Remembering the Old while Ringing in the New

Needless to say we are always excited about the year ahead so ringing in 2010 is very exciting for those of us here at 4-H. Of course we can't ring in the new without remembering some of the highlights of our year as it passes by.

To start with we celebrated North Carolina 4-H's Centennial. There were special activities each month, a balloon release of 100 balloons at the fair, and lots of cake. Dr. Marshall Stewart, our state 4-H leader, joined us to help us honor our volunteers. Dr. Theron McKinney came all the way from Raleigh to help us open the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair, as they helped us celebrate the centennial in a big way. Clinton McRae, our new district director, also honored us with a visit to say thank you to our volunteers for their service. Our newest State Senator Michael Walters came by to honor our youth, as did Rod Jenkins, our assistant County Manager. It was a start studded year for Robeson County 4-H and that was just the icing on the top of the cake.

We worked with almost 4,000 youth this year in 4-H. More than 200 are in one of our ten clubs. Others took part in our summer programs including summer fun and summer camp. Second grade embryology brought in 1500 more youth. Our youth took part in county, district, and state competitions. We brought home gold from every competition as well as a new sense of pride among all of our competitors.

Thanks to our supporters we announced two endowments this year. The Dr. Eddie and Mrs. Brenda Locklear Endowment will support a Robeson County 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame. Each year a deserving volunteer will receive this honor for their work with our county program and will be announced at the volunteer leaders banquet. The second endowment we were able to announce was the Robert Wilkes 4-H Entrepreneurial Endowment. This will be awarded to deserving 4-H members and clubs to support continued entrepreneurial activities and support their leadership opportunities.

To check out all the sweet things we did in Robeson County 4-H this year you can check out our 2009 photo book. It is like a year in review. If you would like one you can also order your own.

We hope you and your family and have festive and safe time ringing in the new year. As you reflect back 2009 was a year full of treats for our 4-H program so we can't wait to see what happens in 2010.

Robeson County 4-H Makes Headlines!

Have you seen the local paper lately? Robeson County 4-H is making headlines as part of a continuing series on United Way Agencies. The articles highlight the many opportunities available through United Way Agencies. This week's article focuses on 4-H and shows some of our programs and even gives some of the statistics of our program benefits. If you have not seen the paper for Tuesday, you can still catch the article on line at the Robesonian. Take a gander and feel free to offer your opinion of the program to the newspaper public or right here on our blog. You can also check on the thumbs up if you like the article. So take a quick read and see why we are so proud of this incredible program.

Giving is a Year Round Gift from 4-H

Giving back to the community, or creating citizen leaders as Dr. Marshall Stewart says, is a large aspect of 4-H work. Our Robeson County 4-H members are no different. On the night we honor them, our annual 4-H Youth Achievement Night, they were thinking of others. Each family brought a gift for a child in the foster care program. Many of these youth will not receive gifts if it were not for the thoughtfulness of others. When we got done collecting there were so many toys that we filled 5 large boxes with games, books, toys, coloring books and so much more. Sanora Stephens with the Department of Social Services Protective Agency came by to pick up the toys. She was just in awe of the thoughtfulness of our 4-H families giving to youth they have never met and all the love and well wishes that went into the choices they made. It is just another example of the difference 4-H makes in Robeson County.

Stinging Back at H1N1

Germ Busters! That is the name Aggie Rogers and Shea Ann DeJarnette are going by these days. At least in the schools as they come in to teach Glo-Germ. This week we hit Littlefield Elementary's six, fifth grade classrooms. The Hornet's as they are called were already feeling the sting from illnesses this year about 75% of the students reported that illness had kept them out of school for one day this year. The students were all very receptive to our Glo-Germ program and grossed out by the glowing germs on their hands. Some who thought their hands were clean left with horrified looks on their faces as they saw the germs glow under the black light. However after a quick lesson they headed straight to the bathroom where they washed their hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds. When they got back and placed their hands under the light...the germs (for the most part) were gone. A few had to rewash, but their classmates told on them and said they did not wash their hands correctly.
Now this army of 150 youth are ready to head out and help teach others how to wash their hands correctly. They said they will teach other students at the school, and even family members including mom and dad. They realize the importance of washing their hands correctly and not spreading germs, because staying healthy and in school is important.

