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Ashtabula County

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

OHIO 4-H WEEK :: MARCH 6-12

4-H

BY WJ KEACHGazette Newspapers

WINDSOR – 4-H Camp Whitewood is a registered non-profit organization that has served the youth and communities of northeast Ohio since July 14, 1940. That’s the date the first camp opened. The Camp’s history has seen many changes in its 75 years of service.

Originally sleeping in tents and swimming in a creek, by the 1960s cabins

were built, as was a 9-acre lake, and 210 additional acres were purchased.

The 1970s saw the re-construction of the Wiswell Road Covered Bridge, a fa-mous camp landmark.

In 1976, Camp White-wood became a member of the American Camp Associ-ation. The ACA requires all camps meet health and safe-ty standards. In 2010 the ACA celebrated 100 years of camping in America.

A new waterfront, riflery and archery ranges, rest-

Camp celebrates 75 years

Camp Whitewood is an Ohio State University 4-H facility.

4-H Camp Whitewood has created lasting memories for thousands of campers during its 75 year history.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS4-H Camp Whitewood opened July 14, 1940, with camp-ers sleeping in tents.

rooms and other facilities were added in the 1990s.

Since the turn of the cen-tury, the camp has con-tinued to grow. An office was donated, educational resources were donated, a greenhouse and a conserva-tion easement were added to the property.

4-H Camp Whitewood is celebrating its 75th an-niversary with a catered dinner, Saturday, March 5, from 5-9 p.m.

Dinner includes appetiz-ers, open wine and beer bar and dessert. Live music and a silent auction will add to the fun. Cost for the evening is $35 per person with proceeds from all ticket and auction sales used for maintaining and improving Camp Whitewood facilities

Camp Whitewood is located at 7983 S. Wiswell Rd.

For those unable to at-tend the 75th Anniversary Celebration, but wishing to

support Camp Whitewood, donations are gladly ac-cepted.

To RSVP for the Celebra-tion, call (440) 272-5275.

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

2016 4-H Carnival to be held March 8 Interested 4-H’ers can learn about program

during carnival

The 2016 4-H Carnival will be filled with activi-ties and games for youth to participate in with their family and friends. Fun carnival food, like hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones, will be available by donation for children of all ages. Exciting and interactive activities and games will be offered, rep-resenting each 4-H pro-gram area at the event. Families can ask ques-tions on projects to an

advisor or species chair that has knowledge in the project area. Information on Ashtabula County 4-H will be available for all those in attendance.

For more in forma-tion on 4-H programs in Ashtabula County, please contact Jenna 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 De-velopment page.

and programs.“This 75th Anniversary

Celebration is important be-cause it gives us the opportu-nity to layout our vision for the future,” explained Pro-gram Director Huck Ford. “We’ll do this by showing our connection to the past. Friends and alumni of the Camp will be on-hand to share their stories and re-membrances about Camp Whitewood.”

Camp Whitewood is also looking for auction item donations, large or small. The donated items will be used in the silent auction. Deliver auction donations to Camp Whitewood dur-ing normal business hours.

BY JENNA HOYT - EX-TENSION EDUCATORThe Ohio State Univer-sity4-H Youth Devel-opment Ashtabula County

ASHTABULA COUNTY - 4-H to me is more than a “community of young peo-ple across America who are learning leadership, citizen-ship and life skills.” To me, it is a way to truly “learn by do-ing” to “make the best better” and build a better future and world with youth of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

4-H began as an agrar-ian program and has devel-oped and blossomed into a program about agriculture; advancing science, engineer-ing and technology; healthy living through food science and nutrition; and citizen-ship across the community, country and world.

My vision for 4-H in Ashtabula County is to fur-ther advance lessons in bio-engineering, bio-fuels, and global positioning systems and use computers, technol-ogy and social networking as a benefit to youth develop-ment. My B.A. in Political

4-H is a way to learn by doingScience and Sustainable Energy and my M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics has provided me with the insight to help eager youth further discover their relationship with the environment, their respon-sibility to become strong members of society and learn healthy life skills in an ever changing and develop-ing world.

While our world and the environment around us are ever changing, it is important to remember and

See LEARN pg 3A

2 • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016Celebrate 4-H

In 2015, the Ashtabula 4-H Advisory raised close to $800 through the pro-gram thanks to community members and 4-H support-ers.

Ashtabula County 4-H will once again launch a campaign to raise $1,000 toward programming and special events such as the 4-H Carnival and October Fall Festival Celebration.

To help meet its goal, Ashtabula County 4-H is jo ining forces with S c h w a n ’ s H o m e S e r -vice, Inc. by utilizing its

Schwan’s Cares™ fund-raising program, a seam-less, 100 percent online fundraising campaign so-lution. This is how the fun-draiser works: Supporters of the Ashtabula County 4-H shop online from a selection of more than 350 Schwan’s® home-style foods. Ashtabula County 4-H receives 20 to 40 per-cent of the proceeds from their campaign’s online sales during the initial campaign period of March and April plus 5 percent on additional purchases from

their supporters for a year following the start of the campaign.

“Fundraising is a vital means of helping us give our participants a richer experience,” said 4-H Edu-cator Jenna Hoyt. “This unique Schwan’s Cares™ fundraising campaign is an ideal and reliable way for our program to procure support from the entire community. Not only was it easy to set up, but it elimi-nates the need to handle products or cash, cutting out the usual frustrations

that can come with fund-raising.”

Campaign supporters will pay the same everyday price as all Schwan’s Home Service customers, and the company’s friendly and reliable team members will deliver the high-quality food orders directly to the supporters’ homes. This means fundraising groups don’t have to worry about getting Schwan’s® orders del ivered — Schwan’s Home Service does it for them.

The Schwan’s Cares™

fundraising program en-ables community members to support favorite causes, inc luding loca l youth sports teams, non-profit groups, church projects and other community orga-nizations across the coun-try. With the Schwan’s Cares™ program, children or groups no longer have to handle cash, sell marked-up, generic products in parking lots or storefronts, or deliver or arrange for the pickup of products. In about 20 minutes, chari-table groups can use the

Schwan’s Cares™ program to create a fundraising Web page and run their own campaigns entirely online.

