It’s all about the kids.
With funding for premiums, prizes, and judges for 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the Cobleskill Sunshine Fair no longer in the Cornell Cooperative Extension budget, a new Youth & Agriculture Advisory Committee is stepping up to fill the gap.
Their first project?
An auction featuring kids’ blue ribbon livestock and exhibits from the Fair--along with consigned and donated items from local businesses and supporters set for Saturday, August 13 at 3pm in the Show Barn.
Fair President Doug Cater will be the auctioneer—the Youth & Agriculture Advisory Committee is being run under the auspices of the Fair--and Chair Lois Goblet has set a first-year goal of raising $5,000.
Want to help?
Be there to bid or make a donation or consignment.
Or, if you can’t donate to the auction, they’ll take cash.
Gift certificates too.
All donations will be recognized at the auction; deadline is August 1.
Email Ms. Goblet at Loisgoblet@gmail.com with Youth Ag Auction in the subject line or call or text her at (518) 365-4085 to take part.
In the past, some of the Fair 4-H and FFA budget had been raised through a livestock auction, but volunteers were spread too thin to get it off the ground in time for this year’s August 9-14 Fair, Ms. Goblet said.
That means the lone lamb entered will be rolled into the auction on the 13th.
Also as part of the auction, kids from 4-H, FFA, FBLA, and the Youth Bureau, the Fair’s Department 11, are putting together themed baskets—horse, sheep, cattle, you name it.
Businesses can do the same; again, contact Ms. Goblet to donate.
One of the biggest pieces of the event will be “country crafts”—both items kids may have exhibited at the Fair—photos, arts and crafts, sewing—or donations from the public like hand-knitted sweaters or felted artwork, auctioned off on a 15 percent consignment with the rest going to the Fair ‘s youth shows and exhibits.
“A half-bushel of zucchini. Or blue ribbon coffee cake. Peaches. Preserves. Potatoes. Pumpkins,” Ms. Goblet said.
“Can’t you just hear Doug? ‘And this one won first place’.”
The list doesn’t stop there, though.
Ms. Goblet is also seeking items that tell agriculture’s story in Schoharie County.
She’s already begun reaching to local businesses for things like maple syrup, but she’s also hoping people will participate with things like old Fair programs, toy tractors, farm signs, and photographs.
Bids can be made in person or by phone.
“This could be so much fun,” Ms. Goblet said, “It’s a good way to support our kids and remind everyone of the importance of young people in agriculture.”
Ms. Goblet is looking for a couple more members for the Youth & Agriculture Advisory Committee. Which also includes 4-H Educator Catherine Roberts; SCS ag teacher, FFA advisor, and farmer Taylor Bogardus; John VanDerwerken Jr. from the Schoharie County Farm Bureau, and Elizabeth Goblet from Hessian Hill Farm.