Horse-Crazy Kid to Youth Ambassador: Spotlight on Sarah Wilhelm, Ontario County 4-H Resource Educator

BY SUZIE WELLS

Sarah Wilhelm has been the 4-H Resource Educator in Ontario County since June 2019, but she began her 4-H journey at age 14. She says, “I was just a horse-crazy kid who wanted to show at the State Fair.” To do so, Sarah’s parents signed her up for 4-H, knowing nothing more about 4-H other than horse showing. Once in the program, Sarah learned all of the other aspects and opportunities that were involved.

“4-H was a time of growth and exploration in my young life,” she says. Her favorite program became public presentations, inspiring her to study Marketing in her undergraduate program. Each summer home from college, she volunteered with the 4-H program and was summer assistant for the fair. By junior year of college, she knew a career in 4-H lay ahead. Two weeks a er graduation, she started her Master’s program in Agricultural and Extension Education with the University of Arkansas.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) o ces are in each NY county. CCE provides essential local services in agriculture, small business vitality, horticulture, nutrition, water quality, parenting skills, and youth development. 4-H is the youth development “wing” of

Sarah loves watching youth growupintoamazingyoung people. She says, “I love watching youth discover their passions, grow in their con dence and abilities, and eventually when they are older, become leaders in the program.”

Sarah also loves the amazing adults she works with in local organizations such as the Ontario County Fairboard, Farm Bureau, and the county legislature, as well as all of the incredible volunteers. She says, “So many amazingly talented people have such a heart for the young people of this county. Working with them always inspires me. ey are truly the backbone of our program and without them, 4-H could not survive.”

4-H is a “best kept secret,” she says. Sarah says they always need help getting more youth and volunteers involved. “We need volunteers to start clubs so we can reach more youth, and then we need youth to learn about the program so they can bene t from all it has to o er.”

Youth in the community need positive role models and life skills, both of which 4-H excels at o ering. In the next program year, Sarah says 4-H plans to host “Step Into” events to expose current 4-Hers to di erent project areas and give newcomers a taste of what 4-H o ers. Events include “Step Into Cooking,” “Step Into Sewing,” “Step Into Woodworking,” etc.

Sarah says, “4-H has something for everyone. Whether you are an urban youth looking to do non-animal projects, a farm kid wanting to show at the county fair, a passionate adult wanting to start a club, or a busy adult wanting to contribute to the local community by teaching a one-time workshop or judging a 4-H event, we want YOU involved! 4-H is truly a ‘build your own adventure’ program that can work for anyone no matter how much time you have to spend.” the county, various volunteer-led clubs either focus on speci c project areas or are more general interest groups. Sarah supports the volunteers as they run those clubs, and she also develops county-wide workshops, contests, and activities for all clubs to enjoy. She also connects youth with district, state, and national trips and events.

Follow Ontario County 4-H on Facebook to stay updated on events, projects, and the amazing 4-H’ers in the county.

Another educator and support sta run 4-H Camp Bristol Hills for seven weeks in the summer. CCE sta provide Ag in the Classroom programming, such as setting up incubators in classrooms to hatch chicks. ere is also a 4-H a er-school program in Geneva, making 4-H more accessible to youth who might not otherwise participate.

When Sarah is not working with 4-H, she enjoys riding her Appaloosa mare, Amy, traveling to new places, especially national parks, and hiking in the Naples area year-round. She loves the Ontario County Fair as well as attending the summertime Moonlight Stroll concert series at Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens with her husband, Zach.

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