MASSACHUSETTS 4-H NEWSLETTER
WESTERN REGION
Winter 2017
UPCOMING EVENTS…………
January
3
10
10
14-15
20
21
21
26
28
28
Hampden County 4-H Horse Council, 7:00 P.M.
Elm Pizza, Westfield
Hampden County 4-H Fair meeting, 7:00 P.M.
WMass Hospital, W. Springfield
Berkshire County 4-H Fair Association meeting, 6:30 P.M.
600 Williams St., Pittsfield
Northeast Poultry Conference
Big E, W. Springfield
Franklin County 4-H Awards Banquet, 6:00 P.M.
Greenfield Community College
W. Mass. Winter Workshops-Hopkins Academy, 8:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M.
Rt. 9, Hadley
Snow date for Franklin County 4-H Awards Banquet
Berkshire County 4-H Advisory Council meeting, 7:00 P.M.
600 Williams St., Pittsfield
“4-H Day at the Mullins Center”, UMass Basketball vs. George Mason, 1:00 P.M.
State 4-H Rabbit Workshop
Blackstone Valley Regional School
February
4
9
10
11
11
16
18
21
22
23
Franklin County 4-H Visual Presentations/Officers Workshop, 1:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M.
Montague Fire Station
Berkshire County 4-H Fair Association meeting, 6:30 P.M.
600 Williams St., Pittsfield tentative
Hampden County 4-H Horse Council, 7:00 P.M.
Elm Pizza, Westfield
4-H Nutrition Conference, 8:00 A.M.-Noon
Hopkins Academy
Hampshire County 4-H Visual Presentations/Officers Workshop, 1:00-3:00 P.M. Hadley Police Station
Franklin County 4-H Advisory Council Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
Montague Police Station
Hampden County 4-H Visual Presentation/Officers Workshop, 1:00-3:00 P.M.
Elms Pizza, Westfield
4-H Babysitting Program, 1:00-3:00 P.M.
Holland Library
4-H Babysitting Program, 1:00-3:00 P.M.
Holland Library
Berkshire County 4-H Advisory Council meeting, 7:00 pm
600 Williams St., Pittsfield
March
TBD
8
11
14
16
22
25
Berkshire County 4-H Visual Presentations
Berkshire County 4-H Fair Association meeting, 6:30 P.M.
Regional Visual Presentations Program, 9:00-2:00 PM
Hampden County 4-H Horse Council, 7:00 P.M.
Franklin County 4-H Advisory Council Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
Berkshire County 4-H Advisory Council meeting, 7:00 P.M.
4-H Spaghetti Dinner, 6:00 P.M.
UMass Extension
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600 Williams St., Pittsfield tentative
Hopkins Academy, Rt. 9, Hadley
Elm Pizza, Westfield
Montague Police Station
600 Williams St., Pittsfield
Most Holy Redeemer Parish Hall
Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
April
2
11
17
20
State 4-H Visual Presentations Program
Hampden County 4-H Horse Council, 7:00 P.M.
Hampshire County 4-H Awards Banquet
Franklin County 4-H Advisory Council Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
Bedford
Elm Pizza, Westfield
Bluebonnet Diner, Northampton
Montague Police Station
Western Massachusetts 4-H Staff
Thomas M. Waskiewicz,
Extension 4-H Educator
Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire
Slobody Building, Suite A4
101 University Drive
Amherst, MA 01002
Phone: 413-545-0611
Fax: 413-577-0760
Toll Free: 800-374-4446
Email: [email protected]
Angelica J. Paredes,
Extension 4-H Educator
Berkshire
78 Center Street, Suite 205
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-448-8285 Email: [email protected]
Mary Phelon, 4-H Program Assistant
Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire
Slobody Building, Suite A4
101 University Drive
Amherst, MA 01002
Phone: 413-577-0759 Fax: 413-577-0760
Toll Free: 800-374-4446
Email: [email protected]
Laurie Cadorette, 4-H Secretary
Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire
78 Center Street, Suite 205
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-448-8285 or 413-577-0754
Fax: 413-577-0760
Email: [email protected]
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
scholarship that can be applied for by any Berkshire
4-H Alum that was part of the Fair Association for
at least 2 years and is at any point in pursuing
higher education. This year’s Robinson Scholarship
recipient was Caitlin Moriarty of Cheshire. The
Loving Hands Award was applied for and received
by Margaret Sarnacki of Otis. Eastern States
Exposition: There are many ways and places 4H’ers can represent the program at the Big E; this
past year some were: Farm-A-Rama presentations:
Brooke & Katilyn Decker - Housatonic, Kayli
Smith - Sheffield. Action Exhibits: Faith & Hope
Motta – N. Adams. Massachusetts 4-H Horse
Show: Jazmine Bona – N. Egremont, Allison
Brazie - Housatonic, Katilyn Decker, Kayli
Smith, Brooke Wells – Sheffield. Horse Lovers at
the show were: Logan Brazie - Housatonic,
Brooke Decker, Darius Taliaferro - Sheffield.
