October, 2008
Greetings 4-H Friends!  The much anticipated county fair is almost upon us!  I am excited to see all the updated facilities, show schedules, and changes in motion.  Even though there are MANY things that will be different (I'll admit; having the swine on the other side of the race tracks will be change enough in itself), the overall change will be a positive one.  We ask for your patience in this transition process.  While it will not be perfect this year, we will continue to make improvements.  If you have any suggestions for improvements, please make sure to include them in your fair evaluation.   

There are still available slots left to assist at the fair.  If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to be a display barn guard, office assistant, or show assistant, please contact the Extension Office or sign up at the fairgrounds (once the fair starts).  Volunteers truly make the fair possible!  As always, if you have any concerns of questions, feel free to let me know via email, kohler.61@osu.edu, or phone, 740.653.5419 x19.  Thanks and GO BUCKS! 

Yours in 4-H,

~Hannah :-)

County 4-H Reminders
Friday, October 3 & Saturday, October 4-Display Barn Setup at County Fairgrounds
If your club requested a booth in the display barn, you should have received a packet in the mail giving you the location of where your club's booth will be.  Setup times for both days is 1-7 p.m.  Please make sure you are finished by 7 p.m. or you will be kicked out!!  :-) 

Cakes, Pies, and Candies Drop Off
Exhibitors planning to exhibit the cakes, pies, and/or candy displays at the fair need to turn in the items PRIOR to judging.  They may drop them off Saturday, October 4th, from 1-7 p.m. or Monday, October 6th, from 7:30-10:00 a.m.  Judging will be held at 3:30-6:00 p.m. Monday in the 4-H Display Barn.  Youth must be present for judging! 

GO BUCKEYES!  Beat Wisconsin! 

County Fair Events, Times, & Locations
Saturday, October 4
Swine Weigh In, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., New Swine Barn
All Goat Check In, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Goat Barns
Rabbit Registration, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., New Rabbit Barn
Rabbit Weigh-In (Market Only), 2-4 p.m., New Rabbit Barn
Beef Steer & Feeder Weigh-In, 3:30 p.m., New Steer Barn
Poultry Weigh In (Market Chickens Only)/Blood Test, 4 p.m., New Poultry Barn
Test All Untested Poultry, 4 p.m., New Poultry Barn
Market Goat Weigh-In, 5-6 p.m., Goat Barn

Sunday, October 5
Dog Show Registration, 8:00 a.m., Show Arena
Dog Show, 8:30 a.m., Show Arena
4-H Cat Show, 12:30 p.m., Old Swine Arena
4-H Crossbred & Pet Rabbit Show, 12:45 p.m., Old Swine Arena
4-H Cavy & Other Small Creatures, 1:15 p.m., Old Swine Arena
4-H Rodents & Ferrets Show, 2:00 p.m., Old Swine Arena
Market Lamb Weigh-In, 11:30-1:30 p.m., New Sheep Barn
Judging Contest & Registration, 1:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m., New Sheep Barn
Dairy Feeder Weigh-In, 5-6 p.m., Dairy Barn
4-H Panorama & Jr Fair Queen Crowning, 7:30 p.m., Show Arena

Monday, October 6
Swine Show (Market), 8:30 a.m., Show Arena
Dairy/Angora Goat Show, 8:30 a.m., Dairy Barn
Pygmy Goat Show, 1 p.m, Dairy Barn
Crops & Grazing Judging, 11:00 a.m, New FFA Display Barn
Judging FFA Engineering & Production, 1 p.m, New FFA Display Barn
Judging 4-H Cakes, Candies, and Pies, 3:30-6 p.m., 4-H Display Barn
Poultry Show, 4 p.m., Old Swine Arena

Tuesday, October 7
Sheep Show (Showmanship, Breeding, Market), 8:30 a.m., Show Arena
Meat Doe & Market Wether Goat Show, 8:30 a.m., Swine Arena
Dairy Feeder Show & Feeder Showmanship, 8:30 a.m., Dairy Barn
Swine Showmanship, 5:30 p.m,. Show Arena

Wednesday, October 8
Beef Show (Showmanship, Breeding, Feeders & Steers), 8:30 a.m., Show Arena
Saddle Horse Show (Including Trail Class), 8:30 a.m., Outside Arena
Rabbit-Market, & ALL Showmanship, 1 p.m., Old Swine Arena

