WOOD COUNTY 4-H RULES AND GUIDELINES

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WOOD COUNTY 4-H RULES AND GUIDELINES

(These are County requirements. Each club may have additional requirements.)

1. 4-H membership is based on a child’s age AND grade as of January 1 of the

current calendar year. Eligibility for Cloverbud participation begins when a child is

age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten. Eligibility for participation in 4-H projects and

competitive events begins when a child is age 8 and in the third grade. Any youth

age 9 or above is eligible for project membership, regardless of grade level.

Membership requires enrollment in an authorized Ohio 4-H club or group under

the direction of an OSU Extension professional or approved adult leader. A youth’s

4-H eligibility ends December 31 the year he/she turns 19. Joining Ohio 4-H is a

privilege and responsibility and is subject to the Ohio 4-H Code of Conduct and

applicable policies of The Ohio State University.

2. "Cloverbuds" (youth age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten as of January 1 of the

current year) are not eligible to enter competitions. 4-H volunteers lead activities

that explore topics such as health, earth and the environment, citizenship, plants

and animals. Cloverbuds may exhibit what they make in the Junior Fair Building.

Make sure you circle “CLOVERBUD” on the enrollment form and enter project

#710.

3. Enrollment: March 15 is the deadline for 4-H enrollment in Wood County. To be

eligible for 4-H membership in competitive classes both at the fair and at judging,

members must be registered by March 15 each year through the Ohio 4-H Online

System.

a. How to register for 4-H: Visit the Wood County 4-H website

https://wood.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development and click on the 4-H

registration page for detailed instructions. You will be directed to 4-H Online, the

web-based system used by all Ohio counties. https://oh.4honline.com Please, be

sure all areas are completely filled out. (i.e. member profile information, 4-H club

or clubs, and 4-H projects) and click submit when completely finished. Be sure to

use an email that you check regularly. This is the email we use to send you

newsletters, and the most up-to-date informations!

b. Clover Bud youth should not enroll in a project. Mark your project as #710.

c. Changes to your enrollment information in the 4-HOnline system,

including project changes, must be made by March 31

. Contact the 4-H Office to

make your changes after this date. Any project change after this date will not be

considered for competition.

d. A boy or girl may join 4-H after March 15

, but he or she is considered

non-competitive due to late enrollment and will not be eligible for awards, trophies,

rosettes, certificates at 4-H judging or at the Wood County Fair. These members

may be judged for an evaluation grade, exhibit projects at the fair, and receive a

premium, but are ineligible for any competition.

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

WOOD COUNTY 4-H RULES AND GUIDELINES

4. Youth do not have to be residents of Wood County to participate in the Wood

County Junior Fair; however, boys and girls must be a member of a Wood County

4-H Club or FFA Chapter in order to show in the Junior Fair Shows at the Wood

County Fair. An “Across County Lines” form must be filled out for new 4-H

members living outside Wood County. This form only needs to be filled out

once. This is a State 4-H Policy.

5. No individual may be a 4-H member in 2 or more counties simultaneously.

Youth are expected to affiliate with the 4-H program in the county of residence.

However, in instances where youth live out of the county, membership

considerations will be given by the 4-H Educators in the county of residence and

county of participation when a positive educational experience will result. An

Across County Line Form must be on file for 4-H members residing outside of

Wood County.

6. Eligible youth may be members of both 4-H (clubs) and Vocational Agriculture

(FFA Chapters), or of either group. In all cases, separate and different projects

(also different animals and/or products) must be carried in 4-H and in

Vocational Agriculture by a member belonging to both organizations. The

following examples will be considered different and separate projects - dairy herd

management (cows in production) and dairy heifers not freshened; sheep

breeding, commercial and market lambs; beef breeding and market beef (steers);

swine breeding and market hogs; horse production and horse riding; laying flock

and broilers; corn and soybeans; electricity and woodworking; etc. When showing

at fairs or other exhibitions, the same or similar animals and/or products cannot be

shown in both organizations even though they may be carried under different

projects or programs. (Example: farm management type programs where several

individual projects may be included.)

7. Any project made for competition or for a grade in any other activity, such as FFA,

FHA, school, or similar organizations, cannot be taken as 4-H projects.

