Dear 4-H Families:

Today, the governor reported that Franklin County is now on the Ohio Department of Health's watchlist because it is approaching level four on its public health advisory system. It is with a heavy heart that we must announce a pause to any Franklin County 4-H in-person meetings or activities. This is in accordance with the Ohio 4-H Planning Guide for In-person Meetings & Events.

Beginning tomorrow, April 9, all 4-H activities and programs, including club meetings, must be held virtually or postponed until the county is no longer approaching level four. Club advisors should work with officers to move meetings to an online platform and communicate club expectations with families.

We completely understand how disappointing this news is after so many of us were excited to begin meeting in-person. Please know that this is not an indication of how the rest of the 4-H year will look. We are still looking forward to many other opportunities in the coming months and are not losing hope that those will be able to happen in-person very soon.

Thank you for your patience with our county 4-H staff, the state 4-H office, and OSU Extension as we navigate these changes. Please feel free to contact Beth at boomershine.10@osu.edu or Rachel at stoneburner.31@osu.edu for any questions. Thank you for your cooperation.