Here’s how to partici-pate in the campaign:1. Visit Schwans-Cares.com2. Click on “Find a Cam-paign” on the home page3. Enter Campaign Name Ashtabula County 4-H Clubs in to the search box4. Click the “Support Now” button5. Shop!Or Call 1-855-870-7208!

Community members can help Ashtabula County 4-H raise money toward programming

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 3Celebrate 4-H

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Celebrate 4-H

BY MARTHA SOROHANGazette Newspapers

TRUMBULL TOWN-SHIP – It was love at first sight between Emily Crites, of Trumbull Township, and her horse, Floyd.

Thanks to Floyd, Emily will be vying in a state-wide 4-H public speaking com-petition in Columbus on March 5.

Emily will speak on the importance of wearing a hel-met while riding – a subject with which she is very fa-miliar, due to the insistence

of her parents, long-time horse-lovers Tracy and Don Crites, that everyone in the saddle wear a helmet.

Emily, a fifth-grader at Cork Elementary School and a member of the “Va-queros” 4-H Club, learned the lesson the hard way.

“I only got thrown once, when I was in the front yard, and I wasn’t on a saddle, but was on a bareback pad,” she said. “The horse jumped. He must have gotten spooked by something.”

Luckily, she landed on her hind end, injuring only

Emily Crites Heading to Columbus for 4-H State Speaking Competition

SUBMITTED PHOTOEmily Crites, member of Vaqueros 4-H Club, sits atop her horse, Floyd. She will speak in Columbus at a state-wide 4-H speaking competition on the importance of riders’ wearing helmets.

Cover Photo - Emily Crites, of Trumbull Township, is nuzzled by her horse, Floyd.

her morale. It took her a full day to get back on. She had also seen her older sister once get thrown by a horse into a wall.

Thus, developing a Power Point program about the importance of wearing a hel-met came easily to her. Win-ning at the local level earned her a trip to Columbus, for the state competition, for the second year in a row.

Emily is the only 4-H member from Ashtabula County competing in the junior division at the state level this year.

“She’s has a lot of prac-tice because she’s spoken on this subject at her own club and one other one,” said her mom. “The advisors at the county level liked the content. They’ve asked her to present at more clubs and at a mandatory parents’ meeting.”

Emily has been riding since she was two – a little older than her older sister was when she first sat on the back of a horse at 18 months. That was before the family acquired Floyd from Destiny Animal Rescue in Trumbull County.

“We saw an advertise-ment for Floyd in ‘Farm and Dairy,’ and he sounded like a good horse, so we took Emily to meet him. It was love at first sight. He put his head on her shoulder,” Tracy Crites said.

It followed that Emily joined Vaqueros – Spanish for “cowboy” – as a “Clover-bud,” the 4-H club level for children ages 6 to 8. The 40-member club meets in Jefferson during the win-ter, either at the Commu-nity Center, the fairground’s

Expo Building, or the 4-H Office on Wall Street. From May through August, Va-queros members and their horses meet at the Ashtabu-la County Fairgrounds.

Emily says that learn-ing how to put on a helmet, and properly adjusting it, is very important. She is not allowed to ride without one.

“In my speech, I show how to put the helmet on to be safe,” she said, “and how to reduce injuries by the proper fit.”

It took Emily a few weeks to develop her presentation and she admits to being “a little nervous” when deliver-ing it.

Last year’s 4-H presenta-tion, which earned Emily her first trip to the junior public speaking compe-tition in Columbus, was about grooming one’s horse. Though Emily did not place among the top five, Floyd was appreciative.

“He loves it more than I do when I groom him,” she said. “He has a tickle spot.”

In addition to having an opportunity to compete at the state level, Emily likes 4-H because she likes spending time with friends and showing her horse at the fair. Her entire family camps at the Fairgrounds during Fair week because among Emily and her two siblings, they show two horses and a market turkey.

Emily’s parents are 4-H Vaqueros advisors. Tracy helps with animal projects, Don helps with shooting sports, and other advisors oversee a poultry market division.

At the March 5th 4-H public speaking competi-

tion in Columbus, junior-level competitors who place among the top five will earn ribbons. Senior-level win-ners ages 14 and up may advance to the national 4-H public speaking competition.

Emily’s mother says that for her daughter to be com-

peting at this level is huge.“Emily was always so

quiet,” said Tracy. “She’s grown tremendously. But I like watching all 4-H mem-bers explore new things and grow in confidence. They do things that they might not do otherwise.”

From page 1ALEARNgrow from the projects that developed such a strong 4-H program. Lessons in advanc-ing science and technologies to combat environmental and health concerns such as global climate change, food security and healthy living choices may be taught in conjunction with project areas such as livestock man-agement, large and small animal projects, plant sci-ence, consumer and family sciences and expressive arts.

My vision includes the hope that youth will begin to better understand how their food gets to their plate and become more sensitive to the idea that there is more to food than just a big box store with pre-packaged boxes on the shelves. Instead show youth that food can be grown in something as small as a window box and that milk not only comes from cows.

4-H is a program that develops important life skills in youth that all too often are not obtained through sports,

the arts or in the classroom. My vision is that youth learn some of what I feel are the most important lessons that the program teaches. Finan-cial tracking through record keeping in record books and report forms, public speaking and presentation skills, and Parliamentary Procedure are vital skills for our youth’s education, especially as they enter the workforce and be-come contributing members of society.

The future of the 4-H program is changing. Where once the program was based solely around farming and livestock, the program now must look toward the fu-ture through research and education and prepare the next generation of educa-tors, farmers, scientists and citizens. My vision is to em-power youth to look towards the future through programs in traditional clubs, school-enrichment programs, 4-H Camping programs and Ju-nior Fair Board.

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BY ALEXIS STEIN - PRES-IDENTAshtabula County Junior Fair Board

When asked what 4-H means to me, the many memories and qualities that 4-H has instilled in me come to mind. I feel, however, that the biggest way 4-H has impacted my life is by teaching me re-sponsibility.

This is my third year as a member of the Ashtabula County Junior Fair board and I am currently serv-ing the board as president. Along with 4-H, Junior Fair board has really taught me a lot and has helped me to evolve into a responsible young adult. In my years

as a board member, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many different situations and have had the privilege to take part in some really great projects.

