MORROW COUNTY 4-H RULES AND GUIDELINES WHO MAY JOIN 4-H 4-H Membership may begin when a child has reached age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten as of January 1 st of the current year (Cloverbud Program). Members may complete projects, receive fair recognition, and attend camp when a member turns 8 and is in the 3 rd grade by January 1 of current year. Membership ends December 31 st of the year in which an individual turns 19. 4-H is open to all boys and girls without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, or disability status. Morrow County has an activity fee of $1.50/member, paid each year. Project books are partially donated by Central Ohio Farmers Co-op. of Mt. Gilead and Land O Lakes Foundation. Most books may have a cost of $3.00. Local clubs may elect to have dues to help pay for any expenses of the club. CLOVERBUD PROGRAM The Cloverbud Program refers to any youth 5 years old and enrolled in kindergarten to the completion of the 2 nd grade (as of January 1st of current year). The Cloverbud 4-H Program will introduce youth to the many projects and activities 4-H has to offer. To sign-up a child for the 4-H Cloverbud Program youth must complete a 4-H Enrollment Sheet and turn it in to the Extension Office at anytime throughout the year. It is at the discretion of each club to have Cloverbuds in their club. At least one designated and trained 4-H Advisor will work and be responsible for Cloverbud activities. The 4-H advisor will have a lot of 4-H activities for Cloverbuds to participate in throughout the 4-H year. (Youth are not allowed to enroll in a 4-H project, as the older members do. That part of the 4-H experience will begin when youth are eight years old and in the third grade). Ask your 4-H advisor or contact the Extension office for County Cloverbud Activities. Youth are able to exhibit what they have done in their 4-H club booth at the fair. Youth will receive a ribbon for completion of your Cloverbud year at Fair. (New) ***Cloverbuds can use a new Cloverbud book this year and are eligible for 4-H years of completion, see your 4-H Advisor for guidelines. Cloverbuds are not eligible for 4-H competitive events, 4-H county awards, or 4-H Camp. ENROLLMENT & SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE 4-H PROGRAM A. Projects Members must select at least one 4-H project from the list of approved Ohio 4-H projects (Family Guide to 4-H) or the county only projects listed in the Morrow County 4-H Handbook. B. 4-H Enrollment Forms Each member must fill out a 4-H Enrollment form or utilize the on-line 4-H Enrollment listing each project taken. Enrollment forms must be turned into the Extension Office/completed online by April 30th. This is the final deadline for competitive/fair eligibility. Please contact the Extension Office if any projects are dropped. C. Activity Fee per Member A county activity fee of $1.50 per member is to be paid by June 7 th (This is also when fair entries are due). D. Club Organizations 4-H clubs may organize when a minimum of five youth from three different families express an interest in membership. At least one approved and trained adult (19 years of age or older) must be involved. E. Individual Club Rules 4-H clubs are required to have and follow general constitutions set forth by the Ohio State University Extension Service. However, clubs are free to approve by-laws, which are not in conflict with the established guidelines. Examples of such regulations include policies for dues, number of members, types of projects, and project completion requirements beyond those set forth by county and state policies. Constitutions are to be on file with the county Extension Office. F. Meetings Clubs are expected to conduct at least eight (8) meetings/activities/events during any one 4-H year. Advisors are expected to attend all meetings. PROJECT COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS For completion, all 4-H projects must be evaluated. The member may choose one of the following options: 1. Participate in still project judging in July and/or county fair. 2. Participate in still project early judging scheduled June 19. Sign-up by June 9 th recommended. Note: Members participating in early judging are eligible for awards. 3. Any 4-H project may be judged by a 4-H advisor or knowledgeable adult. Projects judged this way are not eligible for awards but may be eligible for fair display credit. Judging sheets are available at the Extension Office.
