1

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

Sandusky County 4-H Family Newsletter

2015, Edition #2 May - July, 2015

Contents

Dear 4-H Family,

We are wishing a warm welcome to both our returning and new 4-H

families and looking forward to a fun-filled year of 4-H activities.

This newsletter is packed with information about spring and summer

4-H events. Store it in a safe spot so you can refer back to it as

needed. Don’t forget that the more effort you put into the program the

more you will get out of it. Consider trying something new this year!

The 2015 Pre-Fair Judging Schedule is enclosed. If you are unable to

attend judging at your club’s scheduled time, please contact the

Extension Office to discuss other options.

If you have questions, please call the Extension Office at

419-334-6340. We are open Monday - Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Gwen Soule

Extension Educator, 4H Youth Development

Upcoming Dates / Deadlines 1

Extension Hours, Project Books 2 Handbook, Online Resources 2

Jr. Fair Livestock Info & ID Dates 3 Livestock & Horse Requirements 3

County Fair Info 4 Summer Volunteers Needed 4

4-H Camp, Cloverbud Camp 5 Judging 5

Public Speaking Contest 7

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Livestock Tag Day (see pg 3) June 6

4-H Camp Registration Due June 8

Public Speaking Contest June 11

4-H Camp at Kelleys Island June 26-30

Pre-Fair Judging July 14

Jr. Fair Livestock Entries Due July 15

Livestock QA Deadline July 15

Rabbit Tattoo Day Aug 2

Additional information about

many of these events is

included in the newsletter.

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clients on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: http://go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.

2

OSU Extension - Office Hours and Staff

Regular Hours:

Monday—Thursday, 8:00am—4:30pm

Please note that we are closed on Fridays and occasionally our of-

fice may be closed for other whole or partial days due to staff sched-

ules and programs which take us out of the office.

We would like to welcome a new staff member to our office:

Deon Morter— 2015 Summer Student Assistant, 4-H

Deon is a student at Wilmington College where she is studying

agriculture and education. She will be working at the Extension

office May-August.

Every family should have received a copy of

the 2015 Sandusky County 4-H Handbook.

This year’s handbook has an updated user

friendly format with information on

General Rules & Guidelines

Project Descriptions

Project Judging Information

Fair Display Requirements

Calendar of Events

If you do not have a copy of this handbook,

please ask your advisor if they have one for

you.

Extra copies are still available in the Extension

Office.

Do You Have a Handbook? Missing Project Books? Project Books are distributed through your 4-H

club advisors. If you are missing a book,

please check with your advisor at your next

meeting.

Please refrain from getting your books directly

from the Extension Office unless you know that

your advisor has not ordered one for you. This

can result in us ordering unneeded books,

which are usually not returnable for us.

Members and advisors

requesting a project book after

June 15th will be charged the

cost of the book. This can range

from $6 to over $25.

Please note that

all book orders have been filled.

Sandusky County 4-H Online

Enrollment Counter!

809 members total

taking 1,437 projects!!

138 Cloverbuds

671 Project Members

192 New Members

Welcome New Members!

http://sandusky.osu.edu

Find copies of 4-H Newsletters, information

about upcoming events, judging results, and a

variety of forms on this site.

“Like” us on Facebook!

“Like” our page on Facebook for

updates and extra opportunities for

our members which do not always

make the deadline for the newsletter.

Find us under “Sandusky County Ohio 4-H”

3

Note From Jr. Fair

Members receive information about livestock tagging and weigh-in events directly from the

Junior Fair Office. Watch your mailboxes for this information and mark your calendars. Each

club also received a list of the dates with their enrollment packet.

If you have questions about Jr. Fair activities, please contact Jr. Fair Office at 419-332-1972.

Hours vary, so you may need to leave a message.

Livestock Tagging / Tattooing 4-H Members taking livestock projects receive

mailings directly from Jr. Fair about animal tagging

dates. Please watch your mail for details.

Note these upcoming dates:

Saturday, June 6th Beef & Dairy Beef Feeders

Market Lambs

Sunday, August 2nd Market Rabbits

Remaining Livestock QA Dates We have one remaining date for Livestock QA

in Sandusky County (free):

May 28th, 6:30pm

Sandusky Co. Jobs and Family Services Bldg

QA may also be competed in neighboring counties

for a $10 fee. Available Dates known include:

June 1, 7pm Huron County Admin Bldg ($10)

July 6, 7pm Huron County Admin Bldg ($10)

Requirements for Livestock Exhibitors

There are four basic livestock project requirements if you plan to show at the county fair:

1. You must attend livestock Quality Assurance by July 15th

(unless you have tested out of your age bracket) See above for remaining dates

Some clubs / FFA chapters are still completing trainings as well.

