News from the Noteworthy from Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties

4-H Fair Projects Reflect Ag Mission

Although many people think of a trip to the county fair in terms of rides on the midway, games of chance, and fried dough, many traditional activities that reflect the Otsego County Fair’s “agricultural society” roots are thriving, including 4-H and “open” exhibits of projects and animal shows, stall decorating contests, and even the tractor pull. The Fireman’s Parade includes “agricultural” floats that promote agriculture and 4-H project themes.

Otsego County 4-H youth have been showing off their “projects”—animals, vegetables, baked goods, sewing, and many other areas—for generations. There are more than 200 youth registered in Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties’ Otsego County 4-H Youth Development program and the hard work of about 125 Otsego County 4-H members will be represented in over 1,100 4-H exhibit entries in Martin Hall and the barns nearby.

Teresa Adell, Otsego County 4-H Program educator, suggests, “If you are visiting the Otsego County Fair, check out the 4-H projects in Martin Hall and consider attending some of the 4-H beef, dairy, goat, horse, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine shows that are featured in the show ring.