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4-H

GC 4-H fur and Feather Club to host poultry show at fairgrounds Sept. 22, entry deadline is Sept. 17

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County 4-H Fur and Feather Club is hosting a youth poultry show on Saturday, Sept. 22. at the Merton Building on the Genesee County Fairgrounds, located at 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The show is open to all local youth ages 19 and younger, youth don’t need to be a 4-H member to participate. Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 17; no day-of-show entries will be accepted.

Showroom opens at 7:30 a.m., birds must be cooped by 9 a.m. For complete show rules and entry form please visit: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events or contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 343-3040, ext. 101.

Genesee County 4-H’ers show pork knowledge at New York State Fair

By Billie Owens

Photo, from left: Melissa Keller, Chase Zuber and Ben Kron.

Submitted photos and press release:

Members of the Genesee County 4-H Swine Club competed in the Youth Swine Competitions at the 2018 New York State Fair.

Melissa Keller, Ben Kron, and Chase Zuber each exhibited Market Hogs and Breeding Hogs in the 4-H/youth swine competitions.

In addition to competing with their hogs, youth members were also able to participate in many other knowledge contests and public presentations.

Each contest awards points to the youth’s overall score, those points were then used to award Empire Youth Swine Scholarships.

The scholarships were presented by the New York Pork Producers.

The following Genesee County youth participated in the contest: Cheyanne Isaman, Melissa Keller, Ben Kron, and Chase Zuber.

Genesee County’s own senior 4-H member, Melissa Keller capped off her 11 year 4-H career by winning Grand Champion -- Empire Youth Swine Scholarship Winner.

There were 40 youth from across New York competing in the contest and Genesee County 4-H Swine members won several top-five placings in the different contest areas. 

Senior Project Records:

  • Melissa Keller -- 1st
  • Ben Kron – 3rd

Senior Interviews:

  • Melissa Keller -- 1st

Knowledge Swine Review/ Quiz:

  • Senior Division -- Melissa Keller -- 1st
  • Junior Divisions -- Cheyanne Isaman -- 3rd

Public Presentations:

  • Senior Division -- Melissa Keller -- 1st
  • Junior Division -- Chase Zuber -- 5th

Senior Swine Judging:

  • Senior Division -- Melissa Keller -- 1st
  • Junior Division -- Chase Zuber -- 3rd

Senior Skillathon:

  • Melissa Keller -- 2nd  

Educational Poster:

  • Senior Division- Melissa Keller -- 1st
  • Junior Division- Chase Zuber -- 5th

Top 10 in Each Division:

  • Division A:  Melissa Keller – 1st, Grand Champion
  • Division B:  Cheyanne Isaman -- 6th place

Congratulations Genesee County 4-H Swine Club Members on Doing your Best at the 2018 New York State Fair!  To learn more about Genesee County 4-H visit: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Genesee County 4-H'er wins 2018 4-H Holstein Master Showman award at NY State Fair

By Billie Owens

Photo: Emily Mikel and her cow, Bingo, received the award for 2018 4-H Holstein Master Showman at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.

Submitted photo and press release:

Genesee County 4-H’er Emily Mikel, of Pavilion, finished her 4-H career with top honors at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.

This year marks Emily Mikel’s 11th and final year in the Genesee County 4-H program.

Emily has been active in both the 4-H Dairy Club and 4-H Swine Club. She has shown great leadership and passion for both 4-H and the dairy industry. Her honors also include being named Genesee County Dairy Queen in 2015.

She is a prime example of the leaders that the 4-H program annually graduates.

In her final season of 4-H, Emily exhibited her quality Holsteins at the 2018 New York State Fair. She won many awards with her animals including Grand Champion.

Emily competed against more than 40 4-H’ers from across the state for title of 2018 4-H Holstein Master Showman. After facing tough competition, Emily and her cow, Mikelholm Dempsy Bingo,won it all.

Congratulations to Emily as the 2018 4-H Holstein Master Showman at the New York State Fair.

To learn more about Genesee County 4-H visit: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club competes at New York State Fair

By Billie Owens

Photo, from left: Mason Werth, Mary Sweeney, Addison Norton, Caroline Luft, Georgia Luft, Chloe Lamb, Amelia Brewer, Bing Zuber, Carolyn Sybertz, Justin Deleo, Jillian Brewer, Otto Uberty and Maggie Winspear.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club competed in two 4-H contests at the New York State Fair. After two days of contests that included more than 200 4-Her’s from across New York State, the results for Genesee County participants are as follows.

