STATE FAIR: PiNY & Fashion Review Updates

PiNY Meeting Followup

I am following up regarding the discussion that was held on 5/24 regarding the PiNY competition at the New York State Fair. I, unfortunately, forgot to hit the record button on our discussion but have included the notes from the meeting below. We are looking to gather more information from all counties that have an interest in participating in the event and who may have youth interested in this program at the State Fair Level. Please take a moment to fill out the google form to help us inform our decisions and forward motion. Please feel free to share this email with staff that may have not received this information directly.

Google Form

Meeting Notes

The meeting was held via zoom and began at 1:30 pm.

Autumn Started the meeting and explained the purpose of the meeting and what we needed to gain from the discussion. The challenge at this time is that the former coordinator (Brenda Carpenter) has retired and we are in need of a new coordinator(s) if the program is to continue and we need to determine if there is enough interest and desire to hold this event in 2022.

Discussion points

• What is PiNY and why is it important

• Location of the competition in the building (Stage vs Kitchen area)

• Brief discussion of the pros and cons of each of these options was presented

• Discussion of whom may be able to assist in the planning and on site support of the program if it were to be held

• Seneca County and Wyoming Counties expressed that they feel they have youth who are interested and looking forward to a competition or event at the State Fair in some format

• Autumn Presented the idea that if there were not enough youth for a “full on” event that perhaps an exhibition of the program could be held giving youth the opportunity to present and participate at the state fair.

• The pros and cons of taking a year off were discussed and based on the feeling that youth are/may be looking forward to participating it was decided that more information needs to be collected before a final decision is made as to what this will look like in 2022, BUT that it is important to offer a PiNY related activity.

• It was suggested and discussed that perhaps there is a volunteer or 2 that may be interested in assisting with the coordination and implementation of the competition in at least 2022 and perhaps the future

Action Items

• Autumn will create a survey to determine how many youth and counties are interested in participating in 2022 (https://forms.gle/CGtYrpAGLLVBfKHSA)

• The survey will also investigate and ask what the best date(s) may be to hold the event.

• The Number of youth will determine how many days the PiNY opportunity will be offered

• Educators will check with any key volunteers they feel may be interested to garner more information about availability and interest in assisting/coordinating

• The Survey will be sent to the SF contact list and can be shared with any key staff that may need to provide feedback

• The Survey will remain open for one week (5/25 – 6/1) to collect data and the resulting information will be shared with the core group at the end of next week (6/3) so that key decisions can be considered and made.

Fashion Review Meeting Followup

A group of Educators gathered today (5/25) to discuss the NYS 4-H Fashion Review opportunity at the NYS Fair. It was decided, in much the same way, that Fashion Review should continue to be offered at the NYS Fair. We need your help though to make an informed decision about how this will look this year. Please take the time to fill out the survey so that a date can be decided upon and planning for this opportunity can begin. It truly takes a village and I want to be sure and have enough time for this opportunity to be well planned.

Survey Link

Please take note that the group has asked that this survey be left open until next Wednesday (6/1) so that a decision can be made quickly. We are also asking folks to tell us how this opportunity might be more creative about what is included in Fashion Review.

As always I am happy to answer any questions that you may have and I appreciate everyone’s patience as we move to bring our programs/events back to the NYS Fair.

- Autumn Lavine, NYS Fair 4-H Coordinator