As Junior Fair board members, we have the op-portunity to work closely with the other board mem-bers, as well as our Advi-sors and the Senior Fair board, to help plan the fair and fair-related events, and better our community.

Some of our responsibili-ties include: planning the Pre-fair dance, planning of the talent show on Monday night during fair week, helping at the Cloverbud poster judging, working at Livestock shows and the MAC sale, running games on Kids’ Day during fair,

and organizing the Super Showman contest. The Junior Fair Board also decides the Junior Fair theme. After much discus-sion, the 2016 Junior Fair Theme is “Blue Jeans & Country Dreams.”

Each year members choose one out of our five different committees to serve on. Our commit-tees are: Entertainment, Community Service, Ad-vertisement/MAC Sale, Education and Cloverbuds, and Super showman. The committee members work together throughout the year to plan their fair activities, projects, enter-tainment, etc.

Yearly, the Junior Fair board completes two Com-munity Service projects,

one fair related and one to benefit another orga-nization. Throughout the year board members also help at other fair related events, such as the 4-H Carnival, the 4-H Fall Festival, The 4-H Founda-tion Pig Roast and the 4-H Volunteer Banquet.

The Junior Fair board reviews new member ap-plications in September and applications are avail-able at the fair office dur-ing fair and at the Exten-sion office. Junior Fair board has had a positive impact on my life and I encourage youth 15 years old and older, who are involved with any Junior Fair organization, to apply and help work to make the best better.

Junior Fair Board helps better the community

BY MARTHA SOROHANGazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON – “Jelly Beans and Jumpers” 4-H Club advisor Virginia March is the

2015 inductee into Ashtabula County 4-H Hall of Fame.

One of four nominees, March was inducted last No-vember at Ashtabula County 4-H annual Volunteer Recog-

Virginia March inducted into Ashtabula County 4-H Hall of Fame

SUBMITTED PHOTOJenna Hoyt (left), Educator at the OSU Extension Office, congratulates Virginia March, 2015 Ashtabula County 4-H Hall of Fame inductee at the 4-H Volunteer Recognition Banquet last November.

nition Banquet. The award typically goes to one 4-H advisor annually.

“Virginia was honored for her dedication over the years, the amount of work she’s done, and her applications of her talents,” said Abbey Aver-ill, Program Director of 4-H and Ag at the OSU Extension Office in Jefferson.

Like most recipients, March was surprised at the honor, even though she was aware that, as a former Ashtabula County 4-H Out-standing Advisor, she was eligible for the Hall of Fame.

“They did it a little differ-ently this year,” March said. “All the advisors got to vote, so being selected by my peers is rewarding. It’s nice to feel they recognize what you do,

and that they respect you.”March, of Jefferson, finds

4-H involvement as reward-ing as an adult as it was when she was a child.

Following in her siblings’ footsteps, she joined 4-H in the third grade.

“We lived on a dairy farm in Dorset Township, and all five of us – my older siblings and I – had participated in 4-H from the third grade until we ‘aged out,’ 11 years later,” she said.

March began 4-H with projects in sewing and dairy.

“I kept with dairy the en-tire time, but after I gradu-ated from high school, we sold the farm,” she said. “Sewing is something I car-ried on.”

The 4-H sewing projects

influenced her decision to ma-jor in fashion merchandising in college.

But when her husband, Jerry, who was in the Air Force, was assigned to an Air Force base in Cheyenne, Wyo., March found the job prospects, in her field, were extremely slim.

“I had no opportunity there to use my fashion merchan-dising degree. When a posi-tion came open at the Laramie County Library System, I took it. I had two excellent mentors there, and when we came to Ohio, I stuck with it,” said March, former executive director of Ashtabula Har-bor Topky Library and, for the past 11 years, executive director of the Perry Public Library.

Despite a busy, full-time career with a lengthy com-mute, March finds time for 4-H. She is in her 13th year as an advisor to “Jelly Beans and Jumpers” 4-H Club. Sewing remains her specialty.

She began advising when her two daughters were old enough to join 4-H.

“My first daughter and her friend wanted to do 4-H, and the club they were in was pretty sewing-specific, and they wanted to branch out, so we started the current club,” said March.

The “jelly beans” portion of the club name reflects its food interest and the “jumper” portion reflects the clothing.

See MARCH pg 13A

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BY GABRIEL MCVEYGazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON – The Ashtabula County 4-H program has named Ge-neva Area High School junior Amy Varckette as its Senior 4-H’er of the Year in a tight competi-tion after deciding she best demonstrates i ts motto – to make the best better. Varckette is the best of the best.

Amy Varckette, who traveled to Kentucky for 4-H Equestrian Nation-als, is 16 years old and a member of the Vaqueros 4-H Club. Amy has been in 4-H for nine years, has taken a variety of horse projects and has previ-ously served as her club’s Secretary. Amy has also represented Ashtabula County at the Ohio State Fair with equine projects and has been an active member of the county Light Horse, Hippology and Horse Bowl teams. Throughout her 4-H ca-reer, Amy has also quali-fied with her Horse Com-munications Presenta-tions at the County Level and placed first in her division at State. Outside

of 4-H, Amy plays the saxophone and is the head majorette with Geneva Band. Amy also plays tennis, runs varsity track and is active in her church community . Amy a lso earned her Bronze and Silver Awards with the Girl Scouts for her many community service proj-ects and in 2012, served as the Ashtabula County Junior Fair Princess. Amy strives for excellence in everything she does and is a positive role model to 4-H youth.

“You have to do certain extracurricular things besides taking your horse to fair,” Varckette said. “I was in the Horse Bowl – kind of a horse trivia contest. I also did light horse; where you have four horses and you do a sort of horse judging and then your decisions are compared with a certified horse judge. I won at Fair, I went to Columbus for State and won there and then on to Kentucky for Nationals. It was really great.”

The Ashtabula County Top 4-H’er Award is given to a junior and senior 4-H’er who have gone above and beyond in 4-H.

4-H’ers are nominated by other members and 4-H volunteers for this award which is focused on the 4-H career of youth who have excelled in the pro-gram. Youth were asked to take part in a short interview with a panel of 4-H Volunteers with a combine total of over 80 years of service to speak about their involvement and commitment to the 4-H program. The panel had quite the challenge selecting their top win-ners as all the youth nom-inated were deserving. In 2015, two junior and six senior 4-H members were nominated.

