Local 4-H Teens Participate in 79^th 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.

Spring Novice/Youth/4-H Safe Driving clinic

Sunday, April 6, 2014

West Wind Farm, State Highway 29 West in Johnstown, New York.

This clinic is offered for novice (any age) and youth including 4-H members who have little to no driving experience.  The club will provide the horses and wagons to drive and lunch.  The cost is $14.00 for singles and $20.00 for families.  Participants must wear helmets and boots with a distinct heel.  Please contact Tamara Healy at 518-762-6749 by April 1 to reserve your spot and for more information.

Results of Fall 2013 Paper Clover Promotion

October 9 - 20 was the Fall 2013 Paper Clover Promotion.  Now in its 4th year, the fundraiser allowed Tractor Supply Center (TSC) shoppers to buy paper clovers for $1.00 at checkout.  Paper clovers were sold at the 990 TSC throughout the country to support 4-H.  Fulton/Montgomery 4-H was the recipient of a contribution in the amount of $717 from funds raised at the Gloversville and Amsterdam TSC stores.  The check was received on January 21, 2014 and will be used to support 4-H Youth Development program efforts locally.  Be sure to stop into the Gloversville and Amsterdam TSC stores and thank the managers for their support of 4-H!  In New York State 65% of the monies raised were allocated to county 4-H programs, the NYS 4-H Foundation received 5% of the funds raised in NY, and National 4-H Council retained 30%. 

Mark your calendars and plan to participate in the Spring 2014 Paper Clover Promotion April 23 – May 4!  4-H clubs and independent members are encouraged to schedule presentations, displays, and volunteer baggers at the Gloversville and Amsterdam TSC stores.

New York Youth DAIRY DISCOVERY WORKSHOP
March 28-29, 2014
Ithaca, NY
ELIGIBILITY:
Due to the hands on approach of the sessions, participation is limited to the first 60 individuals to enroll or March 18, 2014 deadline, whichever comes first. Youth who are 14-19 years of age as of January 1, 2014 with an interest in dairy cattle are eligible to attend. This year’s registration fee will include cost of the program activities, materials and dinner and lunch.
OVERVIEW:
Dairy Herd Health and Management are critical in determining the production potential of dairy enterprises. Management of the dairy herd includes: fresh cow monitoring and treatment, foot care, disease control and management, reproduction, genetics, nutrition and records. All these areas combines with cow comfort and animal handling make for good animal health stewards. Having a good herd health program and managing risk effectively leads directly to a healthier herd, both physically and financially.

DAIRY DISCOVERY will be focusing this year's workshop on "Dairy Herd Health and Management". Youth will understand, observe and participate in technical skill training related to a wide variety of topics.  Download the entire brochure below for more details.
 

March Dog Madness (MDM), the annual statewide 4-H Dog Leader Training Program, will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Cornell. 

The theme for 2014 is TEAM WORK. Each participant may pre-select (2) different workshops from a menu of canine related topics, from critical care to community outreach. This annual conference is an opportunity to bring adult and teen volunteers together with community experts to increase knowledge and awareness of the value of science based information on local CCE/4-H dog training programs.  Instructors include university, extension and industry representatives. New and experienced volunteers will walk away with tools and tips they can use at the local level.

4-H Regional Horse Training

When-Sunday, February 16^th at 1 – 4:30 PM

 Where – Saratoga 4-H Training Center

Who – Anyone 3^rd grade and older interested in learning more about the broad discipline of ranch horses and the importance of protecting your head in the sport of horses.  Bob DeLorenzo and Dave Czukrovany will navigate through the ranch horse landscape and Drusilla Malavase will share information related to head injuries and concussion as it relates to equine activities.  Ideal for youth participating in Horse Bowl, Hippology, Horse Judging, Coaches, Teen  and Adult Leaders as well as non 4-H Horse Enthusiasts.  This information will be valuable to many involved with horses.

Registration – Due February 12^th  to Bernie Wiesen at CCE of Rensselaer County at 272-4210 or bw27@cornell.edu

Cost - $5 per 4-H member or leader and $15 for non 4-H participants payable at the door

All should dress appropriately.  Part of the afternoon will be indoors but much of it will be in the indoor/outdoor arena depending on the weather.

This program opportunity is brought to you through the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund - Our New York State Standardbreds!

Cornell Cooperative Extension Holiday Office Hours

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties will be CLOSED to the public December20, 2013-January 3, 2014.

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season and look forward to serving you in the New Year!!

January 2014 4-H e-Newsletter
4-H Youth Development Program
Fulton & Montgomery Counties
Quick View of What’s in this Month’s 4-H News
- 4-H Club Officer Training – January 25 - Johnstown
-4-H Volunteer Team Meeting – January 25 – Johnstown
-January’s Health-H-Challenge
-Lewis County 4-H Teen Winter Weekend – February 14 - 16
- Winter Regional 4-H Shooting Sports Training – February 21-23, Saratoga Springs
- 4-H Pie, Cheese, chocolate & Honey Fundraiser – February 23 – March 23
- 4-H STARR – April 11 – 13, NYS Fairgrounds
- Jennifer Freeman 4-H Memorial Scholarships – Due April 30
- 4-H Dairy Judging Barn Meeting – January 4, Richfield Springs
- County Level Horse Bowl – January 11, Johnstown
- 4-H Youth Development Mission Statement

New York Farm Bureau is encouraging high school seniors who have been involved with agriculture and plan on continuing studies in this field to apply for the New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship sponsored by the New York Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee.  Scholarship awards are $1,500 for first place, $1,200 for second, and $1,000 for third place.  The first place winner will be invited to present their essay at a NYFB Spring event.

Students applying must have a family Farm Bureau membership or a Student Farm Bureau membership (a membership application may be included with scholarship enclosures).  Students are required to submit a brief essay answering the question, “If you had the power to change something in your community or on your farm, what would you change and why?”

At the District level, a personal interview and essay presentation may be scheduled at the discretion of the District Representative.  The county winner will be the applicant scoring the highest for each county.  The District winner will be overall highest county winner.  District winners will be notified on or before the District judging deadline of January 18^th, 2014.  The District winners will have an opportunity to make minor changes (i.e. grammar, spelling, additional awards etc.) to their applications prior to the February 1^st final deadline, at which time all applications must be into New York Farm Bureau for the state judging.  The State competition is based solely upon the application and attachments.

Fulton-Montgomery Counties 4-H Gymkhana Horse Show

 Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.

 Fonda Fairgrounds, Fonda, N.Y.

Registration Fee:  $10.00 (for the whole day) Must have 8 pre-entered by September 24^th or the event will be cancelled. If we have 16 pre-entered, there will be prizes for first place in each class. (except team games)

Place ribbons will be awarded and Champion in each Category. All participants must wear suitable helmet and heeled riding boots, be currently enrolled in 4-H and show proof of completion of riding evaluation.  Acknowledgement of risk form must be filled out and signed.