A delegation 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 3 to 5, 2013 for the 78th annual 4-H Capital Days event. Nearly 80 teen 4-H delegates from 37 counties, their chaperones and Extension 4-H staff participated in this year’s program.

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 including New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York State Department of Health, New York State Department of Education, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Corrections and the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority. In addition, they observed a working session of the New York State Senate. Member of the Assembly, Robert C. Oaks, discussed the legislative process with the 4-H delegation, Member of the Assembly, Peter Lopez, highlighted ways youth can make a difference in their communities through civic engagement, and New York State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, a 4-H alumnus, shared some personal perspectives on her relatively new experiences in the New York State Legislature.  Another keynote speaker for this year’s 4-H Capital Days program was Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New York State, who focused on the organization’s history, mission, legislative agenda and the importance of voting.

4-H participants had the opportunity to share their 4-H stories with their legislative representatives at a legislative breakfast, learned about career opportunities in state government as they visited state agencies, toured the New York State Capitol and visited the Corning Tower.

Representing the 4-H program in Fulton and Montgomery Counties at the 2013 4-H Capital Days program were 4-H members Haley Claes of St. Johnsville, Amber Morey of Fonda and Dayna Peck of Gloversville.  Mrs. Bonnie Peck, Extension Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, accompanied the delegates.  Mrs. Linda Wegner, Extension Team Leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, served on the 4-H Capital Days Steering Committee and also participated in the program.

The New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators plans and implements the annual 4-H Capital Days program.

For more information regarding 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.

Want to be a STARR?

The State Teen Action Representative Retreat (STARR) is a three-day, fun-filled event April 12-14, 2013 where 4-H teens participate in a variety of workshops and activities meant to challenge, excite and further develop life skills. The event is planned by teens and adults serving on the youth/adult STARR planning committee. STARR is open to all NYS 4-H Teens, 13 to 19 years of age and their adult chaperones.

STARR encompasses the best of team building activities, youth community action & youth adult partnerships in one fun-filled, fast-paced weekend. Participants gain new skills and knowledge by attending workshops of their choice, learning how to “make the best better” and participating in awesome community services activities!

Location: New York State Fairgrounds- Syracuse, NY.
Cost: $75.00* per person. Registration fee covers lodging, meals, and workshop supplies.
Registrations are due no later than March 28th! * Additional fees will be charged for late registrations.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge all while making new friends and having FUN! Please find attached the program flyer, workshop offerings, code of conduct and medical/health form. 

Extension educators are responsible for registering all retreat participants online on or before Thursday, March 28.  Currently enrolled Fulton/Montgomery 4-H teen members and VIP approved adult 4-H volunteers interested in participating in this year’s STARR program, must contact Linda Wegner with their workshop choices (1, 2, 3) and t-shirt sizes as soon as possible.  On or before Thursday, March 28th each participant will also need to complete and submit forms to the 4-H Office in Canajoharie along with a check payable to: Cornell Cooperative Extension to complete his/her registration.

Are you a 4-H teen that would you like to explore the Cornell Campus, connect to various departments at Cornell University while enhancing your career awareness, gain leadership/teamwork exprience and make new friends from across the state? Then Career Exploration is for you! This year Career Exploration is June 25th to the 27th.

4-H Career Explorations is made up of two programs: University U for youth in grades 8-9. Youth will be introduced to Cornell's campus through campus tours and participating in six different departmental workshops. Workshops include animal adventures, exploring an art museum, fooling with fibers, bioenery and bioproducts, hands-on math, and constructing a museum exhibit. The other program is Focus for Teens for youth entering grades 10-12. This is a more intense program where partcipants spend 3 days with a specific department. There are over twenty different departments/programs choose from. Programs include horses, astronomy, dairy, computer science, education, biomedical engineering, vet science and many more. To view a complete list of the programs view the attached registration packet. 

Registration and a $100.00 deposit (check made payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension) is due on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2013 to the CCEFM Office in Canajoharie so 4-H staff can submit the official participant registration online. The sooner you send in their program preferences the better chance you will have in getting your first choice of programs. Contact Georgia at 673-5525 ext. 113 or gad23@cornell.edu or Linda at 673-5525 ext. 114 or lew9@cornell.edu for more information. The complete registration packet is attached below.  

A delegation representing thousands of 4-H members in New York State will expand their knowledge of the public policy process and state government when they travel to Albany March 3 to 5, 2013 for the 78th annual 4-H Capital Days event. Nearly 80 teen 4-H delegates from 37 counties, their chaperones and Extension 4-H staff will participate in this year’s program.