X-treme Youth Celebration

WOW! That is all I can say about Friday night. It was our annual Robeson County 4-H Youth Achievement Night and all I can say was what a celebration! What accomplishments! What incredible youth we have in Robeson County.
We started our event in a beautifully decorated auditorium thanks to our Youth Achievement Volunteer Committee made up of Missy McLean, Libby Burney, Jane Hurst, and Lillian McNeill. they not only decorated but put together the program and planned the entire event.
After the introduction of our Master of Ceremonies, 4-H Alumni Quincy Dinnerson introduced Renee Blue the Past President of the Robeson County Volunteer Leaders Association who welcomed all of our guests. Christopher Bullard and Yazmin Washington lead our pledges and County Extension Director, Everett Davis recognized special guests. We were very pleased to have Tanya Underwood and Jane Hurst who are members of the Robeson County 4-H Specialized Advisory Committee on hand to help us with the night, as well as Mark Moses, Joyce Peay and Robert Wilkes who are members of The Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Advisory Committee on hand. Also State Senator Michael Walters, County Commissioner Hubert Sealey and Assistant County manager Rod Jenkins were on hand to help support our youth on this fantastic night.
Of course we had to have a special cake to help celebrate the North Carolina 4-H Centennial. To cut the cake while the group of more than 150 sang Happy Birthday, were: Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Extension Agent; Aggie Rogers, 4-H Program Associate; County Commissioner Hubert Sealey; State Senator Michael Walters; and of course Everett Davis, our Robeson County Extension Director. After two rounds of singing (because it is after all an important Birthday) Bobby Rogers delivered the invocation and we all dug into an incredible dinner.
After dinner Xtreme Strength performed. The gentlemen not only showed powerful skills by lifting concrete balls that weigh more than 250 pounds, breaking concrete blocks with their bare hands, and laying on a bed of nails, they shared the secret to that power with our audience. They let he youth know that they need to stay focused, set goals, and achieve those goals. Don't let unimportant things detract from the positive things you want from life. If you you stay in 4-H and surround yourself with people who will support you, the sky is the limit, there is no obstacle too big or heavy to get in your way.
We followed that incredible presentation with awards. Tanya Underwood presented the "I Dare You" Leadership award to Yazmin Washington. This award is presented to an outstanding teen who has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills during the year. Along with the national award and an opportunity to apply for a scholarship the youth also receive a book by the Raulstin Purina founder who started this award and a check.
Shea Ann DeJarnette then presented to Special Youth Leader Awards to Christopher Bullard and Tierra Troy for their willingness to volunteer to help with events and all of their special efforts during the Summer Fun program and fair. They each received a special certificate.
Allen Faircloth, Vice President for the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair, presented our Junior Fair Board members with their certificates. One hand to accept this special award for their hard work helping to plan youth events at the fair were, Yazmin Washington, Korina Pittman, James Hurst, Aljaquan Nixon, and Kristen Sealey. Each received a special framed certificate for their efforts.
One of the biggest awards of the night was presented by our Robeson County Extension Director Everett Davis. He had the opportunity to present the 4-H Club of the year award that went to the St. Paul's Pony Club. This is a new club this year that meets weekly. Mrs. Burney, the organizational club leader thanked her mother for getting her involved in 4-H when she was younger and allowing her to develop a love for everything 4-H.
After the club of the year was a very special presentation. Everett Davis called Robert Wilkes and his wife Gayle up to the stage to announce a new 4-H Endowment, the Robert Wilkes 4-H Entrepreneurial Endowment fund. This fund will allow clubs and members to apply for funds dealing with entrepreneurial subjects. The funds can be used to help start youth businesses, as seed money for club fundraisers, or to support other youth leadership activities. It is named after Robert Wilkes, the owner and operator of TLC Catering because of his entrepreneurial vision as well as never ending support of 4-H. We are proud to have the endowment and the support of Robert and his family as they continue to enhance our program.
After that Aggie introduced the 2010 County Council Officers and we sat back and watched the 2009 slide show. That was all a prelude to the ultimate event of the evening, honoring each of our youth. Aggie read off the names and all of their accomplishments. Many of our youth ended up with multiple certificates for all they have accomplished during the year. Our favorite comment came from Dakota Strickland, a cloverbud with the Horsin' Around Horse Club who said, "that it was an awful lot of hard work but boy was it fun!"
After honoring our youth we gave our thanks to our volunteers who organized the event and our MC Quincy who did a spectacular job. It was a fantastic night honoring all of their accomplishments and I just can't say how proud we are of all of them.
If you would like more information on 4-H please give us a call at (910) 671-3276, we would love to hear from you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As the members of the 4-H staff and your Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service are at home today celebrating this holiday with our traditional families, we just wanted to let you know that our 4-H family is not far from our thoughts. We want you to know that we are thankful for each and everyone of you and hope that you have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving.
We would also like to share with you a new blog that one of our colleagues started that is very appropriate for today. Janice Fields, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent started a holiday food blog. On it you can find safety tips and recipes for this holiday. Just click on this link and it will take you right to it.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to seeing you at our next big event...4-H Youth Achievement Night.

