4-H

The 4-H Swine Club hosted its annual pulled pork BBQ at the Fairgrounds today.

Greg Merrell gets ready for his tractor safety test while instructor and evaluator Tim Adams looks on this morning at Empire Tractor, where students participating in the 4-H Youth Development Tractor and Machinery Certification program were put through their paces. The eight-week course provides 14- and 15-year-olds the opportunity to learn how to safely operate farm machinery.

Press release:

Two students from the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, Morgan Good, a senior and an Agri-Business Academy student from Pavilion Central Schools, and Emily Borkholder, a senior and an Animal Science student from Oakfield-Alabama Central Schools, recently attended the New York State Farm Bureau Taste of New York Lobby Day and Reception in Albany. Holly Partridge, Batavia CTE Animal Science instructor; Kerry Richardson, Batavia CTE Agri-Business Academy instructor; Catherine Bennett, Batavia CTE assistant principal, escorted the students.

During this event, members of the New York State Assembly and Senate met with businesses, farms and educational institutions that rely on New York state agriculture to run their business.

“We learned how much agriculture drives our economy in New York state. One of the most interesting experiences was when we attended two legislative meetings with Senator Michael Razenhofer and Assemblyman Michael DenDekker. We discussed what needs to be changed in our state to help farmers become more productive,” Emily said.

“We also spoke with other senators and assemblymen from throughout New York state and helped them to understand and increase awareness of the needs of farmers from our area,” Morgan added.

Throughout the conference exhibit time, the group showcased duck eggs versus chicken eggs in baking, the important collaboration between the Batavia CTE Animal Science and Culinary Arts programs and how the farm-to-table concept is incorporated into the curriculum of these two programs.

Nearly 100 members of 4-H turned out at Byron-Bergen High School this morning to make short presentations on any topic of their choosing. The annual program is designed to help members learn about and practice public speaking and presentation. Topics range from Legos to race cars, from sports to sign languages. Each presentation was judged and certificates and ribbons were presented.

Above, Corrine Rhodes.

Dillon Weber talks about how to tan a hide.

After his presentation, Cole Phelps got pointers from judges Mary Edenhard and Sue Eick.

Kelly Ireland during her presentation on sign languages.

Tonight’s meeting of the Genesee County 4-H Swine Club has been cancelled, according to Brandie L. Schultz, administrative assistant for Cornell Cooperative Extension.

A delegation representing thousands of 4-H members in New York State will expand their knowledge of state government when they travel to Albany March 1 for the 80th annual 4-H Capital Days event.

Nearly 130 teen delegates and their chaperons will attend, representing 4-H members from counties across the state, as well as the boroughs of New York City.

Proudly representing the Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program again this year will be Melissa Keller, of Corfu.

During the event, 4-H members, volunteer leaders, and 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 Bob Oaks will discuss the legislative process with the 4-Hers.

Participants will learn about career opportunities in government as they tour state agencies, participate in discussion sessions, and visit with their legislators.  They will also have an opportunity to tour the Capital and visit the Corning Tower, New York State Museum and other significant features of the area.

The New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators sponsor the 4-H Capital Days program. For more information regarding local opportunities in 4-H Youth Development, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or e-mail genesee4h@cornell.edu

Press release:

As part of a 4-H club community service project, the 4-H Rustic Riders horse club members chose to donate much needed items to the Genesee County Animal Shelter instead of exchanging gifts at their holiday club meeting on Tuesday December 16th at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.  Community service is a key component of our 4-H Youth Development Program, and provides a great opportunity for young people to give back to Genesee County.

The Rustic Riders horse club along with the Mystic Riders horse club also participated in holiday bell ringing for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 13th at Tractor Supply in Batavia.

Genesee County 4-H is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension that is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.  For more information about the 4-H Youth Development Program visit: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.

Press release:

This past Saturday, Sept. 27th, approximately 100 Genesee County 4-H members and their families gathered for the 2014 Achievement Night celebration. This marked the end of the 2014 4-H calendar year. It is a time to honor the work and accomplishments of the 4-H youth, marking their progress and growth in their given project areas. This night of recognition is used to motivate 4-H members to participate, create, and achieve in 4-H, to encourage and support the learning efforts of young people, and to foster a sense of belonging.

The event began at 5 p.m. with a host of games designed and run by our 4-H volunteers, followed by dinner and presentation of honors and awards. We would like to extend a thank you to everyone who came out and made this year’s 4-H Achievement Night a success!

Interested in joining Genesee County 4-H? The new member enrollment deadline for the 2014-2015 program year is Nov. 3, 2014 (Oct. 24th for Market Auction Program). Call the 4-H Office at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, to request an enrollment packet or for more information.