New York 4-H Dairy Challenge Contest

Genesee Novice Team: 5th place

  • Team Members: Otto Uberty and Justin Deleo

Genesee Junior Team: 5th Place

  • Team Members: Amelia Brewer, Jillian Brewer, Maggie Winspear, and Renee Uberty     

New York 4-H Dairy Judging Contest

Genesee Novice Team: 2nd Place

  • Team Members: Caroline Luft 5th, Justin Deleo 9th, Otto Uberty 13th, Chloe Lamb 14th

Genesee Junior Team A: 10th Place

  • Team Members: Amelia Brewer 10th, Addison Norton 30th, Carolyn Sybertz 32nd, Bing Zuber 40th

Genesee Junior Team B: 5th Place

  • Team Members: Jillian Brewer 11th, Maggie Winspear 14th,  Mason Werth 34th, Georgia Luft 43rd

Congratulations to all of the 4-H’ers who competed! To learn more about 4-H in Genesee County contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 343-3040, ext. 101, or visit our website: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Genesee County Fair 4-H Livestock Show results released for 2018

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Office would like to congratulate all of the 4-H members who exhibited animals at the 2018 Genesee County Fair.

Special thanks to our club leaders, volunteers, family members and friends who volunteered their time; the 4-H program would not be possible without your help!

Below are some highlights from the 2018 Genesee County Fair Livestock Shows.

4-H Beef Cattle Show

Novice Showmanship – Audrey Dorman

Junior Showmanship – Cody Carlson

Senior Showmanship – Caleb Carlson 

Master Showman – Caleb Carlson

Supreme Champion Female – Shianne Foss

Grand Champion Beef Steer – Shianne Foss

Grand Champion Dairy Steer – Cody Ehrmentraut

4-H Dairy Cattle Show

Novice Showmanship – Chloe Lamb

Junior Showmanship – Mason Werth

Intermediate Showmanship – Georgia Luft

Senior Showmanship – Mary Sweeney 

Master Showman – Mary Sweeney

Reserve Master Showman – Emily Mikel

Master Fitter – Emily Mikel

Reserve Master Fitter – Amelia Brewer

Grand Champion Ayrshire – Justin Deleo

Grand Champion Lineback – Jillian Brewer

Grand Champion Guernsey – Colton Slattery

Grand Champion Holstein – Emily Mikel

Grand Champion Brown Swiss – Emily Mikel

Grand Champion Jersey – Caroline Luft

Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn – Mary Sweeney

Supreme Champion – Mary Sweeney

Reserve Supreme Champion – Emily Mikel

4-H Dairy Goat Show

Novice Showmanship – Gabe Winn

Junior Showmanship – Jade Winn

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – Melissa Keller

Best in Show Doe – Melissa Keller

4-H Meat Goat Show

Novice Showmanship – Brooke Frega

Junior Showmanship – John Riley

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – John Riley

Best in Show Doe – John Riley

4-H Sheep Show

Junior Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Senior Showmanship – Becky Kron

Master Showman – Maisy Ross

Reserve Master Showman – Ashley Ehrmentraut

Champion Halter Showman – Mya Grant

Supreme Champion Ram – Becky Kron

Supreme Champion Ewe – Brendan Pimm

Champion Market Lamb – Becky Kron

4-H Hog Show

Novice Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Junior Showmanship – Cody Carlson

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – Melissa Keller

Supreme Gilt – Melissa Keller

Champion Market Hog – Alianna Baris

4-H Market Animal Auction Goat Show

Junior Showmanship – Lily Haacke

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – Melissa Keller

Grand Champion Market Goat – Melissa Keller

Reserve Champion Market Goat – Tyler Jirovec

4-H Market Animal Auction Hog Show

Junior Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Senior Showmanship – Ben Kron

Master Showman – Ben Kron

Grand Champion Market Hog – Melissa Keller

Reserve Champion Market Hog – Camden Baris

4-H Market Animal Auction Dairy Steer Show

Senior Showmanship – Carolyn Sybertz

Master Showman – Carolyn Sybertz

Grand Champion Dairy Steer – Carolyn Sybertz

Reserve Champion Dairy Steer – Cody Ehrmentraut

4-H Market Animal Auction Beef Steer Show

Junior Showmanship – Kaidan Hofheins

Senior Showmanship – Becky Kron

Master Showman – Becky Kron

Grand Champion Beef Steer – Caleb Carlson

Reserve Champion Beef Steer – Cole Carlson

4-H Market Animal Auction Lamb Show

Junior Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Senior Showmanship – Becky Kron

