This Saturday workshop is held every May on the Cornell campus (CALS Animal Science, 507 Tower Rd., Frank B. Morrison Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853). Check-in begins at 8:30 am in the main lobby of Frank B. Morrison Hall.

Parking is free on Saturdays in the large lot adjacent to the south end of Morrison Hall (“O” lot) or in the Peterson lot at the corner of Judd Falls and Tower Roads across the street from the Dairy Bar. If participants are in need of handicap parking, please notify the event coordinators when registering prior to the event.

The program is geared to enrolled 4-H youth involved in the beginning stages of their 4-H animal science projects. Youth are strongly encouraged to attend with their parents or chaperones. Suggested age range is 8-12, however, all youth 8 and up are welcome.

• $20 per youth participant.
• No fee for chaperones.

Transportation to and from the event is at the participant’s own expense. Some CCE Associations charge additional fees to cover transportation & chaperone expenses.

Lunch and snacks will not be provided. Participants should bring their own lunch and snacks or visit one of the dining facilities on campus.

Participants should make payment directly to the local county CCE Office, not sent to Cornell University.

Educators:  Payment can be made either by check, credit card or invoice. Each participant must be registered separately, but registration fees can be combined so that only one payment is needed.  You do not need to send separate checks or pay individually via credit card for each individual youth. You may also choose to have us invoice your County Association if you wish.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellations prior to the event deadline will not be charged. Cancellations after the deadline will be billed. Substitutions or same program replacements are allowed, but need to be registered and approved by the event coordinator before arrival. No-shows will be charged in full.

Rabbit/Cavy:

• Workshop 1: What’s my Type? All About Rabbit Body and Fur Types. Join an ARBA Judge to learn about the 5 body types and 4 fur types into which rabbits are classified. Instructor: Kyle Yacobucci, CCE Fulton-Montgomery and Becca Coombe (Fulton-Montgomery 4-H Volunteer). 

• Workshop 2: Cavy Cuisine and Rabbit Nutrition, Too.  Cavies and rabbits make great animal science projects, especially if you have limited space. Learn their nutritional needs so you can keep them healthy, happy, and in their best condition for showing. Instructors: Kristina Gabalski, CCE Orleans, and Barb Kurzowski, Orleans County 4-H Volunteer.

Register Youth Here

Educators:  Each participant must be registered separately, but registration fees can be combined so that only one payment is needed.  You do not need to send separate checks or pay individually via credit card for each youth.  You may also choose to have us invoice your County Association if you wish.

If you have any questions regarding registering youth for Animal Crackers, please contact Barb Jones at bjj6 [at] cornell.edu or Jessica Tyson at jms943 [at] cornell.edu.

General 4-H Policies and Information for Chaperones

Everyone (youth and adults) are expected to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, respect the diversity of conference participants (e.g. race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, cultural background, etc.). Everyone will be expected to uphold the NYS 4-H Code of Conduct. All youth and adults are expected to model appropriate behavior and follow NYS 4-H guidelines. In addition, all Cornell property and Cornell program presenters should be treated respectfully. County participants acting inappropriately will be sent home at their cost/inconvenience.

For Animal Biosecurity, all participants should plan to wear clean clothes and extra shoes that were not worn on the day of the event for home farm chores. Disposable booties will be provided.

Adult chaperones are responsible for behavior and safety of their attendees. Counties are expected to provide chaperones in about a 1 to 6 ratio for youth attending in each species track. Chaperones may be shared with other counties. Every participant must have a designated chaperone. Chaperones may be expected to supervise youth from other counties during program times and in the absence of a 4-H Educator, chaperones may need to make decisions on their Educator’s behalf. Any disturbances or emergencies should be reported to participant’s chaperone first and then county educator and event staff if needed. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are strictly prohibited.

Lead 4-H Educator: Each Association is expected to identify a Lead Educator designated as a main contact for registration purposes, for volunteer supervision, and for crisis and incident management. Lead educators also need to communicate with their attendees to assure they are oriented and aware of other registered county delegates.

For more information on NYS 4-H General & Chaperone Policies, visit the NYS 4-H Policies webpage.

Conference participants will be asked to help us learn about the program’s effectiveness by completing a survey or sharing their reflections. Participation in program evaluation efforts is completely anonymous, voluntary, and there is no impact on program participation if someone decides not to complete a survey.

We are committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please have your 4-H Educator contact Barb Jones at bjj6 [at] cornell.edu before the registration deadline to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

The members of the 2023 Animal Crackers Planning Committee listed below have given their time and expertise to make the Animal Crackers program a success. Thank you to all for your support of this program and of the NYS 4-H Program.

Cornell University

• Linzi Chambers, Extension Aide, CALS Animal Science
• Debbie Grusenmeyer, Dairy Youth Specialist, CALS Animal Science
• Brieanna Hughes, CCE Saratoga/CALS NYS 4-H Equine Specialist
• Barbara Jones, Administrative Assistant, CALS, Animal Science
• tatiana Stanton, Extension Associate, CALS Animal Science
• Jessica Waltemyer, Farm Supervisor, CALS Animal Science

Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators

• Sasha Diederich, CCE Chemung
• Michael Fiorentino, CCE Nassau
• Kristina Gabalski, CCE Orleans
• Holly Harwood, CCE Wyoming
• Robin Houseworth, CCE Seneca
• Erin Humphrey, CCE Cayuga
• Abigail Jantzi, CCE Jefferson
• Courtney Livecchi, CCE Madison
• Abigail Luzier, CCE Cattaraugus
• Elaine Noble, CCE Chemung
• Katharine Perz, CCE Suffolk
• Amy Pyra, CCE Ontario
• Jessica Reisdorf, CCE Genesee
• Maureen Ring, CCE St. Lawrence
• Jessica Tyson, CCE Essex County – Chair
• Kyle Yacobucci, CCE Fulton-Montgomery

Special Thanks

• NYS 4-H Youth Development
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• 4-H Foundation Willman Fund

For more information about the 2023 Animal Crackers Program, contact your local county Cornell Cooperative Extension Office,  Jessica Tyson at jms943 [at] cornell.edu, Animal Cracker Chairperson, or Barb Jones at bjj6 [at] cornell.edu at the NYS 4-H Animal Science Program.