Youth Loan Program

USDA, Farm Service Agency has loan programs available for individuals’ ages 10 to 21, beginner farmers and socially disadvantage applicants. This is a great opportunity for 4-H & FFA members to expand or build a project base. Loan funds can be used to buy livestock, seed, equipment and supplies; buy, rent, repair needed tools and equipment; and pay operating expenses for the project.

Contact Tina Mellinger, Farm Loan Manager at tine.mellinger@usda.gov. Her office is located in Zanesville, OH

Youth Loans Flier: FSA Youth Loans factsheet

Washington County and Barlow Junior Fair Boards Looking for Teens

All youth interested in serving on the 2025 Washington County and/or Barlow Junior Fair Boards need to apply now. Applications now available through the OSU Extension Office, and https://go.osu.edu/wcforms and attached to this email.

Youth must be at least 13 years old and have an interest in helping to plan and conduct Jr Fair shows and events at local fairs. Youth will receive training to build their leadership skills and learn about board expectations.

The deadline for applications is December 2 to the OSU Extension. First and second year applicants must be interviewed to serve on a Junior Fair Board. Interviews are December 9 the OSU Extension Office. Contact OSU Extension at 740-376-7431 for details.

The application is also attached – 2025 Junior Fair Board Application

National 4-H Conference Teen Delegates – December 1 Deadline

National 4-H Conference Delegates – December 1 Deadline

  • National 4-H Conference is specifically focused on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development. Delegates arrive ready to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, their nation, and their world.
  • Date of Conference: April 10-16, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Ohio delegates arrive a day early on April 10. Conference begins April 11).
  • Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (applicants must be 15-18 as of 1/1/25 and currently enrolled as an Ohio 4-H member). See the attached document for the example application, and then be sure to apply via Qualtrics: https://go.osu.edu/N4HCapp
  • For more information, visit https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

4-H End of Year Celebration – Nov 21

Please come and celebrate the accomplishment of our members, volunteers, and community partners! Here is the program for the evening

Washington County 4-H End of Year Celebration

November 21, 2024—Jr Fair Building

  • Ice Cream Sundaes—6:30 pm
  • Welcome—7:00 pm
  • Pledges & 4-H Creed
  • Cloverbud Graduation
  • Volunteer Recognition
  • Member Recognition
  • Special Community Awards
  • Club Awards
  • Community Service Awards
  • Ohio State Fair Award Winners
  • Ohio 4-H Horse Awards
  • Project Pin Awards & Special Pin Awards
  • Trip Scholarship Awards
  • Margaret Meredith Leadership Award
  • Closing Announcements

High Path Avian Influenza Discovered in Oregon Swine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Oregon state veterinary officials are investigating positive cases of H5N1 in a backyard farming operation in Oregon that has a mix of poultry and livestock, including swine. The Oregon Department of Agriculture announced on Friday, Oct. 25, that poultry on this farm represented the first H5N1 detection in Crook County, Oregon. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories also confirmed one of the farm’s five pigs to be infected with H5N1, marking the first detection of H5N1 in swine in the United States.

There is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply as a result of this finding.    

If you are interested in reading the press release from Oregon veterinary agencies, here is the link.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/federal-state-veterinary-agencies-share-update-hpai-detections-oregon

4-H Toy & Canned Food Drive – Items Due December 4

Washington County 4-H is partnering with the Salvation Army Washington County Angel Tree program to collect toys and non-perishable food for area families.

1. Toys must be newly purchased and unwrapped

2. Non-perishable unexpired foods (boxed or canned)

3. Washington County 4-H will be taking donations until Wednesday, December 4 at 4:00 pm

4. All unwrapped toys and food must be dropped at the OSU Extension Office located at 1115 Gilman Ave, Marietta. There will be a box in the building front lobby and in the Extension Office Lobby

5. Call 740-376-7431 if questions