Master Showman – Brendan Pimm

Grand Champion Market Lamb – Becky Kron

Reserve Champion Market Lamb – Melissa Keller

4-H Market Animal Auction Poultry Show

Junior Showmanship – Georgia Luft

Senior Showmanship – Clare Mathes

Master Showman – Clare Mathes

Grand Champion Pen of Market Chickens – Jillian Brewer

Reserve Champion Pen of Market Chickens – Jillian Brewer

4-H Market Animal Master Showmanship Contest

Overall Master Showman – Shianne Foss

Alden 4-H member wins master showman award at fair

By Howard B. Owens

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Shianne Foss, of Alden, won the 4-H Club's annual Overall Master Showman competition at the Genesee County Fair on Saturday.

The competition is among the six members who won their respective showmanship awards for their animals but in the master showman contest they must demonstrate their ability at handling four different animals -- in this case, goats, lambs, chickens, and beef steer -- as well as their knowledge of those animals.

Pictured with Foss are judge Kirby Dygert and the 2017 winner Ben Kron.

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Photos: Buyers bid up livestock at annual 4-H auction

By Howard B. Owens

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Corinne Rhoads was a big hit with the crowd when it came time to auction off the chickens she had raised during the annual 4-H Club Livestock Auction at the Genesee County Fair.  Bidders purchased 112 animals during the charity auction, usually at prices well above market value, which included not just chickens, but goats, lambs, beef steers, dairy steers, and hogs.

William Kent Inc. conducted the auction.

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Clare Mathers

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Madelynn Pimm

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Mya Grant

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Hunter McCabe

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Pete Broughton making a bid.

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Bob Bowen, Circle B Winery, holds up his bidder number so the auctioneer can record his winning bid on an animal.

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Audre Dorman

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Photos: Swine show at Genesee County Fair

By Howard B. Owens

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Wednesday evening the 4-H Swine Club held its annual competition at the Genesee County Fair, with members judged on their showmanship and the quality of their swine.

These pictures are from the showmanship contest, where members are judged on their ability to herd their hogs.

The awards went to: 

Senior Swine Showmanship

  • 1st place -- Mellisa Keller
  • 2nd place -- Ben Kron
  • 3rd place -- Becky Kron

Junior Swine Showmanship

  • 1st place -- Cody Carlson
  • 2nd place -- Hudson Weber

Novice Swine Showmanship

  • 1st place -- Brendan Pimm
  • 2nd place -- Chase Zuber

Melissa Keller won the Master Showman award.

Tonight is the annual 4-H meat auction. This evening, the Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant's food trailer will be offering a pulled-pork dinner for $12, with 20 percent of all sales going to the 4-H Swine Club's scholarship award. It is given to a member who has shown sportsmanship and leadership during fair week.

Click here for a schedule of fair events.

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Melissa Keller and Ben Kron competing for master showman by demonstrating for a judge their ability to herd their swine though a figure eight around a pair of chairs.

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Marty the art 'bot makes his debut at Genesee County Fair on Saturday with live demo

By Billie Owens

Above, Marty the art 'bot with co-leader Quinton Tarbell and ACES Club members.

Submitted photos.

By Renee Chapell, 4-H ACES Club member

Can robots make art? They can indeed. With individually controllable motors and a bunch of sensors, Marty the art 'bot can draw, walk, turn, dance, kick a ball, and react to his environment as programmed.

The 4H ACES Club focused on customizing Marty to change how he draws. Marty can be controlled remotely over Wi-Fi, but can also be programed in a variety of programming languages.

The team learned that with Marty, coding is as simple as clicking and dragging blocks. Marty makes learning about programming, electronics and mechanical engineering a fun, challenging and engaging process. Sure, there are a ton of other robots made for kids, but Marty is astonishingly special!

Come learn about building robots and meet Marty, the creative art robot debuting at 4H Genesee County Fair. Stop by and see him, Marty would love to meet you!

