During a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, County Board Chairman Jeffrey Blanchard presented 4-H youth member Abigail Mace and CCE Association Team Leader Whitney Kmetz with the proclamation declaring the month of October to be named Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H Month. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

NORWICH — During a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, the month of October was proclaimed Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and 4-H Month in recognition of the efforts and dedication of both organizations and local volunteers in Chenango County.

Board Chairman Jeffrey Blanchard offered the proclamation in support of CCE educators in partnership with other local organizations and more than 75 local volunteers who contribute their time, leadership and talent to promote agriculture and youth development, natural resource education and family resource development.

Abigail Mace, a 4-H youth member, accepted the recognition on behalf of Chenango County 4-H members. She spoke about how the 4-H slogan, "Learn by Doing," helped shape her nine years in the program and taught her resilience, confidence and teamwork.

Mace said that 4-H empowers young people with skills in confidence, the know-how to work well with others and the ability to push through challenges and stick with a job until it gets done.

She said in 4-H they prepare youth with the knowledge to get through life’s obstacles and how to conquer them.

“One of the activities that I really enjoy doing at the fair is Showmanship,” Mace said. “I’ve seen my confidence grow through showmanship as I’ve become more comfortable with public speaking and gained knowledge in my animals.”

Mace said her life has been riddled with fear of public speaking but said she has come out the other side after years of practicing public presentations, noting she is no longer intimidated by them.

She noted another characteristic of the 4-H slogan is the ability to push through obstacles. She said tending to the well-being of the animals and cleaning out cages can be gross, but pushing through will help her overcome additional obstacles in the future.

Mace said over the years she’s made friends who taught her about dairy goats and has enjoyed participating in the county fair, adding, “it was an incredible experience that I will remember forever.”

This year, she participated in showmanship for sheep, dairy goats, chickens, pigs and her favorite, rabbits. She received Reserved Master Showman for chickens and Master Showman for rabbits.

Mace noted the 4-H program in Chenango County characterizes the 4-H slogan and continues to prepare youth to be ready for life and its challenges. Preparing the next generation is very important for the community, the state, the country and the world.

Mace thanked everyone for supporting 4-H and said, “I wouldn’t be here without your support.”

CCE Association Team Leader Whitney Kmetz said she feels honored that the Board of Supervisors recognizes the value of agriculture and creating positive impacts for Chenango County 4-H youth.

“When we look at 4-H in Chenango County, it is so much more than animals, it is lasting friendships made, new skills learned through the year with various activities and a greater understanding of the 4-H’s which include head, heart, hands, and health,” Kmetz said.

“Each youth that represents Chenango County 4-H has great pride in these values and we cherish that,” Kmetz added.

Locally, CCE of Chenango County’s 4-H Youth Development program serves more than 2,150 participants. Statewide, 4-H reaches one of every eight youths in New York through a partnership involving federal, state and county governments and Cornell University.

CCE invests in the state's future through the 4-H Youth Development program by enriching school experiences and helping young people learn about healthy lifestyles.

For additional 4-H or CCE information, visit ccechenango.org/4-h-youth-development or the Facebook pages Chenango County 4-H Youth Development and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County.