Opportunities – State & National

Free Advanced Training for Teen Drivers this Summer

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is hosting free Advanced Driver Training for teens in the state of Ohio.  These events are apart of the “100 Deadliest Days” Campaign.  There are 3 classes to choose from across the state including DriveTeam, Professional Driving Systems, and Ford Driving Skills for Life.  These events are free for new teen drivers and registration is required.  Please see the flyer below for more information on times and dates for the events.

Ohio Farm Bureau Explore AG Camps

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to announce we will once again be hosting several free ExploreAg Camp experiences this summer! Please use this flyer to share this opportunity with rising high school students in your community and encourage them to apply by April 30.

ExploreAg Overview

Purpose: Discover careers linked to agriculture and related STEM fields through a series of immersive and hands-on experiences and tours.

Who: Ohio students entering grades 9-12 in the fall, or soon-to-be recent high school graduates.

Cost: Free 

Learn more and apply by April 30 at ExploreAg.org

2025 ExploreAg Summer Sessions May 30, COLT Electric Lineman Training, Mt. Gilead

  • June 8-13, Ohio State Columbus Campus
  • June 17-20, Wilmington College
  • July 6-11, University of Findlay
  • July 13-18, Ohio State Wooster Campus

ExploreAg is Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, offering free week, multiday and daylong immersion programs for high school students. In ExploreAg, teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators.

Questions or concerns? Contact info@exploreag.org.

Ohio 4-H Adaptive Adventures Camp

Camp season will be here before we know it and here is some information about Ohio 4-H Adaptive Adventures Camp (formerly known as Special Needs Camp). The Camp was recently featured in the February addition of Ohio 4-H Highlights, which can be found here – https://ohio4h.org/february-2025/ohio-4-h-creates-new-opportunities-adaptive-adventures-camp?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faes_4h_fy25_febnewsletter&sfmc_key=11910905

  • Camper Info – Registration due May 15. Ohio 4-H Adaptive Adventures Camp is held at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp with support of a 4-H Foundation grant. The facility is in Jackson County, Ohio, just south of Chillicothe.  Each summer, we offer a camping experience for youth aged 8-adult who have unique needs that cannot be accommodated in a traditional camp setting. We typically have a small group of between 15-25 campers and their caregivers who spend the weekend doing all the normal camp things, modified for their needs. This year, Camp will be June 6-8. Camper registration forms, along with some pictures and additional information about the event, are online at this site: www.go.osu.edu/AdaptiveAdventures
  • Counselor Info – Applications due April 15. Just as with our traditional camps, we have an opportunity to allow teen camp counselors to gain experience working with our Campers. Counselors should be active in your local counselor program to ensure they receive training. They do come to Camp on Thursday, June 5, to get onsite training hours and help transform Camp for our Campers. Since caregivers are onsite for this Camp, Counselors are in a more supportive role and not the primary caregiver. This is a great opportunity to see things from a different perspective and interact with individuals and families in new ways at Camp! Counselors who are interested should complete the application at the bottom of this page: www.go.osu.edu/AdaptiveAdventures

Ohio 4-H Food Challenge

Date: August 1, 2025

Location:  Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center

A new opportunity for youth to build skills, develop a passion for food and nutrition programming, and have fun with a team of 4-Hers! The Ohio 4-H food challenge will allow 4-Hers to reach new heights with just some mystery ingredients, a pantry of food and imagination.

Links in the Email:

Ohio 4-H Food Challenge Cooking Kit Order Form: https://go.osu.edu/o4hcookkits

The one contest will have a planning, cooking, and presentation portion that will all factor into the final score. There will be a Junior and Senior level contest. The winner of the senior contest will be selected to represent Ohio at the National 4-H  Food Challenge Contest during the Texas State Fair. This event often takes place in late September to early October.

Contest Kits AVAILABLE:

To reduce costs, we are offering Food Challenge Kits at half price with the help of the Ohio 4-H Foundation. We are offering 1 kit for each county at a cost of $100. If counties are interested in purchasing a kit for an additional team, we will also be offering a second kit at full price. The kit includes a plethora of kitchen supplies and will be EVERYTHING you need to get started. The order form is available at go.osu.edu/o4hcookkits. You must purchase kits by March 31, so we can get you kits ASAP!

