friday news

March 12, 2021 Friday News

Wyoming County 4-H

Friday News

March 12, 2021

During COVID-19 we want to make sure we are keeping all of our 4-H families up to date as much as we possibly can! The entire Wyoming county 4-h staff is here for anything you and your families may need during this time so please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us with your question(s)!


4-H Club Meeting & Activity Guidance

Happy spring! After a long winter of waiting, hoping, and planning, I am very pleased to announce that as of March 15th, in-person programming may recommence. We’re thrilled that we can meet in person once again—however, organizers and educators conducting these types of activities must, per the latest guidance NYSDOH and all local authorities, comply with the meeting guidelines provided below.

In addition to following the guidelines, all participants (who have not previously done so) must sign the “Volunteer Assumption of Risk Form”. Families may turn in one form per family unit, so long as they indicate each family participant on the form; each volunteer must turn in an individual form.

We also request that each group engage in COVID-19 best practices for all upcoming meetings for the foreseeable future:

1.The number of people in attendance of any meeting may not exceed twenty participants. This number includes the total number of leaders, members, staff members, parents, speakers, etc. in attendance. Attendance should be noted/taken for accountability, contact tracing, and documentation of meeting size. NOTE: We will continue to review this number on a weekly basis and may raise or lower the total headcount allowed throughout the coming weeks in response to local health trends and state and/or local guidelines.

2.Social distancing procedures include the following best practices:

•The wearing of masks by all participants present OR

•Maintaining 6-foot distances between participants without touching of any kind

•Meetings should be held outdoors whenever possible, or in a public or CCE-provided space. If a meeting must take place at a private home or residence, masks must be worn at all times. Where possible, buildings with increased airflow are preferred (barns, outdoor meeting areas, etc.).

•Hand sanitizer should be readily available at all times (please contact us if you need a supply of sanitizer!)

•The meeting time should be kept to less than two hours.

•Only single serve, commercially prepared, food and drink should be provided. Participants are encouraged to eat prior to attending the meeting.

•Participants are welcome to bring their own water (clearly labeled with their name) for hydration.

These recommendations are based on the best available guidance at this time and are subject to change as new information becomes available. Additional guidance can be obtained from the NYSDOH, our local health department, and the CDC. We realize there will be participants and families who are not comfortable meeting in person at this time. It is critical that these decisions are respected, and that there is no pressure applied, or opportunities withheld, due to a decision not to participate. Please do not hesitate to continue to hold virtual meetings, should you wish to do so.

We cannot thank all of you enough for your patience, understanding, and good humor over the winter, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support as we continue to adapt to current pandemic conditions. I hope that everyone soon gets the chance to take advantage of our programming soon, and that these new guidelines provide our participants with the necessary tools to socialize safely throughout the summer. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.

Wishing all of you a wonderful spring season,

Abby Griffith

Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County

Important enrollment deadlines approaching…

  • March 31st is the Wyoming County 4-H enrollment deadline for new youth participating in the lamb, hog, goat, and poultry auction projects. Enrollees after this deadline can still participate in many 4-H project areas (but not the auction program.) General 4-H program enrollments will be accepted until June 1st in order to participate in fair time activities.


Wyoming County Fair Updates…

  • We know that there lots of questions from our 4-H families surrounding the 2021 fair season. Many neighboring counties are currently making announcements about fair plans. The Wyoming County Fair Association is continuing work on several projects including the new barn, in anticipation of the 2021 fair season. Wyoming County 4-H will continue to communicate with the Fair Association and work out the best possible options for our 4-H program as an important component of the Wyoming County Fair, while working within all the necessary Covid guidelines. Stay tuned for more information as we move forward!

So, I am new to 4-h (or not) and trying to figure out requirements to participate at fair within 4-h…

  • Next week we will be sending out a special email to our 4-H families! We will walk through the steps you need to take for different projects areas from Family and Consumer Science to Animal Science. These steps will assist you to successfully complete 4-H projects for exhibition. Most animal science projects have some type of educational requirement to show at fair, while many other projects do not. If you have any topics that you have specific questions about and would like addressed, please email hmh62@cornell.edu and let me know by Monday 3/15.


