CCEUC Presents Meritorious Service Awards

Each year, we recognize members of our staff for their years of dedication to the Association’s educational programming with a Meritorious Service Recognition Award.

CCEUC Executive Director, Lydia M. Reidy presented the awards at the CCEUC Annual Meeting held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the SUNY Ulster campus in Stone Ridge.
This years awards were presented to:

Financial Administrator, Candace Boderck for 10 years of service

Administrative Manager, Roxanne Churchill for 15 years of service

Master Gardener Coordinator, Dona Crawford for 5 years of service

Extension Educator, Mike Fargione for 15 years of service

Administrative Assistant, Barbara Grumberg for 10 years of service

CCEUC Executive Director, Lydia M. Reidy for 20 years of service


CCEUC President of the Board, Raymond Haberski presented the award to Executive Director, Lydia M. Reidy.

CCEUC Elects New Board and Program Committee Members for 2010

We held our Annual Meeting to elect new CCEUC Board of Directors and Program Committee members for 2010 on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the SUNY Ulster campus in Stone Ridge.


The evening’s agenda began with an election of new CCEUC Board and Program Committee members, a treasurer’s report, a review of CCEUC’s programs of 2009 and CCEUC staff and current board and program committee member recognition and a presentation by the Assistant Professor at the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, Jennifer G. Phillips entitled, "The Role of Agriculture in Curbing Climate Change:
Win-Win Scenarios"


2010 CCEUC Board of Directors:

Newly and Re-elected

Reverend James Childs

Chester Karwatowski

Kristen Vale

Gene Vidal

Kim Wagner

They join current Board Members:

Len Cane

Bradley Clark

Dave Cobb

Denise Dourdeville

Asha Golliher

Nola Gutmann

Wayne Harris Ulster County Legislative Representative

Todd McNutt Treasurer

Arnaldo Schewert

Sandy Snyder Vice President

Jodie Stevens

2010 CCEUC Program Committee

Re-elected:

Kay Peischel

They join current Program Committee Members:

Carol Carboni

Denise Dourdeville

Asha Golliher

Nola Gutmann

Marijane Knudsen

Amanda LaValle

Maria Oakley

Kathy Puglisi

Carolyn Short

Sandy Snyder

Barbara Vermuelen


CCEUC would like to extend their appreciation and thanks to former Board of Directors and Program Committee members.

Board of Directors: Raymond Haberski President

Carla Picayo Secretary

Program Committee: Carla Picayo

FREE Presentation about Climate Change and Agriculture comes to SUNY Ulster

This informative presentation entitled, "The Role of Agriculture in Curbing Climate Change: Win-Win Scenarios", will be presented at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Annual Meeting to be held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:30pm in the Student Lounge located in Vanderlyn Hall at the SUNY Ulster campus in Stone Ridge. The meeting and presentation is free and open to the general public. Please pre-register by calling 845-340-3990.

The keynote speaker, Jennifer G. Phillips, Assistant Professor at the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, will look at agriculture as both a source and a sink for greenhouse gases that are likely to be regulated in the future. Fortunately, many of the practices that will curb greenhouse gas production or lead to increased carbon storage are also ones that can increase farm productivity, lower costs, and lead to resilient, sustainable agro-ecosystems. Although in the early stages of research, many of these practices are both familiar and proven. Phillips will include a brief review of the role of greenhouse gases in climate regulation and the expected changes in store for the Northeast that focus on recent science and field research.

The evening’s agenda begins with the election of new CCEUC Board and Program Committee members, Treasurer’s report, a review of CCEUC programs of 2009, a vote on the proposed changes to the CCEUC Constitution and CCEUC Staff and current Board and Program Committee member recognition followed by fall themed desserts, coffee, cider and tea. The evening closes with the featured presentation by Jennifer G. Phillips.

First Annual Respite Holiday for Relative Caregivers Coming in December

Our Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) is proud to announce the first annual Respite Holiday on Sunday, December 20, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the CCEUC Education Center located at10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston.
We are offering this FREE event to any person who is raising a relative’s child in Ulster County. Go shopping or go home and take a well deserved nap knowing your child will be in good hands.

RAPP staff will be conducting therapeutic play activities, games, and arts & crafts throughout the day. We will also be introducing theatre arts to the children in preparation for a play called “What’s Your Story?” that we are organizing for the children to perform for their relative caregivers next year.
Lunch and a healthy snack will be provided to the children. Relatives are welcome to join but are not required. Pre-registration is required no later than Wednesday December, 15 and limited to the first 15 children. Please call Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990 to pre-register.