During this year’s event, 4-H members, volunteer leaders, and Extension 4-H staff will meet with leaders in state government, members of the court system and officials from a variety of state agencies. In addition, they plan to observe a working session of the state legislature. Member of the Assembly, Robert C. Oaks, will discuss the legislative process with the 4-H delegation, Member of the Assembly, Peter Lopez, will highlight ways youth can make a difference in their communities through civic engagement, and New York State Senator Catharine Young, a 4-H alumnus, will share some personal perspectives on her experiences in the New York State Legislature.  Another keynote speaker for this year’s 4-H Capital Days program will be Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New York State, who will focus on the organization’s history, mission, legislative agenda and the importance of voting.

The Cornell University Department of Animal Science is pleased to announce Animal Crackers 2013 "Walk, Trot, Hop to It" on Saturday May 4, 2013 at Cornell University. The upcoming program wiill incorporate both horse and rabbit topics for youth ages 9-12 or those with beginner/intermediate knowledge of the species. Parents and chaperones are encouraged to register attend with their youth.  
 
Participants will meet Cornell faculty and students, learn about different aspects of animal care, interact and exchange information with professional producers, industry experts, and more! Hands-on workshops are planned for each species group. View the document below for a detailed list of this years workshops.

Animal Crackers participants have the unique opportunity to experience hands-on activities in a university setting, explore career options in animal science, and expand their knowledge through scientific inquiry. Each year an opening presentation kicks off the event with a welcoming statement and remarks related to the annual theme.  

The cost to attend Animal Crackers is $7.00 per person. All Animal Crackers registrations must be pre-paid to CCE in Fulton/Montgomery Counties prior to April 11, 2013 due to Cornell University directly billing the county office. Only those paid by this date will be registered to attend, no exceptions. Participants must bring their own lunch and drinks. The closest place to purchase food is a 5 minute drive from campus.

Please note, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties can't provide transportation for this event. Those going must either car-pool with DMV cleared volunteers driving or be taken by their parents/guardians (who must then also register to attend).

Due to lack of snow the 4-H cross country skiing day at Bobs Trees on Thursday February 21st is cancelled. Any questions please contact the 4-H office.

Are you a 4-H teen interested in gaining leadership skills, networking and having fun? Then STARR (State Teen Action Reps Retreat) is for you! STARR will be held this year April 12-14 at the NYS fairgrounds.

Highlights of the weekend event include fun workshops, a keynot speaker, dinner, dance and much more. Additional information will be available soon, contact the 4-H office if you are interested in attending this event.

Did you know that the longest continuous view of Earth from space comes from the Landsat satellite program? Its 40-year archive offers a priceless record of the changing communities and landscapes. On February 11th, 2013, NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey are scheduled to launch the eighth Landsat satellite, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.

NASA invites youth and adults to participate in this exciting and historic milestone of humanity's work in space. Join others across the planet in celebration of this much-anticipated event by hosting a launch party!

Planning and hosting a launch party with NASA resources is fun and easy, and it's a wonderful way to engage your community in your interests and the work you do.Everything that is needed to host a great party and join in the launch fun is available by visiting http://launchkit-ldcm.gsfc.nasa.gov.

This website provides fun activities and decorations to make a launch party fun for all ages. Youth and adults will be able to watch the launch and associated events live, including talks from NASA and USGS scientists and engineers.

Join NASA and other people around the world to celebrate!

March Dog Madness an annual educational program for adult and teenage 4-H volunteer leaders will be held this year on Saturday, March 16th at Cornell University. All interested staff, adult and teen 4-H leaders are invited to attend this one day information packed program. Dog project leaders engaged in local community training programs are strongly encouraged to attend.

The theme for 2013 is TRANSITIONS. Think of all the transitions that happen between puppyhood and adulthood. Each particpant will have a chance to pre-select (2) different workshops from a menu of canine related topics. This years topics and events include: 

• Agility Ground Work - Learn from a Judge
• Are You Your Dog's Owner or Teammate? How to Build a Working Partnership
• Canine Photography - Taking Pictures Like a Pro
• Fostering Dogs - What's involved when volunteering for the SPCA?
• What a Dog:Handler Team Needs to Know to do Advanced Rally - Learn from a Judge
• Building Youth Leadership Skills
• What's New at Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Center?
• K-9 guest

To register and view a copy of the schedule visit http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/dogs/MarchDogMadness/index.html. Paid registrations are due my March 8th to reserve a spot. The cost to participate is $20 which includes lunch and your workshop materials.

As you know, the goal of 4-H is to equip young people with life skills they will need to be successful in their community and the world. Using research-informed programs, focused on positive youth development, 4-H provides youth with the hands-on real world experiences they  need to become leaders.

In collaboration with and support from members of the 4-H community, we (a group of students from Seattle Pacific University), led by Lynette Bikos, Ph.D. (a Missouri 4-H alumnus and a long-time 4-H volunteer) have set out to explore the factors that contribute to the use of research-based information throughout the 4-H organization.

So, that we can gather a wide range of perspectives across this national organization, we need to have 600 people complete our survey. Please help us by participating.

Follow this link to the survey and for more information: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YYQCCLG