8. Each 4-H member must carry at least one approved project. Members may exhibit

any number of projects at the fair. All projects taken must be completed through a

county or advisor interview. Only projects that are judged and exhibited at the fair

are eligible for fair premiums. Project guidelines, judging, and some Jr. Fair exhibit

requirements for all 4-H projects are listed in this Handbook. In addition, the

Wood County Fair Book must be referred to for additional fair rules.

9. Although it is expected that most 4-H members will take their 4-H projects to

judging and the fair, 4-H projects can still be considered "complete" even if the

project is not taken to judging and the fair. Only if an advisor designates the project

"incomplete" will a project be considered incomplete. Exhibition at the fair does

not determine whether a project is complete or incomplete. Advisors must notify

the Extension Office of member’s grades prior to fair.

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

WOOD COUNTY 4-H RULES AND GUIDELINES

10. All 4-H projects must be the work of the individual 4-H member. Help from parents,

advisors, and other interested adults are encouraged as long as it is of educational

nature. The final exhibit must be the work of the member.

11. 4-H members are required to attend a minimum of five meetings to be a Wood

County 4-H member in good standing. A member must be in good standing

in order to show or exhibit at the fair. It is understood that youth and families

are busy and that excused absences are necessary on occasion. Each 4-H Club

may determine what constitutes excused absences. 4-H advisors must notify youth

and Extension Office of failure on the member’s part to complete. Members will

then be notified of Jr. Fair ineligibility.

12. 4-H clubs are required to hold at least eight educational meetings between

November 1

and Fair of the current year to be considered a bona fide 4-H club.

A party does not constitute an educational meeting.

13. NUMBER OF PROJECTS PER MEMBER: - It is strongly recommended that a

first year 4-H member (8 and in the 3

grade) take only one project. Cloverbud

members do not take projects.

 A project must be complete and exhibited to receive fair premiums.

 4-H projects may be dropped/or added on or before April 15

. Please

notify your Advisor first.

14. 4-H Clubs are encouraged to purchase all their member’s project books in bulk

through their local club checking account. The charge for most books is $6,

however some project books may cost more. Make checks out to OSU Extension.

15. In case of a dispute over a 4-H member's project grade, the County 4-H Committee

will have the authority to make the final determination of the grade.

16. The penalties for breaking any of the 4-H or Junior Fair rules listed in this book,

the Wood County Fair book, State Fair book, or any other Extension approved

document may consist of disqualification of the member from competition. Member

in question will also forfeit any 4-H or Junior Fair awards or honors won the current

year, and their rating will be incomplete.

17. The Wood County 4-H Committee in consultation with the County and State 4-H

Staff members (and Junior and Senior Fair Boards when appropriate) shall be the

final authority in any controversies arising in any project area of the Wood County

4-H program.

18. If a 4-H’er placed 1

in a clothing project the past year, they cannot compete in the

same project this year.

19. If a 4-H'er placed 1

in a nutrition project the past year, they cannot compete in the

same project this year.

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

WOOD COUNTY 4-H RULES AND GUIDELINES

20. All Non-Livestock 4-H projects must be exhibited (photos of projects are not

acceptable) in the Jr. Fair building during the fair to be eligible for premium. Non-

Livestock 4-H project exhibits are ineligible for open fair class entry.

21. Judges will select State Fair Participants according to State Fair Participation

guidelines.

22. The Wood County 4-H Staff reserves the right to break project judging into Junior

and Senior categories depending on the number of members enrolled in a specific

project area.

23. All 4-H members will abide by the approved Dress Code for 4-H and Junior Fair

events.

Additional Junior Fair Rules that Pertain to 4-H Members

1. 4-H participation in the Wood County Fair is a reward for hard work in your 4-H

Club throughout the year. Members must be a member in good standing (rule #11)

to participate in Junior Fair events and activities.

2. No Junior Fair participant may exhibit in more than one Junior Fair unless they

are a member of 4-H in one county and FFA in another. In this situation, they

must exhibit different projects. (Example: market beef in one county and market

swine in another.) A 4-H member is not allowed to be a member of two county 4-

H programs. Youth are expected to affiliate with the youth program in the county

of residence. However, in instances where youth live out of county, membership

considerations will be given by the 4-H Educator/FFA Advisor only when a

positive educational experience will result. An “Across County Lines” Application

Form must be on file for 4-H members residing outside of Wood County. Junior

Fair participants must successfully meet all requirements of their youth

organization before being eligible to exhibit in the Junior Fair.

