4-H Projects selected for New York State Fair
The Monroe County 4-H program brought its annual 4-H Expo to Ontario Beach Park on Sunday, July 14. This free, family-friendly event was attended by over 475 people, in addition to adult volunteers and 4-H youth members. The atmosphere was festive and fun, with live music, a petting zoo, and giveaways that included 4-H swag, free carousel rides, and tickets to Seneca Park Zoo.
The 4-H Expo provided a venue for 4-H members to display their accomplishments and projects, with some being chosen for the New York State Fair in Syracuse next month. Projects included art, displays, crafts and more. One little girl, a Cloverbud named Grace, was overjoyed that her first 4-H project was selected for state fair. She literally jumped into her father’s arms when she heard the news; she was so excited. Cloverbuds are 4-H members aged five to seven years.
The event, while introducing the community to 4-H, also provided educational opportunities delivered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County’s other core programs, which include Agriculture, Nutrition, and Horticulture.
Hands-on activities such as robotics, presented by Mercy Robotics Club, and maple syrup tasting were popular, and the Master Gardener program provided spider plants for youth to pot and take home. Kids learned about sustainable energy with the 4-H energy bike, discovered Gyotaku fish painting and met future service dogs through Guiding Eyes for the Blind Puppy Training.
Attendees were able to encounter farm animals in the petting zoo, including lambs, turkey chicks, chickens, rabbits, and a miniature horse named Sugar. Rec on the Move, provided by the City of Rochester, a fire safety house provided by Rochester Fire Department, and the Monroe County Sheriff mounted patrol helped to round-out this community-focused event.
Andrea Lista, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, said, ‘Most people don’t understand that 4-H is for every kid… and you don’t have to be a 4-H member to benefit from 4-H. We’re in the local schools, the libraries, community centers and rec centers. We are all over the county.”
The Monroe County 4-H Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County. 4-H is a worldwide youth development program open to all youth aged five to 19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. In return, youth who participate in 4-H find a supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on or “experiential” learning about things that interest them. Learn more at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
Provided information
