Robeson County 4-H

It might be before Thanksgiving but we have found anytime of the year is a good time to spread 4-H cheer. More than 50 members and volunteers did just that at the annual Lumberton Christmas Parad e this year. Our 4-H members could be seen on a variety of the more than 100 entries in this year's parade. Some rode on church floats, others with school groups, two special 4-H members even represented 4-H on the United Way of Robeson County's first ever float. Dakota Strickland with Horsin' Around 4-H Club and Korina Pittman of Titans 4-H club represented the more than 6,000 youth that 4-H worked with thanks to the financial support of the United Way of Robeson County. Both donned Live United t-shirts and waved to crowds who gave them both supportive shout outs. Libby Burney of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club headed up the Christmas Parade committee this year and provided a trailer that was festively decorated and included a white Christmas tree with green garland and four lea...

It is amazing how the educational songs we learned in Kindergarten stay with you. In this case it is our ABC's and the Happy Birthday song. Both can help our youth become official germ busters and keep them healthy in school rather than sick and out of school. I can tell you are singing your ABC's trying to remember how that might work. Well the message is not in the lyrics to the song rather the timing of it. The 4-H and EFNEP (Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program) staffs descended upon Rowland Norment School to help battle germs. Yes, those microscopic things that are rampant no matter where you are. However, in a school where little ones like to touch everything and everyone it makes the germ travel faster and easier than other settings. The four staff members went class to class to conduct glo-germ, a science experiment in which the students got to see the germs on their hands illuminated. Then the youth had the opportunity to go to the bathroom and wash their han...

The students in the Community in Schools (CIS) Red Springs after school program answered that question Wednesday. They found humans and plants share many of the same answers. Plants need sunlight, food, water, and air to survive. Humans need all of the same things, but we happen to get them in different forms. The youth did a recycling plant science project that tests the theory of all the things we need. Using knee high stockings, a little soil, and grass seed they made their own healthy project, a grass head. The project allows youth to not only learn about what it takes to grow, but recycle knee high stockings and express their own creativity. This is part of a series of projects that we are doing with Red Springs middle after school students to teach them about Healthy living.

"Thank you, this is a blessing for so many." That was Helen Rogers's words as Sandy Locklear, a volunteer with her organization, and two Extension Staff members carried in box after box filled with the more than 300 pounds of canned goods and nonperishables that our 4-H members, parents, and volunteers donated as part of 4-H Youth Achievement night. Rogers could not stop smiling as she realized her empty food pantry shelves would not only be full when we got done, but overflowing. Rogers is the director of His Little Ones, a pregnancy support group that helps mothers with the support they need for their babies. Thanks to donations from the public the group is able to offer mothers with financial needs necessities such as diapers, bottles, clothes, and even food. A recent church community service project brought the need of the organization to the attention of the 4-H Staff. With our 4-H Hungry to Help canned food drive looming on the horizon it seemed like a perfect fit ...

It was only a few hours after receiving their charter certificate and community service award that the Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports 4-H Club members hit the range and completed their community service project for this year. The town of Fairmont allows the club to use their firing range for club meetings and shooting practice. This morning the club members went out and pulled weeds, policed brass, raked the burm and picked up trash trying to give back to the town and show that they care about maintaining this facility. While the members were busy with their community service project the parents were busy with paperwork. Since this was the first meeting for the club in the new club year they were busy talking schedules, activities and making sure all the club paperwork was up to date. After the project and cleaning the youth, parents and volunteers enjoyed a picnic with hamburgers off the grill (thanks to their club leader) and all the sides. The next meeting will be in December and will...

I admit Christmas is not here yet, nor Thanksgiving, but this is the most wonderful time of the year for our Robeson County 4-H program. That is because this is when we celebrate our youth and their accomplishments in our 4-H program. Tonight marked our annual 4-H Youth Achievement Night. The evening began with our Mistress of ceremonies, Staci Kinlaw. She has been a strong partner and supporter of our local 4-H program and worked with the Bladen County program as well. We were very excited that she could be with us this evening. Hazel Sumner, our Past President of the Robeson County 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association offered everyone an official welcome. While Michiko Hill of the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club and Christian Tice of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club lead the pledges. Our Interim County Extension Director, Keith Walters recognized special guests and gave a very special thank you to our parents and volunteers who really support our youth in all that they do. Christo...