3. Entries must be made through the local advisor. Deadline for all entries is June

(except rabbits). All FFA and FHA exhibitors must make entries for each

project. Only those taking livestock projects need to make entries for 4-H.

4. There will be no entry fee for the Junior Fair, but there will be a $20 fee assessed

per member for late entries (after June 1

) and $100 late entry fee after July 24

5. Any project made for competition or for a grade in any other activity, such as

FFA, FHA, Wool Contest, school or similar organizations, cannot be used as 4-H

projects. Such projects will be disqualified from judging and fair and be

considered incomplete.

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

6. Fair Exhibit:

a.) Each Junior Fair organization, club, or chapter wishing to display projects

in the Junior Fair Building will be assigned a fair booth. Depending on the

number of groups, some smaller clubs may have to share a booth.

b.) Although reasonable effort is made to protect exhibits from damage or

theft, neither the Wood County Fair Boards, OSU Extension or 4-H

Committee, are responsible for the safety of any Junior Fair exhibit placed

on display at the Wood County Fair. All exhibits, including livestock, are

placed on display, and each junior fair member is responsible for any

damage or injury

which their livestock may cause to other individuals or property. Parents,

please check your home-owner liability policy to see if it covers your

animals on display at the fairgrounds.

c.) Entries must be in place before 8:00am on the first day of the fair. Junior

Fair Building (booths) is released on Sunday at 9:00 pm. All livestock

projects are released at 9:00 pm on Sunday. Violations of this rule will

result in a forfeiture of any premiums won by the exhibitor and may cause a

member to be banned from the fair. All exhibits must be removed from the

Woo d County Fairgrounds by Monday, at 6:00 pm or they will be disposed

of.

d. All non-livestock junior fair projects must be exhibited in the Junior Fair

Building during the fair to be eligible for premium.

7. Every exhibitor shall hold primary responsibility for their own projects and

individually share the care of group exhibits as directed by their leader.

8. All Junior Fair livestock projects must be completely and fully owned (as

evidenced by bill of sale or registration papers), including all showing rights, and

in complete possession and continual care of the exhibitor. For some reasons, it

may be impossible to gain full ownership of an animal. In this case, Junior Fair

members must enter into a lease agreement with the owner. (Example: 4-H

horse, performance goat, dairy, or any breeding animal may be owned or

formally leased and 4-H members must have complete and exclusive showing

rights during the lease/ownership time.) A copy of the lease documentation must

be on file with the Extension Office by June 1

. Market animals that go through

the sale cannot be leased.

a.) Ownership of breeding stock will be interpreted as:

1.) Owned by Exhibitor

2.) Owned by way of immediate family farm enterprises (parent)

3.) Leased by Exhibitor with proper documentation and agreements.

b.) Registration papers or ownership/lease documents will be checked at the

fair.

9. All possession dates for Junior Fair livestock and poultry must be adhered to for

eligibility at the Wood County Junior Fair.

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

10. Quality Assurance Training:

a.) All Junior Fair market livestock, market fowl and market poultry exhibitors,

and lactating dairy and goat animal exhibitors must participate in a

scheduled Quality Assurance training meeting to be eligible to show at the

Wood County Fair. (Livestock exhibitors to include market steer, market

heifer, market hog, market lamb, market goat, market turkey, market

rabbit, meat chicken (broiler), market ducks, market geese, lactating cows,

and lactating goats)

b.) DUNF: All Junior Fair Market Lamb, Market Steer, Market Heifer, Market

Hog, Dairy Steer, Market Goat, Lactating Cow and Goat, Market Turkey,

Market Duck, Market Goose, Market Rabbit/Fryer, and Meat Chicken

exhibitors are required to complete and sign the ODA provided Drug Use

Notification Form at all Ohio County and Independent Fairs. All Junior Fair

market and lactating exhibitors must legibly complete, sign and turn in one

Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF) per animal at weigh-in of their

respective species at the Wood County Fair. Forms will be reviewed by

the department officials assigned to the task.

c.) The Wood County Quality Assurance (QA) meeting is May 2nd at 7:00 pm

at the Junior Fair Building. All Junior Fair members must have completed

a county or club QA meeting by June 10

. This deadline is firm! After

June 10

, the member is ineligible to exhibit at the Wood County and Ohio

State Fair. This rule is an ODA rule and non-negotiable.