The top 4-H’er awardee is expected to exemplify what 4-H is about. The nominee must be a 4-H member in good standing with the county program. For their distinction to the 4-H program, the 2015 Ashtabula County Junior Top 4-Her Award was presented to Faith Blan-kenship and the 2015 Ashtabula County Junior Top 4-Her Award was pre-sented to Amy Varckette.

Varckette’s equine and equestrian projects are not all she does with 4-H, but are clearly her great

passion.“In 2012 I was the Fair

Princess. They have in-terviews you’ll come in and do – sort of like a resume,” Varckette said. “I’m the President of our 4-H group, the Vaqueros, we have our meetings at the Fair building or the Jefferson Community Center – it all depends.”

Varckette a lso con-ducts public speaking on horses as well as riding competitions for which she’s been recognized.

“I do public speaking and demonstrat ions , ” Varckette said. “When I actually take my horse to fair I ride it and show it – there are jumping competitions where riders wear English gear and racing where you have to ride around barrels, but I do pleasure riding – which is just where they judge the horse’s gait.”

Looking ahead, Varck-ette wants to make the best of her time as a 4-H member and then contin-ue as an adult volunteer.

“I have two more years left, I can go to one more year of fair,” Varckette said. “After that, I want to stay on and teach others in 4-H.”

Geneva Area High School junior exemplifies learning by doing

SUBMITTED PHOTOThe Ashtabula County 4-H program has named Geneva Area High School junior Amy Varckette as its Senior 4-H’er of the Year.

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BY KORTNEY SQUIBBS, QUEENAshtabula County Ju-nior Fair

My name is Kortney Squibbs and I am the 2015 Ashtabula County Junior Fair Queen.

I began 4-H at six years old. I was that Clover Bud that thought I would never be old enough to finally be able to take 4-H projects to the fair.

Now I am 19 years old and I have been looking back on the last 13 years of my life. 4-H has not only been just some summer club I was in

to keep me out of trouble. My 4-H club was my family, we had disagreements, but we also had to learn and how to move past them.

This family has pushed me to succeed in more than one way. 4-H is the organiza-tion that made me who I am today. Without 4-H, I would not be able to speak in front of crowds and to stick up for what I believe in. I learned how to sew, cook, scrapbook and raise countless animals. If I did not have to learn these skills, I might not have learned hard work and per-sistence. Sportsmanship is something else that I learned through 4-H. I know, how

JEFFERSON - An Ashtabula County 4-H Pan-cake Breakfast will be held April 10, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the 4-H Expo Build-ing on the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds in Jefferson.

The breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes with sausage and beverage provided by the Ashtabula County 4-H Advisory Com-

mittee.Tickets are $7 for adults,

$5 for seniors and free for children under 6. Tickets are available at the door. All pro-ceeds benefit the Ashtabula County 4-H Camp coun-selors.

For more information, call the Ashtabula County Extension Office at (440) 576-9008.

Ashtabula County 4-H Pancake Breakfast to be held April 10

My 4-H club was my family

SUBMITTED PHOTOThe Ashtabula County Junior Fair Court participated in many parades. Pictured are Queen Kortney Squibbs, Princess Faith Blankenship and King Cody Kanicki.

can you learn sportsmanship without the sports? I learned how to lose with pride and learned that winning is not everything. I learned that the experiences I had were more important than the placings I got.

Without 4-H, I would not be the women I am today. I would not be a confident women representing the Ashtabula County Junior Fair throughout Ohio. To all those kids out there who think they cannot do 4-H because they are not good enough, think again. Put your mind to it and anything is possible.

I never thought I would be honored to be the Ashtabula County Junior Fair Queen, but as I said; hard work and persistence does pay off. I believe in anyone who has a dream, now it is time for those dreams to become realities.

The Ashtabula Coun-ty Small Animal Commit-tee has created a cookbook featuring recipes compiled by members, alumni, fam-ily and friends of 4-H. Many are tried and true family favorites featuring the types of projects the kids are raising and show-

casing the “Farm to Table” philosophy, a movement concerned with produc-ing food locally and de-livering that food to lo-cal consumers including fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, poultry, and live-stock projects- large and small. Canning, stewing,

grilling, fresh salads, and sweets are all included. We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do and hope you feel com-pelled to try something new. Cookbooks will be available sometime in April and will cost $10 each with profits gener-

ated going to the mainte-nance and improvements of the Small Animals Barn at the fairgrounds. For more information or to order your copy of “Blue Ribbon 4-H Family Recipes,” please contact Brandy Hanusosky at [email protected].

Cookbook available to raise funds for Ashtabula County Small Animal Committee

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BY GABRIEL MCVEYGazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON – The Ashtabula County 4-H pro-gram named Jefferson Area Junior High School seventh-grader Faith Blankenship as its 2015 Junior 4-H’er following her demonstration of superior service and going above and beyond their call to “learn by doing.”

Faith Blankenship is 13 years old and a member of the Saybrook Raiders 4-H Club, which meets at Harbor-Topky Memorial Library. She has been in 4-H for seven years and has completed goat, rabbit, chicken, guinea pig, sewing, archery, cooking and general projects. Faith has also participated in a wide variety of county 4-H activi-ties including helping with the 4-H Carnival and Fall Festi-val, AG Day, the Rabbit Fun Show and participating in the County Speaking Contest. Faith also currently repre-sents the 2015 Ashtabula County Jr. Fair as Princess and has served as Health & Safety Officer, Secretary and President of her 4-H Club. Outside of 4-H Faith plays flute in the school band and cheers with the Jefferson Junior High Cheerleading Squad. Faith is always around to help when things need to

be done and is willing to help others outside of her club.

“Over the summer I went to state fair. I got a clock tro-phy,” Blankenship said. “It’s first place in whatever project you took and I did canning and freezing.”

Blankenship was also named 4-H Princess for 2015.

“I just basically represent the fair and we go to different things and promote the Fair and 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts FFA and Grange – all the clubs and organizations that go with the Fair,” Blan-kenship said. “Once I’m done with Princess, I plan to run for fair queen.”