2. Jr. Fair Livestock Entry forms are due July 15th. You are not automatically entered by enrolling in

a project or tagging an animal in May/June.

3. Project books must be completed and turned in prior to or at the fair.

4. A Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF) needs to be turned in on Sunday prior to the fair.

Note: Horse Exhibitors have separate requirements. See below

Requirements for Horse Exhibitors

1. First-time exhibitors must completed Safety & Ethics Training (first year meeting or a make-up).

2. Horse Registration Forms / Pictures and a copy of any lease forms are due June 1st.

3. Jr. Fair Horse Entry Forms are due July 15th.

4. A completed record book (or records section of project book) must be turned in prior to the fair.

5. Members must show each horse they are planning to take to the county fair in at least one 4-H

Point show prior to fair. Show bills are available through your advisor.

There are many specific rules which apply to horse shows and fair participation.

See State and County Rule Books for complete details.

4

Milkshake Stand at the Fair

Volunteers Needed

The 2015 Fair Booth Theme is

“The 4-H Adventure”

We are looking forward to seeing fair booths

showcasing the opportunities and experiences

available to youth through 4-H.

Booth space reservations are due July 6th.

We encourage ALL clubs to create a booth

display for the fair. Club booths are the best

way to display non-livestock projects, and are a

terrific way to show your club spirit!

Fair Booths

Every 4-H Club is required to work at least one shift at the Milkshake Stand during the fair. Large clubs are

asked to split their group into at least two time slots. Small clubs sometimes work together.

This large and profitable fundraiser allows us to keep the fees for the 4-H program as low as possible and

provide project books at no extra charge. We appreciate your help because we could not do it without you!

There are two hour shifts during more busy times and three-hour shifts during slower times.

Smaller clubs may share a shift with another club to ensure they have enough members and

parents. Advisors have received information about signing up for time slots, which begins

on June 1st. (2014 “Honor Clubs” begin May 28)

Booth Security

All 4-H Clubs with projects in the 4-H Booth

Building are needed to work at least one shift of

building security at the fair. This includes clubs

which have projects in the “Miscellaneous

Clubs” booth.

Security shifts are two hours long and require at

least two responsible people. One volunteer must

remain at the door to remind visitors not to bring

food and drinks into the building. The second

volunteer needs to walk throughout the building to

prevent visitors from touching, or disturbing the

displays.

If some clubs are able to work more than 1 shift, it

would be appreciated.

Clubs may sign up for security beginning

8:00am - Monday, June 1st

Our county 4-H events would not be possible without the help of many, many volunteers. Would you consider

joining the team? You do not need to serve as a club advisor to volunteer with the 4-H program. Some events

require only a few hours of your time. Think about the opportunities below. If you are interested, please call

the Extension Office for more information. You can help us make a difference!

Program / Activity Dates Details:

Pre-Fair Judging July 14th Volunteers needed to assist with registration, helping with

the flow of members to judges, and miscellaneous duties.

Requires at least 1/2 day commitment.

Cloverbud Fun Day August 6th Adult Volunteers- Needed from approximately 9am-4pm

Volunteers lead sessions and assist with large group

activities.

5

4-H Judging - July 14

Friday, June 26th—Tuesday, June 30th

Kelleys Island

Mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on this

fun-filled adventure!

Camp is open to youth who are in the 3rd—7th

grades and 8-13 years old. Campers stay in cabins

with youth their own age and (well-trained)

teenage camp counselors who are already busy

learning and planning for this year’s camp.

Registration information has been mailed to all

age-eligible members and is due

back June 8th.

Forms are also available online at

http://sandusky.osu.edu

Pre-fair judging will be held on:

Tuesday, July 14th at Grace Community Church in Fremont.

Each club has been assigned a time session for judging. The schedule is included with this newsletter. Please do your

best to attend during your club’s assigned time if possible. It will reduce wait times for everyone.

If you are unable to attend regular judging on July 14th

you may schedule a time for your project to be judged

early. The comments made on your interview and project

will be given to the judge at regular judging so that you

may be considered for awards.

We will be holding early judging on July 8 at the Extension

Office. Please call the Extension Office at 419-334-6340

for an appointment.

