JMG News

BIWEEKLY UPDATE | MAY 2020 SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES A Great Recipe For Your Summer Morning! Start your day with veggies and protein with these tasty Broccoli Cheddar Egg Muffins! Subscribe on YouTube! Join the fun and subscribe! You can also find our Virtual National Group Playlist here. Missed the Virtual National JMG Group this Spring? Sign up here to participate and earn a Plant Growth and Development Certificate this summer! This program will be self-paced, and cover the same topics as our first Virtual JMG Group. TELL ME MORE ABOUT VIRTUAL JMG! SIGN ME UP! VISIT OUR WEBSITE Junior Master Gardener Program | juniormastergardener@gmail.com CONNECT WITH US:  ‌  ‌  ‌

NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Conference

Save the date time for our 4-H Volunteer Leaders.  The 2021 Conference will be held at the Hilton, Durham again this year February 5-6.  We will have more information on registration soon, and the cost will be the same as last year.

A schedule of workshops will be available in November.  If you would like to lead a workshop please contact Shea Ann for information.  Deadline for workshop proposal is October 5.

Pandemic Diaries

The following was forwarded to us from the state 4-H office.  If you would like to participate please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette or Wendy Maynor with your submissions.  This came from Juli Leonard with the News and Observer.

"I am a visual journalist at The News & Observer and have been pulling together submissions from North Carolinians in a series for the past 11 weeks called Diary of a Pandemic, and I would like to share how young people involved in 4-H are adapting.

Here is a summary of the series that I have been sending out to participants:

The project would entail taking a minute or two to record a video of yourself talking about how the virus is affecting your life, your work or your community.  You can make this a one-time entry or send them along as you feel compelled to share.  If videos are not your preferred medium, photos and written essays can be shared instead.  I will be posting entries to a blog format on The News & Observer site as well as social media.  Here is a link to the blog so far.

The diaries are open to anyone who would like to share their story during this time in their own words.  I hope the series will bring us together as a state but to also serve as a collective memory project in the years to come to help future generations make sense of this time in history.

Let me know if you think anyone might be interested and I can send more details.  Also, please feel free to share my contact information with anyone else who might like to contribute.

Best.

-Juli" 

4-H Top 4 for the week of May 25, 2020

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Hope that you all had a fantastic holiday weekend.  School should be officially over for everyone and our graduates will be having new types of graduations over the next couple of weeks.  We do want to say Congratulations to Natiya Barnes, DJ Brown, and Jordan McKinnon who have all completed their Senior year and will be graduating.  Each was sent a box with their 4-H cords and tassels, a card and notes from the County Council Officers, and their names are on our electronic sign at the office.  We will also be spotlighting them this week on our 4-H blog, and social media pages.  So stay tuned for that.  Congrats to all three of them on this wonderful accomplishment.

Just a reminder that to keep up with the daily changes we are posting things on our blog as fast as we get them in.  Due to that we are also now sharing on our blog and our facebook page a Friday Roundup with the items that have posted during the week, we have a lot of things to share to help keep you on top of your 4-H events. 

   

On to this week's top 4-H.

-4-H Volunteers there is a new state wide training opportunity for you.  After talking about it for years on May 30 a free 4-H Virtual Volunteer Conference will be offered.  Several wonderful workshops are being offered and some fantastic speakers such as Jones Loflin will be part of the event.  For more information, including the schedule, please check out our blog post.  We ask that you register yourself by the deadline if you are interested.  That deadline is May 27.  For questions please contact Shea Ann.

-Summer Fun Schedules are being formulated as we type.  We are excited to say these virtual opportunities should be up and available for registration by the end of this week so please stay tuned to the blog for all the fun.  We can tell you because it will be virtual this year there will be a ton of opportunities available for all ages.  There is also extra information in terms of organization and how you will register.  So when it comes out please read everything.

-Teens who want to take part in AIRE (Application, Interview, resume, and Essay) need to get their completed resume turned in by June 10th.  For more information about this program please see our previous post about AIRE.  For questions about this program please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.

