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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Erie County

2026 Quality Assurance Information

45 Day Rule

QA must be completed by June 25, 2026 for Erie County fair participation. 

Testing out of quality assurance

Youth who are at least 15 as of January 1, 2026 are able to test out of Quality Assurance for the remainder of their 4-H career. Test out sessions will be offered 1-hour before each of the in-person QA sessions and by appointment. If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the test out option, reach out to Mary Beth Albright at albright.75@osu.edu

ERIE COUNTY QA COMPLETION OPTIONS 

Erie County requires youth to attend an approved QA program with a parent/guardian. If you are unable to attend one of the QA trainings in Erie County, you are welcome to complete the internet based YQCA Training, or attend another county's QA training. Information and dates below.

Erie County IN PERSON QA SESSIONS

Must register at least 24 hours in advance: 

If you have questions about QA please reach out to Mary Beth Albright at albright.75@osu.edu

ADDITIONAL QA OPTIONS in the following counties: Ottawa, Sandusky, seneca

If you plan on attending a different county's QA program, please contact the Extension Office in that county to register to ensure there are enough materials to hand out. You MUST sign in and list your county of fair participation for the QA to be counted. 

Other County QA Dates:

Monday, February 23, 6-8 pm- Bellevue High School, Seneca Co. call 419-477-9722 to register

Saturday, March 7, 9-10 am- Ottawa County Fairgrounds in Damschroder Hall call 419-898-3631 to register

Thursday, March 12, 6:30- 7:30 pm- Ottawa County Fairgrounds in Damschroder Hall call 419-898-3631 to register

Wednesday, March 25, 6-8 pm- Mohawk School, Seneca Co. call 419-477-9722 to register

Sunday, April 12, 5-6 pm- Ottawa County Fairgrounds in Damschroder Hall call 419-898-3631 to register

Thursday, April 16, 6:30- 7:30 pm - Vanguard career center in Fremont, Sandusky Co.  call 419-334-6340 to register

Wednesday, April 22, 6:30- 7:30 pm- Ottawa County Fairgrounds in Damschroder Hall call 419-898-3631 to register

Sunday, April 26, 1-3 pm- Sentinel Career and Technology Center, Seneca Co. call 419-477-9722 to register

Monday, May 11, 6:30- 7:30 pm -Vanguard career center in Fremont, Sandusky Co.  call 419-334-6340 to register

If you complete QA in any manner other than the sessions listed above, please reach out to Mary Beth Albright at albright.75@osu.edu to record your completion and confirm that it is an approved course!

YQCA TRAINING ON-LINE - 

If you are unable to attend one of the Erie County Sessions, you can complete the YQCA online training for a fee of $12/youth. Youth may complete the online YQCA course at https://yqcaprogram.org/  Youth must complete the correct course for their 4-H age. DO NOT COMPLETE THE YQCA TEST OUT EXAMS! THOSE ARE NOT OHIO 4-H APPROVED. If youth plan to complete YQCA training online, please contact Mary Beth Albright so you receive the correct completion information and can assure that youth select the correct course. The entire course must be completed before June 25, 2026 to be eligible to compete.You must email the certificate of completion to Mary Beth (albright.75@osu.edu) or Tami (kromer.53@osu.edu)

 

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS CAN RECEIVE TRAINING FOR CERTIFICATION TO TEACH QA VIA AN ONLINE COURSE.

If you would like to be certified to teach QA to your club or if you have someone else who you would like to teach it to your club, certification is available via an online course. All past Erie County Instructors are due for re-certification so if you plan to offer a club QA your instructor MUST BE CERTIFIED. This online course is simple to complete and can be done at your own pace, but enrolment only happens once a month. I need to send contact information for participants to Columbus by the 25th of each month for them to be enrolled in the next month’s course. Please contact albright.75@osu.edu if you would like to be enrolled or learn more information about the course. Certification is good for 3 years.

If you have questions about QA please reach out to Mary Beth Albright at albright.75@osu.edu