Schoharie County 4-H

06/12/2026

🌞 Sunshine Fair Entries Due July 7 🌞

Planning to exhibit your 4-H project at the Sunshine Fair?
2026 4-H Exhibitor Information is now available! Inside you’ll find the Junior Department schedule, rules, regulations, class listings, and entry forms needed to participate.

📌 Important Entry Information:
All 4-H animal and non-animal project entry forms must be submitted directly to the Sunshine Fair Office by Tuesday, July 7.

🍀 4-H Exhibitor Information:
https://cceschoharie-otsego.org/resources/2026-4-h-sunshine-fair-exhibitor-fairbook

📝 Entry Form Workshops:
Learn how to fill out entry paperwork and tag 4-H items for the fair at our workshops on June 25, at 6:00 PM and June 29, at 6:00 PM at the Cobleskill Extension Center. Please register with the 4-H office by contacting [email protected] or 518-234-4303 x113.

🎉 Special Celebrations This Year!
The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair is celebrating 150 years! This year also marks America’s 250th anniversary celebration!

06/11/2026

🌟 Schoharie County 4-H at NYS 4-H Capital Days 🌟

One of our 4-H youth recently participated in the 2026 NYS 4-H Capital Days in Albany, joining youth from across New York for an incredible leadership and civic engagement experience.

While in Albany, delegates toured the State Capitol, visited the Senate and Assembly Chambers, explored the NYS Court of Appeals, and met with state agencies and legislators.

A highlight of the event was recognition of youth delegates on the Senate floor, celebrating the impact that 4-H'ers are making in communities across the state. It was also wonderful to have Assemblyman Chris Tague meet with Schoharie and Delaware County 4-H youth during the event.

Interested in attending in the future? Youth must be ages 14–18 (as of Jan. 1, of the current year). Schoharie County can select up to two delegates, and scholarships are available.

📸 Photos below!

06/11/2026

🐄🐑🐎 Now Accepting Applications for the NYS Animal & Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program! 🌾

Are you a high school student entering at least your sophomore year and interested in animals, agriculture, leadership, and future career opportunities? The New York State Animal & Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program is now accepting applications for its third year!

This unique statewide program provides students with hands-on experiences exploring the dairy, livestock, and equine industries while learning about college and career pathways in animal science. Participants will connect with faculty, college students, and industry professionals while developing valuable leadership, communication, and personal development skills.

✅ Four two-day sessions throughout the year
✅ Hands-on learning across multiple animal science disciplines
✅ College and career exploration opportunities
✅ Networking and mentorship experiences
✅ Leadership and professional skill development

📅 Application Deadline: September 1
💲 Program Fee: $100 per student for the year

Selection is based on an essay, demonstrated interest, and a personal reference.

Learn more and apply today:
https://cals.cornell.edu/nys-4-h-animal-science-programs/nys-animal-and-agriculture-leadership-program

Don't miss this opportunity to grow as a leader while exploring the many career possibilities within animal agriculture!

06/09/2026

NYS 4-H Is in need of host families for this summers exchange program. Hosting is easy! Families provide the delegate with room and board from July 23rd thru Aug 16th. Host families must have a child the same gender and similar age (10 - 19), and a bed for their delegate (they can share a room with their host sibling). Youth do whatever the family does for the summer. No need for special travel or events. They can even attend camp with their host sibling.

Contact Autumn Lavine [email protected]
or Apply at - https://www.states4hexchange.org/host-family/application

06/08/2026

☀️ Sunshine Fairgrounds Work Day Volunteers Needed! 📣

The fairgrounds staff are looking for volunteers to help with a work day on Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. Projects include sweeping, painting, and dusting! ✨🧹

Join us for a day of teamwork and community spirit as we help clean-up and get the fairgrounds ready for the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair! Community service is an important part of 4-H, and this is a great opportunity to give back to a place that supports our members each year. 🍀

Volunteers Needed June 13th, for a work day at the fairgrounds from 9am-1pm. Lunch will be provided. Looking for some folks who like to sweep, paint and dust!

06/04/2026

Thank you to the Schoharie County Farm Bureau for their support of our 2026 4-H Tractor Safety Course! Their donation helped offset course material costs for youth participants.

Read more in the article below!

COBLESKILL – Catherine Roberts—the 4-H Resource Educator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego counties—accepted a $250 sponsorship check from Steven Smith, President of the...

06/03/2026

📢🐖Calling all youth swine exhibitors!
Join us for the Drive with Purpose Show Pig Clinic on June 28th from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM at the Ontario County Fairgrounds!

This FREE clinic is designed for youth ages 8–18 and will cover:
✅ On-the-spot showmanship feedback
✅ Clipping & fitting
✅ Skin & hair care
✅ Feeds & feeding
✅ Pre-show & show day preparation

We're excited to welcome Aiden Bombgardner, who brings years of experience exhibiting pigs at all levels and now works with show families to help them maximize the success of their projects.

Whether you're brand new to showing pigs or looking to sharpen your skills before fair season, this clinic has something for everyone!

📅 Registration deadline: June 14th
📍 Ontario County Fairgrounds, Canandaigua, NY
🎟️ FREE to attend, but registration is required.
🔗 Register here: newyorkpork.org/events

Please share with your local 4-H and FFA members, swine exhibitors, and show families!

06/01/2026

A great opportunity for Schoharie County 4-H youth!

4-H Dairy Goat Showmanship Clinic - June 16th

05/31/2026

Open to 4-H youth from a nine-county region—including Schoharie County!

05/29/2026

As we look ahead to the 2026 Fenimore Farm Junior Livestock Show this July, we’re taking a look back at some highlights from the 2025 show for our Schoharie County 4-H members!

Our youth represented Schoharie County with dedication, sportsmanship, and hard work at the 2025 show. Highlights included top overall honors in dairy, livestock, and showmanship competitions, among other accomplishments.

We are proud of all of our exhibitors and grateful for the time, learning, and effort they put into their projects throughout the year.

We look forward to supporting our members again at the 2026 Junior Livestock Show which will take place July 5-7!