A new addition to the Franklin County Extension website is the Club Corner page. This page is a great way to share club news. Updates can highlight activities, news, or even advertise for new members to join. Club officers or advisors can submit their updates by clicking on the link below.

https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77YCcNJ1b4Ndl9b

In-person club meetings and educational activities may resume in-person if deemed necessary for educational purposes. Ohio 4-H is stressing the following guidelines:

• Hosting virtual meetings and events is preferred.
• If activities are critical/essential and are in-person, they must be education-focused.
• Groups cannot be larger than 50 people, including adults, youth, presenters, etc.
• Six feet of distance is required between households.
• Face masks are required inside and outside at all times.
• Potlucks and buffets are not permitted.
• Attendance of ALL individuals must be kept for contact tracing purposes.
• Preference for in-person meetings/events is to limit time spent indoors and stay outdoors if possible.
• Do not attend in-person activities if you or anyone living in your household is experiencing symptoms associated with the coronavirus, or any other communicable illness.
• Fundraisers ARE NOT considered educational activities and are therefore not presently allowed as in-person events.
• Clubs WILL NOT require in-person attendance at meetings. Some families may not be comfortable with in-person activities at this time and that will be respected. A virtual alternative is encouraged for these families, i.e. some families may be able to Facetime/Zoom during the meeting.

These guidelines and others may change at any time depending on the current status of local and state health conditions.

Find all of the details and updated guidelines at https://ohio4h.org/families/stay-connected.

* Clubs found to be meeting in-person and not following these requirements are subject to disciplinary action. This may include but is not limited to the suspension of the club volunteer leaders from future participation in the Ohio 4-H program.*

You're invited! With many clubs not meeting in-person, Franklin County is offering optional countywide 4-H virtual meetings on the second Sunday of each month. These are supplemental opportunities for members as clubs are still expected to meet (either virtually or in-person depending on the changing health advisories). ANYONE IS WELCOME - individuals, families, or clubs!

These meetings will include:

• Educational speakers/virtual tours
• Fun games
• Time for questions/dialogue

February Meeting Topic: Food & Fitness for You!

Register Now!

Option for Club Advisors: Clubs that have had difficulty meeting virtually (or any club) can request a breakout room for their club to meet directly following the county meeting activities. Clubs interested in this opportunity should contact Rachel at stoneburner.31@osu.edu to reserve a breakout room. (It is the responsibility of the club advisor to notify members that the club will be meeting at that time.)

Meeting Details

Meeting Time: 4:00-5:00pm

Club Breakout Meeting: 5:00-6:00pm

Click Here To Register for the February 14 Meeting

Future Countywide Meeting Dates:

March 14, 2021 - Topic: Vet Science

April 11, 2021

May 9, 2021

It's never to early to think about your projects for summer! Here are some great ways to get your books.

• Download one for free. Select from a dozen popular titles in the Perfect Stay-at-Home Projects collection. Click on the book you want, and when the file opens on your screen, save or print it from there. This year, a selection of 4‑H Cloverbud activities is available too. (For accessible formats of these publications, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.
  
  

• Buy one online. Like last year, you also can order directly from extensionpubs.osu.edu. Ohio residents receive free shipping on orders of $20 or more with the coupon FREE2021. Books cost slightly more this way, but orders can be shipped directly to any Ohio address. There is no restriction on the number of times a coupon can be used. See our printable Ordering Is Easy instructions. Please review your order carefully. Extension Publishing is not able to accept returns.
  
  
• Club book orders can be sent to Beth boomershine.10@osu.edu or Rachel stoneburner.31@osu.edu. Allow 1-3 days for processing and for an appointment to be scheduled for pick-up.

As a reminder, all Ohio 4-H volunteers are required to complete a fingerprint background check screening every four years. Notices for those volunteers who need their background check done were sent on January 22. If you think that your background check might be due this year, please check your email from that day or contact Beth Boomershine at boomershine.10@osu.edu for more details.

Annual Protecting Minors from Abuse Training

Each year, all Ohio 4-H Volunteers must complete a Protecting Minors from Abuse training. This year, the training can be completed by attending one of two Zoom trainings February 17, or March 9, or by completing an online Canvas Course. Registration details will be sent directly to volunteers via email.

Club Financial Summaries

Club leaders must submit a 2020 financial summary by March 1. This is a mandatory annual audit required by Ohio 4-H. More information can be found at https://go.osu.edu/financialsummary

Recognition Packets

Several clubs still have not picked up 2020 member certificates and award packets. If your club still needs to pick them up, please contact Beth or Rachel to make an appointment for a pickup.

New! Club Leader Handbook

Club leader handbooks were mailed out on Tuesday, January 26 to all club leaders. If you would like to review the handbook prior to receiving yours in the mail, you can download it from here: https://franklin.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/club-advisor-resources

The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees is sponsoring the 2021 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition. The essay competition is open to active 4-H Club members only.

2021 Essay Topic: Immunity: Threats to Bee Colonies and Methods to Defend Against the Threats

Deadline for submission to the Ohio 4-H state office is March 29, 2021. Submit essays to Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@osu.edu by midnight. Each submitted essay will be reviewed by a panel of writing professionals and the top essay selected will be submitted for the national competition. Be sure to see important requirements and guidelines on the Foundation’s website. Click here for rules and overview.

Applications are now being accepted for the Next Gen Agriculture Livestock Feed Scholarship. This year, Next Gen Agriculture is proud to be offering a $300 livestock feed scholarship open to youth in six central Ohio counties, including Franklin. Youth interested in applying must submit an essay that answers the questions below.

Essay Questions

1. What or who got you interested in 4-H and how did you pick the livestock project you will be showing?
2. What are some qualities/traits you look for when selecting your livestock project?
3. How do you think 4-H will help you throughout your everyday life?

Essays must be mailed to Next Gen Agriculture c/o Andy Rice, 5036 Scioto Darby Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026. Deadline to submit essays is March 31, 2021. Applicants are also encouraged to share pictures or things that they feel would help the judges learn more about your 4-H project.

*Applicants under the age of 18 must list a phone number of a parent/guardian on their submission for contact purposes*