Meat animal updates…

  • Market Hog Selection Zoom Meeting - Thursday, April 1st at 7:00PM we will have an online session to learn about selecting your next market hog projects. Danny Ahrens, a swine producer and hog show judge from Ohio will join us to talk about starting your project off on the right foot! Please register using this link https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/WYCO4-Hmarkethog_256email or email hmh62@cornell.edu. This event will satisfy the educational requirement to show beef, sheep, or pigs at the fair!


Market poultry updates…

  • Market Poultry Project Registration: Deadline March 31st - Details for the market poultry project were shared on page 18 of the February 4-H News. You can register for the project and order chicks here https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/WYCO4-Hmarketpoultry_256 or by filling out the form in the 4-H news.
  • Market Poultry Project ZOOM Q&A - We will host a Zoom meeting on March 16th at 7:00pm to discuss and answer any questions about this year’s program. Register in advance for the meeting here: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAocu2srz0qE9wwq1V0E9uUtdBJMInNeJjr (Meeting Concluded) and after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Dog Obedience…

  • We’re gearing up to begin our dog obedience program in April! Look for our dog brochure out next week – detailing all you need to know about this great program! In the meantime, if you are interested in signing up for one of our 5 training locations – please contact our trained leaders to sign up (Contact information is in the last printed 4-H news).
  • Join us Wednesday March 24th at 7pm for our virtual dog open house to learn all about our upcoming spring program! This Q&A session is a great opportunity to learn more about this program before it begins. Register at the link below. https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItcO2tpz4sEtGDyfFXeGlm_DlCgMUfDxgH (Meeting Concluded)


Teen Council…

  • Our next meeting will be March 15, 2021 at 07:00 PM. Register in advance for this meeting: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrfuyrrjooGNG8UyWHb8jCasOuy7RrGmOl (Meeting Concluded) After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This month we will play BINGO and have a quick chat about volunteering for 4-H cookie sorting at the end of the month.


Dairy Food Science Cooking Series…

  • Funded through the STEM 2035 grant, this is a four-part series for youth to learn about the science behind dairy foods. Youth will receive kits and join Stephanie, 4-H educator, via zoom to make and learn about the science behind dairy products. Youth will join Stephanie, from the comfort of their own kitchens, and cook these dairy delights along with her. Each session will start at 6PM. This opportunity is free for all 4-H members. Registration for all sessions or select sessions is allowed. Registration is due by March 24th. Call the 4-H office or email Stephanie at sal294@cornell.edu to register.

o Wednesday, March 31st - Mozzarella Cheese

o Wednesday, April 7th - Homemade butter

o Wednesday, April 14th - Homemade Ricotta

o Wednesday, April 21st - Homemade Ice Cream


Virtual Hippology...

  • This event will be live on Kahoot! from 9AM till 5PM on Saturday, March 27th. Register here: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/hippology_256before 3/26 in order to receive the game link. This event will satisfy the educational requirement to show horses at the fair! If you have questions beforehand, email sac347@cornell.edu.

Registration for Animal Crackers…

  • Animal Crackers - This statewide program will be held virtually during the month of May. Check out page 14 of the February 4-H News for complete details and email hmh62@cornell.edu if you are interested in participating. There is a $50 registration fee but that includes a workshop material kit and eight sessions!


Cookie Sale…

  • We want to thank all 4-H families who participated in our 2021 cookie sale! Without your support, we could not continue to provide programming to our county youth. We are diligently working on the cookie delivery schedule, and will be contacting all families who ordered cookies as soon as we have the information in hand on a pickup date!



4-H Staff Email Contacts

Holly Harwood: hmh62@cornell.edu

Sarah Clark: sac347@cornell.edu

Stephanie Luders: sal294@cornell.edu

Alesia Ackerman: aea92@cornell.edu

General 4-H: wyomingcounty4h@cornell.edu

Contact

Alesia Ackerman
Senior Administrative Assistant
aea92@cornell.edu
585-786-2251 ext 110

Last updated November 2, 2023