4-h history in ashtabula county goes back almost … · 4-h history in ashtabula county goes back...

Ashtabula County

Celebrate 4-H’s Effort in Helping Today’s Kids Become Tomorrow’s Leaders

OHIO 4-H WEEK :: MARCH 5-11

4-H

BY GABRIEL MCVEYGazette Newspapers

ASHTABULA COUNTY – Former OSU Extension Agent Ann Marrison said 4-H is in your blood – once you’re involved, chances

are it runs in the family afterward for generations.

She would know – she’s been involved with 4-H for 51 years. All three of her children were 4-H’ers and one of her sons, David Marrison, is the current

4-H history in Ashtabula County goes back almost a century

SUBMITTED PHOTOSPictured is the winner of the grand champion prize at the 1986 Ashtabula County Fair in the veal competition.

See OSU pg 9

See HISTORY pg 12&13BY STEFANIE WESSELLGazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON - Families

have the opportunity to learn about 4-H and all it has to offer during the 8th annual 4-H Carnival, to be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, during Ashtabula County 4-H Week at the Expo Build-ing at the fairgrounds in Jefferson.

The 2017 4-H Carnival will be filled with activities and games for youth to par-ticipate in with their family and friends. Fun carnival food will be available for children of all ages. Exciting

and interactive activities and games will be offered, repre-senting each 4-H program area at the event. Families can ask questions on projects to an advisor or species chair that has knowledge in the project area. Learn what 4-H is, what 4-H’ers do, whether you have to take an animal project and more.

For more information on 4-H programs in Ashtabula County, please contact Jen-na Hoyt at 440-576-9008 or via email at [email protected] or visit the website at www.ashtabula.osu.edu and visit the 4-H Youth Development page.

2017 4-H Carnival to be held March 7Interested 4-H’ers can learn

about program during carnival

Ashtabula County OSU Extension Educator.

“When I went to college at Kent for Home Econom-ics, what I really wanted to do afterward was be an extension agent,” Marrison said. “Here I was fresh out of college, green as grass, and they gave me the exten-sion agent position here in Ashtabula County. We used to be on the second floor of the old probate court build-ing with the metal stairs going up the side.”

4-H has been in the blood of Ashtabula County families for almost a cen-tury now.

BY DAVID MARRISONAshtabula County Ag and Natural Resources EducatorAND JENNA HOYTAshtabula County 4-H Educator

It is 4-H Week in Ashtabula County! We are so very proud of the youth that we have in our 4-H Program and the adults who guide their activi-ties through local 4-H Clubs. We often are asked, how did 4-H get its start? Is 4-H re-ally part of the Ohio State University? How long has 4-H and OSU Extension been in Ashtabula County and how are OSU Extension and 4-H funded? So we are offering this

The role of OSU Extension in Ashtabula County

article to help explain these questions. Thank you for your support of OSU Extension in Ashtabula County.

How did 4-H get its start in Ohio?

Many do not know that 4-H was started in the great state of Ohio. On Jan. 15, 1902, Mr. Albert Belmont Gra-ham, the superintendent of the Springfield Township Schools in Clark County, organized an after-school program in the county courthouse basement.

The intent behind the pro-gram was teach the kids more about harvesting corn, planting a garden, testing soil samples, tying knots in rope and iden-tifying natural wildlife such

2 • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017Celebrate 4-H

Enrollment:4-H membership is open to all youth who are 5 and in

kindergarten, as Cloverbuds, with regular membership when they are 8 and in the third grade but have not passed their 19th birthday by Jan. 1 of the current year. All enrollment forms must be turned in to the Extension Office by March 15. Anyone wishing to join after March 15 may take a project but will not be allowed to compete in county or state shows, contests, or events or participate in Junior Fair. Members may participate in club meetings and activities, community service events, and county clin-ics. Projects may not be changed or added after April 1.

The current County 4-H Activity fee is $25 per member ($50 maximum per family, first-year members and Clo-verbuds free) to join Ashtabula County 4-H.

Members may only enroll in dual clubs when taking different projects in both clubs. 4-H enrollment fees are only paid once in the primary club.

Requirements: 1. All clubs establish their own schedule based on the

needs of their club. Members must attend at least 50 per-cent of local club meetings to be eligible to participate in county, regional, and state events, including Ashtabula Junior Fair. Committees and individual clubs have the

4-H membership and enrollment guidelines New enrollment deadline is March 15

right to increase the required meeting attendance but may not have less.

2. All members have to have a signed Code of Conduct on file. This can be found on the reverse side of the En-rollment Form. Members are expected to adhere to the 4-H Code of Conduct at all 4-H and Junior Fair events and when representing 4-H.

3. Members must meet all 4-H requirements to be eligible for end of the year awards.

Project Completion: 1. Members must meet all requirements set forth by

their club(s) and county committee(s) as explained in individual project guidelines.

2. Project record books must be completed as outlined in project guidelines and signed upon completion by the 4-H Volunteer.

3. Members must complete project judging or skill-a-thon or be home judged.

4. Members must complete Quality Assurance by June 1 if applicable.

5. Members must complete Horse Safety & Ethics by May 1 if applicable.

Junior Fair Participation: Members need to be in good standing with Ashtabula

County 4-H and meet all 4-H club and county require-ments as detailed in the current year’s project guidelines in order to be eligible to participate in the Junior Fair portions of the Ashtabula County Fair.

OSU Extension Room Usage: 4-H Clubs wishing to schedule the downstairs meeting

room for use must contact the Extension Office. A $50 deposit is required and refundable provided the facility is appropriately cared for during the rental period. As limited keys are available, arrangements must be made with the office for keys to be checked out and returned immediately after the event. A fee will be assessed for any lost key.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017 GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 3Celebrate 4-H

Publisher emeritus .........................John LampsonPresident/Publisher ........................William CreedEditorial .......................................Stefanie WessellPage Design .............................................F. Hilger

A Gazette Newspapers Publication

Editorial Office46 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047

440-576-9125 • Fax: 576-2778Toll-Free: 1-800-860-2775

E-mail: [email protected]

Celebrate Ashtabula County 4-H

COMPOSED BY JENNA HOYT4-H Youth Development Extension Educator

In 2016, 187 youth (155 campers, 32 youth counsel-ors) participated in OSU Ex-tension-Ashtabula County’s camping program.

