Cornell Cooperative Extension

09/10/2026

Nice work, Haily! A great showing for Jefferson County 4-H at the The Great New York State Fair.

We have another highlight to share from The Great New York State Fair!

One of our 4-H youth, Haily Fleming, competed in the NYS 4-H Poultry Science Contest and earned 3rd place overall! Haily judged live production hens, carcasses, and eggs for this contest. Way to go Haily!🐔🥚

09/09/2026

As an 8-year-old raising a market turkey, Autumn Lavine had no idea 4-H would one day become her life’s work.

Now she’s a fixture at the Fair for more than 20 years, serving as the 4-H New York State Fair coordinator. Autumn oversees the 4-H Youth Building, coordinates evaluators and volunteers, and guides teens through the fair experience, from their first exhibit to running daily operations as junior superintendents.

“I love watching kids grow and return year after year,” she says. “There are former 4-H members with families of their own who visit me at the fair to share memories of how 4-H shaped them.”

Read Autumn's Faces of Extension profile at:

As an 8-year-old with a market turkey project, Autumn Lavine had no idea that 4-H would become her life's work. Now the 4-H New York State Fair and international exchange coordinator, Lavine has spent more than 20 years helping youth build confidence, develop skills and find their sense of belonging...

09/04/2026

At The Great New York State Fair, Wyoming County 4-H’er Alaina and her pig, Iris, took on the Youth Swine Show.

In the ring, Alaina works to keep Iris in the judge’s view while showing how well they can move and respond as a team. But showing swine has helped Alaina grow beyond the show ring, too.

Watch as Alaina shares how she overcame her fear of competing in front of a crowd.

09/03/2026

A sneak peek inside the 4-H Youth Building at The Great New York State Fair!

4-H projects fill nearly every corner, with projects ranging from woodworking and clothing to detailed models and original artwork. Each creation reflects hours of learning and hands-on work by a New York 4-H’er.

Stop by the Youth Building during your next visit to the Fair!

09/02/2026

The goats showed up in style for the 4-H Goat Costume Contest at The Great New York State Fair!

09/02/2026

Congratulations to Kathy Burns of CCE Onondaga County, who received the Women in Agriculture Friend of the Fair Award today at The Great New York State Fair!

Kathy leads the Voice of the Farmer Garden on the State Fairgrounds, where fairgoers can see growing crops and learn what really goes into producing our food, successes, challenges, and all.

The award recognizes Kathy’s work bringing CCE’s educational mission to life at one of New York state’s largest public gatherings, and helping people better understand where their food comes from.

Read more about Kathy’s work and impact: https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2026/09/cces-kathy-burns-awarded-women-agriculture-friend-of-fair-award

09/01/2026

At The Great New York State Fair, 12-year-old Raelyn from Steuben County 4-H showed her Boer meat goat, Jenny, in the Youth Meat Goat Show.

Raelyn's approach is simple: walk into the ring like you own it, and believe you're going to win. That mindset helped her take Grand Champion in Master Showmanship, where exhibitors are judged on how well they handle their animal.

Headed to the Fair? Stop by a 4-H show and see what young people from across the state have been working toward all year.

09/01/2026

At The Great New York State Fair, 12-year-old Raelyn from Steuben County 4-H showed her Boer meat goat, Jenny, in the Youth Meat Goat Show.

Raelyn’s approach is simple: walk into the ring like you own it, and believe you’re going to win. That mindset helped her take Grand Champion in Master Showmanship, where exhibitors are judged on how well they handle their animal.

Headed to the Fair? Stop by a 4-H show and see what young people from across the state have been working toward all year.

08/31/2026

4-H members from across New York are showcasing their culinary skills at the New York State Fair.

Ann Supa, 4-H UNITY and nutrition educator from CCE Broome County, gives the inside scoop on how these culinary creations get judged.

It’s not just about taste and presentation. Judges provide valuable feedback that actually helps participants grow. Because at the end of the day, the ribbon color matters way less than what these young chefs walk away having learned.

08/30/2026

Kate, Eve and Amelia of CCE Suffolk County’s 4-H program put their goat-grooming skills to the test at the Great New York State Fair.

Like a competitive baking show — but with goats — the fitting competition gave them a limited amount of time to wash, clip, groom and style a dairy goat for the show ring. Together, they combined experience with curiosity and worked as a team to meet the challenge.