Onondaga County 4-H

09/06/2026

05/27/2026

Onondaga Youth attend the 91st Annual New York State 4-H Capitol Days
Two local youth leaders recently represented Onondaga County at the 91st Annual New York State 4-H Capital Days tour, an immersive civic education event held in the state capital.
Benjamin Butler and Emma Cook joined 51 delegates from 23 counties across the state for the intensive two-and-a-half-day program. Sponsored by the New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators (NYSACCE4-HE), the event connects young people directly with state lawmakers to share their personal 4-H experiences. Ben and Emma had an exceptional opportunity to meet with Assemblyman Al Stirpe and with Assemblywoman Pamela Hunters Legislative Coordinator. Both Mr. Stirpe and Pam Hunter represent Onondaga County in the Assembly.

During the event, Butler and Cook explored public service careers and gained firsthand knowledge of state government operations. The delegates toured the New York State Capitol, visited the Senate and Assembly chambers, and explored the Corning Tower and The Egg.
The program featured specialized learning sessions with officials from multiple state agencies, including:
• NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
• New York State Education Department
• NYSDOH - New York State Health Department
• New York State Supreme Court (Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department)

In addition to educational briefings, the event provided structured social hours and team-building games, allowing the Onondaga County delegates to build a statewide peer network.

Both Ben and Emma agreed it was a very busy, educational, and fun-filled event from which they learned about the government process and made friends from other counties in NYS. The CCE 4-H staff is very proud of Ben and Emma!

04/27/2026

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders: Onondaga 4-H Members Excel at District Finals

Five Onondaga County 4-H members joined 21 youth from across Central New York to demonstrate their public speaking talents, research capabilities, and leadership skills at the annual Region 3 District Presentation Competition. The event, which serves as a pinnacle for the 4-H Public Presentations program was held on April 11, 2026, at Morrisville-Eaton Jr./Sr. High School. Participants, ranging from age from eight to 19, qualified for the district level after successfully advancing from their local county competitions.

Unlike standard speech formats, 4-H presentations allow youth to explore topics they are personally passionate about. This year’s subjects spanned from the geography of Aruba to the complexities of animal science, delivered through demonstrations, illustrated talks, and formal speeches.

All five Onondaga 4-H’ers —Maxine Ferris, Auggie Niederhoff, Amaar Ahangar, Ava Ash, and Odin Randall—earned Blue Awards, the highest possible rating. This collective success highlights the high quality of research and preparation invested by the Onondaga County delegation. Individual honors were also noted: Amaar Ahangar secured the top spot in the Junior division, while Maxine Ferris earned a third-place finish in the Senior division. Their presentations covered diverse topics, including Caribbean islands and historical pandemics.

“I learned how to present in front of an audience without any fear!” Maxine said. “I learned how to project my voice, developed research skills, learned how to judge good quality information, be attentive to questioners, and be able to share what I am so passionate about learning.”

The public presentation program is widely credited by 4-H alumni as a foundational experience in youth development. By standing before an audience and evaluators, participants build the poise, self-confidence, and critical thinking skills required for future collegiate and professional success.

Each presenter was evaluated by a panel of trained volunteer judges against a standard of excellence adapted to their specific age and experience level. Following their presentations, youth received direct, constructive feedback to foster continued growth.

4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization, growing confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow.

To learn more about the 4-H youth development program in Onondaga County or how to get involved, please visit the Onondaga County website (cceonondaga.org) or contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 315-424-9485.

04/10/2026

Onondaga County Youth Shine at 2026 4-H Public Presentation Event
Twenty-two talented local youth recently showcased their communication skills and project expertise at the 2026 Onondaga County 4-H Public Presentations. This annual event serves as a cornerstone of the 4-H "learning by doing" philosophy, providing members with a platform to share knowledge gained through their various 4-H projects.
A public presentation in 4-H is more than just a speech, it is a formal performance designed to build self-confidence, mastery of a subject, and vital public speaking skills. This year's participants, ranging in age from 6 to 15, presented a diverse array of topics they are passionate about, impressing a panel of judges with their preparation and delivery. All the presentations were very impressive. Youth had a unique opportunity to learn through the process of showcasing their hard work and receiving constructive feedback from our judges.
Following the county-level evaluations, five outstanding youth have been recommended to represent Onondaga County at the upcoming District Presentations. These individuals demonstrated exceptional mastery and presentation flair: August Niederhoff, Maxine Ferris, Amaar Bhan Ahangar, Odin Randall, and Ava Ash
The District Presentation event will be held on April 11, 2026, at Morrisville Eaton Jr/Sr High School.
Congratulations to all 22 participants for their hard work and dedication. The Onondaga County community wishes our five representatives the best of luck as they advance to the next level of competition!

04/01/2026

Onondaga County Youth Excel at the 2026 Regonal Dairy and Horse Bowl and Hippology Event
Tyler and Lucas Fitzsimmons for their incredible results at the Regional Dairy Bowl. Working together with friends from Madison and St. Lawrence, their team took home the blue ribbon in the Junior Division! Individual bragging rights: Tyler Fitzsimmons– 2nd Place Overall and to Lucas Fitzsimmons – 8th Place Overall. Out of 22 competitors, these two crushed it! We love seeing our youth build skills, confidence, and community through these events.
Onondaga County 4-H members achieved top honors at the 2026 Horse Bowl and Hippology Contest. Competing in multi-county partnerships, our local youth demonstrated exceptional knowledge and skill.
The Senior team, composed of members from Onondaga, Madison, and Lewis Counties, secured a 1st Place finish. Individually, Ava Morris earned 1st place in the Horse portion and 2nd place in Hippology.
The Junior team, representing Onondaga and Madison Counties, took home 2nd Place. Notable individual rankings include Phoenix Petit McClure (2nd in Horse, 3rd in Hippology), Sybella Hunter (4th in Hippology, 8th in Horse), and Maxine Ferris (7th in Horse).
We love seeing our youth build skills, confidence, and community through these events.
Congratulations to all five Onondaga County participants on these impressive results!