Local 4-H Teens Participate in 79th Annual 4-H Capital Days
A delegation of seventy-one teens representing thousands of 4-H members in New York State expanded their knowledge of the public policy process and state government when they traveled to Albany March 2 to 4, 2014 for the 79th Annual 4-H Capital Days program.
Representing the 4-H program in Fulton and Montgomery Counties at the 2014 4-H Capital Days program were 4-H members Miss Alison Busch of Johnstown, Miss Elizabeth Neznek of the Town of Florida, and Miss Emma Wegner of Central Bridge. Mrs. Barbara Neznek, a 4-H volunteer from the Town of Florida, also accompanied the delegates. Mrs. Linda Wegner, Extension Team Leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, helped organize and implement the program as a member of the 4-H Capital Days Steering Committee of the NYS Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators.
During this year’s event, 4-H members, volunteer leaders, and Extension 4-H staff met with leaders in state government, members of the court system and officials from a variety of state agencies. They also briefly observed a working session of the New York State Senate.
NYS Assemblyman Robert C. Oaks (130th Assembly District) discussed the legislative process and how a bill becomes a law, NYS Assemblyman Peter Lopez (127th Assembly district) highlighted ways youth can make a difference in their communities through civic engagement, and NYS Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk (46th Senate District), a 4-H alumnus, shared some personal perspectives on her first year in the New York State Legislature. A keynote speaker for this year’s 4-H Capital Days program was Julie Suarez, Assistant Dean of Governmental and Community Relations in the College of Ag and Life Sciences at Cornell University whose presentation was entitled “Sweet Corn Versus Onion: The Fight for Official New York State Vegetable.”
4-H participants had the opportunity to share their 4-H stories with their legislative representatives at a legislative breakfast on the concourse of the Empire State Plaza, toured the New York State Capitol and visited the NYS Court of Appeals and the Corning Tower. The 4-H teens also learned about career opportunities in state government as they visited with representatives from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Education and NYSERDA – NYS Energy and Research Development Authority.
For information about local opportunities in 4-H youth development contact Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties at 673-5525 located at 50 East Main Street in Canajoharie, New York.
Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities
