Ohio State - 4-H Youth Development

✨ Celebrating Excellence at the 2026 Ohio 4‑H Achievement Awards ✨

On Tuesday, June 9, Ohio 4‑H recognized outstanding youth from across the state during the State Achievement Awards ceremony. These dedicated members were honored for their leadership, project work, and commitment to growing their skills and making a difference in their communities. 💚🌱

These Award Winners will go on to the National 4-H Congress in November to represent Ohio!

Congratulations to all of this year’s Achievement Award winners! We’re so proud of your hard work and impact! 👏🎉

Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more photos and videos from this incredible celebration soon! 📸✨

🚜🐄 Practice Day for a Purpose! 🐄🚜

Yesterday, Ohio 4-H members spent time teaching local celebrities how to show a steer for the upcoming Ronald McDonald House Charities Steer Show, happening August 5 at the Ohio State Fair.

These dedicated youth are proud to share their expertise and guidance to support a meaningful cause—helping families stay close to the care they need.

We were also lucky to have some talented 4-H photography project members and alumni behind the lens, capturing the action. A special shoutout to Carly, Taylor, and Sadie for sharing their time and talents with us!

We can’t wait to see these young people shine in the show ring while making a difference in others' lives. 🌟

We're so excited to kick off summer with Ohio 4-H State Leadership Camp this week at 4-H Camp Ohio! Campers are engaging in hands-on leadership development experiences that enhance and expand their knowledge and potential. They will then return home prepared to make a difference in their clubs, counties, and communities.

Thanks to Nationwide, Rural 1st, and the Dorothy Long Miller 4-H Leadership Camp Fund for their support of this important program!

🍑 Last chance! Tomorrow is the final day to order your FRESH, Southern peaches and support 4‑H!

The Peach Truck is partnering with 4‑H to deliver peaches straight from the orchard—known for being incredibly juicy, sweet, and some of the freshest you’ll find anywhere.

🌟 $10 from every box sold goes directly to support 4‑H youth programs.

⏰ Orders close 5/31, so don’t wait!

👉 Order now: http://4hpeaches.com

Thank you for supporting 4‑H and helping grow opportunities for youth!

🐔📚 Interested in Poultry Judging or Avian Bowl at the Ohio State Fair?

Youth, parents, volunteers, and coaches are invited to a Virtual Ohio State Fair Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl Information Session hosted by The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences and the Ohio Poultry Association. Learn about contest structure, how to prepare, registration details, and what to expect—plus plenty of time for Q&A! 💻✨

📅 Thursday, June 4
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Zoom (Virtual)

🔗 Join the session: https://go.osu.edu/poultryinfosession
🔑 Password: 878709

🐣 Contest details & resources: https://go.osu.edu/poultry-contests

This session is open to new and experienced participants, especially youth looking to grow their animal science knowledge and get involved at the state level. 💚🍀

Join us for STEM CAMP (5TH, 6TH & 7TH GRADES) from JUNE 21 - 23, 2026! 🧬🔭🧪

4-H membership NOT required to attend! 4-H’ers, bring a friend! This camp is open to youth STATEWIDE and is held at Canter's Cave 4-H Camp in Jackson, Ohio 🤩

REGISTRATION DUE: June 8, 2026

Registration Link for 4-H STEM Camp: go.osu.edu/4HSTEMCAMP

Required Online Health Form: go.osu.edu/StemCampHealthForm

Cost: $125.00

For more information, visit go.osu.edu/4HSTEMCAMP

🔪 Ready to sharpen your skills in meat processing?

Join CFAES for the 2026 Buckeye Fresh Mini Meat Cutting Workshops at The Ohio State University! This hands-on, two-day experience is perfect for anyone looking to build confidence in food animal processing and better understand meat quality, yields, and safety.

📅 July 14–15
⏰ 8 AM – 5 PM
📍 Columbus, OH

Learn from OSU Extension meat specialists and gain real-world experience with cutting guidelines, anatomy, labeling, and more.

✅ Open to anyone 18+
💲 $150 for both days

👉 Register by July 7: https://go.osu.edu/meatcuttingwkshp

On Thursday, May 21, Michaela Willsey, OSU Extension- Preble County 4-H Educator presented at the Business First meeting, highlighting how 4-H is shaping the future workforce.

She shared how programs like YouScience, Buckeye Next, Spark Expo, and Beyond Ready are helping youth discover their strengths, build essential life and career skills, and explore pathways to in-demand careers.

The presentation emphasized that 4-H is not just about youth development—it’s about preparing confident, capable young people who are ready to contribute meaningfully to today and tomorrow’s workforce.

Five outstanding Ohio 4-H members were recently selected as National 4-H Leadership Academy Roth Scholars! Over the past few days, they kicked off the program in Washington, D.C., where they connected with fellow Roth Scholars from across the country while participating in leadership development and civic engagement experiences.

Over the next two years, these young leaders will design and implement projects aimed at creating positive change in their communities. We can’t wait to see the impact they will make through this incredible opportunity!

So glad to see Ohio 4‑H’ers visiting the Ohio Statehouse and putting their leadership skills on display! 🏛️💚

What an amazing opportunity for these young leaders to learn, connect, and represent 4‑H with pride. 🌱✨🐮