This camping program consists of two main func-

tions: #1: Camp Counselor Training Program and #2: 4-H Camp Week.

In 2015, 32 teenagers participated in the inten-sive camp counselor training program and then served as camp counselors during Ashtabula County’s 4-H Camp week held from June 26- July 2, 2016 at 4-H Camp Whitewood in Windsor, Ohio.

Preparing youth for success through 4-H Camps

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Once again, Ashtabula Coun-ty had a sold out camp with 187 youth at camp. The 2016 theme was “Knights of the Whitewood Table.”

The goal of 4-H Camp Whitewood is for each camp-er to grow in appreciation, respect, and knowledge of: oneself, those living things with whom the camper shares the Camp environment; the relationship to one’s peers, the adults who help at camp, and the creatures and plants living in the surrounding environment. Traditional ac-tivities offered by 4-H Camp Whitewood (swimming, boat-ing, shooting sports, recre-ation, adventure, nature & crafts) are offered in conjunc-tion with county planned programming and activities as well as campfires, games, songs and special events. Campers make new friends, explore new skills and tal-ents, learn to live in a close-knit community, accept chal-lenges with enthusiasm and find renewed self-confidence. Camp Whitewood is a place for youth to safely grow and

learn as they form lasting memories.

Youth do not need to be enrolled in 4-H or live in Ashtabula County to enroll. Registration for 2017 is now open! Camp counselors have been selected and training has begun. We hope you will join us June 25 – July 1, 2017 for

another exciting week at 4-H Camp Whitewood sponsored by Ashtabula County 4-H. Tu-ition is $300 due in advance. Financial assistance from the 4-H Foundation may be avail-able for those that qualify.

For more information, call or email Abbey Averill at OSU Extension at 440-576-

9008 or [email protected]. Do you have youth

unable to attend camp June 25-July 1? Call 4-H Camp Whitewood at 440-272-5275 or visit http://www.4hcampwhitewood.com to register now or to check out other dates and details.

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Platinum SponsorshipRuth Mary ServiceAlbert M. Ford Charitable Trust Ashtabula County Farm BureauOSU Extension-Ashtabula County Ashtabula County Fair Board Veteran’s Service Commission Western Reserve Farm Cooperative

Gold SponsorshipAshtabula County Holstein Club Erie BankJohn & Nancy Patterson Katherine S. Riedel – Attorney Linda Springer & FamilyWright Farms, LTD

Silver SponsorshipAshtabula County Cattlemen’s Association Ashtabula County Educational Foundation Ashtabula County Holstein ClubBarb Schaab, Ashtabula County Recorder Bossy’s Way Inc.COBA Select SiresFarm Credit ServicesGildersleeve FarmsGrand River CellarsJefferson Garden ClubMarrison Farms

Bronze SponsorshipAshtabula County Beekeepers Association American Legion Post 151 in Conneaut Arms Trucking CompanyAshtabula County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictAshtabula County Township Association Robin & Debbie Boggs & FamilySenator Capri CafaroCherry Valley Slaughtering & Processing Ashtabula Co. Commissioner Dan Claypool Ashtabula Co. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski Conversation StationCountry Doctor Veterinary Clinic Countryside Vet Clinic Easton CulliganHeritage Hill FarmTracey HouselJefferson Milling CompanyJefferson GrangeNationwide Insurance Agency - The Kellogg Agency Piper ProcessingRalph & Pat PankowskiRichard & Barbara Pruden Spencer’s FarmRichard Dana & The Sezon Family Roll’N B Cowboy Café LLC Sherrie TersigniDan WhitmireValley Feed Mill

Friends of Ag Day Antique Engine Club AGS GraphicsRoger & Shirley Corlett Brian & Jean Forman Saybrook Grange Cheryle Chiaramonte Mary Howe Kalas FarmGregory & Patricia Seymour Mechling’s Maple FarmPymatuning Valley Primary PTO, Inc Saybrook Raiders 4-H Club Sheffield Star Grange #1610 Skyview FarmTree Tyme NurseryLarry & Donniella Winchell

Sponsor Name(s)________________________________Address_________________________________________Phone___________________________________________Email___________________________________________$_______Platinum $_______Gold $_______Silver $_______Bronze $_______Friends of Ag Day _____In-Kind, I can offer the following in-kind support:_________________________________________________Make checks payable to: OSU Extension Return to: OSU Extension, 39 Wall Street, Jefferson, OH 44047For More Information: 440-576-9008

Yes, I would like to be a sponsor of the 2017 Ag Day!

Donors sought for 2017 Ashtabula County Ag DayOn May 13, 2016, nearly

1,200 members of the class of 2027 descended on the Ashtabula County Fair-grounds to participate in Ashtabula County’s “Ag Day.” Coordinated by OSU Ex-tension and the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, the pri-mary goal of this event was to educate first graders on where their food comes from and to showcase the different types of agricultural commodities which are being produced in Ashtabula County.

During this interactive day, students were able to get up close and personal with farm animals, crops, fruits, and vegetables at twelve in-teractive stations relating to our county’s agriculture. During the day, the students:

—Learned about bees, dairy cows, sheep, horses, beef cows, goats, pigs, alpacas, chickens, ducks, and turkeys.

—Made their own home-made butter and tried their hand at milking a cow.

—Learned how seeds are planted to give us an array of tasty fruit and vegetables and how they are processed into foods that we enjoy.

—Learned what type of machinery is used in agri-culture.

—Learned the importance of healthy nutrition and ex-ercise.

