Chautauqua County 4-H, Where Legends are Born

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (December 5, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Program is excited to announce the success of 3 of our very own youth. Charlotte Couchman, Dayne Jantzi, and Larsen Swan all made their presence known at the 4-H Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky in early November.

Congratulations to the NYS 4-H Dairy Judging team for placing 5th overall at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky in November. Larsen Swan, Dairy Project member, was one of the 4 youth on the NYS Dairy judging team. They were second team reasons, 5th overall, high Holstein and high Guernsey team. Larsen was 7th overall individual in the Guernsey breed and 8th overall individual in the Brown Swiss. The team members were Isaac Folts, Allison Gabel, Elise Donlick and Larsen Swan and were coached by Casey Arlig.

Charlotte Couchman, a member of the Chautauqua County Jr. Trail Riders Club and Horse project member, recently attended the Eastern National 4-H Round Up in Louisville, KY, representing New York State as an individual presenter. She competed at the county level in March of this year before moving on to Regionals in April where she tied for first. Charlotte won the Individual Presenter category with an astonishing 290 out of a possible 300 points. Charlotte was one of 200 competitors between all categories: Hippology, Communications, and Horse Bowl.

After 8 long years with Dairy Bowl, Dayne Jantzi, Sherman Kountry Kids club member, reached his goal in Louisville at the highest competition for the dairy bowl. You can only go and compete once, so Dayne knew he had one time chance to finish first. Typically, a team consists of four members, but this trio was solid, earning bonuses for all three team members correctly answering questions. They consistently dominated teams as they marched undefeated into the finals. The NYS team, made up of Western New Yorkers beat Wisconsin earlier in the morning, and in the finals replay in their sixth match of the day. Back in April at the State level Dayne placed third in the Senior Individual contest and is one of four who were eligible to go onto the National Competition.

We couldn’t be any more proud of our 4-H youth and all their success. This is what they strive for all year, every year. If you or your youth are interested or have questions about joining 4-H you can contact our office at 716-664-9502 ext. 212, by email chautauqua4h@cornell.edu. Like us on Facebook or connect with us on our website https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth.

The 4-H Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua).CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals.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 December 5, 2023