Cornell Co-Op 4H Grows Healthy Kids in Mt Morris

MOUNT MORRIS – The Hemlock Fair animal show results are in! Special kudos to Rebecca Lyness, whose beef cow won Grand Master Showman. Grand Master contest participants were August Schleede, for rabbit; Katie Hill, for poultry; Rebecca Lyness, for beef; Witt Bates, for sheep; Emma Swyers, for swine; Ben Lyness, for goats; and Bridgitte Johnson, for dairy. 4H is the youth development component of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) a community outreach and educational component of Cornell University. The program is by no means exclusive to Livingston County; a 4-H program exists in every county in New York State.

Informational education for youths ages 5-19 encourages growth in a variety of interests besides hobbies that include animals. The 4-H offers informal education in areas from sewing and fashion to rocketry.

“Our purpose and goal is to provide life skill development to youth,” states Mark Whittmeyer, Youth Development Team Coordinator, “so they can grow into competent and healthy adults who excel in whatever they choose to do in life.”

An exemplary program is the 4-H horse program, which encourages youth youth with an interest in horses and horseman-ship. Working on a horse project, young students learn skills such as how to properly feed and care for a horse, which fosters responsibility, and anatomy, biology, horse breeding/reproduction that are basic skills that are necessary for further education in the equine field; either as a career or a hobby.

Overall, 4-H is about getting out of the program what an individual student puts in. Whether members choose to devote a tremendous amount of time or a lesser amount of time into their project, the results are the same to varying degrees. The results of development and skills allow members to excel and to well in competition; an important component of 4-H, as the program chooses to foster a healthy attitude and ethic in competition. It is important to note that members are encouraged to set their own goals, and are evaluated in competitions on their own abilities, skills, and experience toward meeting their own potential and not competing against others. 

If you or your child is interested in learning more about the 4-H program, Livingston County’s Association is located in Mount Morris. Feel free to visit or go to the county website: http://ccelivingstoncounty.org/4H_Youth_Development/4h.html.