Knox County 4-H provides multiple activities, opportunities for youths in 2021

KNOX COUNTY – Knox County 4-H'rs have the ability to participate in a variety of activities this year, ranging from essay competitions to leadership opportunities and even a turkey pool.

These events are open to active 4-H club members:

2021 Knox County Turkey Pool

Turkey exhibitors must purchase their poults through the 2021 Knox County Turkey Pool in order to show their turkeys at the 2021 Knox County Junior Fair. The deadline to purchase turkey poults is Feb. 12 by 5 p.m., and exhibitors must purchase a minimum of four poults at $6 each. 

Find out more about this pool and place your order at u.osu.edu/4hknoxcounty/2021/01/24/2021-knox-county-turkey-pool-information.

2021 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition

Active 4-H club members are invited to write an essay focusing on the 2021 essay topic “Immunity: Threats to Bee Colonies and Methods to Defend Against the Threats,” as part of the 2021 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees Inc.

Writers are expected to name at least two threats to honeybee colonies and discuss how the colonies defend against each of these threats. Participants are also asked, if possible, to include a photograph from February 2020 - February 2021 to illustrate how bee colonies remain healthy in spite of a variety of threats.

To qualify for this competition and the state selection process, individuals should meet these requirements:

• Essay must be formatted as follows: double-spaced type, 12-point font on single-sided pages.
• The essay must be 750-1,000 words, not counting sources; works cited, or the writer’s biographical statement.
• A source or bibliography list must be included with the essay.

These essays will be judged on research, accuracy and creativity; as well as conciseness and logical development of the topic.

2021 Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards and OWAA Student Photo Contest

Essays must be submitted by April 15, 2021. Winners will be announced on June 15.

The Outdoor Writing Association of America is sponsoring another opportunity for 4-H members to compete in the 2021 Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards and the OWAA Student Photo Contest.

These contests are open to 4-H members in 11th and 12th grades, and college students.

To participate, 4-H'rs must enter any written or photographic work that focuses on an outdoor theme by March 1, 2021. The submission guidelines and portal are available at owaa.org/contests.

Winners will receive the following prizes: first place – $200; second place – $100; third place – $50. Each winner will also receive a one-year student membership to OWAA and have their name included in a nationally distributed press release. Their submission will also be included in the OWAA magazine “Outdoors Unlimited.”

Knox Junior Leaders

Youths in Knox County who are interested in learning about leadership, public speaking, and project planning and implementation have an opportunity called Knox Junior Leaders.

Youths in 7th - 12th grades as of Jan. 1 can and are encouraged to apply.

To learn more, email Jana Mussard (mussard.4@osu.edu) or Jen Bouton (Kokosingfarms@gmail.com).

The application is available at u.osu.edu/4hknoxcounty/2021/02/02/knox-junior-leaders.

The Juniors Leaders will be part of a large club project, learn about and tour businesses in Knox County, and take part in a variety of hands-on learning experiences.