The Ashtabula County Top 4-H’er Award is given to a junior and senior 4-H’er who have gone above and beyond in 4-H. 4-H’ers are nominated by other members and 4-H volunteers for this award which is focused on the 4-H career of youth who have excelled in the program. Youth were asked to take part in a short interview with a panel of 4-H Volunteers with a combine total of over 80 years of service to speak about their involvement and commitment to the 4-H program. The panel had quite the challenge select-ing their top winners as all the youth nominated were deserv-ing. In 2015, two junior and six senior 4-H members were

Faith Blankenship named Ashtabula County Junior 4-H’er of the Year

SUBMITTED PHOTOThe Ashtabula County 4-H program named Jefferson Area Junior High School seventh-grader Faith Blanken-ship as its 2015 Junior 4-H’er following her demonstration of superior service and going above and beyond their call to “learn by doing.”

nominated.For their distinction to

the 4-H program, the 2015 Ashtabula County Junior Top 4-Her Award was presented to Faith Blankenship and the 2015 Ashtabula County Junior Top 4-Her Award was presented to Amy Varckette. The top 4-H’er awardee is ex-pected to exemplify what 4-H is about. The nominee must be a 4-H member in good standing with the county program.

Blankenship is looking forward to taking her animal-showing skills and recogni-tion to the next level as well.

“I’m also looking to go into Super Showmanship – when you’re the highest showman in whatever animal you show – goats for me,” Blanken-ship said. “You have to now your goat the best, be able to work with it. Grooming is important – especially with my breed the saanen, which is an all white breed.”

In 2015, the Ashtabula County 4-H Youth Development program had 48 chartered 4-H clubs with 905 members (144 Cloverbuds) guided by 175 adult volunteers. These youth successfully participated in 1,307 projects across the 4-H program. Additionally 30 new volunteers were screened and trained to work with the Ashtabula County 4-H program in 2015. Committed to personal development and growth Ashtabula County 4-H Volunteers dedicated over 450 hours to extended learning through participation in county, regional and state level adult learning activi-ties and development trainings. Thank you, volunteers, for your time, commitment and dedication to Ohio 4-H!

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BY FAITH BLANKENSHIPAshtabula County Fair princess

4-H means everything to me! Ever since I started in 4-H, it has been one of the most fun experiences of my life. It has been learning new things, and making new friends. 4-H is hard work and fun. But most of all, 4-H is great memories.

I have learned many things from 4-H. The most important lesson is to nev-er give up. From a feisty goat my first year, to a pile of projects last year never giving up doesn’t occur to

me. I have learned to forge ahead with a smile.

4-H is a great balance of hard work and fun: hard work in getting my projects ready for judging, but fun in great things like attend-ing 4-H Camp Whitewood. I really enjoy spending the week at camp meeting new friends and learning new things. If you want to find me this summer, I will be at camp!

Most of all 4-H is the great memories. Some of my best 4-H memories are winning the clock tro-phy at state fair; showing my goats (especially pack class), being named top

4-Her. And most of all winning Ashtabula County Junior Fair Princess. My memories are great and are some funny stories. Ask me how it feels to be drug across the yard by a goat! Or the places I have gone as Princess and the people I have met. The friends that I look forward to seeing at festivals and parades.

So no matter what, 4-H will have a special place in my heart. Just ask me and I will tell you even though there is some hard work, fun friends and memories make it all worth it! That is why 4-H is everything.

What 4-H means to me

SUBMITTED PHOTOAshtabula County Fair Princess Faith Blankenship, right, is pictured with Queen Kortney Squibbs.

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Some of my favorite memo-ries come from 4-H - whether I was competing with my dog Gunny or riding in a parade for Junior Fair Royal Court, I was always having fun with friends. I am proud to be a 4-H’er and I always will be.

—Hollie Dalton, six-year 4-H member

What I like about 4-H is doing general projects for fair. I also like showing mini horses in the different classes. I also enjoyed the dance be-fore fair started and meeting the kids from different clubs. I also enjoy meeting new people and learning new things.

—Abby Butcher, age 9, Silver Stirrups 4-H Club

4-H means sharing time with your friends and animals at fair. For showing steers, it takes a lot of time and dedication, working with your animal. My favorite memory is when I was a Cloverbud, my brother showed dairy steers and I would fall asleep on his steers. All year round, you

What 4-H Means to Me

Hollie Dalton

are caring for your animals, preparing them for fair.

—KattieJo Hass, 14, eight-year 4-H member, Pier-pont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

I love to hang out with all my 4-H friends and show my dairy cows. Hanging out at fair with my advisors and fellow 4-H’ers is always lots of fun. 4-H has impacted my life greatly. I have gained a lot of responsibility.

—Kassidy Brinker, 14, nine-year 4-H member, Pier-pont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

My favorite 4-H member is going to fair and showing my cows. I also enjoy getting milkshakes during the week of fair.

—Katie Eldred, 14, eight-year 4-H member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H has taught me many life lessons and has en-abled me to meet many new friends. The best part of 4-H is going to fair and 4-H Camp Whitewood!

—Olivia Holden, 16, 11-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

What 4-H means to me is it teaches me responsibility and leadership. My favor-ite memory of fair is when my mom got dunked in the trough.

—Raeann Eldred, 17, 11-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

Having fun with Stoopy, my brother’s DBF.

—Justin, 7, three-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

To me, 4-H means a fun

opportunity for head-to-head competition of how well and how much fun you had do-ing and completing your project. It also means seeing how what you learned can be related or connected to what you do later in life. This past year, I took a rocketry master-level project and went to State Fair with it and came in third place out of 10 in my project area at State Fair. I am amazed at how much in-formation I can recite in all of my classes. 4-H is something I encourage to everyone.

—Josh Sommers, 14, six-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

To me, 4-H means to have a fun opportunity to make friends and spend time with my family.

—Matthew Sommers, 9, four-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H means a lot to me. I have been involved with 4-H for most of my life. The expe-riences and opportunities are endless. The responsibility and growth of youth that are taught in 4-H are inspiring. I wish every child had the opportunity to be in 4-H and create the memories I have made.

—Rosmarie Eldred, adult, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H has taught me life lessons. My favorite part is Camp Whitewood. At camp, kids are happy and that’s what I life to see.

—Jaret Swiger, 15, nine-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H has been in my life

since I was younger. This is my 12th and last year. Fair is my favorite week of the year. Kelly is my favorite advisor.

