4-H

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.

Press release from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County:

2013 Genesee County 4-H Fair – Division I Results

4-H Beef Show

Grand Champion – C. Huston, Res. Grand Champion – L. Bezon

Novice Showmanship:

Champion – S. Foss, Res. Champion – K. Cusmano

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – L. Bezon, Res. Champion – B. Kron

Boys Senior Showmanship:

Champion – C. Huston, Res. Champion – A. Ludwig

Girls Senior Showmanship:

Champion – J. Marshall, Res. Champion – C. Johnson

4-H Market Beef

Grand Champion – K. Cusmano, Res. Champion – C. Johnson

4-H Dairy Show

Master Showman – K. Patten, Res. Master Showman – C. Nesbitt

Novice Showmanship:

Champion – G. Luft, Res. Champion – C. Sybertz

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – C. Slattery, Res. Champion – E. Ehrmentraut

Intermediate Showmanship:

Champion – R. Slattery, Res. Champion – M. Sweeney

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – K. Patten, Res. Champion – C. Nesbitt

4-H Dairy Goat Show

Master Showman – E. Weber, Res. Master Showman – K. Milroy

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – B. Uhrinek, Res. Champion – J. Uhrinek

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – E. Weber, Res. Champion – K. Milroy

4-H Meat Goat Show

Master Showman – E. Weber, Res. Master Showman – K. Milroy

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – K. Ireland

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – K. Milroy, Res. Champion – K. Snyder

4-H Market Goat

Grand Champion – K. Milroy, Res. Champion – E. Weber

4-H English Horse Show

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – E. Rindell, Res. Champion – G. Rindell

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – J. Bovier, Res. Champion – E. Shuknecht

4-H Western Horse Show

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – E. Boldt, Res. Champion – C. Pelton

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – L. Hilburger, Res. Champion – J. Bovier

4-H Poultry Show

Champion Large Fowl – M. Anauo, Res. Champion – M. Anauo

Champion Bantam – C. Brownell, Res. Champion – C. Brownell

Champion Large Waterfowl – B. Uhrinek, Res. Champion – J. Uhrinek

1^st Place Egg Production – C. Mathes, 2^nd Place – A. Brewer

Poultry Showmanship:

Beginner Champion – M. Anauo

Junior Champion – B. Uhrinek

Senior Champion – C. Brownell

Best of Show – M. Anauo, Res. of Show – C. Brownell

Egg Champion – C. Mathes, Res. Champion – M. Keller

4-H Rabbit Show

Best of Show – M. Reeb, Res. of Show – M. Swendsen

Rabbit Showmanship:

Beginner Champion – M. Pfenniger, Res. Beginner Champion – B. Kolmetz, 3^rd Blue Beginner Showman – B. Uhrinek

Junior Champion – J. Uhrinek, Res. Junior Champion – M. Reeb, 3^rd Blue Beginner Showman – K. Starowitz

Senior Champion – A. Kelsey

Champion Pet Rabbit­ – S. Salim, Res. Pet Rabbit – C. Swartzenberg

Champion Cavy – K. Starowitz, Res. Champion – K. Starowitz

Champion Pet Cavy – K. Starowitz

4-H Sheep Show

Grand Champion – N. Kron, Res. Grand Champion – T. Ross

Novice Showmanship:

Champion – M. Pimm, Res. Champion – A. Dean

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – B. Kron, Res. Champion – E. Ehrmentraut

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – N. Kron, Res. Champion – T. Ross

4-H Market Lamb

Grand Champion – M. Ross, Res. Champion – M. Keller

4-H Swine Show

­­Grand Champion – N. Kron, Res. Grand Champion – M. Keller

Novice Showmanship:

Champion – H. Weber

Junior Showmanship:

Champion – C. Carlson, Res. Champion – B. Kron

Senior Showmanship:

Champion – N. Kron, Res. Champion – M. Keller

4-H Market Swine

Grand Champion – C. Carlson, Res. Grand Champion – D. Weber

Photos and info submitted by John Milroy.

During the Genesee County Fair, Tim Adams, leader of the 4-H Swine Club, showed off the club pig "Zeus."

Kristi Milroy also had the Grand Champion market goat. Kristi also had Best in Show dairy goat with her Alpine goat, "Nellie."

Auction night at the Genesee County Fair is a big night for 4H members. It's the night members find out whether a year of hard work raising lambs, hogs and steers is going to pay off, both in terms of ribbons and cash.

Bidders are a mix of local farmers, business leaders and vendors to farms who often pay higher than market prices to help reward the perhaps future farmers for their efforts.

The auction was conducted by William Kent, Inc.

Here is a collection of pictures from Thursday evening's auction.

Lauren Young prepares her steer for auction.

Taylor Ross with his prize-winning lamb.

Lukas Johnson

Moving cattle to and from the auction ring can get a little crowded.

Bidders are provided with a list of animals coming up for auction.

Winning bidders receive a blue ribbon and a photo of the animal they won with the 4H member who raised it. Winning bidders have the option of taking the animal or letting it go to commercial auction and paying only the difference between it's market value and what they actually bid.

A winning bidder.

Dylan Weber and his second-place hog.

Hudson Weber brings his hog to the auction ring.

A hog in line to enter the auction ring.

Two hogs resting after their turn in the auction ring.

Julian Duyssen waiting for his turn to enter the auction ring with his hog.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here. More photos from the auction in the slide show.

Today, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County announced the results of the third annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-in. It was held Oct. 1 at J&L Feed & Farm Supply in Corfu.

Anna Dorman, of Batavia, grew the largest orange orb -- a Dill’s Atlantic giant pumpkin, which topped the scales at a whopping 120 pounds.

Other participants were Steven and George Underhill, who grew 90-pound pumpkins, and Andrew Underhill who weighed in with a 60-pounder.

The contest also included tiny Jack-Be-Little pumpkins.

The Tarbell family, of Corfu, (Alexandria, Colton, and Quinton) are the lightweight winners with a 40-gram pumpkin.

Anna Dorman came in close with a 42-gram entry. The Tarbells also grew 53-gram and 75-gram pumpkins. Melissa Keller entered a 108-gram Jack-Be-Little.

The pumpkin-growing contest is an annual, educational event and one of many that Genesee County youth participate in as part of the 4-H program.

Youth ages 5-19 who are interested in becoming a member of 4-H, may contact Amy at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 343-3040, ext. 101.