Ashtabula County’s Ag Day program has become a community supported effort as over 300 volunteers and donors help to make this day a reality for the students. The

2016 Ashtabula County Ag Day sponsors

FILE PHOTO

cost of hosting this event is nearly $11,000 (both mone-tary and in-kind) and without the support of many, this pro-gram would not be possible.

We are asking local Ashtabula County farms, agribusinesses, and support-ers of Ashtabula County Ag-riculture to consider being a donor for the 2017 Ag Day which will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017. We are once again offering five levels of sponsorship:—Platinum Sponsorship - $1,000 and over—Gold Sponsorship - $500 to $999—Silver Sponsorship - $250 to $499

—Bronze Sponsorship - $100 to $249—Friends of Ag Day - $1 to $99

We are asking all Ashtabu-la County farms, agribusi-nesses, and supporters of Ashtabula County Agricul-ture to consider making a donation to help us educate our youth about agriculture. Your gift to this program is 100-percent tax deductible. Donors are recognized in a variety of manners (see back for more details). If you are interested in helping with this year’s program or would like to be a sponsor, please contact Abbey Averill at 440-576-9008.

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BY MARTHA SOROHANGazette Newspapers

SAYBROOK – Brandy Hanusosky followed the footsteps of her parents, Richard and Marcella Pip-er, when she was inducted into the Ashtabula County 4-H Hall of Fame last No-vember.

That made it all the more special.

But 4-H has always been special for Hanusosky, ever since joining the Say-brook Raiders 4-H Club as one of its charter members back in 1985.

She has been with the Saybrook Raiders ever since.

“My mom took over as advisor, and when I got too old to be in 4-H, I became an advisor with my mom,” Hanusosky said. “Then my dad got sucked in. My mother said he might as well start, too.”

Hanusosky and her mother are still advisors of the Saybrook Raiders.

“We were a ‘miscella-neous’ club, but the em-phasis was rabbits,” Ha-nusosky said. “I always took rabbits, woodworking, photography, and a lot of nature projects, such as forestry, Ohio trees, fish-ing – that outdoorsy stuff.”

That “outdoorsy” stuff served her well. Hanusosky works full-time as a Forest

Ranger with Lake Me-troparks, responsible for enforcing the law on park grounds.

She and her husband also raise goats on their five-acre farm in Leroy, in Lake County, but she comes back to Saybrook regularly for 4-H Club meetings – which unlike many 4-H clubs, are held year-round.

“We have about 30 mem-bers and we meet year-round so that they can start their projects right after the Fair,” Hanusosky said. “They like to get go-ing, and some projects take a few years. Kids who are doing beef have to raise the cattle. Veterinary Science is a complicated project. So our kids are involved and working all year long.”

The Hall of Fame in-duction is the latest of many 4-H awards that Hanusosky has received throughout her life.

“I got into chickens and goats when I was young, but my state fair projects were rabbits and wood-working,” she said. “I was chosen a couple of times to represent Woodworking at the State Fair, and won ‘Outstanding of the Day’ and twice Top Honors. I’ve won blue ribbons.”

Perhaps because they were her first project, Ha-nusosky still has a heart

for rabbits. She has been head of Ashtabula Coun-ty’s 4-H Rabbit Project for 15 years, and is Species Advisor for rabbits as well.

“Rabbits are popular be-cause when you look at the numbers, small animals are a good place to start for younger kids,” she said. “Kids then go on to bigger and better things. But I have two young children, and they’ll probably start with rabbits, though my five-year-old says he wants to learn to weld. My other son is 3. He hasn’t declared yet.”

Both boys may choose goats once they get past the rabbit stage. The Ha-nusoskys breed their four goats and sell the offspring to 4-H members for club projects.

“Then we get to see them at the Fair,” Ha-nusosky said.

But there are plenty of other 4-H projects that the young Hanusoskys might enjoy as well.

“4-H is not just about agriculture any more,” Hanusosky said. “There are computers, robotics, welding. Not just farm animals. It offers good life experiences. I started bee-keeping as 4-H, and it’s still one of my hobbies.”

That, Hanusosky says, is the value of 4-H – offer-ing children new experi-

ences and opportunities.“Some kids who may

not be good in school or in sports, or at the head of their class, can shine by getting involved in 4-H,” Hanusosky said. “The proj-ects are individual, but kids who are competitive can go beyond, go to the state level and meet other kids. It offers lots of op-portunities.”

Hanusosky was so in-volved with 4-H in high school that she never got a part-time or summer job.

“I was too busy,” she said. “We had junior lead-ers, fair board, counselors, and I did all of that. All of my friends, my high school buddies, were in 4-H, and they were from all over Ashtabula County.”

A few remain friends. Some are among the Say-brook Raiders’ seven co-advisors, helping Saybrook Raiders earn recognition in 2016 for its community service. It was also named an Honor Club.

“They have kids in 4-H, so they’ve come back as advisors. It’s a generation-al thing,” said Hanusosky.

She has made her hus-band a 4-H believer.

“He grew up in Lake County, and didn’t have the opportunity for 4-H,” she said. “But now, he’s seen what it does. He can’t wait for our boys to get

4-H is family affair for Hall-of-Famer Brandy Hanusosky

SUBMITTED PHOTOBrandy Hanusosky is pictured with her children, Eli (3) and Lena (5).

involved.” Hanusosky did not ex-

pect to be inducted into the Ashtabula County 4-H Hall of Fame.

With over two decades as a 4-H volunteer, she sees herself as no differ-ent from other 4-H advi-sors who enjoy working

with kids and value the program.

“You don’t expect that,” she said, of her induc-tion. “But several people that I look up to, people who helped me in my 4-H career when I was young, are in it, and it’s neat to be with them.”

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COMPILED BY JENNA HOYT4-H Youth Develop-ment Extension Educa-tor

In 2016, 40 youth at-tended Ashtabula County Cloverbud Camp July 5, 6 and 7 at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds.

Open to all youth ages 5 to 8, Cloverbud Camp is designed for young minds to explore friendship, fun and educational activities.

