Cows, chickens, pigs, apples, grapes, milk, maple syrup, and other products of New York State’s agricultural industry are the subjects of the 40 prize winning paintings, posters, poems, and stories submitted by elementary students across New York in the 2012 annual New York Agriculture in the Classroom “I Love New York Agriculture” Art and Writing Contest.

 Over 1,000 entries were submitted from county-level contests, schools, after school programs, and home school families. The categories for the different grade levels pre-kindergarten through sixth grade include artwork, slogans, poems, stories, essays, and posters that help students learn about the importance of agriculture to New York. Winners in each category receive prizes ranging from t-shirts to savings bonds, and the winning entries will be displayed at Empire Farm Days and at the New York State Fair. Teachers utilize the contest as a way to integrate agricultural education into their core curriculum through art, literacy, social studies, math, and science.

Thanks to Tractor Supply Company/Del’s stores nationwide, the Paper Clover promotion has raised over $300,000 in support of 4-H in just the first seven days -- at this pace, the fundraising initiative is on track to raise more than any Paper Clover promotion in history! There are five days left to get New York State to the top ten and help this spring's Paper Clover raise more funds for the Fulton/Montgomery and New York State 4-H program than ever before!

The Spring 2012 4-H Paper Clover Campaign in partnership with Tractor Supply Company (TSC) is taking place May 2 – 13.  Now in its third year, the fundraiser allows TSC shoppers to purchase paper clovers for $1.00 at checkout.  Paper clovers are being sold at the 990 Tractor Supply Centers throughout the country to support 4-H.  In New York State 65 percent of the monies raised will be allocated to county 4-H programs and the NYS 4-H Foundation will receive ten percent of the funds raised.  In Fulton and Montgomery Counties there are two Tractor Supply Stores – one at 4584 State Highway 30 in Amsterdam and one at 27 Arterial Plaza in Gloversville.  Individuals are encouraged to shop TSC and buy a clover during this special promotion to support local 4-H youth development program activities.

NYS 4-H Youth Development

Horse Program in-Service

“Creativity…Will Bring Us Through”

On Saturday, June 2, 2012; Cornell University will host the 4-H Horse Program In-Service at Morrison Hall on the Cornell University Campus from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.Dr. Valerie Adams, Cornell University Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Director will be the opening speaker as she speaks about “It’s All About Kids!!”.  Workshop topics will include “Horse Mortality: Carcass Disposal Alternatives”,” Equine Genetics- Today and Tomorrow”,” Obstacle Training Mounted Police Style (Demonstration)” and “Developing the Horse-Rider Partnership Mounted Police Style.    This year’s in-service is open to the public.  The cost is $20 for 4-H Teens and Volunteers and $45 for the general public.

To Register visit the following link:  http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/horses/inservice/registration.html

According to a NYS Department of Agriculture press release, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today announced the availability of $1,000,000 in federal funds to enhance the competitiveness of New York specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, maple, honey and horticulture crops grown in New York State.

The Department is seeking research and grower education, food safety and marketing focused projects that must have general applicability and statewide significance to the State's specialty crop industry.  Applications are due May 16, 2012. Click here for details.

 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp

The Cornell Small Dairy Team has released a series of 6 new resources to help small dairy farms. The team, whose members include farmers and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators, received a grant from the Cornell Small Farms Program in 2011 to provide new educational resources and tools to small dairy producers.

“Small dairies have borne the brunt of the exodus of dairy farms from New York State. The goal of the project was to provide resources for dairies looking to adapt to ever-changing market factors,” says Fay Benson, leader for the team.

Who knew that just $1 can benefit a @4H program? Turn a Tractor Supply Company store GREEN with Paper Clovers this week by visiting the local Tractor Supply store in either Amsterdam or Gloversville to purchase a $1 Paper Clover at the register. Proceeds will benefit the 4-H program in Fulton & Montgomery Counties!  If you are a 4-H member, leader or alumni, be sure to tell the person at the register and say “Thanks for supporting our local 4-H!”

The Board of Directors of CCEFM is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Gilchrist as interim executive director. Gilchrist, the current executive director of CCE in Washington County, will work on a part-time basis in the local association.