—Nicole Mann, 18, 12-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H means a lot to me since it is helping me pre-pare for my future to become a veterinarian, along with learning to get along with people and keeping a positive attitude. My favorite memory was my first rigatoni dinner. I had a really good time see-ing friends and family, along with giving out prizes during the Chinese auction. That is what 4-H means to me.

—Madeline, 16, six-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H means to me that it shows responsibility, hard work, dedication and you get to meet new people. I love fair so much because I love show-ing market steers. And I love hanging out with my friends and eating fair food. It also means that I get to show how much I love steers. And that is why 4-H is so great to me.

—Alaina Neczeporenko, 11, three-year member, Pier-pont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H means I get to show my steer, Mario. And it teach-es me responsibility.

—Zane Neczeporenko, 9, two-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H means bonding with my animal. It keeps me busy and I love showing. Plus I get to hang out with my friends. I love all the food. But my favorite part of fair is hanging out with Alaina, my

best friend, the food and my animal. I love showing, plus I love pigs.

—Brielle Bogardus, 10, three-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H means that you can have a learning experience while having fun. I had an experience for my first year when I won reserve grand champion. I felt like I had the top animal in the fair.

—Mason Summers, 11, five-year member, Pierpont

Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

4-H has taught me re-sponsibility, leadership and confidence. These skills have helped me in other activities that I am involved in, such as sports and camp counselor. I have made many new friends through 4-H and some of them have become my best friends. These are just some of the reasons that I enjoy 4-H.

—Cody Kanicki, 18, 12-year member, Pierpont Mix-N-Match 4-H Club

COMPOSED BY JENNA HOYT4-H Youth Development Extension Educator

In 2015, 187 youth (155 campers, 32 youth counsel-ors) participated in OSU Extension-Ashtabula Coun-ty’s camping program. This camping program consists of two main functions: #1: Camp Counselor Training Program and #2: 4-H Camp Week.

In 2015, 32 teenagers participated in the intensive camp counselor training program and then served as camp counselors dur-ing Ashtabula County’s 4-H Camp week held from June 28- July 4, 2015 at 4-H Camp Whitewood in Windsor, Ohio. Once, again Ashtabula County had a sold out camp with 187 youth at camp. The 2015 theme was “Camp Whitewood…Where Dreams Come True.”

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 environ-ment; the relationship to one’s peers, the adults who help at camp, and the crea-tures and plants living in the surrounding environ-ment. Traditional activi-ties offered by 4-H Camp Whitewood (swimming, boating, shooting sports, recreation, adventure, na-ture & crafts) are offered in conjunction with county planned programming and activities as well as camp-fires, games, songs and spe-

Preparing youth for suc-cess through 4-H Camps

cial events. Campers make new friends, explore new skills and talents, learn to live in a close-knit com-munity, accept challenges with enthusiasm and find renewed self-confidence. Camp Whitewood is a place for youth to safely grow and learn as they form lasting memories.

Registration for 2016 is now open! Camp counsel-ors have been selected and training has begun. We hope you will join us June 26 – July 2, 2016 for another exciting week at 4-H Camp Whitewood sponsored by Ashtabula County 4-H. Tu-ition is $300 due in advance. Financial assistance may be available 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 26-July 3? Call 4-H Camp Whitewood at 440-272-5275 or visit http://www.4hcampwhitewood.com to register now or for other dates and details.

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Each year, a group of dedicated and hardworking youth will dedicate many hours to training and planning to prepare for camp. Then they take a week out of their summer to be responsible for 165 campers ages 8-14. These talented youth are the Ashtabula County 4-H Camp Counselors. The cost for a Camp Counselor to attend camp is $285, which covers their room and board. Please help the Counselors defray the cost by making a tax-deductible sponsorship.

Sponsorships are available in three levels which are listed below. With each sponsor-ship received, your name or business will be displayed at the Chili Cook-Off, which will be held on March 12, and on banners in the camp booth at the Ashtabula County Fair. Thank you for your support.

Make Checks Payable to: OSU ExtensionMail Sponsorships to: OSU Extension Ashtabula County, 39 Wall Street,

Jefferson, Ohio 44047 OSU Extension is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please

contact David Marrison, County Director, at (440) 576-9008. Please fill out the information below and send the bottom half back to our office or

with a 2016 Camp Counselor. Thank You for Supporting Ashtabula County 4-H Camp Counselors!

Please fill out completely and return this section to the Ashtabula County Extension Office

Name of Sponsor as you would like it to appear on placemats and a banner: ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

E-mail: __________________________________________________________________

Amount sponsored: $_______________

Phone Number: ______________________________

Name of Counselor who contacted you: _________________

___________________________________________________________________________

*If a business card is available please attach.

2016 Camp Counselor Sponsorship Form

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

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 line-up for 2016. These include Robotics 2: EV3N More, Exploring Ponds, Teaming with Insects, Level 2 and Level 3 and Leadership Road Trip iBook.

Robotics 2: EV3N More: This is the second book in

the Ohio 4-H EV3 series and guides youth through new robotic configurations and challenges. The LEGO® EV3 robot constructed for Robotics 1 is required. This is an advanced level skill level book for youth with 4-H and EV3 experience.

Exploring Ponds: Mem-bers who enjoy experiencing the outdoors and exploring the natural world can learn all about Earth’s water cycle, water conservation, pond health and pond life in this advanced level book.

Teaming with Insects, Level 2 and Level 3: These

second and third level ento-mology books build knowl-edge of insects by making insect collection tools and expanding on basic concepts of biodiversity, invasive species, pest management and more.

New Idea Starters in-clude Miniature Gardens, Hedgehogs, Ferrets, Chin-chillas, and Water Quality: Field to Faucet.

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

Exploring new 4-H project areas

BY DORIS COOKGazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON - In 2015, Ashtabula County 4-H Shooting Sports clubs have nearly 70 youth members, according to Gary Russell, the county 4-H Shooting Sports coordinator. And the interest continues to grow, attracting youngsters seek-ing to learn all about safety with firearms and archery skills to hunting skills and wildlife conservation, Rus-sell added.

The Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Program for youth began in April 1992 when 10 adult volunteer advisors went to Iowa and became the first nationally certified 4-H shooting sports instruc-tors. From that time over the next 20 years, these advisors became the foun-dation of Ohio’s 4-H Shoot-ing Sports teaching team.

