April 8, Total Solar Eclipse
It’s not too early to get excited about the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024! Even if you are not in the path of the total solar eclipse, you will see the moon’s shadow cover at least 90% of the sun!

Our 4-H professionals have worked together with Dr. Wayne Schlingman, Director of Arne Slettebak Planetarium at The Ohio State University main campus, to create teaching tools to help everyone in Ohio understand and enjoy the event. Check out our resources at ohio4h.org/solareclipse. There are several activities to do both before and during the solar eclipse!

The Ohio 4-H Conference welcomed over 1100 volunteers and teens to Columbus as Ohio 4-H Week came to a close. The Ohio 4-H Conference is designed to equip participants with resources, information, and skills to meet the ever-changing needs of youth. Fourteen youth and adults representing Washington County 4-H attended the conference on March 9 at the Columbus Convention Center.

The conference recognized Darlene Burke-Ogletree of Marietta with an Ohio 4-H Meritorious Service Award. The award recognizes volunteers for a lifetime of service and contributions to 4-H on the club, county or state level and serves as a positive influence in the lives of 4-H members. Burke-Ogletree has been a volunteer advisor of the Oak Grove Explorers 4-H Club for 48 years. She always challenges and encourages her members to try new things and be the best they can be. This starts with the expectation of required 100% demonstrations and 100% required project judging. She is also very involved with 4-H on the county level providing volunteer time and expertise.

Uncle Dan’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream was honored as an Ohio Friend of 4-H. This award recognizes an individual, family, business or corporation that supports the Ohio 4-H Program in a charitable manner at the county, state, or national level. The business is owned by Dan and Cathy Lang of Lowell. They have hosted 4-H fundraising events, donated ice cream, and share their talents with the Washington County 4-H Program. The Langs embody the third H of 4-H with their hands to larger service and they continue to promote the 4-H program.

Alexis Lane, from the Warren Wranglers 4-H Club joined OSU Extension 4-H Educator Bruce Zimmer at Thursday’s County Commissioner meeting. Alexis shared about the recent 4-H Open House and the growth of her 4-H club. The team also highlighted events from the recent Ohio 4-H Week, Ohio 4-H Conference, upcoming Bulls Eye Shooting Sports spring session, financial literacy programs in the high schools, and the upcoming 4-H Endowment Dinner on April 13. The enrollment deadline to join Washington County 4-H is April 1.

2024 4-H Week Poster Results:

• Best Promotion of Washington County – Bull’s Eye Shooting Sports
• Best 4-H Message – Churchtown Community Crew
• Most Unique & Creative – Churchtown Busy Bunch
• Honorable Mention – Oak Grove Explorers
• Honorable Mention – Trail Blazers

2024 4-H Week Social Media Results:

• Most Unique & Creative – Oak Grove Explorers
• Best 4-H Message – Trail Blazers

 2024 4-H Week Table Display Results:

• Most Unique & Creative – Churchtown Community Crew
• Best 4-H Message – SL Homemakers & LS Boys
• Honorable Mention – Rabbit Renegades
• Honorable Mention – Oak Grove Explorers

 2024 4-H Week Window Display Results:

• Most Unique & Creative – Warren Wranglers
• Best 4-H Message – Oak Grove Explorers
• Honorable Mention – Churchtown Busy Bunch
•  Honorable Mention – Trail Blazers