Thursday, October 9
Saddle Horse Show, 12 Noon, Outside Arena
Rabbit Breeding Show, 1 p.m., Dairy Barn
Livestock Auction I (Goats, Dairy Products, & Swine), 5:30 p.m., Show Arena

Friday, October 10
Champions on Display, 8:00 a.m., Old Swine Arena
Dairy Show & Breeding Showmanship, 8:30 a.m., Dairy Barn
Livestock Auction II (Steers), 9:30 a.m., Show Arena
Livestock Auction III (Rabbits, Poultry, Sheep), 12:30 p.m,, Show Arena

Saturday, October 11
Champions on Display, 8:00 a.m., Old Swine Arena
4-H Horse Fun Show, 9:00 a.m., Outside Arena
Super Showmanship Show, 9:00 a.m., Show Arena
Load Out Champions, 6:30 p.m., Old Swine Arena

GO BUCKEYES!  Beat Purdue! 

Sunday, October 12
Booth Take Down, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Display Barn

GO BUCKEYES!  Beat Michigan State! 

Junior Leadership Meeting-October 20, 7:00-8:45 p.m.
The next Junior Leadership Meeting will be Monday, October 20 at the Ag Center from 7-8:45.  If you have any youth 13 & up who are interested, encourage them to attend!  They will be making final preparations for the Advisor's Banquet and have a Line Dancing program.

Horse Advisors Meeting-October 20, 7:00 p.m.
The next Horse Advisors Meeting will be October 20 at 7 p.m. at the Ag Center.  Fair wrap up and evaluations will be discussed at this meeting.  If you have youth in your club taking horse projects, please make an effort to attend!     

GO BUCKEYES!  Beat Purdue! 

Upcoming Show Committee Meeting-Wednesday, November 5, 7-9 p.m.
At this meeting, in addition to reviewing the Fairfield County Fair, we will be having a discussion on what worked this year and what should we look at to change in the future.  How do we make sure all youth benefit from our programs?  This meeting is open to anyone who desires to come and give input. 

Booth Score Sheet Update
The fair booth score sheet rubric has been updated!  Visit: http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/4h.htm to see the updated form.  Please note this year at the fair, STAPLE GUNS ARE PERMITTED TO BE USED ONLY ON THE 2x4 PIECES OF WOOD!!!  Staples must then be removed at the end of the fair!  Suggestions of items to be used are fishing line, hooks (there will be peg board), yellow (not blue) gummy tack, clothesline, and clothespins. 

Clean Barn Award Contest
The Junior Fair Board is having a contest for the clean pen award at the fair.  Awards will be given Monday-Friday at different times.  Winners will receive prizes!  Encourage all Junior Fair Exhibitors to keep their area clean!!

Clover Clues
A scavenger hunt will be posted around the fair this year for all Cloverbud members.  Youth will be searching the livestock barns to answer questions about the clues!  Prizes will be awarded for those who complete the scavenger hunt.  The hunt begins in the 4-H Display Barn. 

Kiss-A-Pig Contest
The Junior Fair Board is again having a Kiss-A-Pig contest at the Fairfield County Fair.  Bring your change and dollar bills to see your pick kiss-a-pig at the swine sale on Thursday evening!  Cans will be taken to the shows and will be available in the Junior Fair Office.  Contestants this year are: Sheriff Dave Phalen (2 year reining champion!), Junior Fair Assistant Coordinator Joel Spires, 4-H Educator Hannah Kohler, and the 2008 Junior Fair Queen (who will be announced at the Panorama).  A new portion of this contest, "Pie In the Face" will occur during the shows, as well!  If the goal is met during the show (announced at the particular show), someone--Junior Fair Royalty, Junior Fair Board member, Show Superintendent--will get pied in the face! 

Milk A Goat Contest
There will be a milk a goat contest on Tuesday, October 7 at 2:30 p.m. behind the goat barn.  Different age categories will be set up.  The person who gets the most milk out of a goat in 30 seconds will be the winner--who will then receive a prize!

Cloverbud Stick Horse Races
There will again be stick horse races for Cloverbud members at the fair!  The event will take place Saturday, October 11th following the Kiddie Tractor Pull (approximately 3:00p.m.).  Registration will be held in the Display Barn and the day of the event in the Dairy Barn. 

Project Book Competition
There will be a project book contest this year as part of the premier exhibitor competition.  Exhibitors wanting to compete should submit their project books during weigh-in/check-in of the fair.  View http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/4h.htm to see the rubric for judging requirements!