-We are excited to announce that the state 4-H Photography contest is back.  This year it is being organized by the state 4-H office, not CALS Communication Services.  4-H members (active in 4-H Online) may email one entry per category to Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu by June 23rd.  For more information about the contest and categories for this year please check out our blog post.

That's all for today.  Hope you all have a safe week.

Wendy, Christy, and Shea Ann

4-H Friday Roundup

Wondering what has been going on since our top 4 at the beginning of the week?  We don't want you to miss a thing so here is your 4-H Friday Roundup....

 

A youth program in connection with the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.  The Great Sunflower contest.  For more information about this free opportunity click here.

For our 4-H Horse members more information about this year's virtual horse show.

For our 4-H teens interested in working on your college and job skills check out everything you need to know about AIRE (Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay).  You could even end up getting to be part of a National 4-H Trip.

For our High School Aged 4-H members who like to garden, NCSU is offering it's Horticulture Camp online this year.  What a great opportunity to take part in a garden and not sweat in the hot sun.  For more information about this opportunity please click this link.

Remote Skills Camp for Teens is a 4-H program coordinated through the Utah State University's Extension Program.  The 4 week course will help youth build the skills and confidence they need to move forward to college and even into the workforce.  There is a cost to this program and at the end youth will receive a certificate which they can have for their professional portfolios as well as have the rural online network partnership as they move forward in the next stages of their lives.  For more information or to register for this program please click this link. 

Hope everyone has a safe a pleasant holiday weekend.  We will be back with our top 4 on Tuesday of next week!

Remote Skills Camp for Teens

The 4-H Remote Skills Camp for teens is a month-long camp that costs $30. If you're nervous about graduating and starting life in college or a potential career, this course is designed to help you prepare for your next step! Apply today by visiting https://remoteworkcertificate.com/camp/ 

 

The 4-H Remote Skills Camp for teens is a month-long camp that costs $30. This camp equips teens with skills and tools needed for college and career readiness in the 21st century. The camp consists of nine core modules, delivered in a self-paced, online format. Earn this certificate in 30-35 hours (7-9 hours per week over 4 weeks). Teens will learn the best practices of being a remote workers and have unique opportunities to participate in live Q&As with remote workers at NASA, Microsoft, and more. Sign up today at https://remoteworkcertificate.com/camp/  

 

We will have live Q&A with remote workers from NASA, Microsoft, and more.

 

 

This is a blended certificate course, combining online work with interactive workshops. This educational program is designed to equip youth with college and career readiness skills and tools while introducing them to remote work concepts. Specific objectives and outcomes for each part of the course are identified at the beginning of each set of modules. The program consists of nine core modules, delivered in a self-paced, online format.Earn this certificate in 30-35 hours (7-9 hours per week over 4 weeks)!

Calling All High School Students Who Garden...

Below is a free opportunity to take part in NCSU's Horticultural Science Summer Institute.  This is an awesome opportunity and will look excellent on college applications.  Parents, you do not need to go through our office to register, just click on the links below.

Love wandering around gardens? Marveling over plants in the nursery? Eating blistered shishito peppers?

Join us for an online, curated experience of NC State University's Horticultural Science Summer Institute. While we might prefer climbing trees and propagating baby succulents in person, we are holding camp virtually this year on July 6-July 9th. Registration is free and it will be a blend of two live events - a kick-off keynote and a closing program and then pre-recorded videos and activities for you to do at home. It will be engaging and fun and youth can dig in at your own pace. Here is the schedule:

Monday July 6th 

Live Keynote + Orientation

Welcome to the JC Raulston Arboretum and “walking tour” 

Plant Identification + activities for home

Plant Propagation + propagation activities for home

Virtual tour of a NC plant nursery 

Tuesday, July 7th 

Veggie Production in NC with with some veggie growing and cooking activities 

Plant Breeding + at home breeding and genetics activities 

Virtual tour of NCSU’s Agroecology Education Farm 

Wednesday, July 8th 

Tour of local garden writer’s Foodscape 

Landscape design and design activity to do at home 

Thursday, July 9th (1p EST)

Live - Welcome back, reflections of the week 

Live - Pathways to NCSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 

Live - Finding your Fit with the Department of Horticultural Science - degree programs and extramural opportunities 

Live - Closing remarks 

Bonus: The art of horticulture 

Floral Design 

Botanical bath bombs 

Horticultural soapmaking 

We would love for you to sign up and get a taste of horticultural fun! If you have any questions please let me know. Also, feel free to make a friend sign up, the more the merrier!