Always Something New at State Council Conference

It is time to start our 4-H year again and the best way we know how to do it is to send an incredible delegation to 4-H State Council Conference. Our four delegates, Aljaquan Nixon, Ashley Sealey, Kristen Sealey and Yazmin Washington travelled to Raleigh for the two day conference. The 4-H members took part in workshops that ranged in topics from flag etiquette, to diversity, to experiential learning and recycling.

In between workshops there were district and state meetings, the battle for the state spirit stick (South Central District came in second) and the unveiling of this year's state theme. This year's theme builds on our centennial theme of "We are 4-H". For 2010 our 4-H theme is "We Are 4-H...Then, Now, and Forever." During the lunch meeting our key note speaker, Edward Walker (of Trading Spaces Fame)
talked about setting goals and finding ways to meet them. He showed that his life is a daily example of this philosophy and served as an example for our youth to dream big and achieve your dreams.

During our evening banquet 4-H youth from across the state were recognized for their volunteer efforts and for their hard work achieving different levels in the ambassador course. Then the teens favorite part after the evening banquet is the dance. As they enjoyed the D.J., the music, and the friends they were making they danced the night away...at least until their curfew.

After a good night's sleep it was back to workshops, district meetings and the spirit stick competition. After finishing up at the state meeting we headed back to Lumberton, and our very well rested delegates (I believe they all slept on the way back) are now preparing to report on this event and our new state focus at our next County Council and Leaders' Association meeting in February.

Can't be Christmas without 4-H Green

I know, I know. Thanksgiving isn't even here yet and we are already talking turkey about Christmas. We can't help it though because Saturday was the annual Lumberton Christmas Parade and this year our 4-H volunteers and members got into the Centennial Holiday spirit in a big way.

With a last minute vehicle replacement courtesy of Archie McLean's plumbing...our incredible volunteer committee headed by Mrs. Libby Burney set out to decorate a pickup truck and trailer. It was an incredible site with metallic silver and green streamers hanging down and centennial banners and members of several 4-H clubs along for the ride. The volunteers and youth spent a couple of hours decorating our entry and those who helped got to ride while others walked along side.

We want to give a special mention to our volunteers who helped out with this grand effort; Mrs. Libby Burney, Missy McLean, Marilyn Merritt and Jane Hurst. Not to mention the clubs which had members and volunteers participate, the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club, The Horsin' Around 4-H Club, the "Dirty Rascals" Junior Master Gardener Club, The Lightn' Electric Club, and Young Leaders. Thank you for participating to show how we are 4-H proud and after 100 years still strong.

Celebrating History and Making History All at the Same Time

One of the best times of the 4-H year is when we have the opportunity to do something sincerely special for our 4-H volunteers to say thank you for all their work during the year. Our annual 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Banquet is that night we do all of this and this year's celebration was something extra special. Which seems appropriate for a group of extra special people.

We kicked off the event with Robeson County Extension Director Everett Davis bringing everyone together and getting the pledges underway with the help of our 4-H volunteer Deborah Mitchell and Tanya Underwood a 4-H volunteer and Chairperson of our 4-H specialized Committee. Then we cut straight to the sweet stuff. Our three tiered centennial 4-H birthday cake greeted our volunteers and guests when they entered the room. Our special guests from Raleigh and here at home did the ceremonial lighting and cutting of the cake to kick off our celebration. Our District Director Clinton McRae, Sharon Rowland with the Development Fund, Everett Davis our Robeson County Extension Director and Dr. Marshall Stewart, Department Head, State Program Leader, Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences had the honor of slicing into the cake. "Oh, it's a real cake," exclaimed Everett Davis as the knife sliced into the bottom tier. After some special introductions of people it was off to the buffet line to get the food catered by Kay's Catering in Pembroke. Our menu included baked chicken, ham, string beans, rice pilaf, yams and assorted desserts. Of course our volunteers and guests also had the opportunity to partake in our extra special homemade birthday cake, baked and decorated by our 4-H Agent herself.