Fair Move In Route
Please make sure to review the move in route for species to enter and exit the fairgrounds (found online at http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/4h.htm). Because more animals will be on the north side of the racetracks, there will me more congestion during fair move in.  Hopefully this will reduce the congestion of traffic!

Rocket Launcher Parts Missing
We are missing parts from the Rocket Launcher kit.  If you or someone you know has an idea as to where they might be, please contact the office!  Thanks!

Junior Fair Shirts Pick Up
Advisors will be able to pick up the Junior Fair Exhibitor shirts (ordered by Aug. 1st) at display barn booth set up times (Friday 1-7 and Saturday 1-7).  After that, they will be available in the Jr Fair Office.

Fairfield County Junior Fair Book-Rules & Regulations Portion & Awards Portion
The Awards portion of the Junior Fair Book is now available Electronically!  Visit http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/JuniorFairBook.htm#Awards to view it.  The Rules & Regulations portion of the Junior Fair Book is also available electronically and in hard copy.  The Rules & Regulations portions are available at http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/JuniorFairBook.htm. 

Changes for the 2008 Year
There have been several important changes for the 2008 Club year.  These changes are not made because we are "tired of the same thing" or because "change just needs to be made".  There has been lots of thought put into reaching these decisions and many people (not just one or two) have been involved.  Hopefully it will be beneficial for all parties involved, even if it takes a while to adjust.  Thank you for your patience in this process! 

--Project Book Completion will be checked differently this year.  Advisors are asked to check within clubs. 
        -Advisors are asked to check books within clubs
        -For Exhibitors with Sale Animals: A summary of profit/loss sheet must be turned in with thank you notes to receive sale checks
        -For exhibitors with Non-Sale Animals: A summary of profit/loss sheet must be turned in at fair check-in (goats, dairy cattle, etc.) or exhibitors will NOT receive a premium
        -For exhibitors who already get their project books checked somewhere (horses, dogs, cats, pet rabbits, etc.): Continue with project book checking as done in the past

Club Biographies Available
Club Bios are now located on the website. This tool enables interested individuals in joining 4-H to search online for possible clubs and contact advisors directly to ask more specific information about club meetings, locations, and projects.  It's also a great way for club advisors and members to network with each other and help others out if there is a question regarding a project or event.  You can check these bios out at: http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/ClubBios.htm. Please contact Hannah with any changes or updates! 

Junior Fair Livestock Buyers on Web
You can view the 2007 Fairfield County Junior Fair Livestock Buyers at: http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/LivestockBuyers.htm. Check out last year's winners, buyers, and supporters of the Junior Fair!  Thanks to all who have helped make the sale a success!

Barn Raising Campaign
We are currently in the process of building a new barn at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds!   We had a ground breaking ceremony April 4th and the facilities will be utilized at the fair this year!  Check out the plan & benefits & photos of the process in addition to how you can contribute to making this dream a reality by visiting http://fairfield.osu.edu/4h/BarnRaisingCampaign.htm. Thanks to everyone who has already contributed!  Money is still being collected--the more money raised, the better quality of the building/upgrades to the Junior Fair Buildings we will have!   Sheep and Swine Personal Pen Licenses are also still available! 

4-H Member Pins
The Extension Office has an assortment of 4-H member gold (4th & 6th year) & bronze pins (1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 8th year).  If you, your club, or parents in your club would like to purchase these for your club members, you could save money on shipping by purchasing them at the office instead of from the Source Book!  Bronze pins cost $1.25 each, and gold pins cost $1.75 each.  Contact the office to find out availability of these pins!

State Opportunities

Quarter Horse Congress-October 4-26, Ohio Expo Center
Visit http://www.oqha.com/ for more information. 

October 5-11 National 4-H Week
Promote 4-H to the community every way you know how!  Flyers, wearing green, talking to others--use your imagination!  It's during the fair, so it should be easy to have access to people!  :-)

Make A Difference Day-October 25

Ohio Horned Dorset Flock Starter Program
The Ohio Horned Dorset breeders are sponsoring a flock starter program for 4-H and FFA members interested in a sheep project.  The breeders will give a ewe lamb to an Ohio 4-H or FFA member at the Ohio Dorset Sale in Eaton, Ohio on March 21, 2009.  The winner will be determined based on a 500 word essay on why the 4-H or FFA member wants to raise Horned Dorsets.
 
