DUTCHESS COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM
4-H is an amazing program - thanks to each and every one of you for all you do the whole year through. You are the best!!!!!
The DC 4-H'ers IMPORTANT NEWS Guide
This e-News contains lots of useful information for YOU!
Please be sure to read the newsletter
and contact the 4-H Office with any questions
about upcoming events or paperwork!
Jane and Meghan with Santa at the Winter Wonderland Toys for Tots Party!
2019 Public Presentation Events
Public Presentation Workshops
Nervous about doing a Public Presentation?
Hoping to polish your presenting skills?
First time presenter?
Join us for some fun, hands-on activities at the public presentation workshop being offered on Thursday January 3rd from 6-7:30pm at CCEDC. Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 2nd with Meghan .

Youth Public Presentations Registration
It is never too early to start thinking about when you want to do your public presentation. No public presentation - no Dutchess County Fair!
There are 4 opportunities for currently enrolled 4-H members to complete a public presentation; Thursday January 10th , Thursday February 14th and Saturday March 9th will be public presentation events and (new this year!) a Spring Food Fest will be held on Saturday April 13th . All events will be at CCEDC. For more information about any of these events, please visit the 4-H Member's Resource page .

Evaluator Volunteer Registration
Without our team of generous, skilled evaluators our youth would not get this amazing learning opportunity. Please sign up today by clicking on the link above. We so value your support. Contact Meghan with questions.   
New Public Presentation Opportunity
"Spring Food Festival"
This spring will feature the first SPRING FOOD FESTIVAL on
Saturday, April 13th from 9am to 2pm ! Look for more information soon!
Dutchess County Teen Ambassadors - Join Us!
Next Meeting: Sunday 13th January, 4:00pm at FHC
Teens - be part of this youth leadership group. Learn lots and have fun while promoting your 4-H program and supporting the community.
Leaders - please encourage the teens in your club to sign up. 
Contact Faith for more information
Tractor Safety Course
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 2019 Tractor Safety Course. The course will begin on February 28th and run through March.
Go to the 4-H MEMBER RESOURCES page for an application form. Contact Meghan with questions.
Dutchess County 4-H is hosting a National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) course
in partnership with Reardon Briggs!
Youth ages 14 and up will receive a training certificate; allowing them to hold jobs on farms and legally allow them to use farm equipment. Youth ages 8-13 are welcome to participate in the classroom portion of the training (with help from a parent where needed) however they are ineligible for certification.
Veterinary Science Training for DC 4-H'ers

Starting February 3rd 2019 CCEDC will be offering 4-H'ers an in-depth educational program to learn about modern veterinary/medical science. The program will focus on technologies used for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

Contact Jane with questions

Partnerships with 4 veterinary practices, Dutchess BOCES and Dutchess Community College mean that most sessions will be based off site with instruction of the highest quality!
Limited space so sign up now!
This program is generously funded by The Dorr Foundation
2019 Fairbook Cover Competition
For Your Calendar...
JANUARY
Thursday 3         Public Presentation Workshop, 6-7:30pm at FHC
Saturday 5        DC 4-H Horse Bowl at FHC
Thursday 10      Public Presentation Event #1, 5-8pm at FHC
FEBRUARY
Saturday 2          DC 4-H Horse Communications at FHC
Sunday 3           4-H Veterinary Science program commences
Saturday 9        Fair Review and Discussion with Liz 9-10:30am, FHC
Saturday 9        General Fair Discussion - all welcome, 10.30 on
Thursday 14       Public Presentation Event #2, 5-8pm at FHC 
Saturday 23        District Horse Bowl ( Snow Date: 2/24 )CCE Sullivan
Thursday 28       Tractor Safety Course commences, 6-8pm
MARCH
Saturday 9         Public Presentation Event #3, 9am-2:30pm at FHC 
Week 18-22      Ag Literacy Week - readers needed?
APRIL
Saturday 6        District Horse Communications, CCE Sullivan
Saturday 13       Spring Food Festival, 9am-2pm, FHC
Tuesday 23      Sewing Evaluations, time tbd FHC
Thursday 25       Fashion Review, time tbd, FHC
Saturday 27      District Public Presentations, 9am onward, DCC
Earn-A-Animal to Raise, Exhibit and Sell
The “Earn-A-Animal” project by Adam and Ashley McFarland of Top Notch Livestock is a unique opportunity for individuals to be involved in the raising and showing of a livestock project without the initial, expensive purchase cost of an animal. In order to help individuals and families become more involved in the livestock / 4-H world, Adam and Ashley are donating a hog to a chosen candidate so that he/she can learn what it takes to raise and exhibit a competitive 4-H project. Youth will ideally learn planning, time management, organization, and record keeping skills. This program requires dedication from the youth member and support from their guardians. Youth applying for a project must prove that they have adequate housing for the animal, and shall complete program requirements set forth below. Additionally, the youth and his/her parents shall agree to accept all costs associated after receiving their project animal. In order to be eligible for this opportunity youth must fill out an application, and send to Top Notch Livestock, who will then choose a recipient(s) from all of the entries. This decision is exclusively at the discretion of Top Notch Livestock.
“Earn-A-Animal” project candidates must agree to:
  • Have a 4-H leader/educator or affiliate of Top Notch Livestock check on the welfare of the animal throughout the season
  • Attend the ENY Summer Classic with their project animal
  • Enter in and ideally sell in the Dutchess County 4-H Livestock Auction
  • Reimburse Top Notch Livestock for the value of the animal*, if said animal dies of, or is subjected to maltreatment/neglect
*value of the animal to be decided by Top Notch Livestock

Contact Julia for more details!
Winter Wonderland Party & Toys for Tots!
108 toys, with 55 from the Winter Wonderland party, were donated to Toys for Tots 2018!!
Alison, a 12 year old 4-H'er who was in charge of the Toys for Tot's toy drive, joined forces with the DC Teen Ambassadors to host the Winter Wonderland Party and provide a fun-filled way to donate toys. On December 8th, 4-H Families turned out to donate toys, participate in fun holiday games and meet Santa. Thank you to everyone who participated in this awesome event and helped to make the holiday's better for our community!
Rhinebeck Farmers Market 2019
Promote Your Club - last notification
The Rhinebeck Farmers' Market (RFM) is booking their community booth for 2019 dates. Please contact Andrea Bartolomeo via email at info@rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com .   The RFM offers non-profit and community groups a space in the market free of charge for one date per season, schedule permitting. The booth is to be used to inform the public about your organization and about upcoming events. Raffles and sales are prohibited, however you may provide information and direct people to where they may purchase items related to your organization. A donation box is also allowed.
Dutchess County 4-H Social Media
Contact Jane Rodd             Contact Meghan                         Contact Angela
jr825@cornell.edu                   met222@cornell.edu                          acs26@cornell.edu
(845) 677-8223, ext. 105              ext. 108                                    ext. 114