Ms. Bonnie Ayars, Extension Dairy Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension
As the end of the year approaches, I have spent time preparing a 2010 calendar for 4-H dairy activities. It is posted on the www.4hansci.osu.edu web page. There is also a current edition of my newsletter titled, “Bonnie’s Buckeye Moos.”
I hope you will take some time to encourage youth to participate in local and state wide programs. Once again, I am pleased to report that Ohio Dairy Productions Association (ODPA) and the American Dairy Association (ADA) Mideast will assist in sponsoring a program titled “Dairy COWreers.” The workshop will be an opportunity to link the dairy industry and the next generation, while creating an awareness of all the many career possibilities! I will be calling on many of you for your expertise and assistance. This April 10th “career fair” will be held in the 4-H Center here on campus.
Just this week, each participant in a state wide 4-H program, as well as every junior dairy exhibitor at the 2009 Ohio State Fair received a letter about dairy programs and the 2010 calendar. There were approximately 275 letters sent. It is my hope that this “grass roots” campaign will encourage interest to more dairy youth from all areas of the State.
As far as the collegiate level of judging, 5 students and I will be attending the Ft. Worth Stock Show in January. There is a dairy judging contest held there, and this is the first time OSU will be competing. Bernie Heisner will also accompany us on the trip, which will include some dairy farm visits, tours of local areas of interest, and a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin’s judging team.
The ODPA has established a Dairy Care Standards committee. I will be serving on this, and the first meeting was held December 15th. It was formed to begin the work of preparing a unified dairy industry approach that will be submitted for review of and the potential endorsement/certification by the Ohio Livestock Care Board. If you would like more details, please contact me or Jenny Hubble at ODPA.