Program Highlights

January ~ February ~ March 2018 http://www.cce.cornell.edu/herkimer/

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

A seed starting workshop was held at Young’s General Store & Ace of Ilion. Fifteen youth took part and look forward to showing their finished products at the Herkimer County Fair this summer.

In celebration of National AG Literacy Week, 4-H volunteers read the book Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson to 2nd grade classrooms throughout Herkimer County.

AGRICULTURE PROGRAM

HUMAN ECOLOGY PROGRAM

“How to Assist Your Farm Customers During Challenging Times” was the topic of an Agribusiness Breakfast Roundtable held in Richfield Springs in March. NY FarmNet consultants provided

resources for agribusiness professionals as they work with farm families. Feed, seed, and equipment dealers, veterinarians, and bank representatives were in attendance.

Over 400 area farmers took part in workshops and meetings offered by the Central New York Dairy and Field Crops Team this quarter including: “Field Crop Pest Management” (six locations); “2018 Corn Day;” “2018 Dairy Day: Can New Milk Analysis Tools Help You Manage Better;” “CAFO Road Show;” and “Dairy Farm Business Planning.”

Twenty-six participants from the Herkimer County Working Solutions Career Center Employment Readiness Program were enrolled in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) since October 1, 2017. EFNEP staff from CCE provide a 6 session series of “Healthy Cents” workshops covering healthy food choices, food shopping strategies, developing a spending plan, and being physically active. Since this partnership began in 2012, 422 participants have been reached. Comments from graduates regarding the changes they have made since starting the program include: “I learned to look at labels a lot closer and to eat healthier”; “I’m shopping smarter”; “I eat more fruits and vegetables”; and “I’ve started walking more”.

4-H’ers from Herkimer and Oneida Counties participated in the 4-H Vet Science program. During the two-day program, youth toured The Root Farm in

Sauquoit and the Waterville Veterinary Clinic. Thank you to the staff at both locations as well as Dr. Armstrong from the Herkimer Veterinary Associates for showing our youth the ins and outs of being a veterinarian for both large and small animals and for the hands on learning.

Over seventy 4-H youth participated in Public Presentations, with six going to the district competition. By participating in this event, 4-H youth improve their public speaking skills while developing self-confidence, poise, self-esteem, stage presence and knowledge, giving them an advantage over their peers in this lifetime skills area, which will be useful in their future social, educational and career pursuits.

Herkimer County 4-H’ers joined 4-H’ers from around NY State for “4-H Teen Winter Weekend” at Camp Oswegatchie in Lewis County.