Green & Growing

You can now re-enroll in 4-H for 2025. Remember to log in with your family's email and password to find your family profile. Watch the videos below for a guide to the enrollment system.

The Franklin County Extension Office will be closed on the following dates to celebrate the upcoming holidays:

- Thursday, November 28, 2024

- Tuesday, December 24, 2024

- Wednesday, December 25, 2024

- Wednesday, January 1, 2025

This is your place to connect to the entire collection of Ohio 4-H project books for the year. When choosing a project, consider your interests, background, what is necessary to start the project, and the resources available to help you complete it. Start looking for your 2025 projects now! Family guides will soon be mailed to all families who participated in 4-H last year, or you can download the Family Guide now at https://ohio4h.org/familyguide

4-H clubs with members exhibiting livestock are being strongly encouraged to send an adult representative to the monthly Fair Sale Committee meetings. These meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of every month in the Junior Fair Office. Representatives will have the opportunity to participate in discussion regarding the Junior Fair Livestock Sale and learn how to become more involved in the livestock sale portion of the fair.

Sale Promotion Sub Committee Members wanted: The Livestock Sale Committee is searching for individuals who are intersted in serving on the Sale Promotion sub committee to assist with the buyers brunch, buyer letters and tickets, photos, etc.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 16 at 7:00pm in the Junior Fair Office.

January 13, 2025 - Volunteer Appreciation and Enrichment Night & 4-H Council Meeting

January 21, 2025 - Ohio 4-H Achievement Forms Due

February 11, 2025 - New Volunteer Orientation

February 15, 2025 - Winter Project Fair

February 19, 2025 - 4-H Council Meeting

April 1, 2025 - Enrollment Deadline

April 12, 2025 - 4-H Walk & Serve

April 14, 2025 - Livestock Quality Assurance

April 16, 2025 - Advisor Fair Update & 4-H Council Meeting

May 1, 2025 - Fair Entry Portal Opens

May 22, 2025 - Livestock Quality Assurance

June 7, 2025 - Fair Entry Deadline

June 13-17, 2025 - Franklin County 4-H Camp

June 25, 2025 - 4-H Council Meeting

July 9, 2025 - Livestock Evaluations & Skillathon

July 14 - 20, 2025 - Franklin County Fair

July 23 - August 3, 2025 - Ohio State Fair

September 17, 2025 - 4-H Council Meeting

November 19, 2025 - 4-H Council Meeting

Attention Club Advisors! If you have not picked up your club's recognition packet from the recognition program in September, they are ready for pick-up at the Extension office. These packets contain end-of-the-year certificates, award pins, and other awards your members may have earned. If you would like to pick up your packet please email Rachel at stoneburner.31@osu.edu and she will have it ready for you.

All club volunteer advisors should save the evening of January 13, 2025, for the annual Advisor Appreciation & Enrichment Night. The event will contain required training, and enrollment information, as well as recognition of the hard work and dedication that advisors contributed to the 4-H program this past year.

As you know, the Junior Fair is a vital part of our community, providing young people with the opportunity to learn about agriculture, responsibility, and teamwork through livestock projects. Over the next several years, we have the goal of enhancing the livestock pens used by our participants. These pens are essential for providing a safe and comfortable environment for the animals, as well as creating an engaging experience for fairgoers.

Our goal is to raise $50,000.00 which will allow us to purchase pens that are safe for junior fair exhibitors, animals and fairgoers. Our current pens are 30+ years old and are showing their wear, so it is time for replacement.

Donations can be made via check to the Franklin County Agricultural Society, P.O. Box 6 Hilliard, Ohio 43026. Please put Pen Campaign in the subject line. Additionally, we would love the opportunity recognize your generosity by adding your name to the permanent sponsor sign that will be displayed throughout the year in the livestock building(s).

The Franklin County 4-H Fashion Board is looking for bright, motivated 4-H members to help organize events for the Franklin County 4-H clothing participants and to assist with various activities surrounding judging and the fashion revue. This group also participates in activities to enhance knowledge of garment construction and the fashion industry. Please complete the following application to give us more information about yourself.

Eligibility: 4-H members in 7th grade or above and at least 12 years old

Application Deadline: Friday, December 13, 2024

Application: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e96pWCeElngG4T4

Each year, the Franklin County 4-H Council raises money to support our local 4-H program. Part of the money they raise goes to providing 4-H teens with amazing opportunities to take part in trips and camps throughout Ohio and nationally. More detailed information about these opportunities can be found on our website. The opportunities that teens can apply and compete to receive full scholarships for include...

Citizenship Washington Focus: Date Coming Soon (Ages 15 and older)

Ohio 4-H Leadership Camp: June 1-5, 2025 (Ages 15 and older)

Camp Canopy: Forestry & Wildlife Conservation Camp: June 8-13, 2025 (Entering Grades 9-12)

Ohio 4-H Sea Camp: July 14-18, 2025 (Ages 15 and older)

Senior Shooting Sports Camp: June 13-18, 2025

Buckeye Leadership Workshop: March 26-30, 2025

APPLICATION PROCESS

• To apply for a Franklin County 4-H Trip Scholarship, complete this online trip award application.

• 2025 Trip Award Application

Those interested in completing the application should have prepared answers to the following questions.