For more information on “Living and Re-learning” (formerly known as the RAPP Support Group for caregivers and the RAPP Kidz Club) please call Danielle Garris, RAPP Program Coordinator, at 845-340-3990. These groups meet in New Paltz on the first Monday of every month or in Kingston on the first Saturday of every month.

RAPP is funded by Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County through a grant from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, The Brookdale Foundation, and The Dyson Foundation.

FREE Bi-Lingual Program in Kingston Teaches Healthy Eating Habits & Food Budgeting

Our Eat Smart New York Program is offering the program “Healthy Nutrition Habits”, a free six part series that runs continuously every Monday, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the CCEUC Extension Education Center located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston. This program is also available in Spanish. For more information or to attend please call Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990.
This program is open to all food stamp participants and low to moderate income families and individuals residing in Ulster County. Sessions will include various topics including food budgeting, serving sizes, learning about food groups, eating healthier by making better food choices, food safety and more! Participants will gain valuable kitchen skills through hands-on food demonstrations with CCEUC Nutrition Program Educator, Pablo Shine. One on one session’s in the home can be arranged for those without transportation.

All participants who complete six sessions of the program will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County’s Eat Smart New York Program.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Eat Smart New York Program is funded through the Department of Social Services of Ulster County from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and USDA.

CCEUC Announces New Staff Member and New RAPP Coordinator

Danielle Garris of Kingston, NY has been employed with Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County as a Nutrition Educator since December 2008. Danielle coordinated the “Healthy Nutrition Habits” group as well as educated individuals in their homes. She has been in the Human Service field for over ten years and graduated from SUNY Ulster in May 2009. Recently, she received a promotion to the “Relatives as Parents Program” as the RAPP Coordinator. RAPP provides support, education and referral to relative caregivers residing in Ulster County.


Don Doyle of West Hurley, NY has joined Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County as a home energy and financial counseling educator. Don continues to work in the local banking community where his 35 years of experience in retail banking, commercial and residential lending affords him the experience and tools to work with clients through personal and family financial counseling seminars as well as home energy seminars open to all Ulster County residents.

Make-It, Take-It Holiday Youth Workshop Will Offer Hands-On Gift Making

Calling all children ages 5 to 19! Want to give a unique gift this year? Why not make something special at the annual 4-H Make It, Take It Holiday Gift Making Workshop!

Join us on Friday, December 4 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Fair Street Reformed Church on Fair Street in Kingston. Youth ages 8 to 19 are welcome to participate in a workshop of their choice. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, December 2. All classes must have a minimum of 5 participants to run.

There is a fee of $6. All materials will be provided for all workshops. To register call Jenny Burkins at 845-340-3990.

The workshops being offered are:

Quilting 101
Eileen Brophy, owner of Style Fabrics in Kingston, will instruct this workshop for beginning sewers. Learn how to sew a block for a quilt! The objective for this group will be to create a block with the theme, “What 4-H Means to Me.” Participants will be invited back to participate in a full-day workshop in January or February 2010 (date TBA) to learn how to put a quilt together using the blocks sewn in Make It Take It. The quilt will be shown at the Ulster County Fair in 2010. Ages 8 and up are welcome to participate.*All Ulster County 4-H Clubs are invited to sew a block for the quilt whether you can attend Make It Take It or not.

Feltcraft
4-H Leader and Afterschool Educator, Mary Lou Giuliano will teach this craft. Learn how to make a variety of crafts using felt, a durable and flexible material which is ideal for children. Make a small doll, finger and glove puppets, animals, and little gifts. You may sew or embroider your little characters. Ages 8 and up are welcome to participate.

Healthy Oaxacan Holiday Treats and Art
Learn from Kristen Wilson, 4-H Resource Educator, and her husband Miguel, a native Mexican, how to make a traditional healthy treats from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. You’ll learn how to make “alegrias de amaranto”, joys of amaranth – a holiday snack with pre-hispanic roots. You can make these into fun shapes. You’ll also make a wooden box to hold your treats, which you can paint in your own style or in the style of “alebrijes” – a colorful and imaginative Mexican way of painting animals.
Ages 5 and up are welcome to participate. Bring your own cookie cutters to make the shapes that you would like!

Construct a Trebuchet
What is a trebuchet? It’s a contraption that was used in the middle ages to throw projectiles over walls. Join 4-H Leader and West Point science professor, Mike Labare, to learn a little about physics and how to make this exciting catapult. You can give this toy as a gift or take it home and defend your forts with bean bags. Ages 8 and up are welcome to participate.

