Ohio 4-H - Animal Sciences Program

Ohio 4-H Program Sponsor Highlight #2

🐂🐑🐖 THANK YOU TO OUR BREEDING SKILLATHON SPONSORS

We are grateful for the sponsors who support the Ohio 4-H Breeding Skillathons!
Swine OBE Skillathon Awards Sponsor: DeLoye Showpigs
Beef OBE Skillathon Awards Sponsor: Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation
Sheep OBE Skillathon Awards Sponsor: Hartschuh Livestock

These educational contests are intended to test exhibitor knowledge and skill in the same manner as our in-person skillathons but with a emphasis on breeding related materials.

Your generosity helps recognize the hard work and dedication of Ohio 4-H youth while supporting opportunities for learning and growth within the livestock industry.
Thank you for helping us provide engaging and impactful educational experiences for youth across Ohio! 🍀

You asked, we listened!

The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences, in partnership with the Ohio Poultry Association, is excited to host the first ever virtual information session for youth, parents, coaches, and anyone interested in Ohio State Fair Poultry Judging and Avian Bowl contests.

📅 Thursday, June 4
⏰ 6:00 – 7:00 PM
💻 Via Zoom

This informal, discussion-based session will cover contest information, preparation resources, rules, registration, and more — with plenty of time for Q&A. Bring your questions and learn how to get involved in these exciting educational opportunities!

🔗 Contest Resources & Registration:
https://go.osu.edu/poultry-contests

🔗 Zoom Link:
https://go.osu.edu/poultryinfosession
🔑 Password: 878709

Please help us spread the word by sharing with youth, families, advisors, and coaches interested in poultry judging and avian bowl opportunities through Ohio 4-H! 🐔🍀

Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences Program Sponsor Highlight #1

🏆 THANK YOU TO OUR IN-PERSON SKILLATHON AWARD SPONSOR 🏆

The Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences Program would like to recognize and thank Cooper Farms who helped to make our In-Person Skillathons possible. Their support provides meaningful educational opportunities for youth across Ohio while rewarding excellence in animal science knowledge and application.

These contests challenge youth to develop real-world skills in nutrition, management, identification, evaluation, and overall animal care — preparing them to become future leaders in agriculture.

Thank you for investing in Ohio 4-H members and helping us continue to provide high-quality experiences for youth across the state! 🍀

We are currently working on a historical project to document the legacy of 4-H Livestock Judging Teams at the Ohio State Fair. As part of this effort, we are gathering information to create a complete record of Champion Junior and Champion Senior teams from each year, including counties represented, and team photos when available.

The information we currently have on file is listed below (we do have photos for all of the teams listed below as well). We appreciate any additional details, corrections, or photos you may be able to provide to help preserve the history and tradition of these contests for future generations.

If you have any information or photos to share, please do so by filling out our survey: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQGogSqdw69pvro

2016
Champion Junior Team Wood County
Champion Senior Team Marion County
2017
Champion Junior Team Wood County
Champion Senior Team Wood County
2018
Champion Junior Team Wood County
Champion Senior Team Wood County
2019
Champion Junior Team Adams County
Champion Senior Team Warren County
2021
Champion Junior Team Marion County
Champion Senior Team Wood County
2022
Champion Junior Team Wood County
Champion Senior Team Marion County
2023
Champion Junior Team Wood County
Champion Senior Team Wood County
2024
Champion Junior Team Marion County
Champion Senior Team Wood County
2025
Champion Junior Team Warren County
Champion Senior Team Wood County

2025 All-Star Judging Team photo for attention.

🚨 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 🚨

Ohio 4-H youth have two exciting opportunities to showcase their animal science knowledge and judging skills during the Ohio State Fair season!

✅ Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest (July 26th)
✅ Ohio 4-H Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl (July 11th)

📌 Important Info:
• Participants must be enrolled and in good standing with Ohio 4-H
• A county 4-H professional signature is required for participation
• There will be no new events added to the poultry contests for 2026

🔗 Learn more & register:
🐂 Livestock Judging Contest
https://ohio4h.org/events/ohio-state-fair-4-h-livestock-judging-contest
🐓 Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl
https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-animal-sciences-program/ohio-4-h-poultry-judging-avian-bowl

📣 Please help share this opportunity with youth and families in your county!