Registration Information:

                Registration will take place between May 1 and July 1. A link will be available at a late date

  • Each county may enter one (1) junior and one (1) senior team of two (2) – four (4)contestants. The team may be selected by any procedure that the county deems to be appropriate. Each contestant must be currently enrolled in a 4-H project, a member in good standing with the county they represent.
  • This contest is limited to 18 junior teams and 18 senior teams and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. See Registration for additional details.
  • Junior Contestants must be at least 8 years of age and in third grade and under 14years of age as of January 1st of the current year. Junior Contestants are eligible to compete in this contest in subsequent years.
  • Senior Contestants must be at least 14 years of age on January 1st of the current year and not be more than 18 years of age on January 1st of the current year.

Rules and Guidelines:

Attached are the Ohio 4-H Food Challenge Rules for 2025, as well as the score sheets.

ohio_food_challenge_scorecard_presentation_2025

ohio_food_challenge_scorecard_preparation_2025

Ohio 4-H Food Challenge Rules 2025

Ohio 4-H Urban Immersion Project

The 4-H Urban Immersion Project (UIP) is an Ohio 4-H initiative that combines cross-cultural learning, teamwork, and service learning in the urban environment of Washington, DC.  This year marks the 12th anniversary of the UIP Experience!

4-H teens ages 15-18 and still in High School are eligible for this 4-day service-learning experience that will build skills and abilities to prepare youth for success in a diverse workplace and build cultural understanding of those who are different.  This experience will not be about shopping or sightseeing; we will visit some monuments and historic sites. The cost of the experience is $250.  All teen applicants will be contacted to complete an additional Zoom video/phone interview before selection.

Program Components

  • Diversity and the Urban Experience               •  Cooking in Food Groups        •  Service Projects
  • Ethnic Food Night                                         •  City Scavenger Hunt              •  Exploring Issues of Homelessness
  • DC Monument Night Tour                             •  Metro Challenge

Who:                         Teens ages 15-18 (by the trip date – still in High School)  –  Space is limited.

Where:                      Washington, DC     (Washington Seminar Center – 201 4th St. SE, Washington, DC)                      

When:                       Thursday (6am), September 18th – Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Application link:             https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6QX2SYim38bKTHM

Cost:                          $250       (check payable to Warren County Extension or by Credit Card)

                                                            (Includes most meals, program fees, overnight lodging, and transportation)

4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available

The 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available! Please promote this to your 13-18 year old (as of January 1) 4-H members interested in state-level leadership experience! Applications are available at https://go.osu.edu/4HEYA and are due, along with supporting materials, by May 15, 2025.

  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2025.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 10 or July 15)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at [go.osu.edu/4HEYA25]go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sara (Deakin.5@osu.edu)

East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference

Registration is now open for the 2025 East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference on Friday, March 21 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Shisler Event Center on The Ohio State University’s Wooster Campus, 1880 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691. This is a very special year as we celebrate our tenth year together with our biggest conference yet!

This year’s program will feature 24 break-out sessions in 6 tracks including: Plants, Animals, Business & Marketing, Home & Family, Special Interest, and Personal Development. These informative and interactive sessions are presented by Ohio State University Extension educators, farmers, industry professionals, and partner agencies.

We are thrilled to have international speaker, author, and farm coach, Elaine Froese, at our conference this spring. She’s on a mission to guide farm families, across North America, to get unstuck, communicate better, find harmony through understanding, and secure a profitable farm legacy. Elaine is traveling from her home farm in Manitoba, Canada to speak with us! She will share a special keynote about Living an Intentional Life, will teach a breakout session to help tackle tough family conversations, and will have Coach on Call individual sessions available throughout the day. Every participant will also get a copy of Elaine’s book, “Farming’s In-Law Factor.” You can learn more about Elaine Froese at elainefroese.com .

Registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/eowiareg25  and you can learn about sponsorship opportunities at go.osu.edu/eowiasponsor25 .

Flyer: 2025 EOWIA Conference Flyer

OSU Extension Small Farm Conference – March 8

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8th. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise.

Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour.

Anyone interested in developing, growing or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.

Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.

The Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, Ohio 44691.

For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://Go.osu.edu/2025smallfarmconference