Paper Clover Days are Right Around the Corner

 Hi!  Paper Clover with Tractor Supply starts this Friday, April 17^th and runs until May 3rd.  For those of you not familiar with the biannual event, Tractor Supply Company customers can “purchase” a clover at checkout in stores or at TractorSupply.com to directly benefit the organization. 

Exclusive 4-H collectible ornaments and hats give customers more ways to support America’s largest youth development organization.

“4-H provides opportunities and experiences that have a real, measurable impact to millions of young people across the country,” said John Ordus, EVP and Chief Stores Officer at Tractor Supply and a member of the National 4-H Council board of trustees. “As a true community partner, Tractor Supply is invested in ensuring that every student interested in taking advantage of those experiences can do so. With our customers’ support, the Paper Clover campaign, along with our exclusive 4-H products and in-store fundraisers for local chapters, enables us to successfully uphold that commitment and give one of the most impactful gifts there is: opportunity.”

Paper Clover funding provides scholarships, strengthens educational programs, supports leadership and public speaking training and more for 4-H members nationwide. Ninety percent of donations directly support students in the state where the funds were raised, and the remaining 10 percent helps advance 4-H programming nationwide.

National 4-H said, "We would love to see pictures of your 4-H'ers in store.  We will randomly surprise a few submitters/posters with a 4-H gift pack so please share those pictures!!  You can email pictures to me or post at hashtag #4HPaperClover"

International Exchange is asking for Your Help...

We still need about 25 more families for this summer. There is also an article you can pin to your county CES page: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/news/apply-now-to-host-international-youth-through-4-h

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Tomorrow is the deadline to apply to become a host family for the Summer Inbound Exchange Program!

• Host Family Application: https://www.states4hexchange.org/apply/host/

• Visit our ~newly updated~ webpage for more information: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth/nc-4-h-international-exchange-program/

• Contact for questions: Caitlin Clineff, NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

 

We will continue to accept late applications on a rolling basis until all delegates are placed! Please apply even after the deadline. 

 June 30-July 25: All Taiwan delegates are tentatively placed!

 July 20-August 15: we need 1-2 more families to host South Korea delegates! Pick them up and return them directly to the airport (could be RDU, Charlotte, or Asheville, depending on host family location)

 July 24-August 16: We need about 23 more families to host Japan delegates! Pick them up from 4-H Congress, or a regional pick-up location. We will also have regional options for the return. 

We have delegates ranging in age from 12-18, so host siblings from age 9-18 are eligible to host this year! Don't have kids in that age range? Are you busy for part of the program dates for Japan? No problem! You may be eligible to host one of the 3 wonderful adult chaperones who will travel with the group. Please note you may not host a youth and an adult chaperone at the same time. 

PLEASE reach out with any questions! 

Thank you all!

Caitlin A. Clineff

State Coordinator

NC 4-H International Exchange Program

cadavis7@ncsu.edu

NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

https://www.facebook.com/nc4hinternational

District Officer Opportunity

      

 Do you have what it takes to be a District Officer?  We are looking for 4-H Members who has the time over the next year to grow their leadership skills, communication skills, and is willing to be responsible (as part of a team) for 4-H district team events.  

      You must be at least 14 years old (4-H Age), have been in 4-H for at least two years to run for office, and actively enrolled in 4-H Online.  If you are interested please contact Miss Shea Ann at (910) 671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu to have a conversation and allow her to get your paperwork submitted to the state 4-H office.  Deadline to reach out to the county 4-H office is April 1 to get paperwork submited before Teen Retreat April 24-25.   

 

Betsy's Bash

 

Dear Friends and Family,

What began as a special anniversary gathering has quickly become a beloved tradition—a time for
Penn’s Pals to come together in support of a place that has shaped generations of youth, staff, and
families since Mrs. Betsy first opened the doors in 1964. This event honors her enduring
vision: a camp dedicated to the health, well-being, and education of North Carolina’s youth.

The Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center continues to fulfill that vision today, serving more than 7,000 youth
annually through summer camps, school programs, and retreats. The camp’s impact is evident in the
confidence, character, and lifelong memories it instills in every child who passes through its gates.

We invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting this important work by becoming a
sponsor of the 2026 Betsy’s Bash and attending the event. Your contribution helps ensure that the
Penns’ legacy continues to grow—providing transformative camp experiences for generations to come. 

