March Agricultural Literacy Week Monday, March 14th through Friday, March 18th. STARR Registration Open

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1 CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County 50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY OF SARATOGA COUNTY NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID Ballston Spa, NY Permit #19 Address Service Requested March 2016 The H Walkathon If you don t have May 7th marked on your calendar to participate in the 42nd annual 4-H Walkathon, do it now! It is not too early to think about getting pledges. We will be walking in the Saratoga Spa State Park for the 6th time. Walkathon forms will be available by mid March. Costs continue to climb to maintain the Training Center and the goal for 2016 is to raise $10,000. To reach that goal we need many walkers, and that means we need you! 4-H Staff: Program Committee Greg Stevens, Extension Issue Leader Julie Curren, Extension Program Educator Carter Older, Extension Community Educator Kirk Shoen, Extension Resource Educator Deborah Gutierrez, Extension Program Educator Marilyn Preissler, 4-H Administrative Assistant Richard Johnson, Printer Dave Felano Paul Lasky Eileen Lindemann Ballston Spa Ballston Spa Clifton Park Kim Racaza Jim Holbrook Eileen Gerdes Clifton Park Amsterdam Saratoga Springs Paul Ruger Assistant Editor Students Noah Amann Alex Singer Mechanicville Saratoga Springs Clubs can contribute $25 to have their name on a sleeve of the official t-shirt. Leaders will be contacted with information on how to make this happen. There will once again be prizes for the top ten 4-H ers with the most money collected, and prizes for the top walkers aged 7 and under, 8-12 and ($50 cash) who bring in the most money. The Teen Council also sponsors a prize of $100 to be applied to the 4-H trip of choice for the teen bringing in the most money. Club prizes will be awarded based on club percentage. The top 10 4-H ers worked hard at getting pledges last year and raised nearly 1/3rd of the total proceeds. They did a great job and the challenge is for more walkers to push the total higher to realize the goal for the event. Upcoming Events & Deadlines 5th - Public Presentation Day Walkathon 1 5th - Regional Horse Bowl New Countywide project Leader s Association Mtg. STARR 2 14th - Teen Council Mtg. Teen Career 4 9th - State Horse Bowl Dog Obedience 6 23th - Hippology Regional Agriculture 8 23th - Regional Public Presentation Teen Update 9 23 & 24 - DEC Youth Hunter Safety Course 2015 Capital Days 9 26th-28th - Reg. Tractor Safety Cert. Course 4-H Leaders 10 10th - Public Presentation Make-Up Check us out on Facebook!!! Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities 12 1

2 STARR Registration Open Join teens from across the state for The STARR State Teen Action Reps Retreat, April 29-May 1. What is STARR? A three-day, fun-filled event where 4-H teens participate in a variety of workshops and activities meant to challenge, excite and further develop life skills. The weekend is packed with workshops, roundtables, community service, great food, and a dinner dance. The goal is to gather new ideas and skills, meet new friends, expand your 4-H horizons, bring fresh ideas and activities back to your county to share...and have fun! The cost of the trip is $85. There is financial support from Teen Council. If you are interested in attending, please contact Carter as soon as possible. Spots will go quickly! or co263@cornell.edu. Youth must be 13 as of January 1st, Agricultural Literacy Week Monday, March 14th through Friday, March 18th. In celebration of New York Agriculture, volunteers throughout the state will read a book with an agricultural theme to second graders.2,000 books were donated last year state wide while thousands of second graders participated in fun and educational activities. As a result of our wonderful 4-H and Master Gardener Volunteers in Saratoga County last year we read to approximately 1,600 students in 75 classrooms and we visited a total of 21 elementary schools in 12 districts! The selected book for 2016 is The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by G. Brian Karas. This fun and exciting story shares the journey of Mr. Tiffin s class on a field trip to an apple orchard. The students learn about every aspect of the farm from how apples are harvested, the process of making cider, and the many different varieties of apples. While the class picks their apples and experiences the farm, Mr. Tiffin gives them all a riddle to ponder. This book was selected as the 2015 American Farm Bureau Foundation for Education s Book of the Year. This year s focus on apple production is exciting because of the importance of the apple industry in New York State, as we are ranked second nationally in production. Apples provide over 17,000 direct and indirect jobs, and there are over 680 apple producers on 55,000 acres across the state. Though the Agricultural Literacy Week program teachers, students, and parents can learn more about this nutritionally and economically healthy and essential industry. All lessons, activities, and companion materials are aligned to the Common Core Learning Standards. Hippology Practice Hippology Practice Spanish Class for Farmers 7pm-9pm H Leader s Association 6:30pm March Dog Madness Spanish Class for Farmers 7pm-9pm Public Presentation makeup 4-7pm Regional Dairy Bowl Teen Council 7-9:30pm Reginal Horse Bowl Middleburgh Teen Council Officers 7pm Beginner Poultry Class 6:30pm Public Presentation 9am-3pm SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY March

