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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Media Advisory: Saturday's Ohio 4-H Gathering to be Biggest Ever

March 9, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- More than 1,700 Ohio 4-H members and volunteers are expected to flock to Columbus on Saturday, March 12, for the Ohio 4-H Teen Conference and the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference.

In the past, the conferences were held on separate days, but participants told organizers that combining the two would be more convenient, said organizer Allen Auck, Ohio 4-H program manager for events and activities. In all, about 730 teenage 4-H members and 975 adult volunteers registered to attend.

"As far as we can tell, this is shaping up to be the largest 4-H event of its kind in the nation," Auck said. "It is the largest 4-H conference we've ever had in the state."

In addition to the hundreds of sessions being offered, two community service projects are planned:

  • Participants will be able to purchase Best in Show Pet Treats (http://www.pettreats4youth.com/) and donate them to the Clark County Humane Society for the 367 dogs recently rescued from an over-crowded, infested shelter, which are now being housed and cared for at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Ohio 4-H had previously arranged to have Best in Show Pet Treats at the conference as a fund-raiser, Auck said -- half of the proceeds will go to 4-H to help plan next year's Teen Conference. Now, participants will be able to donate dog treats they purchase to help care for the needy animals.
  • Participants are also being asked to bring toiletries to help fill ditty bags made by 4-H volunteers from throughout the state, to donate to veterans' hospitals.

Contact: Allen Auck, 614-247-8148 (office) or 614-371-9241 (cell)

What: Ohio 4-H Teen Conference and Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference

When: Saturday, March 12, 2011, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus

Why: Largest gathering of 4-H members in Ohio, possibly in nation

More than 330,000 Ohio youths, including more than 46,000 high schoolers (grades 9-12), are involved in Ohio 4-H clubs and programs, with more than 20,000 adult volunteers assisting. Ohio 4-H is the youth development program of Ohio State University Extension, cooperatively supported by federal, state and county funds

Author(s): 
Martha Filipic
Source(s): 
Allen Auck