By Janet Pfromm
Cornell Cooperative Extension
CHENANGO COUNTY – Any organization knows that volunteers are the key to their success, the heart of the association – this is especially true for Chenango County 4-H. Our volunteers are full of professional and life experiences that they “donate” to the youth of Chenango County.
4-H volunteers are your family, your neighbors, and your colleagues. They are the parents, club leaders, or project leaders who spend evenings and weekends trucking kids around the county and state, volunteering to teach or coach at educational events or competitions, lending a hand at the county fair, opening their farms up to judging practices and, most importantly, they are the people who help 200-plus youth in Chenango County grow and develop into community members we can all be proud of.
I wish I could highlight all of our volunteers, their dedication is second to none, but that would take many more words. Chenango County volunteers are even being honored at the state level for their work. 2009 saw two such volunteers recognized with their own day at the Youth Building at the New York State Fair: Elizabeth “Ippie” Spencer and Rhonda Turrell.
Ippie Spencer of Norwich, her husband, and extended family are known throughout 4-H as the “Chapman Hall Crew.” They spend the week of County Fair running the 4-H dinning hall at the fairgrounds, ensuring that everyone who comes in has a good meal and a good laugh.
Fundraising is also one of Ippie’s specialties as she can be found at 4-H Lawn Sales. Although her granddaughter has aged out of 4-H, Ippie continues to support the program with her tireless work in the 4-H Leader’s Association, raising funds and ensuring that 4-H youth have the opportunity to participate in programs with the help of scholarships.
From North Norwich, Rhonda Turrell and her husband, Richard, are also large components of the 4-H program. They are parents of a 4-Her, Nathan, and end up working twice as hard at 4-H events as they help Nathan prepare his animals and help set up for events. Rhonda possesses a “can-do” attitude and works to make the 4-H horse program a success, especially in the knowledge events area. She always looks for opportunities, lends a helping hand (and a helping laugh), and has a contagious enthusiasm. There is no bigger cheer leader at ringside than Rhonda’s as she supports all youth, no matter what.
Another volunteer who has helped to strengthen the 4-H Program is Marilyn Carley of Norwich, a Cooperative Extension Board Member and clothing and textiles volunteer. Marilyn, along with other Master Clothing and Textile volunteers, continues to teach 4-H youth sewing skills. She is instrumental in the sewing camps that are held along with the 4-H Clothing Revue, a sewing evaluation and improvement program. Marilyn always makes time to work one-on-one with a 4-H’er on a sewing project. Her commitments to 4-H and Cooperative Extension also extend to state-wide efforts on her part to better and further the Cornell Cooperative Extension mission.
Chenango County 4-H is also finding its volunteers through alumni who want to give back to the program. Ask an alum and they will tell you that they had a volunteer or an educator who made an impact on their lives, made 4-H fun and worthwhile, and they want to give that back to those currently in the program.
“Dynamic duo” is what I think of when working with Mason Sutton of New Berlin and Nathan Funk of Norwich. Both are alumni of the program and continue to give back, especially in the dairy goat project area. Mason and Nate give back by volunteering to help at 4-H animal shows, advising the animal science program, teaching clinics, leading knowledge bowl practices and coordinating 4-H friendship meals at the fair, among many, many other things. With Mason and Nate, there is always a smile, a hello and a helping hand.
Another 4-H Alum and Volunteer to be proud of is Greg Evans of Georgetown. He undertook the Chenango County 4-H Dairy Judging team this year with a lot of success to his credit. Greg worked with 10 youth all summer to prepare them for state level competition in Dairy Judging. In the first year of his growing coaching career, Greg has helped one 4-H’er, Kassie Abrams, compete at the World Dairy Expo as a member of the New York State Dairy Judging team. His willingness to give back resulted in a 11th place finish overall (3rd Team) and a judging trip to the United Kingdom for Kassie.
It continues to amaze me how many people in this county share some personal tie with the 4-H program, to hear their stories of the program, reflections of how it has evolved, and their hope that 4-H continues to be a relevant part of the lives of Chenango County youth. These are the reasons that I am driven to continue to do the best I can “To Make the Best Better” in Chenango County. To all of you whom I have had the privilege to work with, thank you! I know of no better group of people to have as friends and “co-workers.” Let’s keep working to make the Chenango County 4-H Program the best it can be.
We are collecting 4-H stories from past and present members and volunteers and would love to hear from you. Just jot down some of your favorite 4-H memories and drop them off at the office. If you are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension, 334-5841.
Cornell Cooperative Extension enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider.