COPAKE, N.Y. — Current 4-H members and alumni descended on Hill-over Holsteins in Copake Saturday, May 6, to wish the best to a long-time 4-H leader and dairy project mentor, Fred Barringer, as he dispersed his herd of award-winning Holstein cattle.
Fred was lauded by colleague-in-farming, Paul Chittenden, as a great supporter of the 4-H dairy program and the Columbia County Fair. Just as Fred started his dairy farm in the early 1980’s he also offered to support 4-H members who did not own dairy cattle by allowing them to “borrow” his. They visited his farm weekly, if not daily, to take care of those calves and heifers, and learn all they could from him. He also started the Country Cousins 4-H Club, which he led for 20 years and which is now led by one of his past 4-H members.
As the photo was taken with the 4-H members, Fred shared with everyone that he always got more out of working with those kids than they did! He also said that he will certainly be at the Columbia County Fair, watching his grandchildren in the show ring. And, who knows, don’t count him out as time will tell if he will make it back in the showring himself!
—Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties
For more articles out of New York, click here.