Led by teachers and 4-H volunteers Cheryl Riggle-man and Barb Dwyer with the support of teen county counselors and OSU Exten-

sion Staff, Cloverbud Camp includes STEM-focused learning activities focused on welcoming youth to 4-H and teaching social, life and community skills.

Kids have a great time in a comfortable environ-ment, allowing them to blossom and try new activi-ties in a social setting.

A small camper fee is charged to cover the cost of snacks, activity supplies and insurance.

The 2017 Cloverbud Fun Days will be held July 11, 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. - noon and registrations are due June 30 and available online at http://ashtabula.osu.edu.

Ashtabula County 4-H Cloverbud Fun Days will

be held July 11-13


WINDSOR TOWNSHIP – A volunteer effort from Dominion East Ohio do-nated time and money last year to make improvements to the facilities at Camp Whitewood, a 4-H camp-ground at 7983 S. Wiswell Rd. in Windsor Township that’s been in operation

since 1940.Eighteen Dominion em-

ployees took part in the renovations at Camp White-wood, part of the company’s annual Energizing Commu-nities employee volunteer program.

Volunteers from Energiz-ing Communities painted the pavilion stage area, sanded and sealed benches, picnic tables and seating

Dominion East Ohio volunteers work to make Camp Whitewood usable for years to come

SUBMITTED PHOTOPictured are 18 employees of Dominion East Ohio who took part in renovations at Windsor Township’s 4-H Camp Whitewood last year, rejuvenating aging facilities there and ensuring camper’s safe use of the amenities for years to come.

throughout Whitewood, as well as a swing set, replaced posts and the sand pit at the outdoor volleyball court and installed a new sand pit at the base of the rock-climbing wall.

Camp Whitewood is jointly operated by nine Northeast Ohio 4-H clubs, including Ashtabula County 4-H, and hosts activities year-round – with over 10,000 visitors coming an-nually to take part in 4-H activities as well as events put on by school groups and other specialty camps.

Whitewood sports ameni-ties from outdoor tent camp-ing and two levels of wil-derness camping to cabins as well as a nine-acre lake added during the 1960s.

The volunteers were nominated for an Ohio Friends of the 4-H award for their work as well as the $2,500 in materials

donated for Whitewood’s renovations.

On top of this support, Andrew Lonneman, the leader in this specific proj-ect, donated $1,000 from a service award he received from a previous service day he organized.

“Campers will be able to appreciate and utilize all aspects of camp that will be available years to come

because of this project,” the nomination read. “Camp Whitewood impacts nearly 10,000 youth and visitors annually and these contri-butions will help us carry out the mission of Camp.”

Camp Whitewood was established in 1940 and provides year-round out-door educational opportuni-ties on 227 acres in Wind-sor Township. Situated

between Warner’s Hollow – which includes Windsor Mills Bridge, also known as Wiswell Road Bridge or Warner Hollow Road Bridge – and historical or-chards, the campus is also home to Young Adventur-ers Day Camp, Grindstone Creek Lodge & Conference Center and is an official stop on the Maple Tour in Northeastern Ohio.

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BY MARTHA SOROHANGazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON – Ashtabula County’s 2016 Outstand-ing 4-H Advisor does not volunteer with 4-H for the accolades.

“I want the kids to love it as much as I do,” says Jaime Bullard of Richmond Town-ship.

Bullard’s life-long love affair with 4-H began in the '70s.

“I grew up in the Pyma-tuning Livestock 4-H Club that was started in the '70s by my father and my grand-mother, Bob Slater and Leo-ma Slater, in Andover,” Bul-lard said. “I had five siblings, and we were all in it. We were always at the Fair, and always involved.”

From her first Pee Wee Hog Show, to showing hogs, rabbits, beef breeds, and gen-eral projects that took her to the Ohio State Fair, Bullard remained part of 4-H until

graduating from Pymatuning Valley High School.

She then took a hiatus, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Equestrian Management from Lake Erie College and marrying. Today, she and her husband, Chris, grow corn and soybeans on their 1,000-acre farm.

Once their elder daughter, Alyssa, became old enough to join Clover Buds, Bullard became re-involved with 4-H.

She revived the family’s “Pymatuning Livestock 4-H Club” that had disbanded in the late '80s or early '90s and became its advisor. Club co-advisers are her sisters Megan Slater and Angela Limestoll.

“There were only a few members left after I gradu-ated, and after my sisters were gone, my dad stepped away from it,” said Bullard, whose younger daughter, Zoey, is 2.

Now in her fourth year as Pymatuning Livestock 4-H

'I want the kids to love it as much as i do,' says 2016 outstanding 4-H Advisor Jaime Bullard

SUBMITTED PHOTOAshtabula County’s 2016 Outstanding 4-H Advisor, Jaime Bullard

In 2016, the Ashtabula County 4-H Youth Develop-ment program had 46 chartered 4-H clubs with 905 enrolled youth (155 Cloverbuds) guided by 154 adult volunteers.

These youth successfully participated in 1,142 projects across the 4-H program. Additionally, 11 new volunteers were screened and trained to work with the Ashtabula County 4-H program.

Committed to personal development and growth, Ashtabula County 4-H volunteers dedicated over 500 hours to extended learning through participation in county, regional and state level adult learning activities and development trainings.

Thank you, volunteers, for your time, commitment and dedication to Ohio 4-H!

Thank you to our volunteers!

Club’s advisor, Bullard has about 15 advisees who held their first 2017 meeting in January.

“Because of the Fair, and the craziness of the holidays, we end our year in September and start up again at the start of the year,” Bullard explained.

This is the time of year when her advisees are ex-cited about planning their projects for the Ashtabu-la County Fair in August. “They’re going to do a variety of things – pigs, some steers, general projects, a little bit of everything. I have kids who are in Clover Buds, and one who’s 17, so they are all different ages,” Bullard said.

What Bullard loves most about being a 4-H advisor is the learning experience – hers included.