Holiday Center Piece
Make a beautiful center piece for your holiday table. Join Master Gardeners, Susannah Satten and Denise Dourdeville in this fun workshop. Ages 8 and up are welcome to participate.

For more information and schedules for all Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County Programs log on to www.cceulster.org or follow us on www.facebook.com

Master Gardener Hotline Changes Hours for Winter

Our Master Gardener Horticulture Hotline will be changing their hours of service to 9:00am to 12:00pm on Fridays only from November 1, 2009 through March 1, 2010. The Hotline number is 845-340-DIRT. Messages can be left at anytime but will only be returned on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

The Master Gardener hotline provides the public with free gardening advice. Other services offered are pH soil testing and Insect/Disease Identification.

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County experts in the art and science of gardening. They provide the public with gardening programs and activities that draw on the horticulture research and experience of Cornell University.



If interested in learning more about the Master Gardener Program call Dona Crawford at 845-340-3990.

GOT LADYBUGS?

Lady beetles, ladybugs, or ladybird beetles are among the most visible and best known beneficial predatory insects. Over 450 species are found in North America. Some are native and some have been introduced from other countries. Right now they are seeking warm dry places to spend the winter. Unfortunately sometimes it is our homes. The heat in the home warms them and they become active crawling or moving to sunny windows. Vacuum or sweep them up and deposit outside. Keep them out by sealing up entrances as appropriate with caulk or screening. Many crops benefit from lady beetles. They are helpful for growers of vegetables, grain crops, legumes, strawberries, and tree crops; however any crop that is attacked by aphids will benefit from these beetles. This information provided by CCEUC Master Gardener Coordinator, Dona Crawford.

Ulster County 4-H Offers Wind Energy Courses in 2010

Ulster County 4-H Youth Development, through the Cornell Cooperative Extension, will offer a 6-week series of classes about the science and careers of wind energy, for youth 6th to 8th graders. The series will feature great hands-on learning and visits by professionals in the wind industry, and will culminate with a field trip to a wind energy site at the end of the course.

Topics to be covered include:

• How wind energy works

• Residential-scale wind turbines

• Utility-scale wind turbines

• Wind energy and New York State

• Wind energy and the natural environment

• The history of wind energy

• New developments in wind energy

• Careers in wind energy
Classes will be held Thursday evenings, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, beginning January 21 and running through February 25, with a field trip planned. The location is SUNY Ulster (Ulster County Community College) room HAS-201. The cost will be $30 per student ($20 if you are an enrolled 4-H member). Registration and payment is required no later than Thursday, January 14, 2010. Registration forms can be found at http://www.cceulster.org/  in the 4-H Youth Development section menu click on 4-H Wind Energy Program.

The class will be taught by Todd Olinsky-Paul, an energy policy analyst and wind energy specialist with Pace Energy and Climate Center. This program is made possible by a grant received from the New York State 4-H Foundation.

For more information by phone contact Jenny Burkins at Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County at 845-340-3990.

Farm Tour Offers a Closer Look at Farming in 2009 and Beyond

On Thursday September 24, 2009, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County organized a farm tour for government officials and economic development administrators. Among the participants were Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's regional representative, Amy Pollard, New York State Assembly member Clifford Crouch, Ulster County Legislator District 3, Roy Hochberg, Assistant Deputy to the Ulster County Executive, Susanne Holt, Deputy Director of Planning for Economic Development, March Gallagher and Senior Planner for Ulster County Planning, Virginia Craft.
The tour began with a visit to Gill Farms in Hurley and a look at a sweet corn packing facility staffed with 50+ employees that help grow and ship over a thousand acres of fresh market sweet corn. The next stop was Domino Farms in the Town of Rochester that produces up to 8,300 lbs of milk per day (that's about 940 gallons). The group then made its way across the road to Flying Change Horse Farm to hear from owner/trainer Diane Schoonmaker about her family's long history in farming the Rondout Valley and how she got into the horse business.
At the Hudson Valley research Lab in Highland, participants enjoyed lunch that featured all local farm products such as eggs, goat cheese, chicken, butternut squash, apples, and watermelon. Over Lunch, Dr. Dave Rosenberger, a fruit pathologist working out of the lab, gave a presentation about the research and extension activities through Cornell University and how it directly benefits ag producers. The afternoon focused on fruit production. There was a walk through a high density apple orchard that was being harvested at Crist Farms in Milton. The final stop of the tour was an apple packing facility at W.G. Minard and Sons in Clintondale where food safety issues were addressed.