4-H Youth Voice

The following is a message from Sarah Kotizan with the state 4-H office.  Youth Voice is an annual event hosted by the NC County Commissioners Association.

"We are sad to share that YouthVoice 2020 has been canceled.  The annual conference for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners will be held virtually this year. We know that YouthVoice is an event that many of our 4-H'ers look forward to, so please share with them that we already have our dates for 2021 - August 13-14 in New Hanover County."

AIRE

Application, Interview, Resume, Essay in short is the acronym for this program for 14-18 year olds.  Successful completion of AIRE will allow youth to attend a national trip to National 4-H Conference or Congress.  Always something to thing about for our career 4-H members.

For those interested in taking part, your resume and application is due to our 4-H office by June 10th.  You may submit it electronically by emailing it to Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.  Instructions for your resume can be found here, along with the application.

  For questions about this program please contact Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.

Virtual 4-H State Horse Show

2020 NC State 4-H Virtual Horse Show Information Hello Everyone! The NC 4-H Horse Program Advisory Council recently held a Zoom meeting and decided to hold a virtual horse show for NC 4-H'ers. The show will be conducted on two different secure websites with APHA (American Paint Horse Association), and Better Dressage Scores. Both organizations are working with us to set up our entry website, class list, and patterns. Via the Extension Equine Husbandry website and social media, we have advertised that this event would be taking place in July. Youth that are interested in showing have been instructed to be sure that they have completed the online form to obtain an eligibility card. This form will close June 1. Every 4-Her must complete a separate form on every project horse he/she expects to participate within the current 4-H year. If they have more than one horse, they will need to complete the form multiple times. If a youth completed the form earlier in the year, and prior to COVID-19, they do not have to do it again. 2020 Eligibility Card Request Form For 2020, we will be using an alternative process for verifying eligibility, instead of having eligibility cards printed and signed by agents, leaders, and parents. After the June 1 deadline, a Google Sheet will be shared with each agent that contains the responses of all the youth that have indicated they participate in your county program. When that is shared with you, please go through that list, and highlight the names of youth that are ineligible per your county requirements. Once the show websites are up and ready to accept entries, a link will be shared with you to distribute to your members. We expect these to be ready mid-June. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension. Extension's 4-H program is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina. We help over 247,000 young people grow into active, contributing citizens each year.

CSA Program is Back for Healthy Family Food Choices

Below is an article written by Mack Johnson, Horticulture Extension Agent with NC Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center.  We are republishing on this site in case any of our families are interested in this opportunity.

Our local farmers have been working hard to bring back a strong  Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA) for our community at the Robeson County Farmers Market, located at the corners of 8th and Elm Streets in downtown Lumberton. Our CSA offers monthly subscriptions for weekly boxes of produce, meat, eggs, or value-added products. Now, more than ever, is a great time to not only support our local economy, but to gain access to food that comes directly from the field to our tables.

Any community member may purchase a subscription. We offer four types of boxes: Produce, Meat (Beef, Pork, & Chicken,) Eggs, and Value-Added Products (Honey, Goat Cheese, Jams, Jellies, Pickles.)

Subscribers may choose only one box type or mix and match, choosing any or all box types. The CSA Program will take place from June to October. Subscribers may pay for one month at a time, or several months at a time.

The pick-up for the boxes will be on Wednesdays, from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., at the Robeson County Farmers Market, located at the corner of 8th and Elm Streets in downtown Lumberton. Pick-Up will take less than five minutes and subscribers can come at any time from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Purchases can be made in one of two ways:

1. On our website, robesoncountyfarmersmarket.com (Payment and application completed online).
2. With the attached fillable PDF (RCFM CSA 2020 June ApplicationPDF). The form may be emailed to robesoncofarmermkt@gmail.com and a check sent to:

Paul Buie                                                                                                    

Market Treasurer                                                                                       

3241 Tolarsville Road                                                                                  

St. Pauls, NC 28384

All subscriptions for each month are due by the last Friday of the month prior. June’s subscription is due by 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29th.