The event includes dinner and drinks with your ticket purchase, live music from the Sassafras Bluegrass Band, a s'mores dessert bar, a silent auction and more! To learn more, visit bjpenn4h.org/betsysbash or contact Center Director Kyle Shillinglaw at kmshilli@ncsu.edu or 336-349-9445. Thank you for your continued belief in the mission of the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center. We look forward to celebrating with you at Betsy’s Bash 2026!

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Betsy-Jeff Penn Team

Embryology and Butterflies!

Calling all second and third grade teachers!  It is that time for little hands to help turn eggs in incubators and learn about life cycles as you hatch chickens and butterflies in the classroom.  Please note due to equipment limitations this will be open to the first 23 classrooms for embryology and the first 25 for the Butterfly Project.  Round 1 will run will run from March 2-April 3.  Round 2 will run from April 20-May 22.  You are more than welcome to do both but we ask that you sign up to do one curriculum during round 1 and the other during round 2 to give the optimum number of classrooms this opportunity.

 How it works is that we will train the teachers to implement the
curriculum and how to use the equipment.  We will load you what you need and supplement with our juried research based experiential curriculum and daily videos.  We will have as much fun as you are willing to have with the curriculum an your students will remember the experience for a lifetime.

You can register using the links below or by going to our 4-H app under programs and signing up there.  Our 4-H app is a free download from your app store.  Just search for 4-H Now! and download our clover.  When you open the app you can click on Robeson County 4-H and have everything 4-H at your fingertips.

Registration for Embryology:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983377938806?aff=oddtdtcreator

registration for Butterflies: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-4-h-butterfly-bonanza-tickets-1983378018043?aff=oddtdtcreator 

If you have any questions about this please feel free to call or email the Robeson County 4-H staff, Jade McNeill (Jade_McNeill@ncsu.edu) or Shea Ann DeJarnette (sadejarn@ncsu.edu) at (910) 671-3276.

4-H Animal Science is Open for Registration

4-H Animal Science is the cornerstone of the 4-H program. Youth get the opportunity to raise an animal for show at the fair. In the process they learn about responsibility, record keeping, anatomy of that animal and more. It is a fun project with real world learning opportunities.

This year we will be offering Laying Hens, Broilers, Turkeys, and Rabbits. Please note that due to shortages of laying hen stock we may have to suspend the laying hen project. If we do that we will offer the opportunity to switch to another animal or offer a refund.

This year we are turning the animal science project on its ear so please read the following information carefully.

- All youth taking part in this project must be actively registered in 4-H Online to receive an animal.

- This project is open to all 4-H members ages 5-18. Please note our 5-7 year old Cloverbud division is non competitive.

- Youth must be registered and pay in Eventbrite prior to the deadline.

-Please note the deadline to register and pay for the Turkey project is earlier than all other animals. The deadline for this project will be February 28.

- If completing the turkey project youth will also be required to show at the state turkey show prior or during the state fair.

- Before registering please consider the needs of the animal (cost, pen, feed, outdoor area, predators, fencing, weather, etc.) before registering for this project. Once you register care, food, and other needs will be the responsibility of the family. Also think about vacations and schedules so that you can maintain a steady schedule for your animal in terms of water, feed, exercise, etc.

-We will hold an Animal Science Introduction on February 28 at the Extension Office. Seperate information will be provided on that session.

- There will be a mandatory Animal Science training and animal give-out at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair Grounds on June 6 from 9:30-10:30 am.

-Youth showing turkeys will receive their birds and feed from our office June 22.

-Youth showing broilers will recieve those birds from our office on August 21.

- Other in person scheduled visits, video trainings, and possibly in person trainings per species are likely during this process. This will be discussed at the animal science meeting/training/giveaway in June.

- Youth are required to show their animal at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.

- We recommend the youth start by showing rabbits or chickens as a first project and move up to larger animals.

- Please check the zoning ordinances and if applicable Home Owners Association policies, on raising animals where you live.

-Youth may complete up to 3 different animal projects.

- A project record book will need to be completed and turned in as part of this project. There will be a training on record books and we will offer virtual help in completing the books. Please note that there is a separate competition for record books in January as well that you may turn these books in for. More information will be given about that program during training.

-Youth who turn in animals at the fair to show by the appointed deadline will receive a polo shirt that they can wear in the ring on show day.

To register and pay please go to:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-4-h-animal-science-registration-tickets-1983361663125?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you are not sure yet and would like to register for our information session that will take place February 28, from 10 am-12 pm at our office please register at:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4-h-animal-science-introduction-tickets-1983374201628?aff=oddtdtcreator

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made when you register your child, by calling the 4-H office at (910) 671-3276.