Early Judging Writing Projects Writing projects are judged during pre-fair judging on:

July 14th.

Writing samples are due into the Extension Office by:

June 30th at 4:30 p.m.

If your writing sample is not turned in on time, the

judge will not be prepared to meet with you, as they

review the samples ahead of time to make comments

and suggestions.

Reminder—Posters Poster requirements, as well as poster layout examples can also be found on page 9 of the 2015 Sandusky County 4-H

Handbook. Members not following the listed guidelines will be penalized when judges are deciding awards. Posters

which are too large or made of foam board or cardboard will be given back to members and cannot be displayed at fair

unless they are included in a club booth. They are impossible to hang with the other posters.

4-H Camp Cloverbud Fun Day! Thursday, August 6th

at Misty Meadows

This one day event is a perfect fit for our youngest

members. Cloverbuds will rotate through short,

fun sessions and participate in fun game-style

challenges.

Pre-registration is required. Registration

information will be mailed to all Cloverbud

members in late May.

We could also use a few more Teen Leaders (age

13 and older) to help Cloverbud members

throughout the day.

For more information call

OSU Extension at 419-334-6340.

6

Style Revue PLUS!

We’re trying something new this year!

We are combing the traditional Style Revue Event with a 4-H Awards and

Recognitions Program. This event will be specific to Sandusky County and held in our

county. (It is not a shared event as Style Revue has been for several years).

All members with sewing projects will be invited to attend and model their outfits or

showcase their other sewing items. Details on member expectations, necessary

arrival times, narrative forms, etc. will be mailed to homes in June.

All Clothing / Sewing results will be announced by project area as usual.

Trophies, plaques and other special awards for ALL projects judged at Pre-Fair

Judging will be given at this event. (Award winners will be notified as soon as

possible after judging.)

Style Revue & Awards Recognition Program

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Grace Community Church (Chapel) 6:30pm

Save the Date!

Want to Help?

To make this a successful event, we will need help from many parents, volunteers, and

teens. Jobs needed include help with planning, registration, lining up members for the

style review, serving refreshments, and other assorted tasks.

If you are interested, please contact the OSU Extension Office

at 419-334-6340.

7

Speeches must cover a health or safety related

topic. Costumes, music, singing, props, etc. are not

permitted. Use of note cards is permitted at the

county level.

Time Limits:

Jr. Division (age 8-13) 2.5-3.5 minutes

Sr. Division (age 14+) 4.0-5.5 minutes

General Guidelines

- Participants must be a member of a 4-H Club.

- Cloverbud members are only permitted to

participate in the Cloverbud division.

- Speeches, skits, and demonstrations should be

original works, not previously used for other

competitions. (Those done just at school, club

meetings, etc. are ok)

- Typed copies of speeches and skits are no longer

required at the county level.

- All entries must be delivered “live.” No pre-taping.

Health & Safety Speeches Health & Safety Skits

Demonstrations & Illustrated Talks

Demonstrations and illustrated talks may be on any topic of the member’s interest.

- Only very small live animals may be used (rabbit, chicken, etc.). Models or stuffed animals are encouraged.

- Firearms are not permitted in the building. Toys, posters, or other props may be used instead.

One 8 foot table and one easel will be provided. The kitchen area will not be used. Electricity is available.

A computer (PC running Microsoft Office) and a projector will be available for use. Please notify the staff at

registration if you will be using these items. At the county level, all ages may use computers. (Only 12 and

older may use them at state fair).

Each member may participate in one individual and one team demonstration or talk.

Time Limits:

Jr. Division (age 8-13) 6-11 minutes

Sr. Division (age 14+) 9-12 minutes

There are some limited opportunities for members

to progress to higher level competition, but please

note that rules and guidelines vary slightly for those.

Contest Order:

Health/Safety Speeches

Safety Skits

Demonstrations

Cloverbuds

June 11, 2015 - 5:30pm

OSU Extension Office

Cloverbuds State / District Competition

Awards:

Individual Events:

1st -$25,

2nd-$15

3rd-$10

Each skit should include 2-5 members, with each

member having at least one minute of speaking

time total. Props, costumes, etc. are permitted, but

name brands of any products should be removed or

covered. Prompters and/or notes are

permitted at the county level.

Time Limit: 5-8 minutes

4-H Public Speaking Contests - June 11

Team Event awards are 2x the award

listed for individual events (total), split

between all team members.