Participants got an insider's view of commercial farming in action and heard first hand from the farmer about issues that impact and shape the future of the industry in Ulster County, Statewide and Nationally. The tour was coordinated by Extension Educators Teresa Rusinek, Mike Fargione and Audrey Reith.

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Attention Facebook Users!

Would you like to keep up to date on all the great educational programming happening in Ulster County? See photos of events, and learn about one of the oldest non-profit organizations in Ulster County?


Become a fan of Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County on Facebook!

Simply sign in to your account and type Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County in the search field located at the top right corner, once on our page, click on Become a Fan. It’s that easy!

Haven’t joined the world’s largest social media networking website yet? Sign up here at www.facebook.com it’s free and you may just connect with an old friend or two.

*Founded in February 2004, Facebook is a social utility that helps people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers. The company develops technologies that facilitate the sharing of information through the social graph, the digital mapping of people's real-world social connections. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment.

*source www.facebook.com

3rd Annual RAPP Autumn Celebration Coming in November

Our Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) will be hosting a FREE Autumn Celebration for any child who is five years old and up, and who is being raised by a relative residing in Ulster County. The celebration will take place Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston. This event is free, but pre-registration is required and is limited to the first fifteen children registered.

It will be a fun and exciting day of baking pies and creating fall crafts with the CCEUC staff. Free transportation within the Kingston City limits and the Town of Ulster will be available.

Please call Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990 to reserve a space or email bag23@cornell.edu.

For more information about RAPP, call Danielle Garris at 845-340-3990.

Seminar to Focus on Special Education Laws for Relative Caregivers

CCEUC's Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) are inviting kinship caregivers and their families to attend a very special seminar entitled, “The Nuts and Bolts of Special Education Law” on Monday, November 2 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ulster County BOCES, 175 Route 32 North in New Paltz, NY. This seminar is FREE. Refreshments will be served and children’s activities will be offered.

This informative and interactive seminar will be presented by LSHV Staff Attorneys, Mary Jo Whateley and Lara Burkareff, Esq.

Many topics will be covered including:
- An overview of Federal and State education and other relevant laws and regulations
- Confidentiality issues
- Strategies for accessing Special educational services and supports as mandated by
Federal and State law
- Successful negotiation and conflict resolution with school personnel
- Disciplinary issues
- How LSHV and RAPP can assist relative caregivers.

To pre-register for this seminar please call Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990. For more information about RAPP, contact RAPP Coordinator, Erica Smith at 845-340-3990.

Lessons of Life and Leadership Equine Workshop Comes to New Paltz

This informative workshop is for equine professionals and 4-H volunteers to discover new information and acquire skills in equine training. The workshop will be Monday, September 14 from 9:45am to 3:30pm at the Ulster County Fair Grounds located on Libertyville Road in New Paltz and will feature special guest speaker Dr. Lew Sterrett of Leaders by H.E.A.R.T (Human Equine Analogies in Relational Training).

There is a fee of $25 if registered by September 7; $40 thereafter after and at the door the day of the event. Fee includes lunch; no refunds. For questions contact Audrey Reith at 845-344-1234 or email ald5@cornell.edu or to pre-register call Jenny Burkins at 845-340-3990.

Participants will have the opportunity to witness Dr. Sterrett’s unique and entertaining approach to leadership as he addresses key issues through the use of horse training illustrations and interactive dialogue. The horse training presentation will be followed by a time of application and problem solving that will take coaches, trainers and leaders to the next level.

AGENDA

9:45am
Registration
Jane W. Barley Youth Building

10:00am
Session I: Capturing and Correcting the Heart
- See how healthy boundaries establish foundations for respect and security
- Learn how to better evaluate horses and people
- Learn how to communicate more effectively

12:00pm
Lunch

1:00pm
Session II: Horse Training Presentation
- See a 1,100 pound picture of what a healthy relationship looks like
- Experience the mystique of watching a trainer win the heart of a horse
- Insight for successful liberty work
Exercises that increase suppleness

3:30pm
Wrap Up

This event is hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange & Ulster Counties Adult Equine Advisory Committee, and Region 6 of the New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators.

Ashokan Watershed Internships for Youth Offered this Fall

Our Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is offering a fall semester Youth Watershed Steward Intern program starting on September 15, 2009 for students in grades 7-12 who either live in the Ashokan Watershed or attend Onteora schools.

