Volunteers make a real difference in our programs. Whether it's the satisfaction of watching a young person learn a new skill or the confidence they gain along the way, your time helps build the essential ingredients of happy, productive citizens.

There's a role for every kind of volunteer. Some work directly with youth; others don't. Some commit long-term, like leading a club for several years; others help out once or twice a year, such as judging a public speaking contest or assisting at the Youth Fair. Whatever role you choose, the 4-H office provides training, resources, and support to make it rewarding for everyone involved.

All prospective volunteers complete an application. Those working directly with youth also consent to a criminal background screening, at Cooperative Extension's expense, to keep our volunteers and the young people we serve safe.

Volunteer Roles

• Organizational Leader – Establishes and maintains a club structure that supports 4-H activities.
• Project Leader – Shares skills and expertise in a single project area (clothing, dogs, rabbits, horses, bicycling, livestock, woodworking, photography, and more).
• Activity Leader – Helps members plan and carry out specific activities on the club's yearly calendar.
• Resource Leader – Trains and works with club leaders or members short-term in a specialized program area.
• Short-Term Volunteer – Teaches a special interest program or assists with a specific project.
• Teen Volunteer – Serves as a teen leader or teen assistant at the county fair (age requirements may apply).

Looking for a way to get involved in the fair? Here are the ways youth and adults can help:

Youth Building - Cover a shift keeping an eye on exhibits, answering visitor questions, sharing your 4-H experience, keeping the space tidy, and restocking the exploratory zone (supplies provided). Volunteers must be 19 or older unless accompanied by an adult; youth cannot be left alone in the building. A fair pass is provided for your shift. Sign up here.

Exhibit Evaluators - Assess youth projects using a provided rubric and offer constructive feedback, recognizing a year's worth of effort.

Animal Shows - Reliable adults are needed for the horse show (Thursday and Friday mornings) in roles including announcing, gate, show ring steward, timekeeper (Friday only), and equipment check.

Fair Clean-Up Days - Help prepare the grounds.

Sign-ups for 2027 coming soon.

Milk Can Donation - On the free admission day (Tuesday), 4-H families volunteer to staff the milk can donation area at the fair entrance, raising funds for Broome County 4-H. Contact the 4-H office if interested.

To volunteer as an exhibit evaluator, help with an animal show, or assist with clean-up or the milk can donation, contact Mallory at mri26 [at] cornell.edu.