“4-H offers so many life lessons such as responsibil-ity and dedication,” she said. “If you’re showing an animal, you’re in charge of taking care of another life. That’s a big responsibility, and some-thing important for kids to learn and understand. They grow emotionally, and grow socially because they are involved with everything. It’s a well-rounded program that helps them learn and grow.”

But it’s far from all work and no play for the Pyma-tuning Livestock 4-H Club. What stood out in nomi-nation letters that led to Bullock’s being named 2016 Outstanding 4-H Advisor were parents’ comments that Bullard makes 4-H a fun learning experience for their children.

In presenting Bullard’s award last November, Kelly Kanicki noted that Bullard “makes the 4-H experience fun and engaging by using scenarios and encouraging member participation.”

“I try to make sure that the kids have fun,” Bullard said. “Every year, I try to change the activities, start new things, and look at and change what didn’t work so well the year before, end what they didn’t learn. It’s a learning experience for me as much as for the kids. I like the learning experience. It’s something I wanted my daughter to have.”

Bullard does not stop there. Equally important to her is teaching club mem-bers how to run meetings, particularly parliamentary procedure, so that everyone has a chance to participate.

“Kids are really learning how to run democratic meet-ings. We focus on that. That’s one of the things that the parents said – that we em-phasize that,” Bullard said.

Bullard points to her pas-sion, rather than a back-ground in education, as a reason for her success as a 4-H leader. A member of the Ashtabula County 4-H Advisory Committee, she helps at nearly every county 4-H event, including Officer Training, 4-H Carnival, Pan-cake Breakfast, and events at the Fair.

“I grew up in 4-H and farming, and did Future Farmers of America for four years. Anything agricultural I think is important,” she said.

Bullard was surprised to receive the 2016 Outstand-ing 4-H Advisor Achieve-ment Award at the 4-H Vol-unteers Appreciation Dinner in Lenox Township last No-vember. Given to an advisor with fewer than 10 years

of exceptional service, the award focuses on the volun-teer’s entire 4-H experience and dedication of time and support to 4-H youth.

“I don’t do it to be recog-nized,” Bullard said. “I do it because I love it.”

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What 4-H Means to MeFrom the Dusty Riders 4-H Club

Cheyenne Moyer, age 8, Cloverbud: My favorite thing about 4-H is riding Reba in the Lead Line class at fair!

Adrianna Gentile, age 7, Cloverbud: My favorite thing about 4-H is riding the horses!

Bridget Buckley, age 12, five years in 4-H: I enjoy 4-H very much because it’s like a second friend group. You can rely on your club members and have a week long sleepover at fair, when you get to show your pet. 4-H has helped me because I have learned and made new friends at the same time!

Alexis Vanderhoof, age 12, first year in 4-H : I’m looking forward to fair in 4-H with everyone in the club, especially Bridget!

Jocelyn Redmond, age 14, five years in 4-H: 4-H means a lot to me. You meet so many new people and gain so many great bonds, then get to spend all week with your closest friends doing what you love. I recommend getting involved in 4-H. It’s honestly a great experience. It has taught me so many life lessons and everyone is so nice. You have so much fun all year.

Kaleigh Norris, age 17, six years in 4-H: 4-H means a lot to me. It took me out of my shell and made me more social. I’ve made so many new friends and I always look forward to seeing fellow members at meetings and spending a week with everyone at fair. It’s taught me a lot about horses and I have learned to be more confident, too.

Rachel Jones, age 13, two years in 4-H: This is only my second year in 4-H and it’s been awesome. The members of my club are so nice, and they help each other out. I needed help with my horse and one of the older members showed me what to do. There are so many things I love about my club, I can’t use any words to describe it except amazing!

Montana Estok, age 10, first year in 4-H: I like 4-H because you get to deal with horses, and spend time with the group. Looking forward to talking to the judge and showing, and having a group with me.

Megan Hembree, age 18, eight years in 4-H: 4-H has taught me more than just learning about horses. It teaches you patience, confidence, and how to prepare for the real world. You not only develop friends, but a family. 4-H has made me overall a better person. I will be forever thankful for all of the amazing opportunities I have had in my eight years. As this is my last year in 4-H, I will never forget all of the memories and people I met along my journey. I hope many others will experience how great 4-H truly is.

BY AMY VARCKETTEAshtabula County Fair Queen, Vaquero’s 4-H Club

4-H for me goes all the way back as far as I can remember. It is filled with some of my favorite memories with my animals, horses, friends and family.

I started out before I was even old enough to be a Clo-verbud when I was just a tiny girl. I would tag along with my sister as she showed her goats at the fair.

I am now a 10th-year member who takes horses

and I realize I am now one of the “older kids” that I always looked up to as a kid. Now I see how I have become a role model to younger members and I get to teach them all of the wonderful things that 4-H has taught me over the years.

Through 4-H, I have participated in Horsebowl, Light Horse, competed at Nationals in Kentucky for public speaking, served as the Ashtabula County Fair Princess, was named the 2015 Top 4-H’er, and I am currently the Ashtabula County Fair Queen.

4-H to me, means showing my horse, spending late nights

at my club’s campsite with my 4-H family, representing my fair as queen, learning sports-manship, making bonds with your animal, spending time with some of my best friends and seeing all of the hard work and time spent with your project pay off.

4-H and fair have been a major part of shaping me into the person I am today. I would choose fair week over any va-cation or prize that someone could possibly offer me. I love seeing how it changes kids’ lives all the time and I am so happy I am a part of 4-H. I will hopefully become an advi-sor when I get older.

PHOTO BY STEFANIE WESSELLAshtabula County Fair 2016 royalty are Prince Garhett Smith, King Samuel Semai, Queen Amy Varckette, 1st At-tendant Alexis Stein and Princess Sharon Millard.

What 4-H Means to Me4-H is always a great

time, from the games to the shows.When you go to 4-H meetings, it is always a fun time and you learn a lot. I love going to fair all week and also having fun with new friends. I love 4-H and it is a great opportunity to learn and to have a great year

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From page 1OSUas weeds and insects. Eventually, the group came to be called the “Boy’s and Girl’s Agricultural Club” with prizes given to recognize the efforts of members completing projects.