Marty will doing a live demo on Saturday in the Kennedy Building, following the talent show. We hope to see you at the fair!

Below: Marty the Art 'bot.

Bottom photo: Marty the art 'bot and ACES Club Team – Luke Kozak, Shane Coast, Alexandria Tarbell with Marty, Gabrielle Crandall and Colton Tarbell.

48th Annual GC 4-H Market Animal Auction is July 19 at the fair

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The  48th Annual Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction will be held Thursday, July 19, at the Genesee County Fair.

The auction begins at 7 p.m. in the main show ring.

New this year, 4-H members will be selling market chickens and dairy steers.

The auction will feature approximately 28 lots of market chickens, 10 goats, 19 lambs, 29 beef steers, two dairy steers and 44 hogs.

There will be a complementary buyers' dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Auction supporters will receive buyer’s dinner meal tickets after registering for a buyer’s number.

Special thanks to William Kent and Family for providing 48 years of support of the 4-H Market Animal Auction Program.

For more information, contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Genesee County Fair 4-H schedule announced

By Billie Owens

Here's the 2018 Genesee County Fair 4-H Schedule.

**Schedule is tentative and subject to change** 

Monday, July 16

9 a.m.:  4-H Horse Show – English Classes (Horse Ring)

9 a.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Goat Show (Show Ring)

11 a.m.:  4-H Beef Cattle Show (Show Ring)

1 p.m.:  4-H Rabbit Showmanship (Merton Building)

Tuesday, July 17

9 a.m.:  4-H Horse Show – Western Classes (Horse Ring)

9 a.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Hog Show (Show Ring)

12 p.m.: 4-H Market Animal Auction Lamb Show (Show Ring)

1 p.m.:  4-H Poultry Showmanship (Merton Building)

4 p.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Dairy Steer Show (Show Ring)

5 p.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Beef Steer Show (Show Ring)

6 p.m.:  4-H Rabbit Show (Merton Building)

Wednesday, July 18

9 a.m.:  4-H Meat & Dairy Goat Show (Show Ring)

12 p.m.:  4-H Sheep Show (Show Ring)

4 p.m.:  4-H Hog Show (Show Ring)

Thursday, July 19

9 a.m.:  4-H Horse Show – Gymkhana Classes

9 a.m.:  4-H Dairy Cattle Show (Show Ring)

5:30 p.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Buyer’s Dinner

6:45 p.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Awards

7 p.m.:  4-H Market Animal Auction Sale Begins (Show Ring)

Friday, July 20

10 a.m.:  4-H Livestock Costume Contest (Show Ring)

3:30 p.m.:  4-H Cloverbud Show (Show Ring)

5:30 p.m.:  4-H Tractor Driving Contest

Saturday, July 21

3 p.m.:  4-H Goat Obstacle Course Contest

4 p.m.:  4-H Market Animal Master Showmanship Contest (Show Ring) 

4-H Program seeks volunteer judges for Kennedy Building Exhibits and Livestock Costume Contest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia  – The Genesee County 4-H Program is seeking volunteer judges for the following events at this year’s Genesee County Fair:

  • Kennedy Building Exhibits, Sunday July 15 from noon until 5 p.m. Help us judge youth exhibits in following categories: Horticulture, Creative Writing, Baked Goods, Sewing and more!
  • 4-H Livestock Costume Contest -- Friday, July 20 at 10 a.m. 4-H’ers will be dressing their project animals up in fun costumes & accessories; help us decide who is the most creative, most humorous, has the best craftsmanship, the best team, and overall champion!

Interested in helping? Contact Brandie or Jessica for more details, 343-3040 or email genesee4h@cornell.edu

Photos: 4-H Sheep Club car wash

By Howard B. Owens

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The 4-H Sheep Club hosted a car wash, along with a hot dog sale, at the Tractor Supply in Batavia today.

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GC 4-H Sheep Club to hold car wash fundraiser at Batavia Tractor Supply tomorrow

By Billie Owens

There will be a car wash at the Tractor Supply Co. store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, to raise money for the Genesee County 4-H Sheep Club.

It is located at 4974 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

All proceeds will go toward fair awards/trophies and barn improvements at the GC Fairgrounds.

Cost is $5 per vehicle.

The club will also be selling hotdogs, chips, soda and water at the fundraiser.