1. List the County or State 4-H Activities you have participated in as a 4-H member. Include activities such as, Teen Leaders Council, CarTeens, Camp Counselor for 4-H Camp. Junior Fair Royalty, State Camp events, Junior Fair Board, State and County Fair Activities, etc...
2. List ways you have contributed to your local 4-H Club as a 4-H Member. (Offices held, committees you have served on, and community service projects are a few examples).
3. List the School, Church, and Community Organizations you are actively involved in.
4. In at least two paragraphs, express what 4-H means to you. Please also mention how these 4-H opportunities will enhance your 4-H career.

NOTE: Some dates for these trips overlap with Franklin County dates which are beyond our control.

• Franklin County 4-H Camp: June 13-17, 2025 (Friday - Tuesday)
• Franklin County Fair: July 14-20, 2025

These 27 awards recognize a 4-H member's achievement in a specific area. Areas include: Beef, Camping, Citizenship & Community Service, Clothing & Textiles, Communication, Companion Animals, Creative Arts, Dairy, Environmental Sciences, Family Life & Child Development, Foods & Nutrition, Gardening & Horticulture, Goats, Health & Safety, Horse, Llama, Leadership, Mechanical & Engineering Sciences, Personal Development, Photography, Poultry, Rabbits, Safety, Sheep, Shooting Sports, Swine, Veterinary Science, and Woodworking. Each achievement award winner will receive a trip to the National 4-H Congress and which is scheduled to be held in Atlanta, Georgia in late November 2025.

• To apply to be selected as the county nominee for a State Achievement Award and compete for the statewide award, complete the Ohio 4-H Achievement Record Application and submit it to the Franklin County Extension Office no later than January 21, 2025.
  (2548 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210)
  *Ohio Achievement Record is not compatible with Google Docs. Please use Microsoft Word to fill out the form.
• ONE COPY OF THE COMPLETED APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED PER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THAT YOU ARE APPLYING FOR.

Achievement Form Help Available

If you would like to complete the Ohio 4-H Achievement Form but need help getting started, editing, remembering what you have accomplished, or just want it to be looked over before submission, please contact Rachel at stoneburner.31@osu.edu. Rachel is happy to host workshops for clubs or help individuals complete their forms.

• State Junior Fair Board: SJFB is comprised of representatives from several different youth organizations in Ohio including 4-H Youth Development. State Junior Fair Board members help strengthen and coordinate State Fair activities in a fast-paced, action-packed month at the Ohio State Fair. Junior Fair Board members are expected to attend meetings and stay at the fair for the entire 12 days.

  • To apply for this opportunity, members need to complete the online application that will be posted here: https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/jfb
    
    

  OTA Local Government Award: Two $1,500 awards are available to any 4-H high school senior who has completed a local government-type activity that has had a significant impact on the applicant's community, township or county.
  

  
  

  • To apply for this opportunity, members need to complete the Ohio 4-H Achievement Record Application and submit it to the Franklin County Extension Office no later than January 21, 2025.
    (2548 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210)
    *Ohio Achievement Record is not compatible with Google Docs. Please use Microsoft Word to fill out the form.

There are over 36 state 4-H scholarships available and each has its own description and its own list of eligibility requirements. Completion of an Ohio 4-H Achievement Record is not necessary to be eligible for these awards/opportunities. Instead, a separate, specialized online application form is required. Please follow the instructions on the Ohio 4-H website.

The Ohio 4-H Foundation is guided by a volunteer board, comprised of business and industry leaders, Extension personnel, community members, and 4-H youth representatives from around the state. The board reviews proposals and distributes endowment interest income for the training of volunteer leadership and the recognition of 4-H members through scholarships, awards, and positive youth development experiences. The board also oversees the 4-H support funds, which channel private sector annual investments directly to designated 4-H programs. In addition, the board serves as a policy advisory and public relations arm of 4-H for OSU Extension.

Applications for a new teen representative to the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board are open through Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Applicants should be current 4-H members between the ages of 14 and 18 as of Jan. 1, 2025. This is a two-year term running from Jan. 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2026.

The National 4-H Conference is the premier civic engagement opportunity for 4-H members (15-18 years old) who are actively engaged in 4-H programs across the U.S. and its territories. The conference is administered by 4-H National Headquarters of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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. In 2025, National 4-H Conference returns for youth delegates to attend in-person in Washington, D.C. during *April 10-16, 2025 (*Ohio delegates arrive a day early on April 10. Conference begins April 11). For more information, visit https://go.osu.edu/N4HC

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

Application: https://go.osu.edu/N4HCapp

The Central Ohio Beekeepers Association wants to help youth start beekeeping. Awardees receive everything to become a beekeeper.

• Free classes and textbook
• Weekly hands-on demonstration
• Mentoring from experienced beekeepers
• Complete equipment, hive and FREE bees!
• 2 year COBA membership
• For more information and application go to https://centralohiobeekeepers.org/programs
  Deadline for the 2025 program is Dec. 1, 2024

Email: boomershine.10@osu.edu or stoneburner.31@osu.edu
Website: franklin.osu.edu
Location: 2548 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-866-6900 option 2
Facebook: facebook.com/4hfranklin