Photo: Ben K., Caleb C., Emily M., Samantha W., Tim Adams- Swine Club leader, Dillon W., and Melissa K.

One of the great annual community events in Genesee County is the 4-H livestock auction at the fair. This year's auction was held last night. The event draws people from throughout Genesee County -- not just farmers and those involved in ag. The event is the culimination of a lot of hard work by 4-H members in raising their sheep, goats, swine and beef. 

Auctioneers from William Kent kept the bids flowing.

To purchase prints, click here.

Yet another fine day at the Genesee County Fair. Fairgoers strolled lazily under blue skies, dotted with white billowing clouds, as the scent of fried dough and sausage hung in the air, enticing passersby to just try a little taste. 

The day’s events included Draft Horse Show Hitch Classes, Swine Breeds and Showmanship, musical entertainment by Monster Johnson, and rounding out the day - the Fair Queen crowning of winner Courtney Jones. 

The 18-year-old Batavia native is a recent graduate of Batavia High School and a Rustic Riders Horse Club member. Jones will be attending Niagara University this fall where her course study includes early childhood and early childhood education.

The runner-up was Heather Dries.

Winners in the pageant’s other categories included:

— Princess — Lauren Hull, winner, Rebekah Allen, runner-up.

— Junior Princess — Karly Smith, winner, Emily Boldt, runner-up.

—  Little Miss — Eva Marie Rhoads, winner, Madelynn Pimm, runner-up.

Others awarded included Emily Boldt - Miss Congeniality and Rebekah Allen - the Tooley Memorial Award.

The Fair runs through July 19 with a variety of events and displays scheduled throughout the day. For event information visit http://gcfair.com/Home/FairInformation/DailySchedule.aspx .

Here is the tentative 2014 Genesee County Fair 4-H Schedule of Events (Dates and times are subject to change.):

Tuesday, July 15

8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  --  Exhibits in place (Kennedy Building)

                                  Community Service, Promotional & Project Displays (Merton Building)

9 a.m.  --  Market Swine Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

10 a.m.  --  Poultry Show (Merton Bldg.)

                  Rabbit Show (Merton Bldg.)

12 p.m.  --  Market Goat Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

2:30 p.m.  --  Market Sheep Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

                      Meat Goat Show & Showmanship (Open Dairy Barn)

5:30 p.m.  --  Parade Line up -- Pit Area of Raceway 5 (on Fairgrounds)

6 p.m.  --  Market Beef Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

6:30 p.m.  -- Parade (Theme: “4-H Inspires…”)

Wednesday, July 16  -- Youth Day

9 a.m.  --  Dairy Goat Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

9:30 a.m.  --  Dog Show

11:30 a.m.  --  Sheep Show & Showmanship (Open Dairy Barn)

4 p.m.  --  Non-Market Beef Show (Show Ring)

6 p.m.  --  Swine Showmanship (Show Ring)

Thursday, July 17

9 a.m.  --  Dairy Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

                Horses in place

10 a.m.  --  Horse Show Fitting, Showmanship, and English Classes (Horse Ring)

1 p.m.  --  Goat Knowledge Olympics Contest (Livestock Bldg.)

2 p.m.  --  Horse Show Dressage Classes (Horse Ring)

5:30 to 7 p.m.  --  Market Animal Auction Buyers Dinner

7 p.m.  --  Market Animal Auction (Show Ring)

Friday, July 18

10 a.m.  --  Horse Show Fitting, Showmanship & Western Classes (Horse Ring)

3 to 6 p.m.  --  GPS & Solar Fun Fest (Merton Building) (Rain Date: 3 to 6 p.m. July 19)

3 p.m.  --  Goat Obstacle Course Contest (Livestock Bldg.)

5:30 p.m.  --  Tractor Driving Contest (via Pre-Registration) (Kennedy Building)

                      Goat Costume Contest

Saturday, July 19

10 a.m.  --  Horse Gymkhana & Games Classes (Horse Ring)

2 to 4 p.m.  --  Vegetable Art Fun Fair Activity (Kennedy Bldg.)

Maddie Keen and Courtney Jones took part in a Rustic Riders 4-H program today at the Genesee County Fairgrounds aimed at helping them learn the muscle and skeletal structure of a horse. Their project today was to paint the placement of bones on their horse.

It was test day today for the 10 students who took the 14-class course in tractor safety through 4-H.

The class is open to 14- and 15-year-olds.

The tests were conducted at Empire Tractor on East Main Street Road, Batavia.

Above, Matt Horine backs a tractor to a hitch while being graded by Tim Adams.

Below, a student drives through the obstacle course.