11. Animal Care by Exhibitors

a.) A junior livestock show exhibitor shall be responsible for the continuous

care, grooming, and preparation of the livestock entered in the junior

livestock show.

b.) An exhibitor may receive assistance in the care, grooming, and

preparation of the livestock entered in the junior livestock show, provided

that the assistance shall be limited to explanation or minimal

demonstration provided by the following:

(1) Immediate family members of the exhibitor

(2) County-approved 4-H advisors in good standing or FFA chapter

advisors of

the 4-H club or FFA chapter of which the exhibitor is a current

member

(3) Veterinarians

(4) Members of the 4-H club or FFA chapter of which the exhibitor is a

current member

c.) Assistance from those listed above must be limited to guiding and

teaching while not doing the actual work.

d.) All members must be present, directly involved, and participating during

any grooming of their animal.

e.) No person is to coach an exhibitor while the exhibitor is showing or fitting an

animal in the show ring.

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

12. Code of Conduct: All Junior Fair Participants and Family Members will be

expected to abide by the Wood County Junior Fair Code of Conduct. Improper

conduct will result in loss of Junior Fair privileges.

In caring for my livestock I will:

a.) Provide food, water, fresh bedding and care necessary to protect the health and

welfare of my animals.

b.) Make timely inspections of my animals to evaluate the health and ensure

that all basic requirements are being met.

c.) Ensure proper handling techniques are used to eliminate undue stress or

injury to my animals.

13. Sportsmanship Rule: Verbal abuse, physical abuse or harassment toward

directors, judges, ring stewards, superintendents, employees, OSU Extension

staff, junior fair members, club advisors, or volunteers of the Wood County Fair

will not be tolerated. You may be escorted from the fairgrounds; premiums

forfeited and upon Wood County Agricultural Society Rules Committee decision,

the family members may not be able to exhibit at the Wood County Fair for

period of time indicated by the committee based on the severity of the situation.

As a Junior Fair Exhibitor, I will:

a.) Be a member in good standing with the youth organization that I represent.

b.) Conduct myself in a courteous and respectful manner and exhibit good

sportsmanship towards Junior and Senior Fair officials, volunteers, parents

and other members.

c.) Be responsible for the care and fitting of my animals for the duration of the fair

week.

d.) Respect and adhere to the rules, policies and guidelines established by the

Wood County Fair.

e.) Agree to be bound by the decision of the Wood County Junior and/or Senior

Fair Boards in case of any dispute arising from the interpretation or

application of rules and guidelines set forth by Wood County Fair Officials.

f.) Dress for any Junior Fair event or activity must be neat and appropriate and

in accordance with the dress code rule.

14. Horse Helmet Rule:

a.) All youth age 19 and under, participating in any 4-H equestrian activity,

are required to wear properly fitted protective headgear which meets or

exceeds current ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) / SEI

(Safety Equipment Institute) standards with the chin harness securely

fastened at all times while riding or driving an equine. It is the

responsibility of the rider, or the parent or guardian of the youth

participant, to make sure that the headgear worn complies with

appropriate safety standards for protective headgear intended for

equestrian use and is properly fitted and in good condition. The Ohio 4-H

Horse Program, Show Committees, Officials, Extension Personnel and

Volunteer Leaders are not responsible for checking headgear worn for

such compliance. The Ohio 4-H Horse Program, Show Committees,

Officials, Extension Personnel and Volunteer Leaders make no

representation or warranty, expressed or implied, about any protective

headgear, and cautions riders that death or serious injury may result

despite wearing such headgear, as no helmet can protect against all

Wood County 4-H Rules and Guidelines

foreseeable injuries in equestrian activities. The Ohio 4-H Horse Program,

Show Committees, Officials, Extension Personnel and Volunteer Leaders

may, at his/her discretion, check a participant’s protective headgear for

proper standards. If the youth is found to be wearing unapproved,

defective, or improperly fitted headgear, he/she will not be permitted to

participate in riding or driving activities until proper headgear is acquired.

b.) Parents are responsible for the purchase, fit and the certification of the

helmet. Bike helmets are not permitted. Helmets must be worn during

work sessions.

Jr. Fair Guidelines are subject to change until published in the Fair Book.