CCE-Franklin 4-H Offers Unique Dairy Calf Scholarship

By Connie Gerow, 4-H Program Assistant

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Youth Development program is pleased to announce a unique opportunity for a youth between the ages of 12 and 15 to own their first registered dairy calf. For many youth, this would be a dream that has come true.

The purpose of the CCE 4-H Youth Development Calf Scholarship Award program is to select a youth who is worthy of the award – a Registered Calf which has been donated by a local registered breeder who identifies with the same goals to encourage an eligible youth to have the opportunity to develop a calf to her fullest potential; the opportunity to show a calf at a local venue; and to have the ability to develop a potential brood cow that may become a foundation cow for his or her future herd. In addition, in the spirit of maintaining the CCE 4-H Youth Development Scholarship, the awarded youth must return to the program the first born heifer calf utilizing gender specific semen to ensure that future youth will have the same opportunity.

Naturally, with any type of scholarship program, the youth MUST complete an application form which is available from the local Franklin CCE Office and on the website link http://franklin.cce.cornell.edu/. All applications are due in the Franklin County CCE office by April 15th, 2016. Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Unsigned applications will NOT be accepted. Awarding of the donated registered calf will take place in the spring of 2016 of which the date will be announced.

In addition to the age qualifications, the youth must agree to the stated guidelines of the application. Such guidelines include having available housing facilities to raise a calf and a housing facility must have a milking facility. The calf must be housed in Franklin County. Eligible youth must become a member of 4-H and/or FFA and become a member of the youth breed association for the breed of the registered calf. The youth must agree to periodic farm visits after 6 months and until the animal is two years of age. Should a problem arise in the raising of this calf, the Franklin County 4-H program reserves the right to make the appropriate decisions regarding the scholarship calf. The eligible youth must participate in the annual Franklin County 4-H Dairy Camp and must exhibit and show the calf at the local Franklin County Fair. Applicant is responsible to find out in advance, the requirements for entering local 4-H Dairy Camp and Fair including entry deadlines and shot requirements for each event. Your county 4-H Educator or FFA advisor may assist you. Finally, in the event that a future youth is not selected and/or more than one calf is available for future awarding the said extra available calf will be sold in an approved breed organized sale. The dollars received from the sale of the calf will be returned to the Franklin County CCE 4-H Youth Dairy Fund.

For more information, one may contact the Franklin County CCE 4-H program Steve McDonald or Diane Dumont at 518.483.7403.