Given the success of Graham’s “out-of-school education program,” the Ohio State University created a plan to help the club’s research through the use of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. In time, Ohio State University’s influence helped to establish additional youth agricultural clubs throughout Ohio. By 1905, there were over 2,000 youth within sixteen counties participating in similar programs to that of the “original” Agricultural Club.

Proving extremely successful in his practices, Graham ac-cepted the position as Superintendent of Extension for Ohio. Becoming an ‘ambassador’ for agriculture through Extension, Graham sought “to raise the standard of rural life. He stressed the dignity of hard work and sound character, and he taught that agriculture could be improved by applying the ideas of science.”

How did OSU Extension start?The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 by the United

States Congress established the cooperatively funded “Exten-sion Service.” This act established local Extension offices in every county across the country. The goal of the Extension service is to improve the lives of local residents through sci-entific research. Here in Ashtabula County, our first County Agricultural Agent, E.C. Sleeth, was hired in 1917 followed by the hiring of our first 4-H Club Agent, H.H. Claypoole, in 1920.

For 100 years, Ohio State University Extension has been conducting programs in Ashtabula County for our agricultural industry, has helped thousands of youth each year learn respon-sibility and citizenship through 4-H club work, and has been helping families improve their nutrition, family relationships, and economic condition.

What is OSU Extension’s mission?OSU Extension brings the knowledge of the university

directly to you. We fulfill the land-grant mission of The Ohio State University by interpreting knowledge and research de-veloped by Extension and other faculty and staff at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State main campus, and other land-grant universities – so Ohioans can use the scientifically-based information to better their lives, businesses and communities.

The Extension system is the world’s largest non-formal educational system. Extension programs address the needs of the local community while also addressing state, national, and global issues. Our practical educational programs combine the needs of local citizens and communities with new research and technical information.

No matter which county you visit across Ohio or the United States, you can find people who are helped by the four major OSU Extension program areas: family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, community development, and agricul-

ture and natural resources. These program areas – and many other special topics – are continuously evaluated and updated to meet the changing needs and issues facing each community. Extension provides practical advice, sensible solutions, and real-istic down-to-earth answers for ALL Ohioans. Quite simply, our mission is to engage people to strengthen their lives and com-munities through research-based educational programming.

When did 4-H grab hold in Ashtabula County?Our 4-H history in Ashtabula County began because of

Graham’s model for boys and girls clubs. In our start-up years, we had many successful food, corn and potato clubs across the county. In fact, we still have the original charters for the Justamere Food Club established on July 1, 1921 and the Sheffield Potato Club established on Nov. 1, 1926 hanging in our local 4-H Hall of Fame. Still to this day, 4-H club work drives our youth programming. In 2016, we had over 900 youth participate in 46 clubs led by 154 dedicated volunteers. An ad-ditional 2,500 participated in our school enrichment programs in Ashtabula County.

4-H is not only is for members of our rural community, but extends into the suburbs and inner cities all over America. Membership is open to all youth between the ages of five and nineteen. Members are welcome, regardless of cultural, economic and social backgrounds. Therefore, even with the many changes in society today, Graham’s basic aim for 4-H remains the same: “The development of youth as individuals and as responsible, productive members of the community in which they live.

4-H fosters an innovative, “learn by doing” approach with proven results. In a safe and enriching environment, 4-H brings youth and adults together to learn everyday skills with hands-on learning. Working on activities from animal and plant sciences to robotics, 4-H’ers learn problem-solving skills that can make a positive impact upon their community. 4-H helps youth: meet the diverse challenges of today’s world, build self-confidence, learn responsibility, and make positive decisions.

How is Extension funded?The legislators who passed the Smith-Lever legislation were

adamant that Extension workers should be unbiased in their approach and serve the needs of their community. For many years, OSU Extension derived their budget equally from the Federal, State, and County levels. Today Extension is still funded by these three sources but has also expanded to obtain needed funding through grants, donations and programmatic fees and support. We are very thankful for the support of our federal, state and county commissioners for their funding of the Extension program. Additionally, 4-H, like many other activities collects an activity fee to help defray the cost of offer-ing the 4-H program in the county. The activity fee for 2017 is $25 per member. Rebecca Holmes — 2007 - 2010Jenna Hoyt — 2011 - Present

Need more information?Do not hesitate to contact the Ashtabula County

Extension office of OSU Extension at 440-576-9008 for more information.

ASHTABULA COUNTY 4- H EXTENSION AGENTS & EDUCATORSH. H. Claypool — 1920 - 1924 H. R. Waugh — 1924 -1926 K. V. Battles — 926 - 1946 Roger Lawerence — 1946 - 1948James Limbard — 1948- 1949George J. Garman — 1951 - 1966 Lawrence G. Anderson — 1967 - 1969 Lester E. Barnhart — 1969 - 1972 Bruce L. Brockett — 1973 - 1978 Nathan Drum — 1978 -1979 James Hill — 1979 - 1988 Tom Hopkins — 1989 - 1996 Marcy Hudson — 1996 - 1999Tom Hopkins — 2000 - 2007

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ASHTABULA COUN-TY – 4-H clubs may bring to mind agriculture proj-ects and animals, but Tech Wizards is a chance for children in 4-H to expe-rience STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through the applied use of robotics – and learning while hav-ing fun, according to club advisor Georgia Farris Romanko.

“We started Tech Wiz-ards about four years ago because the OSU Ashtabu-la County Extension Office had received a grant to purchase robotics kits,” Farris Romanko said. “The educational assistant, Ab-bey Averill, takes these kits out into schools and does outreach with them for elementary and junior high students.”

The robots were, at the time, LEGO Next Genera-tion programmable units that children can assign tasks to such as reading lights or colors, navigat-ing a maze, or acting and parking like a car, accord-ing to Farris Romanko.

Ashtabula County 4-H,

which works in partner-ship with the OSU exten-sion office in Jefferson, felt the robotics kits weren’t being used to their full-est potential, according to Farris Romanko, and 4-H Tech Wizards was born.