Interns will meet every Tuesday from September 15 to December 15 at 2:30pm at the Onteora High School. The sessions will last until 4:00pm or 5:00pm depending on that day’s activity. Occasional outdoor activities will take place on Saturdays. A spring semester program is also planned.

The watershed internship is both fun and educational. Interns will meet environmental professionals, spend time outdoors, and develop hands on skills in environmental science. Specific topics to be covered this fall include watershed science, field biology, Computer Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and working with public media. The project culminates with participants creating their own community service project in the watershed.

Last spring, five Onteora students participated in the program and developed their own community project. Armed with augurs, waders, and plant identification books, the watershed interns set out to identify and map wetlands. With the help of a local NYC Department of Environmental Protection wetland scientist, Frank Parisio, the interns identified the boundary of a wetland on Mink Hollow Road in Lake Hill, NY using plant identification, soil sampling, and hydrology.

Youth Watershed Internship applications are currently available by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. For more information or to obtain an application contact Kristen or Colleen at 845-688-3047 or email Kristen at kew67@cornell.edu. The applications can also be downloaded online at www.esopuscreek.org.

RAPP Kidz Club Returns to Kingston in October

Our Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) will again host the RAPP Kidz Club and Support Group which is set to begin on Saturday, October 3 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County Education Center located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston. The club is FREE and meetings will be held every first Saturday of each month from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Refreshments are served at each meeting.

The RAPP Kidz Club is for children ages five and up who are being raised by a relative and reside in Ulster County. Participants are given the opportunity to get together for a variety of fun activities such as arts and crafts, cooking and science projects, and other enrichment activities. While the children are engaged adult participants will be able to take advantage of great guest speakers and discussion topics important to relative caregivers.

Caregivers are asked to pre-register their children as space is limited. For more information or to pre-register call RAPP Coordinator, Erica Smith at 845-340-3990.

Bio-Control Workshop Offered to Commercial Greenhouse Growers

CCE along with NYS Integrated Pest Management and the NYS Flower Industry, Inc. will be offering an informative bio-control workshop where participants will learn how “good bugs” can be used to control “bad bugs”. Participants will learn application techniques, and how to make sure these insects are working to their advantage. Bio-controls for thrips, fungus gnats, aphids, and whitefly will help growers to begin using bio-control methods in their own greenhouse.

The workshop will take place on Friday, October, 23 from 9:30am to 12:00pm at Silverleaf Greenhouses located at 2736 State Route 208 in Walden, NY. There is a $15 fee per person to attend this workshop. Pre-registration is encouraged no later then Wednesday, October 21. For more information or to pre-register contact Teresa Rusinek at Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County at 845-340-3990.

DEC pesticide recertification credits have been applied for. This workshop is partially funded by a grant received from the New York Farm Viability Institute.

Master Gardeners Now Offering FREE Xeriscape Garden Tours

Come learn more about our magnificent Xeriscape garden and how you can start your very own! Ulster County’s Master Gardener’s are now offering free tours of their award winning Xeriscape Garden located in front of the Jacob A. Hasbrouck Building on the SUNY Ulster Campus in Stone Ridge. This garden was established in 2000 and includes several impressive varieties of plantings. Tours will be guided by trained Master Gardener’s and are available evenings and weekends for groups or one-on-one. Take in the sights of our spectacularly lush and colorful garden that features flourishing perennial herbs, robust shrubs and captivating flowers.

The Xeriscape Garden is an interactive teaching tool in the selection of heat tolerant, water-wise plants, integrated pest management and alternative landscaping techniques. Master Gardeners will explain the principles and eco-benefits of this drought resistant garden design and planting techniques which help to create this incredible gardening spectacle. All participants will receive a comprehensive list of water-wise plants.

For more information or to schedule a tour please call Master Gardener Coordinator, Dona Crawford at 845-340-3990 or email dm282@cornell.edu.

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FREE Healthy Eating Habits & Food Budgeting Program

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Eat Smart New York Program is pleased to announce a new program “Healthy Nutrition Habits”, a free six part series will run continuously every Monday, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Sessions will take place at the CCEUC Extension Education Center located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston.

This program is open to all food stamp participants and low to moderate income families and individuals residing in Ulster County. Sessions will include various topics including food budgeting, serving sizes, learning about food groups, eating healthier by making better food choices, food safety and more! Participants will gain valuable kitchen skills through hands-on food demonstrations with CCEUC Nutrition Program Educator, Danielle J. Garris. One on one session’s in the home can be arranged for those without transportation.

All participants who complete six sessions of the program will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County’s Eat Smart New York Program.