SPECIAL RULES & REGULATIONS 1. No individual may be a 4-H member in two or more counties simultaneously. Youth are expected to be affiliated with the 4-H program in their county of residence. However, in instances where youth live out of the county, membership considerations will be given by the 4-H Extension Educator in county of residence and county of membership choice. An Across County Line Application Form must be filled out and turned in by the April 30 th. This can happen only if each county has a 4-H program. 2. Clubs and/or members entering their 4-H projects in the Morrow County Junior Fair will abide by Junior Fair rules. 3. 4-H members should take only those projects they can successfully complete. 4. Any project made for completion or for a grade in any other activity such as FFA, FHA, school, Bible School or similar organizations cannot be entered as a 4-H project and will be disqualified at judging. 4-H projects can be extensions of these projects with additional learning takes place. 5. All 4-H projects need to be the work of the individual 4-H member. Help from parents, advisors, and other interested adults is encouraged as long as it is of an educational nature. The final exhibit must be the work of the member. 6. To receive a fair premium/award money, projects must be entered, judged by appropriate fair judging, and exhibited at the fair. 7. Any rules broken through fair participation as a 4-H member are also subject to consequences through the 4-H program. *** The use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products by 4-H members is prohibited at all 4-H-youth activities. Any member caught possessing and/or using alcohol and/or illegal drugs will be dealt with through consequences. PINS & CERTIFICATES All 4-H cloverbuds and members who have paid their activity money and have either completed the cloverbud guidelines or completed at least one project will receive a pin and certificate indicating the number of years in 4-H. AWARD OPPORTUNITIES forms available from advisor or on website A. ACHIEVEMENT Every 4-H member in Morrow County has the opportunity to win an Achievement Award. This award is based on participation rather than competition. The only person the 4-H member is in competition with is himself or herself. Levels of gold, silver, bronze, and green are awarded. *Each member is responsible for turning in an application by September 30 to be considered. B. FIRST YEAR MEMBER AWARDS Each first year member is eligible to receive special recognition for completion of their first year in 4-H. 4-H Volunteers will let the Extension Office know who has completed projects and are a member of good standing in their 4-H club. C. HONOR CLUBS Clubs have the opportunity to become a Gold Honor Club. Criteria are based on total club participation during the 4-H year. Each club is responsible for turning in an application by September 30 to be considered. D. TREASURE, SECRETARY and NEWSREPORTER BOOKS Individual awards will be given for the top Treasurer, Secretary and News Reporter Books. Books will be judged on completeness, accuracy, and neatness. Books are due September 30. E. PROJECT AREA AWARD Members have the opportunity to win project award areas. Applications are due September 30th. Application and projects awarded enclosed. 4-H & THE MORROW COUNTY FAIR 4-H does not solely signify FAIR (or Junior Fair) nor does Fair (Junior Fair) solely signify 4-H. 4-H, its members and volunteers work together with the fair boards for an educationally successful environment. The Morrow County Fair serves as a showcase and educational experience for Morrow County youth participating in 4-H, FFA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Farm Bureau Youth. Fair provides the opportunity for youth to exhibit the results of their project efforts and to compete for awards and prizes under the Junior Fair program. Participation at the county fair is not required for completion of a 4- H project although it is strongly encouraged and is required to receive a premium. Premiums are paid by the Morrow County Agricultural Society. Clubs and/or members entering their 4-H projects in the Morrow County Junior Fair will abide by Junior Fair Rules! Any rules broken through fair participation as a 4-H member are also subject to consequences through the 4-H program. PROJECT JUDGING INFORMATION Early Judging June 19 (Recommended Pre-register by June 9) by calling the Extension Office or Jr. Fair Office) For all non-livestock/horse projects who cannot attend regular judging. Projects are eligible for most awards. Location: Fairgrounds Youth Building
Writing Projects Writings due to Extension Office June 30. Interview with the judge is July 10 during Misc. Project Judging. For projects: 588 and 587. Location: Fairgrounds Youth Building. Miscellaneous (Misc.) - Science, Shop, Engineering, Outdoors, Shooting Sports, and Family Consumer Science July 10th, Judging will take place by club, watch schedule listed in July 4-H Newsletter. For projects: 91, 173, 244-246, 300, 351-353, 357, 358, 365 365.29, 370-378, 382-383, 405, 434-436, 442, 445, 448, 490, 491, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 499, 500-504, 507, 508, 512M, 517-518, 527-531, 540-543, 548, 550-559, 560M, 561, 573, 584-586, 589M, 592, 596-598, 611-624, 630, 631, 641, 644, 645,646, 750-756 Location: Fairgrounds Youth Building Small Animals July 10th, Judging will take place by club, watch schedule listed in July 4-H Newsletter. For projects: 200, 201D, 215-218, 220, 227 365.13, 365.26, 365.27, 365.28, 365 (any other small animal self-determined). Location: Fairgrounds Youth Building Flowers July 10th, Judging will take place by club, watch schedule listed in July 4-H Newsletter. For projects: 365.25, 671. Location: Fairgrounds Youth Building Gardening Projects July 10th, Location: Fairgrounds, Youth Building, Judging by club. For project 691, 692 Food & Nutrition July 11 th, Morning Judging will take place by project. Schedule listed in 4-H Newsletter and Web Site. For food projects 459 487, 492 Cake Decorating, 670 Canning and Freezing, Candy, Cookies, and Pies. Location: Fairgrounds Youth Building. An Overall county food award will be selected by judges based on project quality and member s knowledge, award given at fair. Clothing July 11th, Afternoon, Judging will take place by project, watch for schedule and location listed in June/July 4-H Newsletter. For clothing projects: 406-432M AND 498 and 499 Quilting. To qualify for STATE FAIR SELECTION your outfit must be worn or quilt displayed in the evening style review, An Overall county clothing award will be selected by judges based on project quality and member s knowledge, award given at fair. Late Judging No Late Judging is scheduled this year! Please use Early Judging, Regular, or Contact the Extension or Jr. Fair Office. Livestock, Poultry, Rabbits, Llamas, Alpacas, Horses, Dog Obedience/Handling** **August 28th September 4th, Morrow County Fair Projects are to be judged according to the fair schedule. Check dates and times in the Jr. Fair, Fair Book. **All members in these projects need to participate in a skillathon held August 7 and 8. Jr. Fair Entry Forms are Due to Jr. Fair Office June 7 th, No Exceptions!! (These forms are required to participate in the Jr. Fair.)
