I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a good start to the new year. With the new year comes the beginning of a new 4-H year as well, so be sure to read this winter issue of our newsletter for all of our upcoming event dates and important information. Be sure to also check out our website: and like us on Facebook: Seneca County 4-H Program, for the latest and most up-to-date news and information as well.

Seneca County Family Newsletter1OSU Extension, Seneca County

Advisor and Volunteer Mandatory Policy 1.50 Trainings

All advisors and volunteers should plan on attending a mandatory Policy 1.50 training this January. This is a policy that is required by the University and must be completed by all advisors and volunteers on an annual basis. We have three dates available for training and all trainings will be held in the large conference room at the Extension Office. Remember, this is a mandatory training and requirement to be a 4-H volunteer.

  • Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, January 28, 2017, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

2017 Volunteer Finger Prints

A letter was sent out to 40 volunteers who were selected to be finger printed for 2017. The University asked that finger prints be completed by December 31, 2016. If you have not completed the finger printing requirement, please do so ASAP. If it is not completed, you will not be considered a volunteer for 2017. The University will reimburse the costs of the finger prints but the original paperwork and receipt must be turned into the Extension Office. To date, 16 volunteers have completed their finger printing. If you are not sure if you were selected, please make sure to contact the office.

Secretary Books, Treasurer Books, and Honor Club Forms

Please remember to turn in your Secretary Book, Treasurer Book, and Honor Club forms by Friday, January 13, 2017. This is a new deadline and there has been some concern that books will not be back in time for clubs to start up. Books will be reviewed the following week and should be ready for pick up by January 23.

Forms for the Secretary and Treasurer books and Honor Club are in your club year-end packet. There are several clubs that have not picked up their year-end packets, please make an effort to get those picked up soon.

990N E-postcard Filing

The Extension Office will once again be filing your club EIN’s this year. Please do not attempt to file them.

Club Annual Financial Forms

Annual Financial forms are due by January 31, 2017. Please check your packet for the form or if you need a copy please contact the Extension Office. If you have old forms, please make sure to throw them out. If you do not turn the correct form in you will be asked to complete the correct form. This is a requirement for every club.

Quality Assurance

There will be two county wide quality assurance trainings for members to attend. All 4-H members that are taking any livestock projects except for horses and dogs are required to attend quality assurance. A parent must be in attendance with the 4-H member as well. There will be a test out option for 4-H members who are 15 or older as of January 1st. These tests will only be available at the county wide quality assurance trainings. There is a new Veterinary Feed Directive Law that comes into effect January 1, 2017. This law will require any owners of a food producing animal (including bees) to have a relationship with a veterinarian in the event of any disease requiring a drug of medical importance. More information about the new VFD will be available at Quality Assurance.

Quality assurance should be completed by May 1st to be able to exhibit at the Seneca Co. Fair.

  • Monday, January 30, 2017 at Sentinel Career Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Seneca East School from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Volunteers who are certified to teach Quality Assurance should contact the Extension Office for this year’s required information.

4-H Achievement Form

Older youth in 4-H should experience and take advantage of the many opportunities for trips and scholarships that are available to them through the county, state, and national level. In order to qualify or be considered for these opportunities an achievement form must be filled out. Some of the opportunities include: National 4-H Congress, Citizenship Washington Focus, Buckeye Leadership Workshop, Leadership Camp, and many more. Achievement forms can be found at: Achievement forms are due to the Extension Office by Wednesday, February 1, 2017.

Seneca County Family Newsletter1OSU Extension, Seneca County

Ohio 4-H Week

Ohio 4-H Week is March 5-11, 2017. Have you or your club celebrated 4-H week? This is a great time to represent Seneca County 4-H and spread awareness about this great organization. You could visit the local library, wear your club and county 4-H apparel, paint windows, and set up a booth. These are just some ideas in which you can spread the word about 4-H.

Ohio 4-H Conference

End Ohio 4-H week by attending the Ohio 4-H Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Saturday, March 11, 2017. This conference has something for everybody to enjoy and leave with, weather you are a 4-H member, parent, or volunteer. The registration fee is $35.00 and registrations are due by Friday, February 10, 2017.

2017 4-H Enrollment

Enrollment for the upcoming 4-H year will be taken March 1-20, 2017. If you would like to send in your book orders early so your books are ready please either drop them off or email them to Erin: or you can stop in the office with them and I will fill your order while you are here. Enrollment fees will remain the same this year. 4-H aged members: $10.00 and Cloverbuds: $5.00. If you have any questions about the enrollment forms or book order form please call the Extension Office.


Seneca County Family Newsletter1OSU Extension, Seneca County


Congratulations to the 2017 Camp Counselors

Ellie ShawKylie Hemchak

Cara BrownNura Himebaugh

Cynder JamesonAlesha Lowry

Caitlin FrankartAdrianna Stock

Makennah RettigAllison Staib

Jordan KiefferRachel Miller

Samantha HintonKady Elchert

Maddy ElchertRebecca Greene

Terri GreeneKristan Bowers

Emily WillmanDenver Staib

Wilbur JamesonMatt Warner

Jared ClarkGarrett McCoy

Logan McCoyColton Price

Ethan MarksBrayden Prenzlin

Counselors will be contacted and will start their training in January. Congratulations!