submitted by Bernie Wiesen
Labor Day to many in the area is synonymous with the Great Schaghticoke Fair. This couldn’t be truer for roughly 300 Rensselaer County 4-H members who participate at the Fair. 4-H is much more than cows and cookies, even though we see plenty of those at the fair. 4-H is all about growing kids!
Youth converged on the fair with their wide variety of 4-H projects from tomatoes and photographs to rabbits and dairy cows and everything in between. Most definitely, all youth came with eager helping hands. By participating in the Schaghticoke Fair 4-H Department, young people completed the last leg of the experiential learning model which is used in 4-H Youth Development projects.
All members were evaluated on their respective projects and given a Danish ribbon which denotes the level of mastery they had reached. Although it is never the ribbon that measures the level of success in a 4-H project, it is all the experience and skills gained within the project that is important. Below are some highlights in the 4-H Department from the Schaghticoke Fair. We would like to thank all the members, parents, leaders, volunteers and sponsors that helped make the 4-H Department such a fantastic experience for our growing youth. If you have any questions or would like more information about the 4-H program, please contact the CCE office of Rensselaer County (272-4210, www.ccerensselaer.org) or your respective Cooperative Extension office.
Highlights (edited)
4-H Beef Show – Champion Sr. and Grand Champion Showman – Michael Sargood, Res. Sr. Champion and Res. Grand Champion Showman – Justin Gaines, Champion Jr. Showman – Logan Powers, Res. Jr. Champion – Rachel Sargood, Novice Champion Showman – Elizabeth Leva, Novice Res. Champion – Wyatt Coluccio, Grand and Res. Grand Champion Angus Female – Cody Gaines, Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Hereford Bull – Michael Sargood, Grand Champion Hereford Female – Rachel Sargood, Res. Grand Champion Hereford Female – Logan Powers, Grand Champion Grade – Elizabeth Leva, Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Lowline – Kendra Davis, Grand Champion Devon – Wyatt Coluccio, Champion Steer – Tanner Reed, Senior Champion Beef Judge – Lindsey McMahon, Res. Champion Beef Judge – Samantha Carlo, Jr. Champion Beef Judge – Lily Abbott and Abbie Tarbox, Res. Champion Jr. Beef Judge – Rachel Sargood.
4-H Dairy Cattle Show – Res. Sr. Champion Showman – Lindsey McMahon, Grand Champion Holstein – Lindsey McMahon, Sr. Res. Champion Dairy Judge – Lindsey McMahon and Alex Carlo.
4-H Horse Show – Res. Champion Showmanship – Brigham Logue, Sr. 1st Blue Written Test – Olivia Logue, Sr. 2nd Blue Written Test – Cody Gaines, Int. 1st Blue Written Test – Kendra Davis, Int. 2nd Blue Written Test – Elyse Scott, Jr. 1st Blue Written Test – Brigham Logue, Jr. 2nd Blue Written Test – Merrill Wrenn.
4-H Rabbit Show – Jr. Champion Written Test – Laura Bornt, Jr. Res. Champion Written Test – Allie Film, Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show – Nicole Washburn.
4-H Sheep Show – Sr. Champion and Grand Champion Showman – Olivia Logue, Sr. Res. Champion and Res. Grand Champion Showman – Nicole Washburn, Jr. Champion Showman – Brigham Logue, Jr. Res. Champion Showman – Elizabeth Sheffer, Champion Market Lamb – Olivia Logue, Res. Champion Market Lamb – Elizabeth Sheffer, Best and Reserve Best of Show Ewe – Olivia Logue, Best of Show Ram – Olivia Logue
4-H State Fair Selections – Caroline Cipperly – photography, Wyatt Coluccio – Heritage, Christina Shupe – woodworking, Emma Woolley – Natural Resources, Aysha Yerdon – clothing.