“We have anywhere from 10 to 14 kids a year who create projects, do skill building and create a presentation,” Farris Romanko said. “They have to program a robot to actu-ally function in some sort of real-world situation.”

4-H’ers in Tech Wizards also make presentations throughout the year to other club members on how robotics are used in real-world applications.

“We got another grant last year to upgrade our kits,” Farris Romanko said. “The old ones were LEGO Next Generation and the new ones are the EV generation. LEGO de-veloped this just for 4-H. If you go out and get the retail kit, it won’t have all the bells and whistles.”

The EV series from LEGO has modular sub-units that can be attached for specialized tasks and must be programmed by the user with specialize

software included with the robot.

Tech Wizards projects call for children to de-velop a familiarity with programming the robots to perform basic tasks, and then build on that basic level of understanding.

“They take one of those tasks and expand upon it and present that to a judge during the county fair’s general projects judging,” Farr is Romanko said . “Then they have an op-portunity to present at the Ohio State Fair at their STEM competition. We’ve been able in the past to send a club member every year so it’s been really rewarding.”

T e c h W i z a r d s c l u b members have also had op-portunities to tour a robot-ics factory and to witness the Lakeland Community College Battlebots Club in action, according to Farris Romanko.

4-H Tech Wizards cur-rently has openings for children seeking to learn more about robotics and STEM, according to Farris Romanko, and interested parties should call (440) 577-1478 for more infor-mation.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Pictured are the current members of the 4-H Tech Wizards Club – back row, from left to right, are Joey Misinic, Aidan DeRosa, advisor Georgia Farris Romanko, Clark Fur-man and Alan Fernadez. Front row from left to right are Nikolas DeRosa, Ben Phillips and Owen Maxwell.

4-H Tech Wizards introduces children to robotics

With our local features, sports, shorts, headline stories, and editorials, there is something to suit every taste.

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BY LAUREN SIPPLEGazette Newspapers

ASHTABULA COUNTY – Geneva native Laura Jack-am was named Ashtabula County’s Top 4-H’er Senior recipient this year, as well as the recipient of last year’s 4-H Bright Future Award, recognitions she considers an honor to have received.

“These awards basically look back at your involvement in 4-H over the years and your success,” said Jackam. “Being a part of the Junior Fair Board as well as 4-H Camp White-wood really helped build a strong, successful background in 4-H [for me], which is what these awards are looking for. 4-H has played a large role shaping me into the person I am today. I learned a lot about responsibility, leadership and

social skills over the many years.”

Of these skills Jackam has obtained include the comple-tion of a fifth-year market lamb project, which she said she and her family were very successful with, as well as the accomplishment of a general project she called My First Home Away from Home be-fore attending college.

“It helped me work through college expenses and affordable ways to decorate a dorm room,” said Jackam.

Although she is still in col-lege, Jackam said she plans to stay involved in 4-H, mostly through 4-H Camp White-wood, where she serves as a dean after being a counselor three years prior.

Jackam is grateful for the opportunities she’s had at Camp Whitewood and in

general feels that it’s a great place for youth to experience the great outdoors in the summer through boating and hiking while offering campers more information about 4-H.

Aside from camp, Jack-am also assists in the or-ganization of events dur-ing Ashtabula County Fair week through her position on Ashtabula County Junior Fair Board, periodically helps members with their projects so that she can give back to the community and this year plans to come up with two of her own.

“This year I hope to com-plete another market lamb project, as well as choose something from the general projects,” said Jackam.

Jackam is a freshman ma-joring in biological sciences at Ohio University.

SUBMITTED PHOTOGeneva native Laura Jackam, who was this year’s Senior Top 4-H’er in Ashtabula County, is pictured next to a judge and a market lamb that she showed in the past at the fair.

Geneva native receives Senior Top 4-H’er Award

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From page 1HISTORYAshtabula County 4-H

was founded sometime in the early 1920s – no one seems to know an exact date for certain – when the passage of the Smith–Le-ver Act of 1914 provided for a federally funded net-work of extension offices partnered with land-grant universities – in Ashtabula

County’s case, Ohio State.These extension offices

were tasked with inform-ing local communities about new developments in agriculture, animal sci-ences, public policy, lead-ership – and the then-new youth organization known as 4-H.

The first 4-H club camp

in Ashtabula County was held in 1923. Sixteen years later Ashtabula County 4-H partnered with nine other extension offices to found Camp Whitewood in Windsor Township as a joint operation that would allow for area 4-H clubs to better accomplish their mission, “to make the best

A group gathers at the 1940 junior camp at Camp Whitewood in Windsor Township. Extension Agent K.E. Battles can be seen in the background.A group shot of the 4-H club camp held in 1926.

better.”Marrison took over as

an extension agent, now known as an extension edu-cator, until the birth of her first child forced her out.

“Back then, if you had pre-school-age children, you couldn’t be an exten-sion agent,” Marrison said. “We didn’t think anything

of it back then. I talked to someone at the State Ex-tension Advisory Commit-tee who said if we did now that sort of things we did then, we’d be in an awful amount of trouble.”

4-H has always been heavily involved in youth projects involving animal husbandry and agriculture,

as well as home economics such as sewing, tailoring and cooking, but clubs have also proliferated – allowing for more options for young people to seek knowledge and self-improvement.

“We’ve always had clubs here like the animal clubs

See HISTORY pg 13

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From page 1HISTORY

Pictured are members and advisors at a 4-H home eco-nomics club meeting in 1956.

Pictured are 4-H Style Club members from 1981: from left to right are Kathleen Smith, Amy Stevenson, Angie Kniesly, Kristy Dewey, Kathy Seifer, Sarah Peasponen and Julie Hintz.

– the dairy club has been here since the beginning, I think,” Marrison said. “Now we have clubs like shooting sports, things with computers like Tech Wizards that bring people in for different reasons.”

