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GUERNSEY COUNTY

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

Good Afternoon 4-H Families, We know that many things have changed in the recent weeks and months and many of you, like us, have been waiting to hear what 4-H will look like this summer. As I mentioned in the May 4-H Newsletter, we have been exploring alternative ideas for how Still Project Judging and Livestock Skillathon will be conducted for 2020. Many of the decisions that we make on the county level depend on guidelines and recommendations handed down to us from the State 4-H Office and the Governor’s Office. We understand our clientele vary on their perception of how we should proceed with 4-H and want you to know that we are doing our best to provide our youth with a valuable learning experience while keeping everyone safe. We know 4-H is looking different than normal, but we appreciate your understanding and patience! After reviewing current guidelines and recommendations, we have determined we will be offering a virtual Still Project Judging and Livestock Skillathon in 2020. I assure you this has not been an easy decision to make, but we know our families want a decision, just as we want a decision, so that we know how to move forward in the planning process. We are still in the early planning stages for Still Project Judging and Livestock Skillathon and will share details with you as they become available. Please know that we have taken into consideration that virtual events are not always easy for everyone to participate in and therefore this information has played a valuable role in determining the virtual formats we are exploring. Due to the changes we have experienced this year, including the cancellation of the Ohio State Fair, we are giving youth more time to work on their projects and prepare for Skillathon. We are currently planning to move Still Project Judging and Livestock Skillathon to the week of July 27 – 31. We know that you still have more questions than we have given answers, but we are still working on the details needed give answers. Below, I have listed some of the questions and answers I do have available for you. Will there be any state-level judging for still 4-H projects in 2020? As some of you may have seen, Ohio 4-H released this statement recently about Ohio 4-H State Fair Project Evaluation.

Due to COVID-19 and in alignment with the cancellation of the Ohio State Fair, there will be no 4-H state fair project judging this year. However, we know how important it is to recognize 4-H members for the time and effort in completing their projects. While we are still working on the details, we are excited to announce there will be an Ohio 4-H Project Showcase. All members will be invited to submit a photo of themselves with their 4-H project. These photos will be added to a gallery page on the state 4-H website and we’re working on plans to highlight members in additional ways. We’ll share the information about posting photos by June 15.

Since there is no State Fair Project Judging this year, can I wait and complete my still project next year? Yes, youth who want to take their project(s) next year so they will be eligible to be selected for state fair are permitted to re-enroll in the project next year. Please know that state fair guidelines state, “All projects must have been developed, produced or made in the current 4-H year.” This means if you have already started

June 5th

Update - Still Project Judging/Skillathon Update (Send via email June 5, 2020)

your project, you will need to redo the activities in 2021 if you plan to wait until next year. This might mean purchasing a new project book in 2021. Youth must also remember that 4-H Member Guidelines, found on page 10 of the 2020 Guernsey County Member and Volunteer Handbook , state “Project age members must complete at least one project in order to receive credit for their year in 4-H.” Do I have to complete a 4-H project to get credit for this year in 4-H? Youth must also remember that 4-H Member Guidelines, found on page 10 of the 2020 Guernsey County Member and Volunteer Handbook, state “Project age members must complete at least one project in order to receive credit for their year in 4-H.” Please remember that participating in the Guernsey County Fair is an opportunity extended to members of the Guernsey County 4-H program. Participation in the county fair is not required to complete a 4-H project. However, it is one of the options for youth with a live animal to complete their project. The following question lists all of the completion options for all types of 4-H projects. What are my options for completing a 4-H project so I can receive credit for this year in 4-H? Due to our current situation, the options have changed slightly from page 10 of the 2020 Guernsey County Member and Volunteer Handbook. Post 4-H Judging will not be offered in 2020.

Still Projects Options County-Wide Virtual Project Judging Volunteer Grade Completion – Due August 15th

Livestock Project Options

Guernsey County Fair Live Animal Exhibition Virtual Livestock Skillathon Volunteer Grade Completion

My child has a disability and I have questions about accessibility or wish to request accommodations for their participation, who do I contact? As we prepare for Still Project Judging, Livestock Skillathon and county fair, I want to remind 4-H families of the Winning 4-H Plan. If you have a member of your family who needs an accommodation to assist that member with his/her 4-H project, please contact me at fehr.19@osu.edu. I will send you the Winning 4-H Plan Request Form to fill out and return. This form is required to be completed each year and will assist our staff, volunteers, judges, and Junior Fair committee volunteers in preparing for Still Project Judging, Livestock Skillathon, county fair, etc. If you have already completed the Plan for 2020 and believe you might need to make some changes based on the new virtual format of Still Project Judging or Livestock Skillathon, please email fehr.19@osu.edu.

I am seeing all of these things on social media and other forms of media related to county fairs. When we will know about our county fair? Senior Fair Board is working hard to review the guidelines recently released by Governor DeWine’s Office and will share details with us about how they will affect our county fair when they are available. Please be patient with them as they work through this process. They know how important the fair is to everyone, including them, but they need time to work through the details of this process. The decisions to be made are not easy, so your support and understanding will be greatly appreciated! We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to “Make the Best Better!” Please feel free to email any of our staff with any questions you may have as we work through this year! Michelle