Regional 4-H Horse Show: Jazmine Bona, Allison
Brazie, Katilyn Decker, Kayli Smith. Our public
speaking program is called Visual Presentations and
the following 4-H’ers made it and competed at the
state level: Fiora Caligiuri-Randall – Lee, Faith
& Hope Motta. The Berkshire 4-H Ambassadors
running awards night: Fiora Caligiuri-Randall,
Nicholas Soldato – Pittsfield, Thomas Williams –
Ashley Falls. Aspiring Clovers are picked by their
club leaders as members who pick up their clubs
and are always there willing to help; they are:
Brooke Decker, Cheyenne Goodermote –
Clarksburg, Erynne Goodermote – Clarksburg,
Nick Lescarbeau – N. Adams, Sean Mullen – N.
Adams, Jeremy Richard – Adams, John-Michael
Richard – Adams, Genevieve Tassone – Adams,
Charlotte Tuper – Florida, Owen Vareschi – N.
Adams. The Western Mass High Point Award is a
competitive award where a youth has to enter at
least 3 of 4 Western Mass 4-H Fairs and submit
their standings. Thomas Williams of Ashley Falls
won in Poultry and Home Economics. Tech Wizard
youth recognized for completing an awards project
were: Jasmine Beagle – N. Adams, Elizabeth &
Gabriel Boyd – N. Adams, Makayla Bushika – N.
Adams, Jaxson Cunha – N. Adams, David Decker
– Adams, Jayden & Jordan Derouin – N. Adams,
Yazmin Griffith – N. Adams, Cory Hosier – N.
Adams, Ariel Murphy – N. Adams, Josh Rand –
Adams, Thomas Richardson – Adams, Joseph
Rourke – Adams. County Medals are awarded to
From Berkshire 4-H
Lights, Camera, Action!
Berkshire County 4-H Holds Annual
Recognition Night
On Sunday, December 4th the Berkshire County 4-H
program held it’s annual Awards & Recognition
event. Every year the Berkshire 4-H Ambassadors,
a group of teens trained to speak on behalf of 4-H,
run the even and pick a theme. This years theme
was “news broadcast”. Sunday the “live studio
audience” was witness to an episode of “Clover
Chatter”. Where they made sure to thank their
sponsors: The Berkshire County 4-H Volunteer
Association for organizing and funding the event,
and the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires for
providing a wonderful space to hold the program.
Volunteers recognized for completing their first
year of service: Michael Augspurger Cummington, AnnMarie Belmonte – Adams,
Frederikke Borge – S. Egremont, Ron Brazie – N.
Egremont, Chris Carr – N. Adams, Lisa FairfieldGustafson – Pittsfield, Lenore Fried Cummington, Johanne Kesten – N. Egremont,
Neisa Lescarbeau – N. Adams, Shannon Roberts –
N. Adams, Bridget Tassone – Adams, Amanda
Wright – Pittsfield. Recognized for 5 years was
Jane Diaz of North Adams. The Friends of 4-H
Award goes to a business or individual who went
above and beyond during the course of the year to
help out the 4-H program, this year’s recipients
were: Agway in Gt. Barrington, and Tony
Carlotto or Rolling Rock Farm in Gt. Barrington.
The Fair Honor Roll goes to people who help make
the annual Youth Fair a success. Though there are
many who make this large undertaking happen, a
few always shine through, they were: AnnMarie
BelMonte, Hannah Heath – Otis, Larry Heyman
– N. Adams, Krista Mangiardi – Pittsfield, Sherry
Mangiardi – Pittsfield, Dave & Donna Motta – N.