I f you have any questions please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at sadejarn@ncsu.edu, Jade McNeill at jade_mcneill@ncsu.edu, or Taylor Chavis at tbhunt@ncsu.edu 

Top 10 Table Manners

As you are aware our 4-H Agent Shea Ann DeJarnette is a certified Emily Post Institute Trainer.  Every once in awhile she sees something that our families might like and are just a gentle reminder of easily practiced good manners in the world around us.  Recently she found an article from the EP Institute on the top table manners.  Take a look and see if these might apply in your home too.

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Etiquette Today: Top Table Manners Here's a quick guide to our top table manners tips. Feb 5   READ IN APP   Photo by Jesse Vigil on Unsplash Top Table Manners Tips Table manners have evolved over centuries to make eating with others more pleasant and sociable. The more we use good table manners when we dine with others, the more we, and our dining partners, can focus on the conversation and enjoy our time together at the meal. Here are some of the most basic, but oh-so-important, table manners to keep in mind as you eat. Keep your phone out of the meal Your phone should be silenced and put away during the meal. It’s okay if your host invites you to take a picture of the table or your plate to do so before you begin dining. Absent that, your phone should not be at the table. You want to keep your focus on the people you are with, and a phone will only be a distraction. If you are in a situation like having a loved one in the hospital or a child at home with a fever, it’s okay to keep your phone on vibrate and let the group you’re dining with know you may need to take a call because of this. But step away from the table if that emergency call comes in. Put your napkin in your lap and then use it Place your napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down for the meal. Remember to use it throughout the meal. Your napkin is there to help you clean up little messes and to keep you and your appearance tidy while dining with others. It’s a great tool, don’t overlook it! Maintain your posture Avoid slouching at the table; you don’t want it to look like you’re too tired to participate. Instead, sit up straight and keep your head level when talking with others. Obviously, you’ll have to look down at your plate, and that’s okay. Avoid placing your elbows on the table while eating. It is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses or once the meal is finished, and always has been, even in Emily’s day. Hold utensils correctly Holding your utensils correctly is not only elegant but also helps you maintain the best control over them, so accidents don’t happen. Don’t use your fork or spoon like a shovel. And don’t grip your fork full-fisted and stab your food. Instead, when cutting, hold your fork and knife with the handle in your palm, and use your thumb, index, and middle fingers to grip just at the neck where the handle joins the head of the utensil. This will give you the most control and dexterity with your utensils. When using your fork or spoon alone, the handle rests in the web (perlicue) of your thumb and index finger with your middle finger underneath the neck of the implement, and the thumb and index fingers holding the same spot from either side. Chew with your mouth closed It’s incredibly important not to gross out others while we dine with them. And chewed-up food being seen, or worse, escaping your mouth, is definitely gross to most people. Keep your mouth closed while there is food or drink in it. This also means no talking with your mouth full. If you have a condition that prevents you from closing your mouth while you chew, do your best to cover your mouth with your hand or a napkin. If someone asks you a question when you’ve just taken a bite, you can gesture with your hand (usually index finger up) to convey you will answer in “just a moment” while you finish chewing and then swallow before you speak. Don’t groom or attend to hygiene at the table Brushing your hair, applying makeup, and doing things like picking at your teeth should all be done in the restroom, not at the table. Do not pass gas at the table While a small burp, kept silent, can sometimes be done at the table by covering your mouth with your napkin and not taking a gasp of air before or after it, any other passing of gas should be done away from the table. Excuse yourself to the nearest restroom. Pace yourself with fellow diners Avoid rushing through your meal. Take bites while others are talking to you, and then pause while you respond. If you eat quickly, try to slow down so that you don’t finish long before everyone else. While a slow diner shouldn’t be rushed, they can do things like eat while others are talking to help move their meal along. Pay attention to your pacing. Cut only one piece of food at a time It’s best to cut only a piece or two of your food at a time, rather than cutting an entire item up at once and then eating it. Do not slurp your soup or beverages If your soup is too hot, let it cool for a moment before eating it. Otherwise, remember not to slurp it off your spoon. Slurping is an unpleasant noise at the table, whether it’s coming from eating soup or drinking a beverage. Ask for items to be passed to you Do not reach for or grab items on the table; instead, ask that they be passed to you if you need them. Participate well Bring your best self to the table. This is a time to enjoy others’ company, to both listen and share, and to enjoy food together. Be sure to take part in all of that as you dine with others.