4-H continues to offer many opportunities for local youth

Posted 28 September 2020 at 1:14 pm

Provided photos:  Olivia Kroening of Knowlesville takes part in the 2019 Orleans County 4-H Horse Camp at the fairgrounds.

Press Release, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension

KNOWLESVILLE – Each year, National 4-H Week sees millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni come together to celebrate the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H.

The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week – “Opportunity 4 All” – is a campaign that was created by National 4-H Council to rally support for Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and identify solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America.

“In 4-H, we believe all youth should have an equal opportunity to succeed,” says Kristina Gabalski, CCE Orleans 4-H Program Coordinator. “We believe all youth should have the skills they need to make a difference in the world.”

The new 4-H year begins on October 1.

“With Covid-19 safety protocols in place, local 4-H clubs are beginning to meet again in-person,” she said. “We will host our annual Produced in New York cooking competition this fall as well as our 4-H Holiday Workshops. Two special in-person workshops are part of the National 4-H Week celebration.”

A Halloween Ikebana Pumpkin workshop is planned for Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Ed Center on the 4-H Fairgrounds.

“We will learn about the Japanese art of floral arranging called Ikebana,” Gabalski said. “Participants will then create their own autumn-themed Ikebana arrangement in a pumpkin to take home.  It can be a fun arrangement, or it can be scary.”

Adele Mathes of Barre (now 9 years old) participates in the 2019 Orleans County 4-H Produced in New York silent cooking competition.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, a Bake and Bark Live workshop is planned in the Trolley Building at 11 am. The event will be an in-person workshop in which participants will learn how to make treats for their dog. Participants will get to take the treats they make home, Gabalski said.

Both events will have limited participants and masks will be required.  “We will also be practicing physical distancing to stay safe,” Gabalski added.

The 4-H program also is working to have poster displays in place at local libraries and Gabalski also hopes to have a 4-H animal science costume contest on the Orleans County 4-H Facebook page.  “Orleans 4-Hers can submit photos of their animal projects wearing costumes,” Gabalski said.  “There will be prizes.”

This is a great time to join 4-H, she added.

“4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident youth who tackle issues that matter most in their communities right now,” she said. “We have opportunities here in Orleans County as well as at the state and national levels.”

For more information, contact Gabalski at 585-798-4265.

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