Ready, Set, Show!

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (July 20, 2025) On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H program evaluated over 1,500 4-H Foods, Creative Crafts, Conservation, 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 that were displayed in the 4-H Building during the 2025 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 30 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 photograph may be judged by a professional photographer. Each judge spends a few minutes with each youth determining the youth’s age, experience level, and providing encouragement and constructive criticism.

This year, 57 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 at The Great New York State Fair, during the entire fair dates August 20 – September 1, 2025.

STATE FAIR SELECTIONS:

Fine Arts and Wearable Arts: Elizabeth Jones, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Beach Glass Hippo; Hannah Phelps, Summerdale Sunset Riders – Woodburning; Levi Overend, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Stenciled Bird House; Kierdan Nickerson -Woodburning; Madalyn Reading, Lone Member – Tie Dye T-shirt; Addie Meyers, Country Critters – Canvas Painting; Lukas Liskow, Balloon Painting; Laine Carpenter, Frewsburg Hayseeds- Tole Painting; Madalyn Reading, Lone Member – Sunset Painting; Addison Damcott, Sherman Kountry Kids-Tie Dye T-shirt; Rowen Liskow, Country Critters- Indian War Bonnet; Jessica Wilson, Summerdale Sunset Riders - Woodburning Hat; Rowen Liskow, Country Critters – Deer Penny Silhouette.

Creative Crafts and Leathercraft: Madalyn Reading, Lone Member - Dry Flowers in Tin; j Meyer, Lone Member – Quilling; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway- Leather Belt Buckle; Emelia Catanese, Centrailia Corner Kids – Beach Display; Madalyn Reading, Lone Member – String Art; Jessica Wilson, Summerdale Sunset Riders – Pinecone Art; Claudia Almekinder, Harmony Haystackers – Beach Class Art; Dayne Jantzi, Sherman Kountry Kids – Tie Blanket.

Clothing and Sewing: Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers – Quilt; Grace Meyer, Lone Member – Quilt; Isabella Jones, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Table Runner; Elizabeth Jones, Frewsburg Hayseeds - Table Runner; Gianna Valone, Country Critters – Quilt; Rowen Liskow, Country Critters – Quilt; Claudia Almekinder, Harmony Haystackers – Sundress; Everett LeBarron, Canadaway – Goat Pack.

Communication and Expressive Arts: Kristin Heath, Stockton Panthers – Poster; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway- Beef Project Book, Hog Project Book and 4-H Record Book; Connor Isaacson, Lone Member – Dog Project Book.

Conservation, Recycling and STEM: Braelynn Mistretta, Levant Livewires – Concrete Flower Pot; Tyler Crowell, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Bird Feeder; Laine Carpenter, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Shelf; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway – Grapevine Wreath; Laine Carpenter, Frewsburg Hayseeds – shelf; Gabrielle Damon, Frewsburg – Shelf; Lily Stranahan, Fredonia Star Riders – Wood Tree; Tucker Bruyer, Levant Livewires – Step Stool; Garret Lesch, Canadaway – French Table.

Health, Needlework and Home Environment: Anastazia Morris, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Cross Stitch Towel; Logan Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers – Button Picture; Hunter Bova, Centrailia Corner Kids – Diamond Art; Abigail Carlberg, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Crochet Turtle; Isabella Jones, Frewsburg Hayseeds – Cross Stitch Cardinal; Lukas Liskow, Country Critters- Mesh Wreath.

Ceramics: Blake Case, Silver Creek Grapestompers – Ceramics Plaque; Braelynn Mistretta, Levant Livewires – Ceramic Red Panda; Brayden McIntyre, Levant Livewires- Ceramic Deer Plaque; Rowen Liskow, Country Critters – Christmas Tree; Landon Ellsworth, Harmony Haystackers – Mallard Duck.

SPECIAL JUDGES AWARDS: Grace Meyer, Lone Member – Quilt; Garrett Lesch, Canadaway- French Table, Horticulture Award: Lilyanna Colon - Flower grown from seed – Begonia.

Photo Caption: 4-H Projects including the Quilt selected for the Special Judges Award, made by Grace Meyer.

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. 

Last updated July 20, 2025