Entrants must be Ohio 4-H or FFA members that are eligible to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair Junior Division for at least four more years and agree to exhibit the ewe at the Ohio State Fair Junior Division as a lamb and a yearling. For more details and entry materials please contact:  Mike Galleher, 6000 County Road 100, Mt. Gilead, OH  43338.  Telephone is 419-946-4582.  Essays are due February 1, 2009.

Ohio State Fair Future Dates
During their meeting on Aug. 10, the Ohio Expositions Commission voted on dates for the 2009 and 2010 Ohio State Fairs. The dates are as follows: 2009: July 29 - Aug. 9; 2010: July 28 - Aug. 8. For more information, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR. On the Web, visit us at ohiostatefair.com.

ATV Rider Safety Course-October 18th
On Oct 18th, at 9:00 a.m. there will be an ATV rider safety course being held. The course will teach participants the basis operating and riding practices. This 4 hour hands-on course will practice starting and stopping, turns, quick turns, hill riding, and riding over obstacles. There will also be discussions of other safety practices such as proper gear, supplies, and behavior. If you have any questions or would like to attend please contact Kathy Henwood, 614-292-0622 or henwood.13@osu. or Jo Binkley at 614-833-1061. The event will be held at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

Photography Contest
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is encouraging Ohioans to dust off their cameras and begin capturing “Life on the Farm” for a 2008 photography contest geared to feature the state’s unique agricultural resources. The contest, which runs through October 2008, will allow photographers to feature the sights of agriculture in every season. “Life on the farm means something different to everyone,” said Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs. “This is an opportunity to tell the story of agriculture and to look at the industry through different eyes. I look forward to seeing the images and excitement tied to our great agricultural heritage.” The department will establish a panel, headed by Director Boggs, to judge images submitted by amateur photographers. Director Boggs will invite winning photographers to join him for a gallery unveiling of their photos. All other entries also may be used by the department for educational or promotional initiatives.

General photography contest rules:
Entrants must be at least 16 years old and the original photographer.
Amateur photographers only.
Color photos must be taken in 2008; Entries postmarked by Oct. 6.
No more than five photos per household.
Photos may be submitted as 5x7 prints or digital images burned to a CD.
No computer-aided adjustments to photos.
Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi and in jpg or tif format.
Each photo must be accompanied by an entry form, complete with signature.
Photographer must obtain written parental permission for photographed children under 18.

To enter the contest, send images and a signed permission form, available at the department’s Web site, to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Office of Communication, 8995 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068. For additional information about the contest, a permission form, or for a complete copy of the rules, go to www.ohioagriculture.gov or call 614-752-9817.

Contributing Art & Historic Artifacts to the 4-H Center
The 4-H Center Art Committee is inviting contributions of high-quality art and historically significant Ohio 4-H artifacts to help promote and tell the 4-H story in the new Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. To propose an item for display, please complete the 4-H Center Art/Artifact Donor Form (click here for a copy of the form) and return it to the Art Committee at the State 4-H Office. The committee reviews proposals regularly and responds to prospective donors within a few weeks.

Wanted: Your Special 4-H Stories
OSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program touches the lives of 4-H members, their families, as well as the communities where they live. Currently, the National 4-H Professionals Association is collecting stories to put into a "Chicken Soup For the Soul" type of book. These stories may be of exceptional efforts from a 4-H’er (or 4-H family), whether it was overcoming adversity, establishing a new program or activity, helping a younger member, or helping another family or community member. These stories put “faces” and “real life experiences” on our outstanding 4-H program. Please send me an email or give me a call with your stories to share!

Ohio 4-H Club Advisor Handbook
You may view this resource on-line! Photographs and fine-tuning of the website will continue. To visit the 4-H Club Advisor Handbook site visit http://advisorshandbook.ohio4h.org/.

Other County Opportunities

Fairfield County Fair October 5-11!!!

Decor Styles for More Smiles
If you or someone you know is interested in a fundraising opportunity, contact Jennie Gambill, 740-654-7149.  There are Indoor/Outdoor, Accents, Decor, Collectibles, and more!  Fund raising earns 30% off sales and a snack social.  Prices are retail catalog prices and are 100% guaranteed, tracked and insured.                                                    
Pygmy Goat Free to a Wonderful Home! 
Pygmy Goat-Whether, approximately 4 years old.  Prior 4-H show animal.  Friendly and great with kids.  If you're interested or would like more information, contact 740-756-7084 or email carrollcc4H@aol.com.