Any questions may be directed to April Pittman, Market Manager, at robesoncofarmersmkt@gmail.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Our farmers truly appreciate your support.

April Cain Pittman

Market Manager

Robeson County Farmers Market

robesoncountyfarmersmarket.com

robesoncofarmersmkt@gmail.com

For more information on the Farmers Market, you may visit their website at https://www.robesoncountyfarmersmarket.com/, email April Pittman, Market Manager, at robesoncofarmersmkt@gmail.com, or contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horticultural Agent, at 910-671-3276, or mack_johnson@ncsu.edu.

The Great Sunflower Compeitition

With families at home, it is becoming easier to run out of things to do, and easier to get creative with little things.  Well we have a competition for our youth that should make a family filled fun event for the fair.  The Great Sunflower competition is for youth who like to grow things, but might have a short attention span.  so all you have to do is plant the seeds, water, and feed periodically, and watch the magic happen.

  To register for this contest fill out our on line form and we can mail you the seed.  Plant the seed and watch these gentle giants grow.  Don't worry if they die by the fair.  Bring us the sunflower head (alive or dried) come fair time and see who wins.  This is an easy an fun competition for the whole family and will introduce your child to agriculture, pollinators, and the food chain cycle (yes, you can eat the sunflower seeds in the dried flower head or plant them next year for an even bigger crop).  

  If you are in charge of a group of youth like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, FFA, or a 4-H club think about signing your group up for the group division.  the more heads and hands working together the more experimenting you can do to see what it takes to grow the biggest sunflower. 

   So what's holding you back?  Help us spread some sunshine today by signing your child up for this fun and bright contest.

 

4-H Top 4 for the week of May 18, 2020

Happy Monday everyone!  To keep up with the daily changes we are posting things on our blog as fast as we get them in.  Due to that we are also now sharing on our blog and our facebook page a Friday Roundup with the items that have posted during the week, we have a lot of things to share to help keep you on top of your 4-H events. 

   

On to this week's top 4-H which has been coming in all morning.

-NC 4-H Citizenship Focus is going virtual this year.  That means there are a lot of positives, first no cost for the program that is open for 14-18 year olds.  Second is that there is no limit on the number of youth we can register.  So please encourage your teens to take part.  the event will take place over zoom June 15-17 from 1-4 pm each day.  Deadline to register with our 4-H office will be May 22 at 5 pm.  To register please contact Wendy Maynor.  For questions about the program please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette.  For more information about the program please check out our blog post.

-4-H Volunteers the Southern Region will be getting together to talk and share and we would like you to be a part of it.  The virtual talk will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 pm.  To register for this special networking event please register here:https://bit.ly/3cvDNUC

-4-H Volunteers there is a new state wide training opportunity for you.  After talking about it for years on May 30 a free 4-H Virtual Volunteer Conference will be offered.  Several wonderful workshops are being offered and some fantastic speakers such as Jones Loflin will be part of the event.  For more information, including the schedule, please check out our blog post.  We ask that you register yourself by the deadline if you are interested.  That deadline is May 27.  For questions please contact Shea Ann.

-We are excited to announce that the state 4-H Photography contest is back.  This year it is beling organized by the state 4-H office, not CALS Communication Services.  4-H members (active in 4-H Online) may email one entry per category to Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu by June 23rd.  For more information about the contest and categories for this year please check out our blog post.

  Many folks are asking about our summer program.  We hope to have details of that for you by next Monday.  Due to COVID-19 we can tell you the majority of our programming will be virtual this summer and we have already posted some things such as virtual overnight camp.  For folks who already signed up for our summer program, you should have received a letter from us.  We appreciate your understanding and patience as we try to make this the best summer ever for our youth. 

That's all for today.  Hope you all have a safe week.

Wendy, Christy, and Shea Ann