3 4-H For Leaders Volunteers Needed! Paper Clover Campaign 2016 Mark Your Calendars! 4-H s for Leaders, March 14th 4-H for Leaders is a unique combination of a new and an established forum for all leaders. The first portion of the meeting will focus on a specific topic or process followed by the business of the Leaders Association. There will be information sharing, discussion, how to s, and hands on activities for all leaders. Don t be left out or miss out on making things happen in your club. Be an active participant at 4-H for Leaders. In March we will be focusing on Community Service projects for clubs! Our participation is growing a great deal, please plan to join us! H Golf Classic, How Can You Help?! The Spring Paper Clover Campaign will run from April What is it? Shoppers at Tractor Supply Co. who add $1.00 at check out will be giving money back to the 4-H Program at the National, State, and County Level. Clubs are needed to help promote 4-H at the stores on the weekends and to sell paper clovers. You can set up a display, have a bake sale, sell pet treats, or just be present and answer questions about 4-H! Any money raised (aside from selling the clovers) can be kept for your club. Make it a club fundraiser! This directly benefits youth and programs in our county, especially those who need help offsetting the cost of trips. We will have a presence at both Tractor Supply Stores in Saratoga County (Wilton and Clifton Park) during the fall campaign. This is a great way to support the 4-H Youth Development Program in Saratoga County, make money, and have fun with your club! If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Carter at co263@cornell.edu,or call the office at We couldn t do it without you! As plans continue for the 16th annual 4-H Golf Classic on June 11th at the Saratoga Lake Golf Club, questions arise on how 4-H leaders and families can support this annual event. Once again in 2016, leaders will be sent a brochure, and an extra letter asking you to seek out support for our tournament. There are many alternatives that are available. Sponsorships, donations, and items for our raffle and participant goodie bags are all appreciated. For those 4-H families who do not receive a letter in the mail, we have copies of the letters and brochures available at the 4-H office. All proceeds for the 4-H Golf Classic go directly back into the program by way of the Leaders Association through scholarships, and other opportunities for our 4-H youth and leaders. If you have any questions, please call Greg at the 4-H office at , or at grs9@cornell.edu. Animal Crackers at Cornell University- May 7, 2016 Species focus in 2016 will include Dairy Cattle & Goat project topics. 4-H members (suggested age range 9-12) are strongly encouraged to attend with their parents. However, all youth 9 and up are welcome. Participants will get to meet Cornell faculty and students, learn about different aspects of animal care, interact and exchange information with professional producers, industry experts, and more! Hands-on workshops are planned for each species group. Cost is $15 per person. Contact Carter for more information or to register! 10 3

4 2016 CAREER EXPLORATIONS CORNELL UNIVERSITY Teen Update Teen Council Upcoming Events How would you like to experience college life at Cornell University? Career Explorations is a chance to visit the Cornell campus, meet the students and staff of Cornell, and get a taste of the college experience. Participants stay in a dorm, eat in the dining facility and spend the day learning about science, technology, consumer science...and themselves. University U For 4-H ers entering grades 8 and 9 Tour the campus of Cornell Interact with faculty and students while engaging in fun workshops and experiments 4-H ers attend this program one time Focus for Teens For 4-H ers entering grades in the fall Teens select one department or topic for an in depth experience Work with Cornell faculty and staff, hands-on learning, field WHO: WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: TIME: WHO: WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: TIME: All Teen Council Officers Teen Council Officers Meeting Wednesday, March 2nd Cooperative Extension Office 7:00pm All 4-H ers 13 and older Teen Council Meeting Saturday, March 12th, 4-H Training Center 7:00 9:30 pm At the February meeting Teen Council had their monthly meeting, which was followed by Strawberry Shortcake and movie night. March s meeting we will be bringing in a balloon twister, teaching youth how to make balloon shapes. Please plan to join us! H Capital Days There are some exciting changes for 2016 Capital Days. The first is a date change. The 2016 Capital Days will be held on May This year the program will start on Sunday night, and for the first time in years, we ll be making some in person Legislative Visits. Our delegates will also have the opportunity to do some live radio down at the Legislative Office Building. In the evening they ll be time for fun with Ice Breakers on Sunday night followed by a dance on Monday evening. Details Dates: Tuesday, June 28th - Thursday, June 30th Cost Estimate $100-$150, thank you goes to the generous donations from the Leader s Association and Teen Council Registration applications available now. Call the office, , or grs9@cornell.edu. 4-H Day at the Hockey Game If you are over the age of 14, and interested in Capital days 2016, please contact Greg at the 4-H office at , or grs9@cornell.edu. Albany, Columbia and Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties Date: Sunday, March 13 Time: 3:00 pm Location: Times Union Center, 51 S. Pearl St. Albany, NY Cost: Tickets are $13 (age two and under free) Ticket order deadline: Friday, March 4 Who: Employees, members and friends receive a discounted ticket offer. For more information or to order tickets, contact Meg Emery at or memery@thealbanydevils.com Watch an exciting game between the Albany Devils and Toronto Marlies! 4 9