For more information or to attend please call Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990.

Ulster County 4-H Youth Program Announce 2009 Master Showmanship Recipient

Katherine DeWitt, 15 years old of Accord, NY was awarded the 2009 4-H Master Showmanship title for this year’s Ulster County Fair on Sunday, August 2. DeWitt qualified for the contest by excelling in Senior Master Showmanship in the areas of Dairy Cattle and Dogs which enabled her to advance to the final competition which included showmanship for Dairy Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Poultry, Dogs, and Rabbits. Katherine has been showing cows since the age of 6 and a member of Ulster County 4-H since the age of 8. She is the daughter of Janet and Meade DeWitt of Accord.

DeWitt attends Rondout Valley High School and is a member of the National Honor Society. Upon graduation she plans to pursue an education in Animal Science at Cornell University, and plans to attend veterinary school to become a large animal veterinarian.

Katherine is very active at her family’s farm, Domino Farm in Accord, where she owns 15 registered Jersey cows. Each year, Katherine shows her award winning Jerseys and other breeds at the Ulster County Fair. In 2007, she won a national award from the American Jersey Cattle Association, placing 6th in the nation for amount of milk produced by a youth-owned Jersey. In 2008, she received First Place for Herdsmanship along with several other state level awards at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. In June 2009, Katherine was crowned Dairy Princess of Ulster County to represent the number one agricultural industry in New York State. Her responsibilities as Dairy Princess include a wide range of public relations activities that promote the dairy industry and raise awareness of the health benefits of dairy products.

4-H Master Showmanship encourages mastery with a variety of animals and recognizes excellence in showmanship. Judges score each 4-H Member on their showmanship skills which includes handling and their knowledge of the species. The highest composite score earns the title of Master Showman.

4-H Livestock Awards Results from the Ulster County Fair

Each year Ulster County 4-H Youth members gather at the Ulster County Fair Grounds to show livestock that they have raised and cared for. Youth and their 4-H project animal are evaluated. The awards/ribbons include Grand Champion, Best of Show, Excellent, Good, and Worthy. In Showmanship youth are judged on how they handle their animal and their knowledge of the species. The animal which most closely meets the particular standards for the class is ultimately awarded Grand Champion. All the animals presented to the judges are raised as a part of the 4-H Animal Science Program.

Goat
Grand Champion Market Goat awarded to Lorren Potter of New Paltz
Reserve Champion Market Goat awarded to Michelle Campbell of New Paltz
Grand Champion Dairy Goat awarded to Steve Potter of New Paltz
Grand Champion Pet Goat awarded to Garrett Igoe of Lake Katrine
Reserve Champion Pet Goat awarded to Nina Igoe of Lake Katrine
Senior Goat Showmanship awarded to Lorren Potter of New Paltz
Junior Goat Showmanship awarded to Sara Bennett of Highland
Novice Goat Showmanship awarded to Michelle Campbell of New Paltz
Grand Champion Goat Handling awarded to Jessica Perez of New Paltz
Grand Champion Goat Other awarded to Nina Igoe of Lake Katrine
Reserve Champion Goat Other awarded to Lorren Potter of New Paltz

Sheep
Grand Champion Market Lamb awarded to Nina Igoe of Lake Katrine
Reserve Champion Market Lamb awarded to Garrett Igoe of Lake Katrine
Senior Sheep Showmanship awarded to Nina Igoe of Lake Katrine
Junior Sheep Showmanship awarded to Garrett Igoe of Lake Katrine

Poultry
Grand Champion Standard awarded to Michaela Labare of New Paltz for her Campine Hen
Reserve Standard Champion awarded to Elissa Mardiney of Rosendale for her Jersey Giant Hen
Grand Champion Bantam awarded to Elissa Mardiney of Rosendale for her Porcelain D’Uccle Hen
Reserve Champion Bantam awarded to Michaela Labare of New Paltz for her Buff Brahma Cock
Grand Champion Waterfowl awarded to Erica Bell of Accord for her Pekin Drake Duck
Reserve Champion Waterfowl awarded to Michaela Labare of New Paltz for her Call Duck
Grand Champion Turkey awarded to Erica Bell of Accord for her Royal Palm Tom
Reserve Champion Turkey awarded to Erica Bell of Accord for her Royal Palm Hen
Grand Champion Avian awarded to Kristen Nerone of High Falls for her Pea Hen
Senior Poultry Showmanship awarded to Erica Bell of Accord
Junior Poultry Showmanship awarded to Joshua Holz of Phoenicia
Novice Poultry Showmanship awarded to Kalo Talley of Pine Hill