Adams, Thomas Williams – Ashley Falls. Tech
Wizards is a National Mentoring Program through
the National 4-H Council and OJJDP, mentors
recognized were: Michael Augspurger, Wendi
Daugherty-Gore – N. Adams, Lenore Fried,
Aimee Gelinas - Windsor, Larry Heyman, Gayle
Kittle – Pittsfield, Amber Maxwell – Cheshire,
Neisa Lescarbeau , Shannon Roberts, Nate
Samson - Adams. The Robinson Scholarship is a
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter –Winter 2017
If we are offered an opportunity, do
we take it or not? Here is where it is
decided.
Promotion/Recruitment
Letting people know about the 4-H
program
Learning about events happening in
the community and seeing if
someone is available to have an
information table there (for example)
Scholarships/Camperships
These are for volunteers and
members
For learning about projects, gaining
new skills, or having fun at 4-H
Camp!
Fundraise
Traditionally there have been
approximately 2-3 per year
These help pay for EVERYTHING
listed above
4-H’ers who complete 4-H records. Cloverbuds
(members who are 5-7 years old): Brooke Decker,
Isaac Epe – Pittsfield, Darius Taliaferro. County
Medals: Allison Brazie, Horse. Fiora CaligiuriRandall: Community Service, Fiber Arts,
Leadership, Performing Arts & Small Business.
Katilyn Decker, Horse. Daniel Epe – Pittsfield,
Sheep. Madison Melino – Austerlitz, NY: Horse,
Poultry, & Rabbits.
Faith Motta: Clothing,
Community Service, & Hiking Safety. Hope
Motta: Community Service & Hiking Safety.
Kayli Smith, Horse.
Nicholas Soldato, Art.
Thomas Williams, History & Poultry.
The Top H Award is the highest award achievable
in Berkshire County for a 4-H’er. It can only be
one once as a junior member (8-13 yrs old) and
once as a senior member (14-18). A member must
turn in their 4-H record, be in good standing, be
nominated, and be judged. Berkshire County 4-H is
very proud to announce the Top H winners for the
2015-2016 4-H year: Junior Top H – Nick Soldato
of Pittsfield! Senior Top H – Thomas Williams of
Ashley Falls!
Congratulations to all award recipients and to the
entire Berkshire 4-H Community for another
amazing year!
Who
Adults
ANY adult interested in being a part
of the Berkshire 4-H program can be
a part of this group.
You DO NOT have to have a
club to be on the B.C. 4-H
V.A.
You DO NOT have to have a
child in 4-H to be on the B.C.
4-H V.A.
You DO have to become a
fully screened volunteer (if
you’re not already)
Teens
Any senior 4-H’er is welcome and
encouraged to be a member!
Clubs
All clubs are supposed to have
representation at the meetings (It
Berkshire County 4-H
Volunteer Association –
WHO ARE YOU?
What is this group? It is
mentioned in each
newsletter, on Facebook, and in emails; but maybe
you don’t understand the role and who can be part
of it. The Berkshire County 4-H Volunteer
Association is set up for very specific reasons:
What
County Programs
Awards
Visual Presentations
Window/Poster Exhibits
Helping with Fair
If anything new is created, tried, or
considered; this is where it happens.
Decisions
When and where things take place
How much to spend
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
with the fair! If you are interested in being a part of
this great leadership group, call Angelica in the
Berkshire 4-H Office (413) 448-8285. The Fair
Association regularly meets on the second Tuesday
of the month at 6:30 pm at Brattle Farm, 600
Williams St., Pittsfield.
(We do plan some
conference calls in the bad weather.) This location
changes in the summer months when meetings are
held at the fairgrounds. This is an excellent group
for those members who would like to take a step
toward more leadership & responsibility (it also
looks AMAZING on college applications!). Come
join the fun, or call to find out other ways you can
be a part of this group.
PARENTS: Please note, by joining this group
for a minimum of two years is the only way your
child can later become eligible for the $500
Robinson College Scholarship.
The next meeting of the Berkshire County 4-H Fair
Association is January 10, 2017.
does NOT have to be the main club
leader).
Clubs are impacted the most by
decisions made by this group and
should be at the table while those
decisions are being made.
