Darke County 4-H

The Ohio Spot Breeders, in order to promote the advancement of the breed, will give to 4-H or FFA members a Spotted gilt.Recipients of donor gilts must show the gilt at the 2007 Ohio State Fair in the donor-gilt class and in the Junior Spot Show.Recipients must also breed the gilt to a registered Spot boar for the first breeding and farrow at least one litter of purebred spots; this litter is to be registered with the National Spotted Swine Record.The Ohio Spot Breeders will try to assist any of the recipients with breeding, either by providing semen or breeding service when possible.If the student does not fulfill the contract, he will pay the donor $150.

In order to show at the Ohio State Fair in the Jr. swine breeding shows, all youth must carry the swine breeding 4-H project(project #140) in their county 4-H club, regardless if the county has a Breeding Swine Project at their fair.

To qualify for a donor gilt, the applicant must be in 4-H or FFA and submit an essay on the topic, “Why I want to own a Spot Gilt.” Essay must describe the applicant’s hog facility and include pictures. Essay should also include a summary of the applicant’s involvement in 4-H or FFA and other extra curricular activities.

Essays must be received by April 5, 2008. Winners will be notified by May 1.

Send essays to:
Ron Pierce
1210 Highland Drive
Greenville, OH 45331

Contact Ron at 937.548.7909.

For a complete copy of the Donor Spot Gilt information, contact our office.

The OARDC/OSU Department of Animal Sciences is offering a Poultry Youth Clinic on Saturday, March 29, 2008, on the OARDC/OSU campus, at Wooster, Ohio. Registration begins at 8:15am with the programming starting at 9:00am.

This program is open to any youth interested in 4-H or FFA poultry projects or small poultry flocks.

Sessions include Avian Anatomy, Eggs From Hen House to Kitchen, Incubation, Exhibition Poultry, Market Birds, Feed and Supplies, Poultry Equipment, Poultry Housing and more.

Registration fee (includes lunch) is $16.00 for age 16 and over, and $8.00 for those under 16.

For a copy of the clinic flyer and registration, contact our office or visit the web site.

The Ohio Corriedale club is offering a pair of Corriedale ewes to a 4-H or FFA member who is interested in starting their own flock. The family of the recipient may not currently raise Corriedale sheep. The Corriedale Club will provide two ewes for the member, registered in the member’s name, prior to May 1. The club will also assist the member with management decisions and answer questions.

Any 4-H or FFA member interested in applying for the ewes should submit an application form, along with a short essay about their experience, before April 1. One member will be selected to receive the ewes and will be contacted before April 15.

Application forms are available from our office, or from Jodie Duffy, Ohio Corriedale Club, 4279 Eaton Road, Hamilton, OH 45013, by phone at 513.518.4701, or via email.

Jr. Fair Dairy exhibitors whose projects are not owned by an immediate family member must have a lease agreement on file at the Extension Office by April 15th.

Contact our office to obtain a copy of the agreement or visit the web site.

If you have questions, contact Karen Stanley.

The Miami Valley Rabbit Club and the Darke County 4-H Youth Rabbit Raisers are holding a joint rabbit show on April 6, 2008, in the Coliseum of the Darke County Fairgrounds, Greenville. Check in begins at 7:00am for sanctioned breeds, and 10:00am for non-sanctioned breeds. Show starts at 9:00am.

Contact our office for a copy of the show flyer. For additional information regarding the show, contact Amanda Behee, at 937.417.4504 or Marian Eley, 937.437.1124.

Sheep and goat tagging/tattooing will be held Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 9:00am until 11:00am, or Tuesday, May 6, 2008, from 7:00pm until 8:00pm.

Each exhibitor is permitted to tag up to five market lambs and five market goats.

There will be a $1.00 per head charge for lambs and a $2.00 per head charge for goats. Additional information will be sent next month.

This year, youth, ages 12-18, have the opportunity to test out of quality assurance training for up to three years.

Testing will be done for two age brackets - 12-14 and 15-18. Within each age bracket, there will be a large animal and a small animal test. Youth may choose which test they need, according to the projects they exhibit. Tests will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and a passing grade of 70% is required. If a youth passes the test for their age bracket, they will not have to complete quality assurance again until they reach the next age bracket. For instance, if a 12 year old passes the test, they would not have to do QA again until they reach age 15.

However, if the youth does not pass the test, they will be required to attend QA training with their FFA Chapter this year.

Tests will be offered at the Extension Office. If you are interested in trying the “test out” option, contact our office to register. Please tell us your name, age and whether you would like the large or small animal test.

Testing dates will be determined once we know how many youth are interested.

Questions? Confused? Contact our office.

The Dog Committee will be conducting Extreme Dog Experience on Saturday, May 3, in the Coliseum at the fairgrounds. EDE is a day dedicated to dog training techniques and hands on instruction. Registration begins at 9:00am.

Contact our office for a copy of the flyer, which will be available soon.
On Saturday, June 21, the Dog Committee is sponsoring a Dog Fun Match. This event will be held on the fairgrounds.

Contact our office for a copy of the flyer, which will be available soon.
Information may also be found on the web.

A Muscle Quality and Performance Barrow Show will be held at the Ohio State Fair. Contact our office for information.

The Goat Committee is holding a Goat Sale on Saturday, April 12, at the fairgrounds. Contact Christa Nealeigh, 419.852.4331, for information.

The Dayton Ballet is offering Student Group tickets for Peter Pan, March 14-16, at the Schuster Center. Contact Jill at 937.449.5060 for information.

Delta Theta Sigma has a scholarship opportunity for incoming freshmen males accepted to The Ohio State University, Main Campus, Fall Quarter 2008. Contact our office for a copy of the application or visit their web site. Deadline is March 25.