Marrison said that while there are intergenerational members of 4-H who are involved in the same clubs as their parents and even grandparents – particularly in large animal and agricul-tural clubs — involvement in some areas has fallen off in recent years.

“When I started the sew-ing club after my youngest daughter was born, we had 4-H Style showings for three days,” Marrison said. “We sometimes had 700 members in the sewing club. Last year we had 75.”

However, involvement remains strong overall.

“I see kids in my club who I had their parents and their grandparents,” Marrison said. “We do see some parents who bring their kids in who were not

4-H’ers. They bring them in and they stay, they learn, too.”

Marrison attributed some of the decline in in-volvement to over-schedul-ing of children by parents.

“Kids don ’ t have a chance to be kids anymore,” Marrison said. “If you’re in a sport in school and you want to participate, you’d better be at open gym dur-ing the summer. They have

to be here at this time, over there at this time. It’s all so regimented now they never have a chance to be a kid anymore.”

Despite busy schedules among children, 4-H re-mains a leading youth organization in Ashtabula County, and if it truly does run in the blood as Marrison said, it seems it will continue as such for generations to come.

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COMPILED BY JENNA HOYT4-H Youth Develop-ment Extension Edu-cator

Ohio 4-H has many new and exciting projects to of-fer youth. Five new projects and five new idea starters have been added to the lineup for 2017. These in-clude All About Dogs, Club Leadership 2, Young Engi-neers in Solar Energy and My 4-H Cloverbud Year.

My 4-H Cloverbud Year is a great way for Clover-buds to learn the basics of 4-H and keep track of their activities and events. Completion of this book is optional and can be done with or without the help of an adult leader. It can be repeated each year a child is a Cloverbud member and is especially appropri-ate for older Cloverbud

members as they prepare to transition to regular membership.

Ever wonder how pre-historic dogs met pre-his-toric humans? Want to know how dogs think and the meaning behind their body language? Curious about what keeps dogs happy and healthy? Dis-cover these answers and the valuable roles these furry companions play in our lives with All About Dogs.

This project is intended for beginning-level mem-bers who may or may not have a dog.

Make the best better in your 4-H club by improving your leadership skills and the way you assist advisors and club members. Use your life experiences to find your leadership strengths, assess past teamwork, im-prove your speaking skills, and build relationships.

Also, discover innovative ways to get to know your team, to communicate to resolve issues, and to de-velop a team plan with Club Leadership 2. This project is intended for cur-rent 4-H club officers or chairs of committees.

Jumpstart your career in engineering with Young Engineers in Solar Energy. This hands-on introduction to the sun as an energy source includes nine activi-ties exploring the nature of light, earth’s relationship to the Sun, and the tech-nology that allows us to use its energy. Directions for simple make-at-home scientific instruments in-cluded!

To find out more about these new projects vis-it http://projectcentral.ohio4h.org/, ohio4h.org or call the Ashtabula County Extension Office at 440-576-9008.

Exploring new 4-H project areas

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BY LAUREN SIPPLEGazette Newspapers

ASHTABULA COUNTY –Thirteen-year-old Jack Ham-mers, who is in eighth grade at St. John School and Mason Hane, who is in the seventh grade at Pymatuning Valley Middle School, were both recognized as the Top Junior 4-H’er in Ashtabula County for 2016.

According to Ashtabula County 4-H Extension Edu-cator Jenna Hoyt, the award honored them both for going above and beyond in their

Two Ashtabula County teenagers receive Top Junior 4-H’er awards

SUBMITTED PHOTOSThirteen-year-old Jack Hammer is pictured with a duck he raised in 4-H as a project through the Trum-bull Golden Clovers group.

Ashtabula County 4-H Extension Educator Jenna Hoyt is pictured with Jack Hammer and Mason Hane at a 4-H ceremony where both received their Junior Award as Top 4-H’ers in Ashtabula County.

programs.“4-H’ers are nominated by

other members and 4-H vol-unteers for this award which is focused on the 4-H career of youth who have excelled in the program,” said Hoyt. “Youth were asked to take part in a short interview with a panel of 4-H volunteers with a combined total of over 80 years of service. [They were also asked] to speak about their involvement and commitment to the 4-H pro-gram. The panel had quite the challenge selecting their top winners as all the youth nominated were deserving.

“I think that it was very kind and generous for some-one to nominate me,” said Hane. “I [was] very glad to accept my award.”

According to Hane’s mom, he has been in 4-H for four years now through his fam-ily, who have been part of 4-H in various ways over the years.

Similar to Hane, Ham-mers said he first got in-volved in 4-H nine years ago through his three older brothers, who are 17, 16 and 15.

Hammers said right now his involvement includes time spent with Trumbull Golden Clovers, where he mainly focusses on his fa-vorite interests, archery and photography.

In the past, Hammers has also completed projects on electricity, helped the Tech Wizards group with their robotics projects, made an

archery game on bow parts, as well as completed projects showing ducks, which he’s further used as a charity project for St. John’s football program.

Hane’s projects consist of turkey shows, which have earned him two ribbons as Best in Show, has been part of Williamsfield Dairy Eaters with his sister and recently joined Beef-a-teers group, which he enjoys quite a bit since his family raises cattle for a living.

In the future, Hane hopes to strive for proficiency in the beef business.

“He’s an absolutely amaz-ing kid,” said his mother Lori Hane, who further explains how he often runs tractors and helps the family with other farm work.

Hane and Hammers more than anything said they enjoy 4-H because it gives them the chance to socialize and have fun.

“I enjoy being with my club members and learning new things about agricul-tural business,” said Hane.

“It’s fun and you get to meet new people,” said Ham-mers regarding his group of seven members, which his grandmother Sara Hammers has been advisor for around 47 years.

Besides projects, Ham-mers said through 4-H he’s also enjoyed trips to Cleve-land, 4-H Days at Walda-meer Park and Waterworld in Erie, Pa., and being in-volved in county fairs.

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4-h history in ashtabula county goes back almost … · 4-h history in ashtabula county goes back...

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