The Berkshire County 4-H Volunteer Association
meets on a nearly monthly basis. Many of those
meetings are conference calls. The current schedule
is the 4th Tuesday of every month, but that will be
revisited on January 24th to see if that is the best day
of the month for the most amount of people. IF
YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF
THIS GROUP AND CANNOT MAKE THE
MEETING ON JANUARY 24TH BECAUSE THE
4TH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH DOES NOT
WORK FOR YOU, email Angelica by January 15th
to tell her: I would like to become an active
member of the B.C. 4-H V.A., and could do so if
the meetings were held on _______ days.
Angelica’s email is: [email protected]
The meeting on January 24th will be at 7:00 pm at
Brattle Farm, 600 Williams Street, Pittsfield, MA.
Thank you for your willingness to make the
Berkshire 4-H program the best it can be!
Thank You
Alice Hale
Early in 2016 a
generous
donation was
made
to
Berkshire
County 4-H by
Alice
Hale.
Alice is a long
time member
and supporter of 4-H who lives in Tyringham MA.
There are some wonderful pieces of memorabilia
from Alice’s time in 4-H, including caps, pins and
photos from the 1941 National Conference. There
is also an early form of what we now call a 4-H
record book which was handed out at the
conference. Alice has had a lifelong connection
with 4-H so it is no surprise that she would purchase
a series of 4-H dolls produced by the Danbury Mint
in 2002. She has donated these special dolls as
well. There is Emily with her lamb, Austin with
his calf, Ryan with his pig and Susan with her
horse.
Window/Poster Exhibits and Visual Presentation
Trainings
Angelica from the Berkshire 4-H Office will be
contacting Berkshire clubs to do trainings on these
two programs. These are two winter time programs,
both involving communication. The life skills
gained through participating in programs like these
will last a lifetime. “I look forward to working with
the 4-H’ers, volunteers, and parents on these
programs; and discussing the amazing benefits
gained.” Angelica Paredes.
Berkshire County 4-H Fair Association
The 77th annual Berkshire County Youth Fair is
what we are looking ahead to this summer. If you
are 12 or older, this is a great next step in your 4-H
career! Becoming part of the Fair Association
DOES NOT mean you have to give up your regular
club, it means being a part of something more and
being able to bring ideas from your club to the fair
group…and letting your club know what’s going on
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
Leaders take a few minutes during
meetings for kids to write down stuff
for records.
If people in your group prefer
the notebook method, maybe
a parent could be the “keeper
of the notebooks”?
All of this wonderful 4-H history is now housed at
the Berkshire County 4-H Fairgrounds in Pittsfield.
So next August when you visit the County’s Youth
Fair make sure you take a moment to look at the
display. Thomas Williams, Berkshire Co. 4-H Fair
Association
Get out your 4-H Records!
I know, they were just turned in, judged, and given
back! But this isn’t a joke, this is to make
EVERYONE’S life a little easier.
S.W.A.T. 4-H CLUB HAS BEEN
MULTITASKING!
When you have more than one thing you want to get
done – consolidate! The S.W.A.T. 4-H Club
recently held an indoor Yard Sale; where they also
collected items for the Berkshire Humane Society,
and when they were done they donated items in
good to excellent condition were donated to the
Louison Homeless Shelter. This group works year
round to hone their skills and compete in the
Berkshire Robotics Challenge in Lenox in March.
Good Luck, S.W.A.T
Project Records:
Now is the time to list your goals & how
you plan to achieve them!
One project record form for EACH project
(example: one for poultry, not one per
chicken)
What if you start a new project at a
later date?
You start your project record
form when you start the
project; list your goals and
how you are going to go
about achieving them.
Financial/Time page: starting now will help
you be more accurate with this page and see
how much you actually put into your
projects.
Summary Record:
This is the section that STAYS in your
record, always. You just keep adding to it.
There are things you may have already done
since September 1st that you can add into
these sections! Some ideas:
Download the forms from the
www.mass4h.org website (under
communications) and keep track of
everything on a computer, thumb
drive, etc.
Keep a designated notebook for
listing these things to go in your
records.
UMass Extension
Members of S.W.A.T. working on a challenge.
Upcoming Berkshire Events
As the weather outside gets colder, inside 4-H gets
ready for Window/Poster Exhibits and Visual
Presentations. Watch your email for news about
these two Berkshire County programs. If anyone is
interested in judging either window/poster exhibits
or visual presentations, contact Angelica in the
Berkshire 4-H Office (413) 448-8285. Angelica
will be contacting clubs to organize trainings, if
your group would like to host a training for these
programs, then call Angelica and make
arrangements.
