The Washington County Carteens 4-H Club is reminding drivers to be safe and cautious during the winter travel months. If you need to travel during snowy or icy conditions or on snow covered roadways this season then leave yourself extra time to arrive at your destination, and remember to take it slow. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 8,104 winter weather crashes last year in the state and of these crashes 21% of them were on snow, ice or slush covered roads and were the result of an unsafe speed. Washington County reported 29 winter weather driving crashes between December 2023 and March 2024 according to the OSHP. Our 4-H members are reminding drivers to also leave extra distance between you and the car in front of you and be patient while driving. Drivers should also check the condition of their vehicles frequently making sure they have full windshield washer fluid, car batteries are in good working condition, and plenty of tire tread as well as at least half a tank of gas. If you find yourself stuck in the snow on a roadway turn your hazard lights on, and remain in the vehicle while calling #677 or 911 for emergencies. The Ohio State Highway Patrol also reminds drivers to stock their cars with a winter car kit that includes ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, cell phone charger, first aid kit, tow rope, water and food when traveling longer distances. If you must travel during winter weather conditions then visit the website to check for real time traffic conditions from the Ohio Department of Transportation. http://www.ohgo.com/ 
Month: January 2025
2025 Jr Fair Guide Now Available
You can stop by the OSU Extension Office and pickup a 2025 Jr Fair Guide or download a pdf here. Club advisors will also receive books to distribute to 4-H Club Meetings
All advisors, members. and parents can use the Table of Contents to find the activity or exhibition of interest. Livestock and Non-Livestock rules for each of our three fairs, include skillathon requirements, has its own individual section, as outlined in the Table of Contents.
Detailed rules for each of our market livestock projects are listed in the guide. Is your animal housed somewhere besides your own address? Then you will find a Livestock Project Housing Agreement (Due April 1) is also included.
Special thanks to our advertisers that make this book possible!
- Peoples Bank page 14
- Apex Feed & Supply True Value, page 21
- Edgell-Jackson Trucking, LLC, page 21
- Sherlock Oil Company, Inc. Page 21
- Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc., page 22
- Dietz, Futrell & Walters Insurance, Inc. page 27
- Green Meadow Veterinary Hospital, page 38
- Farm Credit, Mid-America, page 53
- Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Mary Segrest, page 84
2025 Pesticide & Fertilizer Recertification for Private Applicators
Ohio State University Extension is offering two private recertification sessions in 2025. Session 1 is February 17 at the OSU Extension Office, 1115 Gilman Ave, second floor, Marietta OH, from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. Session 2 is February 17 at the Marietta High School, 208 Davis Ave., Marietta OH from 5:30 – 9 :30 pm. Learn the latest on crops and pesticides. All certifications can be acquired at each meeting. The first hour of each session will cover Fertilizer Recertification (Category 15).
Three hours of pesticide recertification credits are given for categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and Core. Please let us know in advance of the meeting if you need recertification credit in other categories. The $30 Ohio Department of Agriculture license fee should be sent directly to ODA. These license renewals have been mailed to the private applicators in Washington County whose license expires in 2025.
You must call 740-376-7431 to reserve a spot in the recertification session (1 or 2) you would like to attend here in Washington County. The $35 registration fee for pesticide recertification or the $10 registration fee if you are only attending fertilizer recertification are different fees from the ODA license fee. Please make your check payable to OSU Extension in the amount of $35 or $10, put which session you would like to attend in the memo line, and mail to OSU Extension, Attn: Peggy, 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta OH 45750. A registration flyer for Washington County applicators and a list of all recertification opportunities in Southeast Ohio are available on our website at washington.osu.edu/events. Call 740-376-7431 for more information.
Flyer 2025 Pesticide & Fertilizer Recertification Meetings Flyer
Ohio Beef Council – youth invited
New Ohio Beef Youth Council to Launch at OCA Annual Meeting Feb. 1
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet is set for Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio. This event will serve as the setting for the new Ohio Beef Youth Council (OBYC) launch. The council is a youth education initiative created to serve the families and youth of Ohio’s beef industry and invest in the next generation of industry leaders. This initiative, funded by the Beef Checkoff and OCA, will provide youth with the tools to become more effective industry leaders and inspire them to continue their engagement in Ohio’s beef industry as adults.
Beef industry youth and their parents are invited to join the council’s youth leaders on Saturday morning for the roll-out of the new council. OBYC officers will introduce the vision and initial programs for the council. Registration will open at 9:00 a.m., and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m. The council and its programs will be open to all youth 8 to 21 years of age. There will be no cost to be involved in the council. OBYC educational contests and events will have registration fees.
Attendees will also hear from a panel of agriculture professionals about how programs similar to the Youth Council have impacted their
education and career goals. Panelists include:
- Zane Gross, Ashland County, Operations Manager & Sales Lead for E. R. Boliantz Packing Co. Ohio State University graduate and meat science expert working with and advising area cattle feeders. Recipient of the OCA Young Cattleman of the Year award. His family owns Buckeye Creek Angus, a growing seedstock operation.
- Lindsey Hall, Highland County, Employed as an agent for ICAP Crop Insurance, she and her family own and operate Maplecrest Farms. As a graduate of Ohio State & Kansas State Universities and current OCA vice president,Lindsey and her family are the next generation of Maplecrest’s elite seedstock operation and she is the Manager of Product Procurement for their newest business venture, Maplecrest Meats & More.
- Kirsten Nickles, Ashland County, Sustainability & Animal Care Scientist for Certified Angus Beef working to build brand integrity with their marketing partners and maintain consumer trust in the CAB brand. Ohio State University Ph.D. graduate and current member of the OCA board of directors. She is involved with her family’s cattle and crop farm.
- Garrett Stanfield, Adams County, Regional Business Manager for Trans Ova Genetics. Co-advisor for the Ohio Junior Simmental Association. Ohio State University graduate and former participant in the OCA Young Cattlemen’s Conference leadership program. Herdsman and manager for Stanfield Farms a Simmental seedstock producer.
Following the OYBC launch and ag professional panel, all attendees are invited to a complimentary luncheon hosted by the Ohio Beef Council. Lunch will review 2024 strategic Checkoff investments designed to build beef demand. All attendees must register to attend.
Ohio Backyard Flock Biosecurity Webinar – Jan 15
January 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm – Click here to register
Join Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Ohio Poultry Association, and Ohio State University Extension for an update on HPAI and biosecurity tips to keep your
flock safe.
Speakers
- Dr. Kristy Shaw, ODA- HPAI Update
- Dr. Tim McDermott, OSU – Signs & Symptoms of HPAI
- Jenna Gregorich, OPA- Biosecurity Tips
This is a great opportunity for poultry project members to learn about an industry problem and count it as a training for your 2025 project book.
Printable pdf: Jan 15 Biosecurity Webinar Invite Final