Interested in starting a new team? We are happy to help provide information, resources, and guidance to get youth involved! 🌟

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Volunteers Needed for the 2026 Ohio State Fair Skillathons!

Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences is currently seeking volunteers to serve as facilitators for the 2026 Ohio State Fair Skillathons.

Volunteers will work directly with youth participants by assisting with stations and helping create a positive, educational experience for Ohio 4-H members from across the state.

✨ Volunteer Perks Include:
✔️ Ohio State Fair entry pass
✔️ Snacks
✔️ Meal tickets
✔️ The opportunity to support and encourage Ohio 4-H youth

No prior species experience is required! Detailed answer keys and instructions will be provided for all events.

📋 Register to volunteer here:
https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0kqBqu4ovnQN4cm

Please note:
• Volunteers must be 18 years or older and aged out of 4-H
• Volunteers should sign up only if they can fully commit to attending
• If plans change, advance communication is greatly appreciated
• All facilitators must register ahead of time

We sincerely appreciate the dedication of our volunteers — these events would not be possible without your support and commitment to Ohio 4-H youth! 💚🍀

💻✨ Practice. Prepare. Perform. ✨💻

Virtual Skillathons for the 2026 Ohio State Fair are OPEN from May 25th – October 12th!

✅ No pre-registration required
✅ Great practice for youth interested in Ohio State Fair Skillathons
✅ May replace county fair skillathon requirements (check with your fair!)

Species available:
-Beef
-Cavy
-Dairy
-Dog
-Goat
-Horse
-Llama / Alpaca
-Poultry
-Rabbit
-Sheep
-Swine

Website: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-animal-sciences-program/ohio-4-h-skillathons

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

📣 Calling all Livestock Judging Coaches, Advisors, and Volunteers!

Join the OSU ATI Livestock Judging Team this summer for:
🐖 Coaching the Complete Evaluator
Livestock Judging Skills, Strategy, and Success

These clinics are designed to help coaches build stronger evaluators by focusing on critical thinking, communication, decision-making, and intentional practice strategies.

Whether you’re a new or experienced coach, you’ll leave with practical tools you can use right away with your team.

📍 4 Regional Locations
🗓 May 27 | June 11 | June 24 | July 8
⏰ 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Topics include:
✔️ Building mental frameworks
✔️ Oral reasons strategies
✔️ Deliberate practice techniques
✔️ Contest preparation tips
✔️ Goal setting & progress tracking

🔗 Register today: https://go.osu.edu/coachesclinic2026

See flyer below for dates and locations! ⬇️

🐄🐖🐓 Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences Opportunities at the Ohio State Fair! 🐓🐖🐄

This summer, Ohio 4-H members have several exciting opportunities to showcase their animal knowledge and skills through educational contests and events at the Ohio State Fair.

Opportunities Include:
• Ohio 4-H Skillathons (Dates Vary)
• Outstanding Exhibitor (Breeding and Market) (Dates Vary)
• Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest – July 26, 2026
• Ohio State Fair 4-H Poultry Judging Contest – July 11, 2026
• Ohio State Fair 4-H Avian Bowl Contest – July 11, 2026

These experiences help youth build industry knowledge, confidence, critical thinking, and teamwork skills while connecting with fellow exhibitors from across Ohio.

📌 Please note:
Registration for the Livestock Judging, Poultry Judging, and Avian Bowl contests requires an Extension professional’s signature to verify current 4-H membership standing.

⏳In-Person/Breeding Skillathon station topics and resources will be posted very soon.

Find contest details, dates, study materials, and registration information here:
🔗 https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-animal-sciences-program

We encourage all interested youth, families, and volunteers to get involved and participate this summer!

For questions, please contact [email protected]

Anyone interested in meat science?

Join the OSU Meat Science Extension Specialists for a July meat-cutting workshop.

Participants will have a better understanding of anatomy, muscle myology, cutting guidelines, food safety, meat quality, the role of processed meat and government-regulated non-meat ingredients (i.e. salt, phosphates, nitrites, etc.) finalized by conducting hands-on cutting tests to understand the impact of yields on profit margins.

Register online: https://go.osu.edu/meatcuttingwkshp