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
From Pioneer Valley 4-H (Franklin,
Hampden, and Hampshire)
Pioneer Valley 4-H Visual Presentations
All 4-H’ers are invited to present at the Regional
4-H Visual Presentations on Saturday, March 11th,
9:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. Hopkins Academy, Rt. 9,
Hadley.
Cloverbud members, ages 5-7, are
encouraged to give a Visual Presentation at the
event but will not be competitively judged.
Members, ages 8-18, are judged using the Danish
system in which each participant is evaluated
against a specific set of criteria and awarded a blue
(excellent), red (very good) or white (good) ribbon.
Registration materials will be sent out after January
1st.
Share the 4-H Embryology Program
Do you know of any teachers who would like to
hatch chicks in the classroom as part of our 4-H
Embryology Program? We could use your help in
promoting this very educational, hands-on
experience. We will be doing two hatches, one in
March and the second in May. Incubators are
available for rent and eggs are available at cost.
Training is offered prior to each hatch. Contact
Carrie Chickering-Sears (413- 549-3257) or Mary
Phelon (413-577-0759). 4-H families are also
welcome to participate.
Window, Poster, Photo & Exhibit Event
Communication skills, public awareness and
teamwork! This is what our annual Window,
Poster, Photo & Exhibit Event is all about and now
is the time to prepare. This is an excellent winter
project which offers members an opportunity to
work together to develop and set up a window
exhibit telling about 4-H or sharing some
information on what they have learned in their
project. Individual club members may also make a
poster using a theme of their choice or enter a
photo. This program offers an excellent opportunity
to let the community know about the 4-H program.
Clubs make arrangements to display exhibits or
posters in local schools, libraries, stores or
businesses February 21st to March 4th. Exhibits,
photos and posters made by youth 8 years of age
and older will be judged and Danish ribbons
awarded to each participant. All Cloverbuds (5 to 7
years of age) will receive special Cloverbud
ribbons.
4 – H Horse Bowl & Hippology Being Combined
In the interest of saving time out of busy schedules,
we will be trying something new this year by
holding horse bowl and hippology on Saturday,
January 7th at Hopkins Academy in Hadley.
Hippology will be in the morning followed by
Horse Bowl in the afternoon. Information is on the
4-H web site (www.mass4h.org – animal science –
horses). A light lunch will be available for
purchase. We need approximately 15 people to
assist at each contest. Parents &/or volunteers or
older teens who can help may send in registration
form letting Berkshire or Franklin County know
that they can help.
Franklin County 4-H
Awards Banquet
Franklin County
4-H’ers and volunteers
will be recognized at
the annual banquet at
Greenfield Community
College, One College
Drive, Greenfield on
Friday, January 20th.
The event is sponsored
by the Franklin County 4-H Advisory Council.
JUDGES NEEDED: As we did last year, we are
looking for volunteer judges who can judge posters
and/or window exhibits in their area. Judges do not
need to be active in 4-H. They can be former 4-H
volunteers or members, community leaders, parents,
etc. We will get score cards and ribbons to judges.
If you are interested in judging, please contact Tom
at [email protected] or 413-545-0611.
Registration information was previously sent to
Franklin County 4-H families. If you haven’t
received it, contact Tom at 413-545-0611 or
[email protected]
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
From Western Massachusetts Region
All 4-H’ers, volunteers, family and friends can
purchase tickets for only $12/person. Include your
name, address, email address, city/town, state and
zip code. You may pay by check, payable to
“UMass Athletics” or credit card. All ticket orders
must be placed by January 23rd.
Western MA 4-H Winter Workshop
The 4-H Winter Workshop, to be held on Saturday,
January 21 at Hopkins Academy, Rt. 9, Hadley,
offers hands-on learning for youth and leaders in
many popular project areas. The workshop is open
to all Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, Worcester and
Hampshire county 4-H members ages 8-18 as of
1/1/17 and volunteers. Some classes have minimum
ages. Members ages 8-11 as of 1/1/17 must have an
adult chaperone/parent attending (the adult does not
have to be registered for the same workshops as the
youth). Workshops include Visual Presentations, 4H Finances, First Aid, Cheesemaking and much
more. A separate email was sent to all 4-H families
and leaders.
Spread the word! See you at the game!
