director.
10. Mail applications to: OSU Extension, Washington County, 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta, OH 45750

Personal Development Scholarship Guidelines:
1. Applicants must be at least a high school senior, high school graduate, Washington County 4-H Alumni current Washington County 4-H Volunteer.
2. Applicants must have been involved in the Washington County 4-H Program a minimum of three years as a member or volunteer.
3. The purpose of this scholarship is to reimburse applicants for expenses incurred for further training or technical education. Reimbursable expenses include: books, tools, supplies, tuition, school fees, continuing education fees, room & board, etc.
4. Awardees will be notified by April 1st
5. Scholarship winners will be required to provide a copy of receipts to be reimbursed. Funds must be claimed by July 1, 2024.
6. Funding for scholarships is made possible by the Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee.
7. Attach a resume up to three pages highlighting your involvement and contributions to 4-H as well as other activities.
8. Attach a picture
9. Mail applications to: OSU Extension, Washington County, 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta, OH 45750

State Junior Fairboard Applications – Due March 1

The process for selecting individuals to represent Ohio 4-H Youth Development on the state junior fair board has changed for 2023. All applications will be submitted to the Ohio State Fair JFB Coordinator using this link:  ohiostatefair.com/jfb and submit applications through the portal.  The deadline is March 1. Once the application deadline has passed, 4-H will be given the opportunity to review the applications that are submitted.

Learn more about the responsibilities of serving on the Ohio State JFB by contacting our 2022 representatives – Melina Matics (4-H) or Josie Burke (FFA)

Information: jfb recruitment

Washington Co Fair Dinner Fundraiser – Feb 25

Washington County Fair Annual Fundraiser Dinner!
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Pulled Pork or Chicken, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Cheese Potato, Dessert, Drink
Kids Option: Hotdog, Chips, Applesauce, Dessert, Drink
Adult $15
Kid $5 (5 and under free)
Doors open/Dinner Served at 5:30pm
Takeout Meals Available 4:30-5:30pm
Gun Raffle, Silent/Live Auction, Side Raffles, Kids Activities, 50/50

ExploreAg Camps

“ExploreAg is more than just a camp, it’s awesome to get to see how broad agriculture is while having fun and making new friends. You end up learning a lot without it ever feeling like work. It’s an awesome opportunity to have fun, gain new friends, make valuable connections and maybe even find your lifelong career.” Zach Z.

2023 Information

Three weeklong camps are being planned for 2023, and four mini camps.  The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is excited to be offering its signature ag literacy and workforce development program, ExploreAg, again in 2023.

Weeklong camps:

  • OSU Columbus Campus, June 11-16
  • OSU Wooster Campus, June 18-23
  • University of Findlay, July 9-14

Mini Camps:

  • Wilmington College June 4-7
  • COLT Electric Lineman Training, June 9
  • Rio Grande, June 30
  • Hocking College, July 31 – Aug. 2
New in 2023: Parent Information Sessions

Parent Q&A Zoom sessions will take place Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and March 8 at 6 p.m. Register, and the Zoom link will be sent to participants via email.

Safe Use of Heat Lamps and Barn Monitoring System

Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock, Field Specialist

During the winter lambing and kidding seasons, ensuring that lambs and kids get up and dry as fast as possible is critical for survivability and thus operation success. As producers, we can assist with this process by providing a warm area by offering supplemental heat and reducing barn draft while the young are still wet. For many operations, a heating system is part of their lamb and kid survival strategy with the lower critical temperature for lambs and kids being 50°F. Below this temperature lambs and kids are chilled and either need additional energy or supplemental heat. Unfortunately, heating systems add risk to our livestock barns. Any system has at least a minimal increase in fire risk. Especially the most common way of adding heat with heat lamps over deep bedded straw.

When using heat lamps there are some best management practices to keep in mind. Read more of this article by clicking on the link: https://u.osu.edu/sheep/2023/01/31/safe-use-of-heat-lamps-and-barn-monitoring-system/