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OSU Extension

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Fayette County

Skillathons 

IMPORTANT NOTE: All Fayette County youth exhibiting a livestock project are required to complete a skillathon. If youth have tested out, they are still required to have their book checked at some point between June 1st and July 2nd.

2025 Skillathon Dates

June 25, 2025

June 26, 2025

June 30, 2025

July 1, 2025

July 2, 2024

 

 

Multi-Species Skillathon

9am-3pm (by appointment)

Multi-Species Skillathon

9am-3pm (by appointment)

Multi-Species Skillathon

9am-3pm (by appointment)

Skillathon - Rabbit (A-M)

5-7pm @ Extension Office

Skillathon - Rabbit (N-Z)

5-7pm @ Extension Office

Skillathon - Goat/Cattle

5-7pm @ Extension Office

Skillathon - Hog/Sheep/Dog

5-7pm @ Extension Office

Skillathon - Horse/Poultry

5-7pm @ Extension Office

 

Makeup Skillathon: June 18, 2025 (Register by June 11, 2025)

Book Checks: June 1, 2025 – July 2, 2025 

Open skillathon practice (self-directed): June 10, 2025 from 10-2 @ Extension Office. 

What is a skillathon?

Raising a livestock animal or caring for a companion animal is a rich learning experience. That first-hand knowledge can lead to significant competency and expertise, especially when youth have opportunities to reflect on and apply new knowledge.A skillathon is an event that uses the experiential learning model of doing, reflecting, and applying to test one’s knowledge. The word “skillathon” is derived from the suffix -athon, which means an event, and the prefix skill, or what is being tested at the event.

Skillathons are often conducted in connection with fairs.

In Ohio, skillathons typically include five stations, each taking about five minutes to complete, although stations can be changed to fit the time available. Some skillathons offer different age- or skill-appropriate stations for juniors, intermediates, and seniors. Youth move from station to station attempting to perform tasks such as matching breeds with descriptions, labeling animal body parts, identifying meat cuts, designing appropriate housing, etc.

Ohio State Fair Skillathons 

You do not have to be an exhibitor to complete at the OSF Skillathons.

Information on Ohio State Fair Skillathons

Skillathon Study Tools 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS ACCOMMODATIONS 

Accommodations can be made for youth with disabilities through our Winning 4-H Plan. (The Winning 4-H Plan is relatable to an IEP in school).

To make an accommodation request, complete the Winning 4-H Plan Request Form (link below) and send it to your local 4-H Professional.

School vs. 4-H

There may be differences between 4-H accommodations and the accommodations received in secondary schools. Secondary school follows the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), which is the nation’s special education law. Schools may need to alter requirements and provide accommodations, commonly with an Individual Education Plan (IEP), to ensure that students can be successful. Schools provide evaluation services to diagnose disabilities and identify accommodations.

Ohio 4-H and OSU Extension, as part of The Ohio State University, are required to provide reasonable accommodations and access through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This civil rights law prevents discrimination based on having a disability. Any organization receiving federal funding must comply with Section 504. Unlike secondary schools, the family is responsible for seeking services, and an IEP does not directly transfer to 4-H. Although 4-H members are typically secondary school students, the accommodations process is similar to that of college students. Postsecondary Education Students with Disabilities Preparing for may help families set expectations for accommodations within 4-H. 

Winning 4-H Plan at a Glance

Winning 4-H Plan Request Form - two options:

Print and Write - print this form, handwrite your responses, then send 

PDF Fillable - open this form, type your responses, then print and send