Citizenship Washington Focus
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a weeklong, 4-H citizenship and leadership program for
youth ages 14-19. Thousands of young people from
across America stay at the National 4-H Youth
Conference Center, near Washington, D.C., every
summer to participate in the program which
provides opportunities for young people to:
• Strengthen their communication, leadership,
and citizenship skills on a national level.
• Understand the importance of civic and
social responsibilities as they relate to the
development of better citizens and leaders.
• Exchange ideas, practice respect, and form
friendships with other 4-Hers from across
the country with diverse backgrounds.
• Experience hands-on learning using the
historical classroom of our nation’s Capital
city, Washington, D.C.
Plans are for 4-H’ers to attend CWF July 2-8. For
more information, contact Janet Zajac at
[email protected]
4-H Day at the
Mullins Center
4-H is teaming up
with the UMass
Basketball Team to
sponsor "4-H Day at
the Mullins Center"
on Saturday, January
28th for the 1:00 P.M.
game vs. George
Mason. This is a great time for 4-H to show our
spirit for our outstanding UMass basketball team
and to promote 4-H to thousands of W. Mass. fans
(this game may be televised).
Program Assistants
Do you know a college student who has a
passion for government, history, political
science, education, public speaking, or
leadership? Do they have a passion for
working with young people? If this brings
someone to mind, encourage them to apply for
the position of Program Assistant (PA) at
National 4-H Conference Center!
Application deadlines are quickly approaching
and we want to give 4-H alumni and collegiate
4-H’ers an opportunity to apply for this
amazing opportunity this summer. Our PA’s
will be making a difference in the lives of
Each 4-H club is strongly encouraged to make a
banner (out of a bedsheet or similar material) that
shows our support for the UMass Basketball Team
("Go UMass", "4-H/UMass, a Winning Team",
etc.). In addition, you should all be wearing 4-H tshirts, sweatshirts or jackets. Bring your 4-H club
banner, if you have one.
For
tickets,
email
Allie
Levine
at
[email protected] or call 413-577-7247. You
may also mail in your ticket order to:
Allie Levine
UMass Athletics
038 Boyden Building
Amherst, MA 01003
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
horse rescue in Palmer) and It Takes a Village (nonprofit organization that provides support to hill
town families). Club members offered homemade
horse, dog and cat treats, baked goods, and
holiday decorations they made out of horse shoes.
In the process, the club educated customers on their
work with horses and dedication to community
service.
In addition to their fundraising activities, teen
leader Molly McCutcheon designed and presented a
clinic on natural horsemanship based on her
extensive research and hands-on experience.
Molly has a special affinity for training the
youngest horses in the barn. Molly spends hours
learning form experts in the field, reading and
watching training videos, and then practicing what
she learns at the barn. It was no surprise that nearly
every club member and other riders at Washstone
Ranch participated in her November workshop!
thousands of high school-aged students from
all over the United States while working for
our Citizenship Washington Focus Programs
(CWF) in Washington, D.C.
CWF Program Assistants will:
Develop and facilitate a unique program
experience for over 1,500 high school aged
4-H’ers from across the country in
Washington, D.C.
Lead CWF delegates in experience based
citizenship curriculum through tours and
workshops
Develop and refine teamwork, critical
thinking, and problem solving skills in a fast
paced and fun environment
Become licensed D.C. tour guides
The CWF PA experience begins in mid-May
and ends in late July
If you have any questions, please contact
Kelsey Conklin, [email protected].
Hampden County Horse Power 4-H Club
The club kicked off the new 4-H year with several
community service projects. On October 29th, they
hosted their annual PACER ride, a special day of
trail riding to raise funds for the Cancer Care
Program Fund at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in
Northampton. This fund provides support directly to
cancer patients undergoing treatment. The trail
riding event is held in memory of Jenny Gnazek,
friend of Lee and Nancy Bolduc (owners of
Washstone Ranch in Westfield) and fellow horse
lover who shared her land for trail riding. From pink
saddle pads to sparkly pink hoof polish and
everything in between, horses and their riders were
decked out in pink as they ventured out onto the
trails for this special ride. The event raised
$1000.00, which the group recently presented to
staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. During the
month of November, the club held a coat drive and
donated 35 coats plus several hats, mittens and
scarves to Springfield's Rescue Mission. On
December 10th, the club held a fundraiser at the
Tractor Supply Co. in Southampton. Funds raised
were allocated to Blue Star Equiculture (non-profit
UMass Extension
Fantastic Farmers 4-H Club
At our November 12th meeting, the Fantastic
Farmers 4-H Club made Christmas cards to be
given out at the Soldiers home in Holyoke over the
Christmas Holidays. We played Christmas music in
the background and served Christmas Cookies to
the elves!