Brian has been the Association Executive Director for Cornell Cooperative Extension, Washington County since July of 2001.  A native of Washington County, he grew up in the hamlet of Shushan.  Brian’s grandfather owned and operated a beef farm and an USDA slaughter facility.  Much of his free time during his youth was spent assisting on the farm.  He was a member of the Washington County 4-H Jr. Beef Club and exhibited Polled Herefords at the Washington County Fair, something he continues to do today, only missing the fair once since the age of 5. 

Brian holds a BA in Regional Planning from SUNY Buffalo and a Master’s Degree in Regional Planning from UMass Amherst.  His thesis work was on open space and farmland preservation. While in graduate school, Brian interned with UMass Extension doing food systems work and then went on to work for the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, a regional planning agency serving 9 communities north of Boston.  Brian returned home to Washington County in 2000 when he took a position with the Washington County Planning Department.  When the opportunity arose to work for Cooperative Extension, Brian took it. 

In addition to his role with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Brian is now responsible for the day-to-day chores and operations of the farm started by his grandfather, Windy River Farm – a 60 cow herd of purebred registered Polled Herefords.  Brian also serves on the board of HomeFront Development Corp., an affordable housing agency; the Cambridge Valley Community Development and Preservation Partnership; and the Historic Salem Courthouse Preservation Association. 

CCEFM looks forward to Gilchrist's experienced leadership.

Ten youth ages 12-19 years will learn to use a super 8 film camera and make films based on their own ideas in a unique summer workshop series to be held this summer in Canajoharie.

Six workshop sessions scheduled for Saturdays June 23rd through July 28th, 10 a.m.-2:00p.m. will include experience in camera techniques, storyboarding, acting, directing, film processing and scripting.

The series instructor, film director Ominike Akinyemi, holds a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Southern  California's School of Cinematic Arts.

Youth wishing to participate must submit an application that includes:

• 1 page description of an original story you would like to tell using film.
• 8 images (drawn or photographed) of a scene(s) of your proposed film.
• Your name, address,phone number, email address, birthdate and grade in school.

Applications must be postmarked on or before May 11, 2012. Applications should be sent to Cornell Cooperative Extension, Att.: Linda Wegner, 50 East Main Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.

This program is funded in part by the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, administered by Saratoga Arts.

On April 17, 2012 the US Department of Agriculture released a Request for Applications (RFA) for a new farm to school grant program. The RFA is now posted on grants.gov and the USDA Farm to School website.

There will be two types of grants available.

1. Planning grants are intended primarily for K-12 school food authorities who participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program that are in the beginning phases of their farm to school efforts. 
2. Implementation grants are geared towards advancing existing farm to school initiatives.  K-12 school food authorities who participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program, along with State and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, and non-profit entities working in partnership with school districts, may apply for implementation grants.

  The grants require at least a 25% funding match.  Applications are due June 15, 2012 and awards are expected to be made in October 2012.  Planning grants are expected to range from $20,000 - $45,000 and represent approximately 25 percent of the total awards. Implementation grants are expected to range from $65,000 - $100,000 and represent approximately 75 percent of the total awards. Given the HHFKA mandate that priority consideration be given to schools serving a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals, projects that serve school districts and schools that have high free and reduced price meal enrollment will receive extra points in evaluation scoring. 

Two webinars will be offered in order for applicants to learn more about this grant opportunity. More information regarding registration for these webinars will be sent via this listserv.

• Tuesday, May 15^th, 1:00 EST Implementation grants
• Thursday, May 17^th, 1:00 EST Planning grants

For more information, please visit the USDA Farm to School website and the Farm to School grant program RFA. 

Just as Vermont was in the 1800s, Washington County which is adjacent to Vermont, was blanketed with Merino sheep. In 1849, Washington County had more sheep (over 500K) than any other county in New York State. The land is still suited to grazing animals, and the public is invited to see a great sampling of them on the Washington County Fiber Tour taking place this weekend, April 28-29, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day.

On the Tour are three farms which raise Romney and Natural Colored sheep, one of which also raises Cheviots, and a fourth farm which is located with the Fiber Kingdom (angora rabbits) and has Icelandics and Blue Faced Leicesters. The remaining farms feature alpacas in all their colors. Featured will be livestock and the fiber products they produce, Farmers will be on hand to give visitors information about raising the animals.

For more information please visit http://www.washingtoncountyfibertour.org or email elihufarm@localnet.com.