Sparks - Recycling Thursday, October 24, 2024 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, 748 State Route 183 , Williamstown, New York 13493 A ‘Sparks Club’ is a short, two-to-four session club that introduces youth to the 4-H program and the curriculum developed by 4-H educators. After completing this club, youth will be enrolled as 4-H independent members for the 2024-2025 year.Sparks - Recycling is a three session, science 4-H club for Oswego County youth interested in learning more about recycling and ways to be waste free. This Sparks Club will introduce youth to decomposers found outside that naturally break down organic matter and youth will learn how they can too can be a 'decomposer' at home. Participants will also learn what different recycling symbols mean and just how long it takes to break down common household items we recycle. The last session will include reduce, reuse, and recycle activities and crafts.Registration is required as space is limited. An adult must attend the first session on October 11th, if the youth is not currently enrolled in the Oswego County 4-H program. Children 5 to 8 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian attend every meeting with their child in accordance to 4-H insurance regulations. Additional enrollment paperwork needs to be completed and signed at the first meeting. Sparks - Recycling is open to any youth aged 5-18. $15 per youth not already enrolled in Oswego County 4-H Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Recycling_235 ========================================= Sparks - African Safari Friday, October 25, 2024 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Believers Chapel North, 5375 State Rte 3 , Mexico, NY 13114 Oswego County 4-H will be offering a three-session Sparks - African Safari program open to all youth ages 8-18 years old. Participants will learn through hands-on activities about the many kinds of animals on the African continent and the habitats they live in. Session topics will include Herbivores and Carnivores, and Habitats.  The final session will take place at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place in Syracuse, on Saturday, November 2nd (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.).A parent or legal guardian must attend the first session on Friday, October 18th to complete and sign additional enrollment paperwork. $15 per youth not already enrolled in Oswego County 4-H + $8 for Zoo Field Trip Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/AfricanSafari24-1_235 ========================================= Sparks - African Safari Saturday, November 2, 2024 10:30 am - 11:30 am Believers Chapel North, 5375 State Rte 3 , Mexico, NY 13114 Oswego County 4-H will be offering a three-session Sparks - African Safari program open to all youth ages 8-18 years old. Participants will learn through hands-on activities about the many kinds of animals on the African continent and the habitats they live in. Session topics will include Herbivores and Carnivores, and Habitats.  The final session will take place at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place in Syracuse, on Saturday, November 2nd (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.).A parent or legal guardian must attend the first session on Friday, October 18th to complete and sign additional enrollment paperwork. $15 per youth not already enrolled in Oswego County 4-H + $8 for Zoo Field Trip Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/AfricanSafari24-1_235 ========================================= Field Drainage Tile Workshop Thursday, November 7, 2024 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CiTi BOCES, 179 County Route 64 , Mexico, NY 13114 In partnership with Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County will be hosting a field drainage tile workshop, at CiTi BOCES located at 179 County Route 64, Mexico. Guest speakers will be Dr. Joseph Amsili, Extension Associate for Cornell University and Program Coordinator for the New York Soil Health Initiative, and Erica Schreiner, Senior District Technician for the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District. Amsili will discuss the ongoing challenges agricultural producers face as the amount of annual precipitation and frequency of extreme rainfall events increase, and how this impacts farm operations and soil health. Schreiner will discuss some of the technical assistance the agency provides local farmers looking to install field drainage tiles. Schreiner will also discuss the costs and benefits of installing field drainage tiles yourself versus hiring a professional contractor.The NYS Climate Impacts Assessment states that total annual precipitation in NYS has increased by 10% to 20% since 1901. Future projections also suggest that annual precipitation will likely increase by approximately 2–12% by the 2050s, and 6–17% by the 2080s, relative to a 1981–2010 baseline. Agricultural producers also face increases is the frequency of extreme precipitation events. This refers to the amount of rain (or snow) that falls during a short period of time, such as a single day or hour. According to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, trends in extreme precipitation have increased across the Northeast since the 1950’s. From 1958 to 2022 the number of days with 2+ inches of precipitation have increased 49%, days with 3+ inches have increased 62%, and days with 4+ inches have increased 84%.Increases in annual precipitation and extreme rainfall events suggest that excessive moisture will become more challenging over time. Farmers should take these trends into consideration when planning for the future. More rain makes it difficult to work in fields as it often delays spring planting. Operating equipment on overly saturated soils also causes soil compaction, leading to poor soil hydrology and the inability for crops to establish healthy root systems. Too much rain also creates greater risk for water pooling at the surface causing erosion and soil loss. In some instances, it can even delay harvest. For example, some hay producers are unable to cut and bale parts of their fields due to excessive water in the summer. How agricultural landowners can address some of these challenges is by improving field drainage. This includes installing field drainage tiles and digging drainage ditches. Farms will also need to invest in practices that improve soil health. There will be plenty of time for questions between and after the presentations. Snacks and drinks will be provided by the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance. Free, but registration is required. Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/fielddrainagetiles_235 ========================================= Discovering Animal Tracks Saturday, November 9, 2024 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, 748 State Route 183 , Williamstown, New York 13493 With fall weather quickly approaching, there is a variety of sights, sounds, and colors to be observed out in nature. Animals are beginning to hunker down for winter, leaving behind many different signs. Join our environmental educator for a program and guided hike, Discovering Animal Tracks along the way. Investigate the woods to discover how animal tracks and traces reveal varying habits, physical characteristics, and interactions about wildlife. Following an indoor presentation, the group will go outside and search throughout the nature preserve for animal signs to determine which animal was in the area. While there is no guarantee of snow, tracks can be discovered in many places and in many ways, such as tracks in the mud, or rubbings from deer antlers. The program will still take place if it is raining or snowing, so please dress appropriately for the weather. $4 per person, or $12 for a family, children under 3 are free Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Tracks2024_235 ========================================= Sew Your Own Feed Sack Grocery Bag Sunday, November 17, 2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, 748 State Route 183 , Williamstown, New York 13493 The Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center is celebrating America Recycles Day! The 4-H educators will host a hands-on program reusing empty, cleaned-out animal feed bags to be sewn and turned into a reusable grocery or tote bag. This program is intended for intermediate sewers of all ages; individuals should be able to sew straight lines. Participants can either bring their own feed bag that has been washed with dish detergent to remove the oils or use one of 4-H’s for an additional fee.Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email with additional information. Registration is required as space is limited.  $10 if bringing your own sewing machine, notions, and feed bag OR $15 if using a 4-H machine, notions, and feed bag Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/GroceryBags_235 =========================================