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.

4-H Top 4 for February 9, 2026

Happy Monday!

Hope everyone enjoyed thier weekend and the Super Bowl?

Just want to take a moment and say we have had our first two club meetings of the year.  Young Leaders had their organizational meeting in January, and the Art Hub 4-H Club was finally able to take the field trip to the NC Museum of Art this weekend after have to postpone a couple of times due to weather.  Congrats to our club leaders for hitting the road running in 2026.  We also know that the Dirty Rascals JMG 4-H Club has their schedule completed and will start meeting in March.  If you are interested in any of these or other club opportunities please contact Jade McNeill at jade_mcneill@ncsu.edu.

1.  Project Record Books and Portfolios are due to our office by the end of the day.  We added an extra week in due to snow, so we hope to have your record books in today.

2.  Volunteer Launch Pad  

We are excited to announce a virtual learning opportunity for our volunteers.  the 4-H Volunteer Launch Pad will be a quarterly virtual training opportunity for volunteers in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, and Robeson Counties.  We have determined topics based on the needs expressed by our volunteers in these counties who responded to a survey we sent out in December.  To learn more about the trainings please click this link or check it out on the app under programs.

3.  Project Record Book Judging

  On February 16th we will be holding our annual project record book judging.  This is a chance for you to learn about project records if you haven't seen one before and  learn first hand what it takes for a good one.  You can judge one or more if you like.   If you will be coming please register on Eventbrite so we can make sure to be set up for all our judges.  To register just click this link and answer the questions.  You can also register on the app. 

4.  Re-enrollment

Volunteers and members need to be reenrolled in 4-H Online.  If you have not reenrolled by the end of the month you will no longer get emails from us, so please make sure to take a moment and renroll on 4-H Online.

That is all for today.  Hope you have a great Valentines and Galentine's day and we can't wait to see you at one of our 4-H events.

Jade and Shea Ann

Shelton Leadership Opportunity

 

Are you passionate about making North Carolina a better place? The Red Hat Shelton Challenge at the Shelton Leadership Center helps high school students like you build skills and confidence to make positive changes in their communities by leading with their values.

During the program, you'll live on campus for a week, be part of an engaged community, and participate in activities designed to teach values-based leadership skills, such as ethical decision-making, social responsibility, effective communication, and more. Are you up for the Challenge?

The Priority Application Deadline is February 15, 2026. Applying by the priority deadline increases the likelihood of both admission and scholarship. 

2026 Red Hat Shelton Challenge Dates 

Challenge 1: Sunday, June 14 - Friday, June 19

Challenge 2: Saturday, June 27 - Thursday, July 2

Challenge 3: Sunday, July 12 - Friday, July 17

Scholarships Available

Scholarships for the Shelton Challenge are available and can be applied for through the main program application. 1 in 3 students who attend the Shelton Challenge receive a needs-based scholarship.  

Upcoming Virtual Info Session

Virtual info sessions for prospective students and families will be held on January 15 at 6:30 p.m. EST and on February 4th at 6:30 p.m. EST. Register to attend the info session here.

Have questions about the Shelton Challenge? 

Reach out to us at sheltonchallenge@ncsu.edu.

Learn more and apply now!