4-H Projects judged for 2023 County Fair display with several selected for the NYS Fair

Dunkirk, NEW YORK (July 18, 2023) – Volunteer evaluators working with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County's 4-H program evaluated nearly 800 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 2023 Chautauqua County Fair.

4-H youth are ages 8-19 years with varying experience levels. Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-7) are not "judged" and all Cloverbud projects are awarded a Cloverbud Ribbon. Over 20 judges spent one-on-one time with 4-H participants evaluating their projects. Judges evaluate using the Danish system. The Danish system 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, 46 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.

You can get a first-hand look at the exceptional projects created by Chautauqua County 4-H'ers by attending the 2023 Chautauqua County Fair, July 17-23 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, Macrame Chair; Lilly Stranahan, Fredonia Star Riders, Copper Tooling; Clara Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Wooden Painting; Ian Lindell, Levant Livewires, Glass Etching; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers, Paracord Bracelet Set; Kendall Eckman, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Needle Felting; Owen Eckman, Frewsburg Hayseeds, String Art Tractor; Kristen Nickerson, Harmony Haystackers, Painting; Lexus Eschenbach, Chalk Fish; Madalyn Reading, Sherman Kountry Kids, Painting; Matthew Brown, Canadaway, 3D Unique Object; Alex Southworth, Lone Member, Woodworking - Cat Puzzle; Madalyn Reading, Sherman Kountry Kids, Recycling/Upcycling Jar Rings; Mackenzy Graziano, Country Critters, Recycling Glass; Alex Southworth, Lone Member, Upcycling – Flower Pots; Adam Lesch, Canadaway, Woodworking – Basket; Matthew Brown, Canadaway, Fleece Blanket; Braelyn Mistretta, Levant Livewires, Tie Dye Shirt; Kristen Nickerson, Harmony Haystackers, Tie Dye Shirt; Ida Jones, Sherman Kountry Kids, Tie Dye Shirt; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers, Tie Dye Shirt; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Fleece Blanket; Abigail Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds, Ceramic Snail; Cody George, Stockton Panthers, Ceramic Jesus; Logan Ellsworth, Ceramic Basket with Flowers; Madelyn Oakes, Fredonia Star Riders, Ceramic Horse; Gavin LeBarron, Lone Member, Ceramic Duck; Harrison LeBarron, Lone Member, Ceramic Frog; Lexus Eschenbach, Ceramic Mushroom; Ian Lindell, Levant Livewires, Tin Punch; Adam Lesch, Canadaway, Tin Punch; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Tin Punch; Lily Stranahan, Fredonia Star Riders, Leather Punch; Sienna Galofaro, Fredonia Star Riders, Leather Punch; Adam Lesch, Canadaway, Record Notebook; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Record Notebook; Madalyn Reading, Sherman Kountry Kids, Record Notebook; Connor Isaacson, Lone Member, Project Notebook; Madalyn Reading, Sherman Kountry Kids, Single Unedited Color Image; Matthew Brown, Canadaway, Single Unedited Color Image; Connor Isaacson, Lone Member, Single Unedited Color Image; Ava Meyer, Stockton Panthers, Quilt; Grace Meyer, Stockton Panthers, Quilt; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Jacket; Mackenzy Graziano, Country Critters, Jumpsuit.

Special Judges Award:

Club Project, Sherman Kountry Kids, Benches; Mackenzy Graziano, Country Critters, Sewing; Garrett Lesch – Canadaway – Sewing; Matthew Brown, Canadaway, Recycling; Luisa Smith, Lone Member, Foods; Madalyn Reading, Sherman Kountry Kids, Horticulture; Luisa Smith, Lone Member, Horticulture.

Honorable Mention:

Ava Meyer, Stockton Panthers, Colored Wood Burning; Jasper Eschenbach, Sherman Kountry Kids, Watercolor; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Woodworking Shelf; Matthew Brown, Canadaway, First Aid Box; Ali Nearhoof, Fredonia Star Riders, Ceramic Angel; Jaidyn Newhouse, Harmony Haystackers, Record Notebook; Kingston Overbeck, Harmony Haystackers, Record Notebook; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers, Presentation Board; Madalyn Reading Sherman Kountry Kids, Presentation Board; Lexus Eschenbach, Sherman Kountry Kids, Presentation Board; Matthew Brown, Canadaway, Foods; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway, Foods.

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 www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated July 18, 2023