Free 1849 Slinky Jacket
If a youth (probably horse) exhibitor is interested in a large Slinky Jacket, contact Dixie (mollenkopf.12@osu.edu).  It is priced at Frontier Wesern has it online for $169.95! 

2 Yearling Horses Need Homes
There are two yearlings that homes are needed for.  These were both rescued by the Last Chance Corral, who has had them since they were 5 days old.  They are both very tame and easy to handle.  They come when called, lead with a halter or just a hand on the mane.  The colt has been body and the filly has also been clipped for show before, and both have been wormed - all with very little fuss.  They have had their hooves trimmed - they are still getting used to this, but are getting better.  Not much spooks them - feed & bedding bags have been placed on their backs with no reaction at all, tossed balls around them and off them.  They will walk over bridges, boards, tires, etc., without pausing.  They can be a little "pushy" because they are so used to their current caretakers, and they forget they're horses.  We have trailered them a few times and they have just walked right into the trailer, did have to push on the colt once, but only for a minute.

Colt - bay, thoroughbred/QH cross - told would probably be 16+ hands, has very long legs.  Filly - buckskin, dunn, blaze & 3 legs w/white markings, quarter horse - probably grow be a large pony - Very flashy!  Both have excellent confirmation - no leg or structural problems.  No papers on either as these were rescued from a breeding farm.  Would like to sell for $400 each, or will trade for hay.  All offers considered.  Will separate.  Contact Elizabeth Squibb, 740-862-0506, classicequines@yahoo.com.

Long Eared Pet Rabbits
Sharon Rowland had a couple Long Eared Pet Rabbits. They are under a year old (as of 6/08). If you or someone you know is interested in these rabbits, contact her at 740-653-2829.

Riding Boots for Sale
There is a pair of Emerson Ladies high English Riding boots (size 8 1/2 medium) for sale for $40 or best offer. Contact Marilyn Hickman at 740-503-2165 or mh286605@ohiou.edu if you or someone you know is interested.

Pet Rabbits Needing a Home
Forgotten 4 Paws has several pet (house) rabbits that need a home. The rabbits will be spayed/neutered prior to leaving the shelter. If you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity, please contact Wanda Dailey at 740-652-9244.

Animal Rescuers Friend (ARF!)
A small animal rescue organization, Animal Rescuers Friend (ARF!), located in Lancaster is hoping to find a youth group to volunteer for year round fund-raisers, yard sales, to collect and recycle aluminum cans, and other jobs to be determined. ARF’s founder and president is a recently retired school-teacher. Do you or someone you know of a Fairfield County 4-H group that would be interested in being affiliated with us? Our website is www.arfohio.org and phone number is 740-687-9244.

ARF! has several painless ways for you to help:
ARF! needs volunteers to work fund-raisers.
ARF! needs donations for the annual flea market, which is held this year at The Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 4H barn.
ARF! collects aluminum cans and sells them to the recyling center. Collecting cans for ARF! is an easy way to help pay for spay/neuter of homeless cats.
Do you like Cristy's pizza? Do I like Cristy's pizza? you may ask. ARF! can sell you a card of six buy one pizza, get one free coupons. You pay $15, you get six free pizzas - six free Cristy's pizzas - and homeless animals benefit.
What search engine do you use? ARF! is affiliated with GoodSearch, which means that for every time you run a search, ARF! gets a penny. Go to www.arfohio.org, click on the GoodSearch button, and select Animal Rescuers Friend (Lancaster, Ohio). Search your little heart out! I work at a Columbus law office and I use GoodSearch whenever I need to find anything on the Internet.
To benefit animal rescue organizations in general, click on "the animal rescue site" button. Each click gives the value of .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. While you are on that page, you can also click to give to contribute to the causes of hunger, breast cancer, literacy, child health and the rain forest.
To contribute grains of rice and increase your vocabulary, click on the "Free Rice - Play and Help" button. For each word you get right, twenty grains of rice will be donated through the UN World Food Program to help hunger.

Searching for 4-H Science, Engineering, & Technology Alumni
Are you a former 4-H'er working in pharmaceutical research, environmental science, engineering, biological or chemical science, aerospace, technology, or plant and animal science? Do you know one who is? National 4-H Council is looking for 4-H alumni to feature in an upcoming promotion. Take a moment to fill out a short 10-minute survey! Click here or visit 4-H Council to access the survey and learn more about the 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology (4-H SET) program.

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