“I got interested in be-ing a certified instructor when my son wanted to get into one of the early clubs

in the county. I’ve been a hunter for years. So I took the certified instructor course for the 4-H shooting sports program and my son joined one of the clubs. I’m now volunteering as the coordinator for our county clubs and we have about five active clubs,” said Rus-sell, who lives in Sheffield Township with his family.

The 4-H shooting sports program and its clubs in Ashtabula County are open to both boys and girls from ages nine years or entering the third grade up to senior high school. Eight basic disciplines are taught by the club advisors—archery, muzzle loading, hunting skills, Living History, pis-tol, rifle, reloading and shotgun target shooting. Russell said the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Program developed its own teaching criteria with input from the National Rifle Association youth program disciplines.

“The importance o f learning the safety han-

dling of any firearms and archery equipment is a priority. Kids learn shoot-ing styles depending on what type of firearms they use. There are different projects they can do, and we put on demonstrations at our County Fair Week in the Expo Center about the various club projects,” Rus-sell said. “We do not replace the ODNR Youth Hunter Education programs done in the state. Many of the kids in the shooting sports clubs are urged to take those courses as well to obtain a hunting license.”

As a 4-H certified in-structor for the past five years and now taking on the job as county clubs coordinator, Russell com-mented, “I really enjoy working with our county youth. As I said it was be-cause my own son wanted to get into a different 4-H program other than rais-ing an animal that drew me into the program. Safe responsible use of firearms

Ashtabula County 4-H Shooting Sports clubs draws more membersand archery equipment is a very important facet for our program. Learning the basic shooting fundamen-tals, plus exploring wildlife conservation, taking field trips, promoting sports-manship and promoting

family recreational activi-ties are all part of what it’s about. Some of the clubs in the county meet different times of the month.”

The Ashtabula County 4-H Shooting Sports pro-gram registration is on

right now and continues up through April. For in-formation on the county 4-H shooting sports and clubs youngsters can get in-volved in or for any general information, contact Gary Russell at (440) 224-3502.

BY DORIS COOKGazette Newspapers

BETHESDA, MD - For Gregory Howard, formerly of Austinburg Township, his interest in science and biomedical engineering as a career began in the 11 years spent as an Ashtabu-la County 4-H’er. Howard’s career path was carved early on and attributed to when he joined 4-H as a youngster at age nine years. He got involved in

science-related 4-H club projects.

“I was in 4-H through my days at Geneva High School. I learned a lot of leadership skills being in the Junior Fair Board and serving as president one year. My 4-H years helped me learn leadership and teamwork skills. I also was in the Youth LEADER-ship of Ashtabula County program. In high school, I mentored with a surgeon and decided to major in bio-

medical engineering in col-lege,” said Howard during a recent phone interview at his job with the National Institute of Health.

He also was a youth counselor for four years at 4-H Camp Whitewood in Windsor Township and a youth member with Ohio State 4-H Fair Foundation.

Howard is employed at the National Institute of Health, Biodefense Re-search Section in Bethesda, Maryland. The 25-year-old

Howard earned a BS degree in engineering and biomed-ical studies last year from the University of Akron.

During his senior year at UA, Howard said, “During college I was fortunate to intern and work in several biomedical companies. All this experience helped me decide to find a job in bio-medical engineering as a career.”

“I applied for a job at the NIH and was accepted. I really enjoy what I’m doing

now,” he said.Howard’s parents, Kim

and Gerald Howard, still reside in Austinburg Town-ship. His mom works at the OSU Extension Service of-fice in Jefferson.

Asked if he’s interested in ever becoming a doc-tor, Howard replied, “I’ve thought about it, but right now I love and enjoy what I’m doing at NIH in bio-defense research projects. This April I’ll be going to England to the University

of Oxford, Department of Chemistry. I am a PhD candidate in the NIH-Cam-bridge Scholars Program. This is a very exciting op-portunity for me.”

As to time for any hob-bies, Howard joked, “I like to run when I have free time from my job. But right now I’m working on re-search projects, then get-ting ready to go over to England. I plan to see my family before leaving for England.”

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Ashtabula County first graders will learn where their food comes from

On May 8, 2015, nearly 1,000 mem-bers of the class of 2025 descended on the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds to participate in Ashtabula County’s “Ag Day.” Sponsored by OSU Extension and the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, the primary goal of this event is to educate first graders on where their food comes from and to showcase the different types of agricultural commodities which are being grown in Ashtabula County.

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

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

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

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

Learn what type of machinery is used in agriculture.

Learn the importance of healthy nutrition and exercise.

Ashtabula County’s Ag Day program has become a community supported effort as over 250 volunteers and donors help to make this day a reality for the students. The cost of host-ing this event was over $10,000 (both monetary and in-kind) and without the support of many

this program would not have been possible. We are asking you to considering becoming a donor for the 2016 Ag Day which will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016, we are offering five levels of sponsorship. These are:Platinum Sponsorship -$1,000 and overGold 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 Ashtabula County farms, agribusinesses, and supporters of Ashtabula County Agriculture to consider making a donation to help us educate our youth about agriculture (see back for more details). Your gift to this program is 100-percent tax deduct-ible. Attached are a list of the donors from last year’s event. Donors are recognized in a variety of manners which can be seen on the following page. If you are interested in help-ing with this year’s program or would like to be a sponsor, please contact Abbey Averill at 440-576-9008.

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 2016 Ag Day!

