Warren County 4-H

Exploring Molds & Fungus Workshop

Composting with Worms

Time: 5:45pm—6:45pm

Where: CCE Education Center

Who: Open to any youth ages 5-19

Thursday, January 9th—This week we are learning about how worms can be used to compost food waste and building an experiment to test decomposition of food with worms or no worms!

Thursday, January 23rd—This week participants will create their own worm bins to compost food waste at home. We'll learn what to put in them and what worms create from "munching" on food scraps.

Thursday, February 6th—This week we are getting our hands dirty. We are exploring how worms benefit soil for plants to grow!

Thursday, February 20th—This week we are exploring how worms respond to various stimuli such as light! We use smell, taste, sight, sound, and touch to experience the world but what about worms?

It’s never too early to start thinking about what your public presentation topic will be this year!

Every 4-H Member, regardless of age, should take this opportunity to develop the self-confidence, poise, self-esteem and skills necessary to speak in front of a group. Some important skills you learn by giving a public presentation are:

« How to express yourself before others with ease;

« How to organize your thoughts;

« How to research a subject until you are comfortable enough to explain it to others;

« How to accept constructive criticism; and

« How to think ahead.

Remember: In order for any youth to be eligible for a 4-H Scholarship for STAR, Career Exploration, participate in the Warren County Youth Fair Superintendent & Assistant Program, or to attend the New York State Fair, you must complete a Public Presentation within the current 4-H year. Adirondack Guides are required to participate every year.

SAVE THE DATE! Public Presentation Training will be on Thursday, January 30th from 4pm—5pm via Zoom. Please email Roxanne at rmw38@cornell.edu to register and receive a zoom invite.

Presentation Days are scheduled for Thursday, February 20th from 1-4 pm and Saturday, March 8th from 10 am—4 pm. Both will be held at the CCE offices.

Click here for the Public Presentation Presenters Guide:
Public Presentation Presenters Guide

MyPI NY - My Preparedness Initiative - Seeking Youth ages 13-19 years

MyPI New York? What is that you ask? My Preparedness Initiative is a teen based program, open to youth ages 13-19, designed to foster community engagement through awareness of potential hazards: floods, winter storms, fires, terrorism, etc. Teens will learn about different types of response agencies and what they do, how to recognize hazards in their homes or workplaces, and how to prepare for them. Participants will earn certifications from Homeland Security, MyPI, and their CPR/AED training. Graduates will receive a MyPI Teen Community Emergency Response kits: including backpack, bump hat, flashlight, first aid kit, gloves, goggles, vest, and other items.

There are three main components to MyPI. In Component A, teenagers will complete the United States Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training and corresponding modules focusing on Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety and Utility Control, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism and CERT as well as all Hazard-related Annexes. In Component B, the Add-On

Catalog features certification in CPR and AED usage, along with a technology track comprised of awareness programs focusing on HAM radio, NOAA weather radio, smoke alarm maintenance, and smart phone apps and social media in emergency preparedness. The final element of the program, Component C, includes a comprehensive family and community service project entitled “Prep + 6” in which each participant helps develop emergency supply kits and emergency communication plans for their household AND 6 additional households. This component allows for significant enhancement in individual, family, and community preparedness and resilience, not to mention fostering youth leadership skills and characteristics. To graduate from the program, students must complete all components.

The program requires around 30 hours of training starting in January and running through May of 2025. Currently the proposed dates are 2-3 Thursday evenings a month, 6pm-8pm every other week, one full Thursday during the February break, and one full Thursday during the spring break, as well as a March Saturday.

The dates are January 7^th & 23^rd 6-8PM, February 6^th 6-8PM & 20^th 9AM-3:30PM (fire hazards or CPR/AED training), March 6^th & 20^th 6-8PM, April 3^rd 6-8PM & 17^th 9AM - 3:30PM, May 1^st, 15^th, and possibly the 29^th (if needed). Attendance at 90% of programs will be required, especially full days sessions.