GC 4-H Fur and Feather Club to co-host rabbit and cavy youth show at Fairgrounds

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee County 4-H Fur and Feather Club along with Wyoming County 4-H Rabbit Ears Club are hosting a double rabbit and cavy youth show on Saturday, April 21, at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The show is open to all local youth ages 19 and younger (you don’t need to be a 4-H member). Showroom opens at 8 a.m., health checked by 9 a.m., judging promptly begins at 10 a.m.

Entry Fee is $3 per animal if postmarked by April 13 or $4 day of show. Participants may enter in both shows.

For complete show rules and entry forms please click here, or contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 343-3040, ext. 101.

GC 4-H members compete in regional public speaking contests

By Billie Owens

Genesee 4H District public speaking presenters from left: Caris Carlson, Amelia Brewer, Colton Tarbell, Melissa Keller, Clare Mathes, Madison Harrington, Eva Rhoads, Corrine Rhoads.

Submitted photos and press release:

Congratulations to the Genesee County 4-H members who participated in the 2018 Finger Lakes District 4-H Public Presentations and Horse Communications Contests on Saturday, March 24. 4-H members from across the region came together to compete at the district level and gave presentations in front of a panel of volunteer judges.

The 4-H Public Presentations Program gives youth an opportunity to improve their public speaking skills in a fun, competitive format. The 4-H Horse Communications Program is a public speaking contest in which youth give a presentation on an equine related topic.

Members qualified to compete in the regional contests by giving an outstanding presentation at the Genesee County 4-H Public Presentations Contest in February.

Representing Genesee County at the Finger Lakes District 4-H Public Presentations Contest were Amelia Brewer, Caris Carlson, Madison Harrington, Melissa Keller, Clare Mathes, Corrine Rhoads, Eva Rhoads and Colton Tarbell.

Representing Genesee County at the Regional Horse Communications Contest were Alexandria and Tarbell Alianna Baris.

For more information about the Genesee County 4-H Program, contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040, ext. 101. Program and enrollment information can also be found on our website at genesee.cce.cornell.edu/genesee4h.

Below are Region 2 Horse Communications contestants Alexandria Tarbell, left, and Alianna Baris.

Photos: 4-H makes Valentine cards for veterans

By Howard B. Owens

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Genesee County 4-H hosted a Valentine-making workshop today at JOANN Fabric and Craft Store in Batavia. Children who participated made Valentine cards to distribute to local veterans.

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4-H'ers busy making Valentines for our veterans in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program hosted a community service card making event on Jan. 30.

4-H Staff Jessica Reisdorf and Brandie Waite along with 4-H Volunteer Julie Keller, helped coordinate and lead the event. They spoke to 4-H’ers on the importance of community service and volunteering and how they relate to citizenship.

More than 20 4-H’ers ages 7 to 15 volunteered their time to create over 50 beautiful and thoughtful handmade cards that will be distributed to the New York State Veterans’ Home in Batavia.

The youth worked together on this project with the common goal of brightening the residents' Valentine’s Day and to let them know that the community cares about them.

Genesee County 4-H members will be continuing this service project at the Batavia JOANN Fabrics store in the Valu Home Plaza on West Main Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 3.

To learn more about the Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development

GC 4-H program seeks volunteers to evaluate upcoming Public Presentations Program

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is looking for volunteers to help with its upcoming 4-H Public Presentations Program.

The 4-H Public Presentations Program gives 4-H youth an opportunity to expand their public speaking skills in a fun, competitive format.  

The 4-H Public Presentations Program would not be possible without volunteer evaluators! Evaluators watch 4-H youth participants give presentations and provide them with constructive comments to help improve their public speaking skills.

The 2018 4-H Public Presentations Events will be held on Saturday, Feb.17th, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Byron-Bergen School, and Thursday, March 15th, 3 – 5 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office in Batavia.

If you are interested in serving as an evaluator at one or both of these events, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Genesee County Master Gardeners hosted 4-H Holiday Centerpiece Workshop

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

On Dec. 7, the Genesee County Master Gardener Volunteers hosted a “How to Make A Holiday Centerpiece” workshop for more than a dozen local 4-H members from across the county.

The youth learned about various types of evergreens that can be used to make festive holiday arrangements, many of which can be found in their own backyards. The kids then used the greens to make their very own holiday centerpiece to take home and enjoy.

To learn more about the Genesee County Master Gardener or 4-H Programs, visit our website: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

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