(current as 2/25/2016) Platinum Sponsorship Over $1,000•Ruth Mary Service•Ashtabula County Farm Bu-reau•OSU Extension-Ashtabula County•Ashtabula County Fair-board•Western Reserve Farm Co-operative

Gold Sponsorship $500 to $999•John & Nancy Patterson•Katherine S. Riedel – Attorney•Wright Farms, LTD

•Silver Sponsorship $250 to $499•Ashtabula County Cattlemen’s Association•Barb Schaab, Ashtabula Coun-ty Recorder•Bossy’s Way Inc.•Farm Credit Services•Grand River Cellars•Marrison Farms

Bronze Sponsorship $100 to $249•American Legion Post 151 in Conneaut•Arms Trucking Company•Ashtabula County Soil & Wa-ter Conservation District•Senator Capri Cafaro•Cherry Valley Slaughtering &

2016 Ashtabula County Ag Day SponsorsProcessing•Ashtabula Co. Commissioner Dan Claypool•Countryside Vet Clinic•Jefferson Milling Company•Ralph & Pat Pankowski•Richard & Barbara Pruden•Dan Whitmire

Friends of Ag Day ($1-$99)•Roger & Shirly Corlett

•Brian & Jean Forman•Saybrook Grange•Cheryle Chiaramonte•Kalas Farm•Gregory & Patricia Seymour•Mechling’s Maple Farm•Pymatuning Valley Primary PTO, Inc•Skyview Farm•Tree Tyme Nursery•Larry & Donniella Winchell

Sponsors needed for Ag Day on May 13

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Location Dates & Times

Bowl for Kids’ Sake brings together over 1,000 members of our community and many companies and organizations to raise funding for children we serve in Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake counties. This event is a integral part in helping Big Brothers Big Sisters to raise over 65% of their own funding. So gather up a team of co-workers, friends, and family and join us for an exciting day of entertainment, drawings, prizes and delicious refreshments!

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“We concentrate on food and clothing projects,” she said.

March continued as a 4-H advisor after her daughters graduated from high school, and they remain involved as well.

March’s older daughter, Jenna, served as a 4-H advi-sor for a year after graduat-ing from college. Now, living in Chicago, she no longer has the opportunity. March’s younger daughter, Melanie, is in college.

“They both always come back for judging on Ashtabu-la County’s “Super Saturday” and help me judge,” March said. “They are a God-send because they have been part of it for so long they don’t need an instructor.”

What sets March’s 4-H advising skills apart is the Master Clothing Education program she completed at the state level in Columbus well before her daughters became involved in 4-H.

“I had to be accepted into the program, go through an interview process and have some of my project pieces evaluated,” she said. “Be-cause sewing is my specialty, people have reached out to me, and I’ve had the opportu-nity due to the Master Cloth-ing Education class to advise at the state level regarding updating 4-H sewing project books, as well as assist with sewing project judging.”

In addition to passing on skills through 4-H advising, March likes watching 4-H club members develop confi-dence and self-esteem.

“I have seen so many of them come into our meetings barely saying ‘here’ during roll call, and you watch them gain confidence and blossom,” she said. “They take what they learn in 4-H not only project-wise, but in leader-ship. So many of our youth are involved in so many other activities, such as marching band, cheerleading, major-

From page 4AMARCHettes, Scouts, that 4-H is re-ally youth development. We see that from that beginning uncertainty. And the older ones in the club then help the younger ones.”

March’s unofficial 4-H as-sistant is her husband

“He also went through 4-H as a youth,” she said. “He runs errands for me and helps at the fair booth. He’s my right-hand man.”

Though some “fantas-

tic parents” are involved in “Jelly Beans and Jumpers,” March would like to see more adults volunteer with 4-H to give more youngster the chance to participate.

“The big thing is that people need to realize that they can give a little bit of time,” March said. “You don’t have to be an advisor. You can help with projects. There are so many oppor-tunities to give back, and

with more adult volunteers, we could have more youth involvement.”

March says adult volun-teers are especially needed in sewing and clothing proj-ects, her area of expertise.

“We would love to have more youth involved in cloth-ing projects in our group, but because so many of the members who are involved come from families where no one sews, they spend a lot of

time at my house,” she said.After working a full day,

March frequently spends up to three hours many evenings with 4-H club members who work on their sewing projects at her house.

“I can have only about two kids at a time. If we had more adult volunteers who could help with just one project, it would be phenom-enal. We could offer more opportunities,” she said.

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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 April 15. Anyone wishing to join after April 15th 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 clinics. Projects may not be changed or added after May 1st.

The current County 4-H Activity fee is $25 per member ($50 maximum per family, 1st year members and Cloverbuds 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:All clubs establish their own schedule based on the needs of their club. Members must

attend at least 50 percent 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 right to increase the required meeting attendance but may not have less.

All members have to have a signed Code of Conduct on file. This can be found on the reverse side of the Enrollment 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.

Members must meet all 4-H requirements to be eligible for end of the year awards. Project Completion:Members must meet all requirements set forth by their club(s) and county committee(s)

as explained in individual project guidelines. Project record books must be completed as outlined in project guidelines and signed

upon completion by the 4-H Volunteer. Members must complete project judging or skillathon or be home judged.Members must complete Quality Assurance by June 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 requirements 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.

4-H membership and enrollment guidelines

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Sponsored by Ashtabula County 4-H Camp Counselors Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds’ 4-H Expo Building

in Jefferson Set up 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. / Open to public 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.$30 Entry Fee. Prizes are: Grand Prize of $200 will be chosen by People’s Choice; 1st

in each category $50 (Judged); Display Award $30 (Judged) Two door tickets will be given for each entry.

•Minimum of 18-quart roaster.•Table and chairs will be provided•Pre-registration is required.•Chili and table decorations must be ready by 5 p.m. •Contestants are encouraged to name their Chili and decorate their table. A cash prize will be awarded to the judge’s choice for best display.•Tables should be manned and roasters should be covered when not serving.•Each contestant will be assigned a number for judging purposes.•If your chili contains milk, peanut or peanut oil an allergy warning sign must be displayed.

Tickets are available through any 4-H Camp counselor or at the O.S.U. Extension Office. Tickets are $5, with children three and under, free. Cornbread, salad, dessert and beverage are included. All proceeds benefit the Ashtabula County 4-H Camp Counselor program.

Registration FormName ______________________________________________

Phone Number _____________________________________

E-mail _____________________________________________

Circle Category: Thick and Hearty or Hot and Spicy or Unconventional

Questions? Contact Abbey Averill at 440-576-9008 or [email protected].

2nd annual Chili Cook-Off and Family Fun Night

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1565 State Route 167, Jefferson, OH 44047. 440-576-6015 . www.atech.edu The Ashtabula County Technical & Career Center does not discriminate on the basis of race,

color, national origin, sex, disabilities, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

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93.6% of A-Tech grads are on the job, in college or in technical training within one year of graduation.

Call 440-576-6015 or visit us

on-line at www.atech.edu.


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