County Chairman Phil Stockin issues proclaimation for “this admirable program”
The Allegany County Legislature acknowledged the nationally-celebrated 4-H week with a proclamation for the Allegany County 4-H program on Wednesday, September 28. National 4-H Week (October 2-8, 2022) is a time to celebrate 4-H and spread the word about Cornell Cooperative Extension’s exciting 4-H Youth Development Programs.
Legislative Chairman Philip Stockin presented the proclamation to Laura Hunsberger, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County, stating, “this admirable program, which seeks to provide a learning experience for the whole child, including head, heart, hands, and health, helps young New Yorkers to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes to enable them to become self-directed, productive, and contributing members of our society.” Sarah Wilson (age 11) and her brother Jeffrey Wilson (age 12) both gave presentations to the legislature about their 4-H experiences in the Allegany County.
The Allegany County 4-H program has a century-long history of providing character-building programs to the youth of Allegany County. Some of the more popular programs include: the County and State Fairs; raising livestock; hippology; clothing review; “Produced in New York” cooking demonstrations; the Dairy Bowl; and Public Speaking/Presentations.
During Sarah’s presentation, she cited a Tufts University study that determined that kids in 4-H are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities. Fundraising is an important part of the local 4-H program. Some fundraising supplements local 4-H program financing, while other efforts aim for goals to improve our County and beyond. For example, funds were raised recently to defray the costs of welcome signage on all Allegany County roads that will greet visitors and travelers this fall with “Allegany County 4-H Welcomes You” messages. Project Clover Aid is a fundraising project through Allegany County 4-H started in April 2019 by a small group of 4-H members to help farmers devastated by flooding in Nebraska. In 2020, Dairy Drives were sponsored by Project Cover Aid and Barney Farms to provide dairy products to those in need during the pandemic. In 2022, funds were raised by 4-H members to help the Erway family following a devastating house fire.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County is proud to celebrate National 4-H Week! Locally, there will be a contest for 4-Hers to decorate windows of participating businesses. The “winning window” will receive a pizza party for their family or 4-H club. For more information on the 4-H program please visit their website at https://allegany.cce.cornell.edu/.