5 4-H Horticulture Training Has the gardening bug bitten you yet? Do you have a garden or love working with indoor plants? Now is the time to experience learning more about the plants and their surroundings and have fun doing it. Join other 4-H ers for our Horticulture Training sessions! Participation in this training allows you the opportunity to participate in the county Horticulture Contest at the Saratoga County Fair and could perhaps put you on a team to represent our county at the NYS Fair. If you want to learn about plants, their identification and culture, as well as how to judge plant material, please come to our monthly training sessions. Up-Coming Dates: Agriculture March 14th April 11th So please mark your calendar today and plan to join us at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office from 6:30pm to 8pm. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, contact Susan Beebe at Regional Tractor Safety Certification Course Capital District 4-H The Capital District 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest March 12, 2016 Ichabod Crane Middle School Registration: 8:30am Competition 9:30am A 4-H tractor and machinery safety certification course for Saratoga County youth will take place on April 26th, 27th, and 28th. The course will be a collaboration of the Cornell Cooperative Extensions of several counties and will be held in Rensselaer on the first day and at the Washington County Fairgrounds the last two days. The classes are held from 9:00am to 4:30pm on all three days. Youth 14 and 15 years old who are planning to work on other than a family farm need to pass this course before they can legally operate power farm equipment. The course is also beneficial to older youth and adults working on their family farm for the valuable safety content. All three sessions must be attended for certification. The cost of the program for Saratoga County youth is $20. Youth must also enroll in 4-H and pay $2 for insurance purposes. The cost for adults is $25. Some pre-study of the course manual is required. Transportation will be provided all three days from the Saratoga County Cooperative Extension Office in Ballston Spa. For more information or to register, please call Carter at the 4-H Office by April 5 th, at from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riding/Driving Evaluations in 2016 It is time to be thinking again about the NYS 4-H Riding and Driving Level Evaluations. These are evaluations to ascertain if the rider/ driver/horse are safe to participate in county sponsored events. These events include the Trail Ride, Beginner Show, Saratoga County Fair 4-H Horse Show, and any county sponsored clinics. If you do not plan to participate in any of these events then you do not need to be evaluated. The evaluation involves a three person committee seeing the member handle and ride or drive their horse safely, and a check of tack, riding helmet and footwear. If the member rides both English and Western, the committee will need to see the member mounted with both types of tack. If the member uses different horses for Western, English, Gymkhana, and Driving they must be evaluated with each horse. The horses should be the project animal(s) the member will be listing on their annual Horse Registration Form (due by June 1st). An unsatisfactory evaluation may lead to the member not being allowed to ride or drive in a county sponsored event or not being allowed to move up a level for this year. Individuals or club leaders may call the 4-H Office to request a copy of the evaluation forms. Who must be evaluated? 1) All Walk/Trot riders who have not previously passed a Riding Level Evaluation. 2) All members who will be moving up from a riding level. 3) All riders who are new to the program must be evaluated (riding for the first time or having moved into the County). 4) All riders, regardless of previous participation or riding level, planning on entering jumping classes for the first time with a particular horse. 5) All riders, regardless of previous participation or riding level, planning on entering gymkhana classes for the first time with a particular horse. 6) All riders with a horse new to the program or horse not previously ridden by that rider in the program. 7) Any member with a driving horse not previously evaluated. In order to facilitate this program, we have set up these dates when members can bring their horses to the 4-H Training Center for evaluation: May 10:00am Showmanship Clinic to 1:00pm May 10:00am (includes jumping) Beginner Show to pm You will receive a sign-up sheet in the mail to register for the various sessions. You MUST register ahead of time H Horse Registration If you are planning on showing your project horse(s) at the Saratoga County Fair, you must do TWO important things: 1. You must be enrolled in the Horse Project. If you are a member of a horse club, you would be enrolled in the horse project. If you are not a member of a horse club but are an individual member or a member of a general club, your enrollment form needs to have the horse project listed as one of your projects. Call the 4-H Office if you are not sure. 2. Your H Horse Registration Form must be filled out and returned to the 4-H Office no later than, June 1st. Guidelines for horse ownership and eligibility requirements will accompany the forms. These forms will be mailed out to members enrolled in the horse project by mid March. June 1 st is a mandatory state deadline. Late forms will not be accepted! There are NO exceptions. 8 5

