Our top priority is making sure that youth have the opportunity to showcase their effort in an environment that is safe for 4-H members, families, judges, volunteers, and staff. All in-person 4-H project judging interviews will:

1. Require masks to be worn by members and judges.
   
2. Utilize table barriers between judges and participants.
3. Require hand hygiene and/or gloves when touching books, etc.
   
4. Mandate cleaning judging tables and chairs between each interview.
5. Be offered as in-person and virtual for the member to choose between.
   
6. Require members to STAY HOME IF THEY OR A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER ARE SICK, HAVE A FEVER, COUGH, OR OTHER SYMPTOMS.
   (you can contact us for last minute illness by emailing stoneburner.31@osu.edu)
   

Members will schedule an appointment for each of their projects using the SignUpGenius website. An appointment MUST be made for in-person AND virtual evaluations.

What if I have multiple projects to schedule? - No problem. Be sure to schedule at least 20 minutes between each appointment time so you aren't rushed. Don't schedule two project appointments at the same time! If the projects are judged on different days, just click the Back to Sign-Up button after scheduling for each event/day. That will take you back to the appointment page. ONLY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR PROJECTS THAT YOU MADE A FAIR ENTRY FOR.

What if I'm showing an animal the same day as an interview for another 4-H project? - Most of the livestock shows take place in the morning. We suggest scheduling an appointment for as late as possible. If that isn't an option, just schedule an appointment for a time that is available, and we'll work with you that day to make sure you can do both. It may require a parent or sibling walking over to the interview check-in table to let us know you're showing.

Watch the videos above and then make an appointment with SignUpGenius:

go.osu.edu/ProjectJudging

Because of all of the changes and limitations this year, we are making some modifications for food and nutrition project judging.

• Since state fair is canceled, we are not requiring the project portfolio. Members may make a poster showcasing what they learned, pictures of the member participating in the project, or something educational about their project. Virtual interview members may want to make a short computer presentation to share on the Zoom if they wish or they can just show their poster via the camera.
  (Note that if the member already made a portfolio, that is still acceptable. You don't have to make an additional poster.)
• For safety reasons, judges are unable to sample any food. Do not bring food to an in-person project interview.

Members taking a clothing project this year will notice some changes too. We understand that this isn't an ideal situation but we are doing the best that we can to provide the best opportunity for the youth that we can.

• The judge will not be able to touch or handle the clothing item.
  
• The member should be wearing the clothing item during the interview if if the item is intended to be worn by the member so that the judge can see the "total look".
• Judges will rely heavily on answers to questions and the member's knowledge of how the item was constructed to judge construction the best that they can.
• Fashion Review: This year, the fashion review will be shared via video on Facebook, on the 4-H YouTube Channel, and on the 4-H website (franklin.osu.edu). Immediately after the member's interview, they will be photoed and/or videoed modeling their outfit. All the photos will then be compiled to make a virtual fashion review to be shared on Friday, July 24, at 7:00pm. Due to the video being shared on the internet, the fashion review portion of judging will be optional.
  

The Franklin County Board of Health requires the Fair Board to meet certain requirements so we can hold these limited Jr Fair events. These requirements are to keep everyone safe as possible.

Let us all work together to make this the best experience for the youth as possible.

• Requirement from the Governor and the Franklin County Board of Health: Face masks or face coverings are required when inside the buildings. (Individuals with certain health conditions may be exempt from face masks/coverings.)
  
  
• Youth will NOT be required to wear face masks/coverings while in the show arena. Face masks are not required when outside the barns, but 6ft. distancing is required for each family unit.
  
  
• There will NOT be any concessions on the fairgrounds. Please make sure you bring drinks and lunch/snacks for your family. Coolers MUST stay at the vehicles.
  
  
• Livestock Exhibitors will enter fairgrounds through Gate 5. Vehicles will be directed to enter the Burke building on North side of the building (by annex/ wash racks). You will enter the building in your vehicle/trailer. You will be asked to unload your animal to be checked in/weighed. After check ins, you will be directed to your assigned pen. The vehicle/trailer will be asked to move to an unloading area to unload any essential tack for the show. You will be given 5-10 minutes to unload. Vehicles/trailers will be asked to park in the campground area.
  