What Is The 4-H Lingo? 4-H Enrollment. Your child must enroll or fill out an enrollment form to join 4-H with project(s) by April 30 th to be eligible for 4-H competition including fair participation. Achievement Medal Awards. 4-H members may apply for this participation achievement award based on individual achievements not competition. Members should use it as a guide for 4-H year goals and an evaluation of your accomplishments. Camp. Members enjoy outdoor fun and adventure while learning and making new friends at 4-H Camp. Camping opportunities are available for members and teens with some focused in a particular project area. 4-H Camp is July 13-17! DUNF Drug Use Notification Form. This form indicates your project animal has met all drug withdrawal periods at time of exhibition. ODA and Morrow Co. requires this form for exhibition of market beef and feeders, market hogs, market lambs, market goats, market poultry, market rabbits, lactating dairy goats or dairy cows. One per animal/pen. Jr. Fair Entry. Your child must turn in a Junior Fair Entry Form by June 7 th in order to participate in the Morrow County Jr. Fair. Jr. Fair Premium Check. Paid by the Agricultural Society for completed projects based on participation and Fair exhibition. Members pick up checks in October. Fashion Review/Style Show. Clothing project members model outfit sewn and/or purchased through their Clothing project experience at judging and at fair. Outfit must include garment(s) sewn and/or purchased and selected accessories for a Total Look Outfit. This is a requirement for State Fair Selection. Horse Safety/QA Program. 4-H horse project members and their parent/guardian must complete this program before being eligible to participate in the 4-H Horse Program. Member and his/her parent/guardian must annually sign the Permission to Participate in Ohio 4-H Activities Form and file with the Extension Office. Junior Leaders. Teens may serve as junior leaders within a club as officers and peer mentors and at the county level as members of the Jr. Leaders Club, Jr. Fair Boards, Fashion Board, Advisory Committees, CARTEENS, Ambassadors, Camp Counselors and others. Livestock Sale Card. Fill out a Sale Card during your show at the fair in order to sell that market project in the Livestock Sale. Livestock Sale Check. Paid by the Junior Fair Livestock Sales Committee for premium and packer bids received with animals sold through the Jr. Fair Livestock Auction. Paid several weeks after the sale. Youth are required to turn in a Buyer Thank You Card before their check is mailed. PAS. Horse project members may choose to participate in Performance Against Standards (PAS) Show(s) to quality to participate in the State Fair Horse Show. A member may show only one horse in a maximum of four classes and must qualify in two classes to show at the State Fair. Project. The members use to explore a topic or interest area through hands-on activities, sequential learning experiences, goal setting and evaluation. 4-H ers keep records and documentation of project experiences in a Project Book. Project Judging. Evaluation of a project member s knowledge through interview with an adult judge, review of project book records and exhibit of project item and/or educational display. Project Requirements. Outlines possession dates, deadlines, project judging/skillathon guidelines, resources, Fair rules, judging dates, county and beyond county opportunities and much more. Quality Assurance. Annual program (QA/PQA) required for members exhibiting project animals by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Members can meet this requirement by attending a quality assurance program focusing on the 10 Good Production Practices. Youth, age 12 to 18 and with more than 2 years with a project, have the option to test out of QA attendance. Extension Educators in cooperation with local Agriculture Societies determine county QA delivery and completion requirements within the State s minimum standards. Skillathon. Evaluation of livestock, llama and alpaca, horse and dog member s project knowledge through participating in hands-on skill stations that allow the member to apply knowledge/skill to real word situations. Mandatory and held in August each year. State Fair Selection. Member(s) selected to represent the county at the Ohio State Fair for a given project or project area. Most projects may select one member per project to represent the county. Non-state fair projects will be awarded county awards. Animal projects can enter to attend the Ohio State Fair.
Tag-In, Weigh-In, I.D. Day. Date required to tag-in, weigh-in and/or identify your project animal for Junior Fair participation. Volunteer or Club Advisor. Dedicated, enthusiastic, caring adults that have completed a selection, screening and orientation process by OSU Extension. The current Ohio 4-H Volunteer Selection process includes a written application, reference checks, BCI background check, interview with Extension Educator and volunteer orientation.