Cloverbuds may speak on any topic, or complete a

demonstration. Each have a time limit of up to two

minutes (no minimum) . All Cloverbuds receive a

small, non-cash reward.

8

Ohio State Fair

4-H Marketing Contests

We would like to thank the

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

and its members

for sponsoring all of the

2015 4-H Family Newsletters.

We appreciate their generous support of the

4-H program. This support allows us to

continue providing paper-based newsletters to

every 4-H member’s home.

While online newsletters are convenient for

many, we feel they cannot completely replace

paper copies.

Ohio State University Extension

Sandusky County

2000 Countryside Drive, Suite D

Fremont, OH 43420

419-334-6340

Non Profit

Permit

420

Fremont, OH

There are several, state-wide 4-H marketing

Contests available to ALL members. These

contests are judged at the Ohio State Fair.

Thank You Card (age 8-11)

T-Shirt Design (age 12-13)

4-H Infomercial Video (age 14+)

Visit the State Fair Communications Day

page to learn more:

http://go.osu.edu/4Hmarketing

(scroll to the bottom of page)

Pre-Fair Judging Schedule—Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Grace Community Church in Fremont 900 Smith Road Fremont, OH 43420

3:00pm—4:00pm

Gibsonburg Rural Leaders

Townsend Blue Ribbon Boys

Burning Daylight

Rockin’ Riders

West End Wonders

2:00pm—3:00pm

Riley Buckeyes

Blazing Saddles

Target Masters

Clever Clovers

Denim & Dust

Stars & Stripes

11:00am—12:00pm

Jackson Busy Beavers

Dolly Madison

Wascally Wabbits

Knight Riders

12:00pm—1:00pm

Woodville Buckeyes

Clovers 4-Ever

Crazy Clovers

Ridge Runners

Clover Patch

5:00pm—6:00pm

Clyde Farrmers & Farmerettes

Countyline

St. Mary’s 4-H Club

River Runners

No Limits

10:00am-11:00am

Each Club has an assigned time slot. You can come at any time during the assigned time slot. If you are unable to come during your assigned time, please contact the Extension Office. If you come during a different time slot, without prior notification, please note that those assigned to the time slot may be judged first, even if you arrive before them.

We do our best to minimize the time members spend waiting to meet with their judges. However, please realize there are almost 700 projects to be judged on this one day and sometimes judges do get behind causing an extended wait.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you in July!

4:00pm—5:00pm

Woodville Adventurers

Little Livestock 4-Hers

Trusty Trotters

Trail Blazers

Riley Boosters

All members must arrive before 5:15pm

Rockin’ Wranglers

The Ropers

Projects Unlimited

State Fair Participation

Many 4-H projects judged at pre-fair Judging

can be taken to the Ohio State Fair or other

state level competitions. Please see the project

descriptions in the handbook to know which

projects can be taken to the state fair.

The criteria for state fair participants varies

from project to project and can be based on

age, skill level and topic.

Each project has different project requirement

and some of the county requirements are not

always the same as what they will be at the

state fair level.

Those who are selected to compete at the

state fair will be notified as soon as possible

and additional details on requirements and

expectations will be provided to the partici-

pants at that time.

State Fair participation is optional.

Members are not required to participate if selected.

Helpful Hints

What to Bring ~ Project Book; Display, Poster, or item made; Check handbook for minimum

requirements for you project, you can always bring additional resources to explain your project.

What to Do ~ Get a good nights sleep; wear clothes that are neat, clean, and appropriate; Leave

enough time so you are not rushed.

How to Have Good Interview ~ Relax, smile, speak clearly; answer questions enthusiastically,

use more than yes or no answers, be willing to talk and share information, remember you know

more about your project than anyone else!

See pages 8 and 9 in the Sandusky County 4-H Handbook for additional information.

What to Expect at Judging

Interview Judging is an important part

of the 4-H experience

Members will register and receive a

colored number for each project.

When their number is up they will be escorted

to their judges’ table for the interview itself.

There will be a few questions for the judge to

get to know you.

Then the judge will ask you questions about

your project, review your project book, and

ask you to explain your poster or display.

Finally the judge will mark your score sheet

and provide you with some feedback and a

copy of the score sheet.

The interview itself usually takes around 10

minutes and wait times will vary from project

to project.

If you have more than one project to be

judged please allow for plenty of time.

To Make the Best Better …. 4-H Judging Tips

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clients on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: http://go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.

Ohio State University Extension Sandusky County

2000 Countryside Drive Suite D Fremont, OH 43420 419-334-6340