6 THE 4th FRED SANDERS AWARD Dairy Calf Scholarships Open to all 4-H ers in Saratoga County who are interested in owning a registered calf. A calf award will be given this year. Applicants for the calf must meet the following criteria: Member of the Saratoga 4-H Dairy project. Have suitable housing facilities for the animal Welcome periodic farm visits Show the animal at the Saratoga County Fair 4-H show Have parent/guardian permission Agree to breed the calf to a registered sire Agree to return to the 4-H calf program the first heifer calf born from this award calf or a heifer calf of like quality This is a great opportunity to own a fine pedigree calf! Many Saratoga County 4-H ers have been involved and benefited from this great opportunity. To apply, you need to write a one or two page essay. The essay should include: Why are you interested in the calf? What are your responsibilities on your farm or farm where you work? Why do you feel you are worthy of this animal? How would you develop this calf to her fullest potential? What other activities and interests do you have? Essays must be received in the 4-H Office by Friday April 8th. If you have any questions, please call Kirk Shoen at the 4-H Office. Dog Obedience Classes Offered Animal Crackers 2016 Beginning Monday evenings on May 2, 2016 Dog Obedience training classes will be held at the 4-H Training Center on Middle Line Road in Ballston Spa. The 4-H Dog Obedience classes encourage proper training of the family dog for the enhancement of the dog s and its owner s happiness. The Cornell University Department of Animal Science will present Animal Crackers 2015 on May 4th from 9:00am to 3:30pm at Cornell University. The featured species this year will be dairy cattle and goats. The program is aimed primarily at 4-H youth ages 9-12 but any youth aged 9 and up may attend. Participants will get to meet Cornell faculty and students, learn about different aspects of animal care, interact and exchange information with professional producers, industry experts, and more. Hands on workshops are planned for both species groups. The program is open to all Saratoga County youth, ages 8-18, as well as adults. Beginner, graduate beginner, novice, agility, rally, and handling classes will be offered. Mixed breeds & purebreds welcome. Dogs must be at least four months old by the start of the class and have updated vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis, rabies and parvo virus. Leptospirosis is recommended but not required. Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior will be dismissed from classes. No muzzles are allowed and handlers must be able to control their dog. The cost is $10 $15 (depending on the class taken) for youth, ages 8-18, and $60 for adults. This covers all eight sessions. Pre-registration with payment is due on or before April 25, For a registration form, call or visit the 4-H Office. Class size is limited so register early. Cost of the program is $15 per youth or adult chaperone. All groups must have at least one chaperone per species with youth attending. Attendees must bring their own lunch and beverage. For more information or to register please call the 4-H Office by April 15th. 6 Fred Sanders grew up showing cattle at the Saratoga County Fair. His individual successes propelled him to showing at several fairs and included trips to the New York State Fair where he had his share of memorable times. In a tribute to his 60 years of showing cattle and his passion to see youngsters involved in showing at the fair a continuing Fred Sanders Award was established beginning with the 2012 Saratoga County Fair and continues in Fred had a passion for showing cattle and enjoyed watching the local 4-H ers showing their cattle at the fair. Each year, in his honor, the winner s name will appear on a wall plaque in the Saratoga County Fair Office as well as a $250 cash award and an individual plaque presented in the show ring to the Saratoga County 4-H er who garners the highest point total from the following: The following point totals only accumulate for awarding The Fred Sanders Award : 8 points awarded to 4-H ers who participate in the judging workshop sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension 8 points awarded to the 4-H ers who participate in the judging class at the Saratoga County Fair 8 points to any Saratoga County 4-H er who participates in Public Presentations in either the March Public Presentation Day or gives a Presentation at the Fair prior to 4-H Show Day 8 points awarded by Dairy Club leader based on Club activity participation Participates in Fitting and Showmanship Class at fair based on age and earns 10 points for Blue Danish Score 7 points for Red Danish Score 4 Points for White Danish Score Additionally, points will be awarded as follows Section H of the Premium Book for Class 1) Best Bred and Owned by Exhibitor, Class 2) Daughter - Dam, and Class 3) Exhibitors Herd (all breeds competing together) : 8 points for 1st place 5 points for 2nd place 2 points for 3rd place 5 Points awarded for good sportsmanship and showing ethics at the fair. In the event of tie the committee of Dairy Agent, Dairy Club Leader, and Show Judge will break ties. Hippology To Begin Hippology Practices, The study of Horses, will be held March 29 th, and April 5th, 12th, and 19th at 7pm at the 4-H office. All youth are welcome to participate. You do not need to attend practices to compete in the contest, but it is a good idea. The Regional Hippology Contest will be held Saturday April 23rd at Tamarac School, along with regional Horse Communications. Hippology is an individual contest, whereas Horse Bowl is a team event. There is the opportunity to move onto the state level! Call Carter at the office with questions or to sign up. 7