Fantastic Farmers have been very busy. We were
busy with the Belchertown Trunk or treat which
was a huge success. We had a very successful
wreath sale for Belchertown 4-H town council too!
We had a wonderful meeting complete with
cookies, ginger ale, and Christmas music while we
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
wrote out and colored Christmas Cards for the
Holyoke Soldiers Home. Another meeting we had a
guest, Sara Tolpa who showed the group how to
make beautiful Christmas trees with magazines for
a recycled craft! Our next meeting we will be
collecting unwrapped toys for children of
Belchertown who might not have a Christmas. We
will also collect items for the New Belchertown
Animal Control to insure the pets have a nice
holiday too! Last but not least we will be sending
two flocks of chickens via Heifer Project to a third
world country! At Boston Poultry Expo Sabrina
Ogrady had Best Featherleg, and 3rd Best in Show!
Samantha Ogrady had Reserve Featherleg. Claudia
Macaluso had a group win with a partridge
Wyandotte and her sister Chloe had Reserve of
Group with a Quail D'Anvers. Lana Krol won 1st
place Jr. Showmanship, Ryan Shea won Novice
Showmanship, and Allison Kotowski won second
place intermediate showmanship. Thomas Williams
won 1st place Senior Showmanship! Fantastic
Farmers excelled at this show!!
Reeds Bridge Riders 4-H Club
On November 18th, the Reeds Bridge Riders hosted
Jack Millman, Certified Journeyman Farrier, who
taught them about
the horse's hoof,
hoof
care,
and
farriery. Following
his talk, the 4-Hers
presented Jack with
a Franklin County
Horse 4-H T shirt
which he says he
will wear with pride.
We thank Jack for
his
for
his
generosity
and
appreciate all he has
to offer the horses of
the world.
The Reeds Bridge Riders did an excellent job
collecting non-perishable food to donate to the
Hilltown Churches Food Pantry. At our next
meeting. we will weigh the food before we donate
it. Maybe we beat our donation weight of 2015!!
Heirloom Crafters 4-H Club
At the Heirloom Crafters 4-H Club meeting on
November 11th, the children made homemade
cheddar broccoli soup, started latch hook projects
and then made a dinner for their parents of fish,
rice, and salad with a dessert of lactate free ice
cream and fresh berries. They also learned how to
properly set a table. What a day!
Bit of Luck 4-H Club
So far this year, we have participated in the
Pumpkin Festival in Turners Falls and The Hager’s
Pumpkin Smash in Shelburne. We organized a fun
end of the year horse show and collected donations
for the Franklin County Area Dog Shelter as well as
collected donations for the Survival Center in
Turners Falls. We had a Bake sale and earned
money for our club. We took a field trip to the
Equine Affair in Springfield and spent all day
watching seminars and absorbing the whole
experience. We also participated in the Horse
Judging Competition at Green Acres Equestrian in
Belchertown. This has all been done since the
beginning of October. We have been busy!
UMass Extension
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017
Today some hearty Members of the Reeds Bridge
Riders 4-H club met to weigh and donate the food
they collected for the Hilltown Churches Food
Pantry in Ashfield. This year the members collected
a whopping 161 pounds of food!
Mane-I-Acs serving a meal at Fishes and Loaves
food kitchen in Springfield on November 15th.
The Clever Clovers 4-H Club
The Clever Clovers group went apple picking in
Westfield and then used the apples to bake pies that
were donated to the Westfield Food Pantry.
UMass Extension
Welcome, New 4-H Clubs
Welcome to the following new 4-H Clubs:
Quest 4-H Club, led by Elizabeth Booke
Young Pioneers 4-H Club, led by Gail Spring
Clever Clovers 4-H Club, led by Kim Avery
Horns to Hooves 4-H Club, led by Jason Dunham
Heirloom Crafters 4-H Club, led by Bonnie
Brouwer. More will be announced, shortly.
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Western Region 4-H Newsletter – Winter 2017