Dairy Cattle
Supreme Dairy awarded to Katherine DeWitt of Accord
Junior Champion Jersey awarded to Katherine DeWitt of Accord
Senior Champion Jersey awarded to Katherine DeWitt of Accord
Senior Showmanship awarded to Katherine DeWitt of Accord
Junior Showmanship awarded to Autumn Fitzpatrick of Accord
Junior Champion Holstein awarded to Christopher VanAken of Stone Ridge
Senior Champion Holstein awarded to Katherine DeWitt of Accord
Senior Champion Swiss awarded to David Bogart of Stone Ridge

Beef Cattle
Best of Breed Market Steer awarded to Christopher VanAken of Stone Ridge
Supreme Beef Grand Champion awarded to Christopher VanAken of Stone Ridge
Senior Beef Showmanship awarded to Christopher VanAken of Stone Ridge

Horse
High Point Rider Champion awarded to Marki-Lynn Sullivan of Poughkeepsie
Grand Champion Senior English Division awarded to Eliana Correll of New Paltz
Reserve Grand Champion Senior English Division awarded to Deanna Zajic of Pine Bush
Grand Champion Walk / Trot / Jog Division awarded to Joel Moskowitz of Olivebridge
Grand Champion Junior English awarded to Marki-Lynn Sullivan of Poughkeepsie
Reserve Grand Champion Junior English awarded to Jordan Upright of Gardiner

Swine
Grand Champion Hog awarded to Steven Potter of New Paltz
Reserve Champion Hog awarded to Lorren Potter of New Paltz
Senior Swine Showmanship awarded to Steven Potter of New Paltz
Swine Handler Showmanship awarded to Michelle Campbell of New Paltz

Rabbit
Grand Champion Breed awarded to Caitlyn Krieger of Saugerties for her Holland Lop
Reserve Champion Breed awarded to Marissa Miller of Kingston for her Mini Lop
Grand Champion Doe and Litter awarded to Kelsey Grimm of Saugerties
Grand Champion Reserve Doe and Litter awarded to Clara Seyfarth of Saugerties
Grand Champion Meat Fryer awarded to Courtney Weis of Gardiner
Reserve Champion Meat Roaster awarded to Kelsey Grimm of Saugerties
Grand Champion Pet awarded to Michelle Campbell of New Paltz
Grand Champion Reserve Pet awarded to Honour Butler of New Paltz
Senior Showmanship awarded to Erica Bell of Accord
Junior Showmanship awarded to Caitlyn Krieger of Saugerties
Novice Showmanship awarded to Renee Lacouette of Walkill

Dog
Grand Champion Obedience awarded to Michelle Campbell of New Paltz
Reserve Champion Obedience awarded to Elissa Mardiney of Rosendale
Grand Champion Grooming and Handling Level 1 awarded to Elissa Mardiney of Rosendale
Grand Champion Grooming and Handling Level 2 awarded to Bryan Huckeba of Kerhonkson
Grand Champion Grooming and Handling Level 3 awarded to Katherine DeWitt of Accord

Bowl and Pocket Pets
Division A awarded to Michelle Campbell of New Paltz for her Chinchilla
Division B awarded to Bryan Huckeba of Kerhonkson for his Rat
Division C awarded to Courtney Weis of Gardiner for her California King Snake

2009 Ulster County 4-H Livestock Auction Results

2009 4-H Auction Participants from L-R: Nina Igoe, Courtney Weis, Kelsey Grimm, Kristin Nerone, Lorren Potter, Elissa Mardiney, Steven Potter, Garrett Igoe and Erica Bell

The 2009 Ulster County 4-H Livestock Auction held at the Ulster County Fair Grounds on Saturday August 2 was a huge educational and financial success which raised over $16,000. Most of the funds collected are used by the participating 4-H Youth Members by investing the funds towards college and individual auction projects for the following year. A small portion from the sales is donated to the 4-H Auction Committee for programming costs.

All the animals offered are raised as a part of the 4-H Market Production Project. The 4-H youth members work tirelessly each year, attending educational meetings and keeping business records, to earn the privilege of participating in this event. Only the “Blue Ribbon” animals judged as excellent are sold at the livestock auction.

