Cornell Cooperative Extension

Seneca County
animal crackers 2025 save the date

Save the date! Animal Crackers 2025

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Save the Date! Animal Crackers 2025

  • Saturday, May 3, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration required. Deadline to register is TBD

Register online: TBD

(If you are unable to access the internet, please call CCE Seneca at 315-539-9251)

This year’s program will highlight the following species: 

Dairy, Goats, Rabbits and Poultry.

4-H youth 9-12 years old or those with beginner to intermediate knowledge of the covered species are invited to participate.

Interesting, educational, hands-on activities are planned to make Animal Crackers a memorable learning event. Participants will have the opportunity to learn while having fun with 4-H’ers from across NYS as they participate in a variety of interactive activities.

Participants must bring their own lunch and drinks.

Chaperones - Please review the chaperone information sheet on the Animal Crackers website: view online soon

2025 Animal Crackers Topics 

(view online soon)

Equine Donkeys are Different! Donkeys and mules are just a few of the equines that you can also “lease” and show in the NYS 4-H program, even if you already own and show another equine.Learn about physical features and behaviors that make donkeys unique in the Equidae family. Why do they bray? Are they naturally stubborn? What uses do donkeys serve around the world? Learn more about these fascinating and fun creatures from a Cornell donkey expert.
Hammers and Clinchers: Farrier Tools 101 What do these tools have in common? They help keep horse hooves in good shape. Trimming and balancing of horses’ hooves and placing shoes on their hooves is the job of an experienced professional. Learn how to identify some common and unusual tools to help maintain a healthy horse.
Bovine Holey Cow! Cows are ruminant animals. That means they have special digestive systems that help them break down high fiber feeds. Learn more about what cows eat and how their gut works by feeling a rumen in motion as you stick your arm into a fistulated cow. Ruminate that!
Cattle Genes These are not the jeans you wear. Learn more about cattle breed traits and why some are well suited for different climates and purposes. Whether raised for meat, milk or both purposes, you will learn how to identify different breeds.

Goat You’ve “Goat” to be Kidding This is your chance to maneuver a kid through the pelvic cage for a safe delivery, learn how to treat a weak newborn kid and get ready for kidding!
Have Goat, Will Travel Learn to monitor your goat’s body condition and health to make sure they are ready for the challenges in their life, be it milking, growing or hiking. We’ll learn to put a pack on a goat and go through the basics of teaching your goat to lead well and to confidently approach new obstacles they encounter on the trail.

Dog Puppy Care Join some Cornell students who volunteer to raise puppies to become socialized citizens before they graduate to formal training with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Organization. Learn what it takes to be a puppy parent and how skills may lead to other career paths.
Noses Know! Did you know dog noses have super powers? Learn about training dogs for scent work from some expert dog handlers. This activity involves helping dogs learn how to detect specific materials, like food-safe spices found in your kitchen. Scent detection skills are the foundation of many canine careers in law enforcement, food safety inspection and even human health.

2025 Animal Crackers Schedule

(view online soon)

*Each workshop is 25 minutes long with a 10-minute break between workshops*

Time Description Location
8:30–9:30 AM Registration Morrison Hall Lobby
9:30–9:50 AM Welcome 146 Morrison Hall
10:00AM – 12:10PM Morning Workshops Various Animal Science Locations
12:10 – 1:00 PM Lunchtime – Break for lunch and participate in some fun lunch time activities! Bring Your Own Lunch! Livestock Pavilion
1:10 – 3:20 PM Afternoon Workshops Various Animal Science Locations
3:30 – 4:00 PM Closing 146 Morrison Hall


Information can also be found here: 

view online soon

Fee

Fee $15 per youth. Adult chaperones are free.

Contact

Rachel Williams
4-H Youth Development Issue Leader
rrw33@cornell.edu
315-539-9251

Location

Cornell campus (Morrison Hall)
507 Tower Rd
Ithaca, NY 14853

Last updated February 6, 2025

 

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