  
• Exhibitors will be required to turn in their completed project book before they show. The exhibitor (parents) must complete required paperwork for the livestock. Market exhibitors must complete a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF). Youth will be asked to sign Thank You banners to give to large sponsors. Youth will also be asked to complete and mail several Thank you cards to smaller sponsors.
  
  
• Market Swine, Market Turkeys, and Market Beef Exhibitors must complete a Ractopamine Free Form.
  
  
• Essential tack is only what you need to show: water bucket, feed pan, brushes, combs, halters, show sticks, etc. Please do NOT bring your entire show box. No grooming tables or chutes allowed.
  
  
• The youth are required to clean out their assigned pen after the show. If pen is not cleaned, the youth will not be allowed to show in the 2021 fair. The barn needs cleaned before we can disinfect for the next day’s livestock show. Wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels will be available for you to use. You will not need to bring your own.

Please contact Rachel at stoneburner.31@osu.edu if you have any questions.

We will be requiring pants and closed toe shoes but an appropriate t-shirt (preferably a club or 4-H shirt) can be worn. We still believe that a long sleeve jacket or shirt should be put on for the show ring for rabbits and poultry so the kids don't get scratched when handling them. Note that masks are not required when the kids had to go into the show ring but will be required outside the show ring.

• No tank tops
• No holes in the pants
  

The Franklin County Fair will be operating at a significant monetary loss without revenue from general fair admission or entry fees. Even so, they want to provide our Junior Fair participants the opportunity to exhibit the projects they have been planning for and working on all year.

This situation is unprecedented and we are calling on our community to help us support these incredible kids and honor their efforts!

The Franklin County Fair is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. Their mission is to ensure that during these uncertain times, they provide the best possible experience for our youth.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Whether you are a business or individual, you can help with a donation of any size in support of either the Junior Fair Fund or the Livestock Sale Fund. Where does your money go?

• Livestock Sale Fund: Donations toward this fund will be compiled into a pool that will be distributed among livestock exhibitors as substitute for the traditional live auction. Your donations help exhibitors cover project expenses, fund future projects and any excess funds are typically put toward college savings. Interested in purchasing meat? If you are interested in purchasing an animal for your own consumption or for donation to the Mid Ohio Food Collective, get details here.
  
  
• Junior Fair Fund: Donations toward this fund support all Junior Fair youth, including non-livestock exhibitors. Donations to this fund support judging, ribbons and other show-related expenses.
  

DONATE ONLINE or MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO “FRANKLIN COUNTY AG SOCIETY” and SEND VIA MAIL TO THE FAIR OFFICE AT P.O. Box 288, HILLIARD, OH 43026. (Please indicate which fund you are supporting on your check.)

Thank you for your consideration and support during these challenging times! We are certainly all #InThisTogether for our Junior Fair Youth!

We’re happy to share we’ve received approval from Ohio State University leadership to resume in-person 4-H club meetings and activities starting immediately and do not have to wait until July 7. Ohio 4-H clubs that choose to begin meeting in-person must follow the guidelines listed below to promote the health and safety of our 4-H community, as we face the challenge of COVID-19.

Clubs choosing to meet in-person should provide virtual connection options for members who have that preference. Please note that in-person 4-H club meetings, activities and other events may be suspended at any time if local, state, federal, and/or university authorities issue new restrictions. 4-H meetings and activities can only be held in person if Ohio 4-H Planning Guide for In-Person Meetings & Events guidelines can be followed. These guidelines provide expectations for all members, volunteers, and their families while participating in 4-H club meetings and activities.

• 4-H youth are more important than 4-H projects.
• Learning how to do a project is more important than the project itself.
• “Learning by doing” through useful project work is fundamental in any sound educational program and characteristic of the 4-H program.
• There is more than one good way to do most things.
• Our job is to teach 4-H members how to think - not what to think.
• A balanced program of work and play, geared to the individual’s needs, is more important than “grooming winners”.
• Competition is a natural human trait and should be recognized as such in 4-H work. But it should be given no more emphasis than other 4-H fundamentals.
• No 4-H award is worth sacrificing the reputation of a 4-H member or a 4-H leader.
• Every 4-H member needs to be noticed, to feel important, to experience success and to be praised!
• A blue ribbon 4-H member with a red ribbon project is more desirable than a red ribbon member with a blue ribbon project.

Source: New Jersey 4-H Understanding 4-H Judging - Rutgers Cooperative Extension