Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties will be hosting three “Grow with 4-H” recruitment nights.  The first session will be held on Monday, September 30 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Office, 50 East Main Street in Canajoharie.  The second session will be held on Monday, October 7 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Creative Connections Arts Center, 303 East Main Street in Amsterdam.  The third session will be held on Wednesday, October 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Shirley J. Luck Senior Citizen Center, 109 East Main Street in Johnstown.  Youth and adult participants will have the opportunity to plant pillow packs to take home, enjoy light refreshments and learn more about 4-H in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. 

Individuals planning to participate in one of the upcoming “Grow with 4-H” recruitment meetings are asked to pre-register with 4-H staff at Cornell Cooperative Extension by calling at 673-5525, ext. 113 or ext. 114 or e-mailing gad23@cornell.edu or lew9@cornell.edu.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is seeking youth members and adult volunteers to join the local 4-H youth development program and start some new 4-H clubs in the two-county region.  4-H Youth Development Program Leader Linda Wegner and 4-H Extension Educator Bonnie Peck will share information about 4-H membership opportunities for youth whether they be from rural, suburban or urban settings and will have samples of 4-H project materials on hand.  4-H youth members are able to participate in projects that fit their interests.

Adult volunteers play an important role in 4-H youth education programs.  In a 4-H club setting, a team of 4-H leaders help 4-H youth members 1) develop leadership and life skills, 2) make new friends, 3) give back to the community, and 4) build positive connections with others. Traditional 4-H clubs are open to boys and girls ages 8 – 19 while 4-H cloverbud clubs are open to youth ages 5 – 8.  4-H clubs may have as few as five members or as many as the volunteer club leaders feel can be effectively included in the group.

4-H is the largest out-of-school youth development program in the United States. Nationally, 4-H reaches over 6.5 million young people through the dedication and work of approximately 3,500 Extension youth development professionals and over half a million volunteers.  4-H prepares kids for successful adulthood by engaging them now as active participants in programs that develop life skills such as critical thinking, decision-making and communications.  4-H uses "learn-by-doing" activities to engage youth in learning. In addition to the 4-H club option, independent 4-H membership is also available for youth ages 8-19.

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties provides equal program and employment opportunities.