Introducing...Trifolium!

 

If you are a sports fan, you know every team has its mascot. That lone character that has folks rallying around it, bringing good luck, unity, and a sense of identity to the organization. In 4-H, we have our logo–the clover. You have seen it before, the four-leaf clover with the H in each leaf representing Head, Heart, Hands, and Health (AKA 4-H). However, over the last 20 plus years in this position, I have noticed that a clover, although it elicits pride and loyalty for the organization, doesn’t really give our folks the “warm fuzzies.”  So, in the past year, we have sort of solved that situation.

Meet Trifolium. Trifolium is a 3D-printed baby lucky dragon. He was created by one of our 4-H Volunteers in the mountains and he came to be in Robeson County through a magnificent story you can find on our blog. Trifolium is the Latin word for clover. Since a     four-leaf clover is considered especially lucky, it seems appropriate that he is covered in four-leaf clovers (which are also the symbols for 4-H). Since being in Robeson County, he has done some amazing things and gone to some amazing places.

His first trip was to attend a performance at Givens Performing Arts Center with our Arts Exploration 4-H Club. He has been in the garden with our Dirty Rascal Jr. Master Gardeners and hung out with our Young Leaders Club. He went to County and District Activity Day, enjoyed the summer camps, and made new friends. Most of all, he has taught our youth about caring for things and being responsible. Children loved having him with them for our events and took the responsibility of caring for him very seriously.

Since Trifolium was such a big hit this year, and so many of our youth wanted to take him home we had the opportunity to partner with our friends at ETI to make small “trifoliums” for our 4-H members. Also known as fidget toys, these little baby lucky dragons came with care instructions such as needing a name, needing to be cared for, and having parental approval before going places to make sure they weren’t lost. So far, we know they have been to school, church, and family vacations. Let’s just say this has been a great way to get youth to start taking responsibility for something they want to care for.

All 4-H members who attended our annual achievement program received their little Trifoliums that day. Our 4-H Appreciation program is when we recognize our youth for all that they have done in the past year and our volunteers for their years of service. Did you know we have more than 50 highly-trained volunteers who have given a combined 480 years of service to our organization. One volunteer has served for more than 42 years. That is a dedicated workforce unlike any other.

So please, come check out Robeson County 4-H and all we have to offer. Come learn about our logo, the 4-H Clover, and meet our mascot here in Robeson County, Trifolium. He will be here excited to meet you and hopes you will join us for a fun-filled 2026.