Ag Career Day

Rob Guay and Kyle Lussier attended the 2nd Ag Career Day at Miner Agricultural Institute. The idea is to get “youth interested in careers in Ag related careers in Clinton County.” The event brought over 250 area high-school students through a series of stations in which they were engaged in discussions with professionals in agricultural related fields or participated in presentations relating to agriculture. The interactive stations included presentations on careers in forestry, watersheds, soil sampling and pH, vegetable farming, alternative energy and the Ag economy. The event was a great success in which a large number of both students and chaperones/parents interested in agriculture were given the opportunity to explore the various possibilities which are present in the agricultural field. It's a great event which reinforces that you don’t need to shovel manure to work in agriculture… there are other Ag jobs which offer college bound students an opportunity to work in Ag.

The event has grown considerably from the initial session. Plans are to hold it every two years for high-school kids in order to give them two chances to go in their high-school career. Organized by Cornell University Cooperative Extension, 4-H and Miner Institute. Sponsored by a long list of area businesses including YFC.

4-H Foundation of New Hampshire

Ken Nelson, Senior Loan Officer from the White River Junction office, recently represented Yankee at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire. This year the meeting was held October 19, 2010 at Alan’s Restaurant in Boscawen, NH.

The 4-H Foundation helps support the many 4-H programs in New Hampshire which involve over 20,000 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in all aspects of 4-H. Over the past year, the Foundation has provided financial support of more than $100,000 to help fund these programs.

During the meeting thanks and recognition was given to the people who have volunteered their time and talents working with 4-Hers over the years. Special recognition was given to four women who have each worked with the 4-H youth for more than 40 years. Quite an honor for these exceptionally dedicated people.

Several 4-Hers made presentations highlighting projects they have worked on or educational trips they have taken over the past year. Two teens spoke enthusiastically about their participation in a program designed to provide various activities, entertainment, life skills training and many other types of support to New Hampshire children who have a parent or parents in the military. 4-H partners with several other organizations in this program titled Operation: Military Kids (OMK). There are more than 4,000 children in New Hampshire’s military families at the present time. This is one of the many projects that the 4-H Foundation supports.

Yankee Farm Credit supports the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire as an “Achiever” donor.