(WNY News Now) – Dunkirk, NY – The creativity and dedication of Chautauqua County’s youth were on full display as over 950 4-H projects were evaluated by volunteer judges at the 2024 Chautauqua County Fair. From ceramics to STEM projects, these young talents have spent months perfecting their crafts, with the standout projects now poised for recognition at the upcoming Great New York State Fair.
Volunteer evaluators working with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H program evaluated over 950 4-H Creative Crafts, Ceramics, Conservation, Foods, Horticulture, STEM, Sewing Projects, and other non-animal exhibits. Youth throughout Chautauqua County have been working for months, and in some cases, years to create true works of art. From photography to woodworking youth projects will be displayed in the 4-H Building during the 2024 Chautauqua County Fair.
4-H youth are 8-19 years old with varying experience levels. Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-7) are not “judged” and all Cloverbud projects are awarded a Cloverbud Ribbon. Over 20 judges over two days spent one-on-one time with 4-H participants evaluating their projects. Judges evaluate using the Danish system which allows judges to determine, based on a 4-H’ers age and experience, if they feel that the completed project is Excellent (Blue), Good (Red), or Worthy (White).
Youth presented each of their projects to a judge in the respective department, for example, a sewing project may be judged by an experienced seamstress. Each judge spends a few minutes with each youth determining the youth’s age, experience level, and providing encouragement and constructive criticism.
This year, 60 projects were selected to be displayed at The Great New York State Fair. County judges select projects that are exceptional for the youth’s age and experience level. These items will be on display and judged at The Great New York State Fair (August 21st – Sept 2nd).
All these exceptional projects created by Chautauqua County 4-H’ers were on display at the 2024 Chautauqua County Fair, July 16-21 in Dunkirk. Youth projects are on display in the 4-H Building where there will also be children’s activities, canine demonstrations, and public presentations.
Projects selected for State Fair:Mackenzy Graziano, Country Critters, quilt; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers, vest; Tianna Bova, Centralia Corner Kids, Ribbon skirt; Luisa Smith, Lone member, Heritage Foods Recipe book; Lily Stranahan, Fredonia Star Riders, Ceramics Blue bird nest; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers, Ceramics, Owl Set; Harrison LeBarron, Canadaway, Ceramics, Memorial Pet Stone; Kayla Damcott, Sherman Kountry Kids, Ceramics, dog; Caitlin Kriner, Sherman Kountry Kids, Ceramics, truck set; Everette LeBarron, Canadaway, Ceramic Squirrel Set; Rowen Liskow, Country Critters, Ceramics Pot; Wyatt Portice, Summerdale Sunset Riders, Boot Lamp; Wyatt Portice, Summerdale Sunset Riders, Sea Glass Picture; Kierdan Nickerson, Sherman Kountry Kids, Wine Cork
Pumpkin; Hannah Phelps, Summerdale Sunset Riders, Sea Glass Picture; Serenity VanVleck, Country Critters, Bowling pin Gnome; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Adirondack Chair; Wyatt Portice, Summerdale Sunset Riders, Rope Clock; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Tin Punch; Everett LeBarron, Canadaway, Bird Bath; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers, Nail and String art; Chloe Brooker, Sherman Kountry Kids, Woodburning; Jaidyn Newhouse, Nail String Art, Harmony Haystackers; Logan Griffith, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Stencil Art; Kendall Eckman, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Stencil Art; Elizabeth Jones, Frewsburg, Clay; Braelynn Mistretta, Levant Livewires, Foil Art; Johnathan Lyon, Harmony Haystackers, wood stencil art; Paige Winton, Centralia Corner Kids, wood art; Kristen Nickerson, Harmony Haystackers, wood stencil art; Mitchell Tauzel, Harmony Haystackers, Macrame hanger; Connor Isaacson, Lone Member, Wearable art – stenciled shirt; Brayden Peterson, Levant LiveWires, Tie dye apron; Josie Gough, Frewsburg Hayseeds, tie blanket; Laine Carpenter, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Wood Centerpiece; Kendall Eckman, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Tie Blanket; Kristen Nickerson, Harmony Haystackers, Glass Pumpkin; Claudia Almekinder, Harmony Haystackers, Glass Pumpkin; Lacie Jones, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Crochet Mug Coozy; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Club Record Book; Connor Isaacson, Lone Member, Project Notebook; Gavin LeBarron, Canadaway, Poster; Addison Damcott, Sherman Kountry Kids, Photography; Connor Isaacson, Lone Member, Photography; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Leather belt; Drake Joy, Canadaway, Leather Buckle; Grant Damon, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Conservation Bat House; Lucan Overend, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Cross Stitch Bills Helmet; Giovanna Damon, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Cross Stitch Flower and Butterfly; and Isabella Lones, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Cross Stitch Rabbit.
Special Judges Awards:
Mackenzy Graziano, Country Critters, Sewing-quilt; Garrett Lesch – Canadaway – Woodworking – Adirondack chair; Liam Griffith -Horticulture-tractor and wagon Planter; and Tianna Bova – Foods Caramel.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at http://www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
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