FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OPEN ENROLLMENT!

UPCOMING AND CURRENT PROGRAMS

• January 4-H Challenge
• Horse Project Meetings
• Cloverbud STEM Day
• Green Minds Bright Futures Winter Hike
• Fun Night
• Cloverbud Craft Day
• Great Backyard Bird Count

• Cloverbud Barnyard Buddies
• Tractor Safety Program
• Hour of Code
• Livestock Learning Night
• Agriculture Career Development Program
• Walking Challenge
• 4-H Puppetry Program
• Save the Date: March Dog Madness
• Save the Date: Public Presentations
• Save the Date: 4-H Calf & Livestock Sale

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A Note from the Executive Director - Looking Ahead to 2026

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As 2025 draws to a close, I’m grateful to share a few exciting updates as we look toward 2026.

• Secured funding: We have secured $2 million in infrastructure funding for the Education Center & 4‑H Park in Otisville. This investment will greatly expand our capacity to safely host events and programs for our community.

• New summer program: This coming summer we will launch 4‑H Camp Clover — a day camp for youth ages 6–14. Camp Clover will run four themed weeks at the Education Center & 4‑H Park and offer in‑depth 4‑H experiences that foster learning, leadership, and fun. Please check our website for schedule, registration, and updates.

• Leadership change: I will be retiring as Executive Director on March 31, 2026. Serving in this role has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. It has been an honor to be part of the Land‑Grant University and Cooperative Extension System, and I am profoundly grateful for your support, guidance, and commitment to our work.

A search for the next Executive Director is underway. You can find the full position description and application details on our website — please share the announcement with anyone in your network who might be interested. The position is meaningful work for someone who loves this mission. CLICK HERE to get more information!

Thank you for everything you do to support our community. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a happy new year.

With gratitude,

Lucy Joyce

OPEN ENROLLMENT!

Orange County 4-H enrollment/re-enrollment is NOW OPEN!

Interested in joining 4-H? Now is the time to enroll your youth! Youth must be age 5 as of January 1, 2025.

Please note that you MUST re-enroll every year!

NEW FOR 2025-2026: You MUST re-enroll by April 30th to be eligible for monetary premiums for Fair entries (including animal entries). If you re-enroll after that, you can still participate in the Fair.

For more information on how to enroll, please feel free to contact Carol at 845-344-1234, Ext. 243 or cm798@cornell.edu.

JANUARY 4-H CHALLENGE

4-H Healthy Fit Challenge

The 4-H Healthy Fit Challenge is all about building healthy habits in a fun and flexible way! Youth are encouraged to try new activities that support movement, nutrition, mindfulness, and overall wellness throughout the month of January.

👉 You do NOT have to complete every day.

Pick the challenges that interest you, work at your own pace, and do what fits best into your schedule. Every small step counts!

This challenge is about exploring healthy choices, feeling good, and having fun together as a 4-H community—not perfection. Try one day, a few days, or many days… and remember: To Make the Best Better!

Take a picture and share your healthy habits to be eligible for a prize for this month's challenge. Must complete at least 3.

HORSE PROJECT MEETINGS

CLOVERBUD STEM DAY

GREEN MINDS BRIGHT FUTURES

WINTER HIKE

FUN NIGHT

CLOVERBUD CRAFT DAY

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

CLOVERBUD BARNYARD BUDDIES

TRACTOR SAFETY PROGRAM

HOUR OF CODE

LIVESTOCK LEARNING NIGHT

AGRICULTURE CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

WALKING CHALLENGE

A 4-H Walking Challenge helps youth build healthy habits, stay active, and reduce stress while spending time outdoors. It teaches goal setting, perseverance, and time management, while also encouraging family and peer support—important life skills that last well beyond the challenge.

4-H PUPPETRY PROGRAM

Join us for a hands-on, imagination-fueled journey into the world of puppetry!

Over the course of six sessions, youth participants will learn the art of puppet design and performance, culminating in the creation of their very own hand-and-rod foam puppet.

This workshop series will explore basic puppet construction, character development, and performance skills. The final session will feature a short showcase where participants bring their creations to life in front of an audience!

REGISTER HERE!!!

Dates and Times: 

January 14th, 21st, 28th

February 4th, 11th, 18th 

All meetings at 232 Plaza Road, Kingston NY 12401 on Wednesdays, 4:30pm-6:00pm.

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH DOG MADNESS

SAVE THE DATE: PUBIC PRESENTATIONS

SAVE THE DATE: 4-H CALF & LIFESTOCK SALE

Thank You to our

2025 Annual Sponsors!

Partners

Mid-Hudson Valley

Federal Credit Union

Lucy Joyce & Chris Lewis

WALL Radio

WDLC Country

Walden Savings Bank

Collaborators

Jeff Bank

Chris & Pat Reineke

Tom & Julia Davis

Eagle Auto Body

Noel Spencer - Spencer Financial

Otisville Hardware

Margaret Coughlin

Tom Manza

Jennifer Caci

Scotchtown Chiropractic

Dairy Farmers of America

LaBella Associates

Celtic Valley Carriage

Fred & Patti Kirby

Stan & Carol Spencer

Catskill Veterinary Services