The buyers at the auction were:

Adams Fairacre Farms
John Ingram representing Ulster County Agricultural Society of New Paltz
Gary McDonald representing New Paltz Agway
Andrew Range
Charles Bell representing Bell Excavating of Accord
Brian Sawchuck
Bridgette Igoe
Cal and Diane Ruger representing Kleine Maus Farm of New Paltz
David Lotvin of Gardiner
Double H Farm of New Paltz
Bob DeStefano representing Dreamland Amusements of Stony Brook, NY
Emmanuel’s Market Place of Stone Ridge
Everette Payne
Joe McGovern
John Colosi
Joyce Amels
Kay and Ed Covert representing Tractor Supply Company of Highland
Kelders Farm of Kerhonkson
Lynn Fleming
Paul Vanderkruik
Wayne and Donna Grimm representing Rapid Tool Rental of New Paltz
Rita H. Klein
T.J. Baright

The following list includes the 4-H Youth Member participants and the animals they provided for the auction:

Goats
Lorren Potter of New Paltz
Steven Potter of New Paltz

Sheep
Garrett Igoe of Lake Katrine
Nina Igoe of Lake Katrine

Rabbits
Courtney Weis of Gardiner
Kelsey Grimm of Saugerties

Hogs
Lorren Potter of New Paltz
Steven Potter of New Paltz

Turkeys
Erica Bell of Accord

Ducks
Courtney Weis of Gardiner

Chickens
Elissa Mardiney of Rosendale
Kristin Nerone of High Falls

Here are the highlights of The 2009 Ulster County 4-H Livestock Auction.
Goat
Lorren Potter $2059.00 purchased by John Ingram representing Ulster County Agricultural Society, New Paltz

Sheep
Nina Igoe $2295.00 purchased by John Ingram representing Ulster County Agricultural Society, New Paltz

Rabbit
Courtney Weis $236.35 purchased by Gary MacDonald representing New Paltz Agway, New Paltz

Chicken
Elissa Mardiney $142.50 purchased by John Ingram representing Ulster County Agricultural Society, New Paltz

Hog
Steven Potter $1242.00 purchased by Bob DeStefano representing Dreamland Amusements of Stony Brook, NY

Turkey
Erica Bell $726.00 purchased by Emmanuel’s Market Place of Stone Ridge

SUPPORT GROUP FOR RELATIVES AS PARENTS AND KIDZ CLUB COMING TO NEW PALTZ

Our Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) will offer “Coffee and Conversation”, a peer support group for adults and the RAPP “Kidz Club” every first Monday of the month beginning June 1. The group will meet at the Ulster County BOCES Conference Center located at 175 Rt. 32 in New Paltz from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

These support groups are free confidential and provide guidance, education and training to teach new parenting and coping skills to grandparents and other relatives who have taken on the role of primary caregiver for related children. Various topics are discussed, such as financial management and budgeting, nutrition education and legal education. Referrals and access to appropriate community based services and resources are also offered. This support group is open to all adult relative caregivers residing in Ulster County and the children being raised by them. All relative caregivers may participate regardless of income. All this is available in a setting designed to promote sharing, caring and mutual respect.

In addition to the support group offered for adults on the first Monday of the month, the RAPP Kidz Club will take place at the same time so that adult participants can enjoy the many benefits of RAPP and network with others. The Kidz Club features an array of fun hands-on activities for children ages 5 and up.

RAPP was established in 1999 by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County and expanded to neighboring counties including Ulster County in 2005. RAPP continues to offers information to assist kinship care giving families, youth and family enrichment and educational program information in a caring environment.

For more information about RAPP or to register for this program call RAPP Coordinator, Erica Smith or Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990 or email els235@cornell.edu.

HOME GARDENERS ASKED TO HELP FEED THE HUNGRY

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Master Gardener Program presents The Spring Kick-Off Event announcing the annual Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Program at Lowe’s located at 901 Frank Sottile Blvd. in Kingston on Saturday, May 2. Festivities will begin at 10:00am and continue until 4:00pm.

Master Gardeners will be promoting the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Program. This program asks vegetable gardeners to devote an extra row in their gardens and bring their excess produce to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC), located at 10 Westbrook Lane, in Kingston. The excess produce is used by CCEUC Nutrition Program Educators in their hands-on programs that work with low-income families, children, and seniors residing in Ulster County. Donated produce will also be given to food pantries in Kingston and New Paltz. Home gardeners participating in this year’s program will receive one free soil test, an informative packet with suggestions of what to grow and how to plant them, and free “Plant-A-Row” veggie markers for their garden.

In addition, there will be plant vendors and local garden designers to share ideas on vegetable and fruit garden layouts. Several Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer all your gardening questions and offer free soil testing. One cup soil samples should be dry for pH testing.