After dinner it was time for greetings from N. C. State and N. C. A&T Universities delivered by our District Director Clinton McRae. And Commissioner Hubert Sealy brought greetings on behalf of the Robeson County Commissioners. Clinton McRae introduced our special speaker for the evening Dr. Marshall Stewart. Dr. Stewart spoke to our volunteers about the importance of what they do for our youth in the county and expressed to them that giving their time is one of the greatest gifts they can give to our youth because they are providing them opportunities that the youth would other wise not experience. These experiences are shaping their futures and providing them them positive educational opportunities that will make a difference in their lives.

After feeling motivated and receiving inspiration from the speech it was time for another history making motivator designed expressly for our volunteers. Everett Davis announced the Dr. Eddie and Mrs. Brenda Locklear 4-H Endowment. This endowment is named for Dr. Eddie Locklear who is a past Robeson County 4-H Agent, went on to become a specialist at the state level and is currently working on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum areas on the national level. It is also named for his wife Brenda who has sacrificed and supported him through his career and he says he would not have accomplished all he has if it had not been for her and her support. This endowment will support the Robeson County 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame. Each year one deserving 4-H Volunteer will be chosen to receive this honor, from nomination forms received during the year. Their photo and a plaque, describing their accomplishments, will be posted in our Hall of fame. The wall will be able to hold 30 years worth of recipients and then we hope to expand to the next wall. Along with this honor the recipient will receive a check and plaque for this honor. Dr. Locklear and his wife Brenda said hat they could not think of a better way to support the program than giving back to our volunteers because without them we would not be able to do all that we do. He thanked the staff and his numerous family members who were there to share in this historic occasion with him. Sharon Rowland then brought everyone forward for the official signing of the endowment. Mr. Bill Willford, past county director who actually hired Dr. Locklear as the 4-H Agent and helped raised some of the funds that are being used for this endowment also joined us on stage, for photos. If you would like to support this endowment please contact the 4-H office at (910) 671-3276 for more information.

Then it was time for the real reason for the evening the honoring and saying thank you to our volunteers. We called our volunteers up by their years of service and gave them certificates, 4-H calendars and a small gift with the centennial logo on it. We also gave special gifts to those recognizing their milestone years of 5, 10, 15 and 20 years.

We hope our volunteers had a wonderful evening and want to thank all of our guests for attending. The support of the Locklear family and the thanks shown to our volunteers this night was incredible. Thank you to everyone for making this a history making event.

Having Fun Learning...the Adults that is.

Did we have jealous youth on Tuesday night? You bet we did as it was the volunteers turn to come in and do the ever incredible make and take projects as part of their volunteer leaders training. Our idea was to set up tables around the auditorium and introduce our volunteers to enough activities that they could go back and use one for each of their club meetings in 2010. All in all we had 6 people set up offering more than a dozen projects that could be done with their club.
Bobby Rogers set up a table and showed the different woodworking projects he could do with youth. There was everything from recycled soda can bird houses to magazine racks, shelving units and a gumball machine (that was really cool). All of his projects are a very small cost and he is wonderful about making them youth friendly and will come work with the youth in putting them together. For many of our youth it is the first time they have ever held a hammer or nailed something into place, which is always very exciting.
Kerrie Roach set up and showed off some of the most personality laden grass heads ever made in our office. We actually have a grass head kit that clubs may check out to use. This project is a great horticulture project because the youth learn about plants, alternative planting methods, science, and get to take home something they made and watch it grow.
Jessica Drake set up a table with all sorts of great inexpensive craft ideas. Volunteers could make self esteem mirrors, where they cut out words about themselves and positive saying to collage a small piece of wood. Then they glue a small mirror on the front. The pocket or purse mirror gives you a boost of self confidence every time you pull it out to use it because you see all the wonderful things on the background of the mirror. She also showed the volunteers how to make a Christmas ornament with a foam ball, sequins and straight pins (they really are neat and would take an entire club meeting or more to finish). Also she brought out the looms, you remember the looms where you weaved very colorful potholders for your parents back in the day? They are very inexpensive and we had some expert weavers going at it during our two hour session remember days of old and having a really good time.
Missy McLean offered some really cool ideas for fun club/party crafts. For just a few cents you can make some really cool paper lanterns using Popsicle sticks, tissue paper and play dough. Also she showed us a fun way to make Christmas tree ornaments using twine, glue and glitter. When they dry they are unique and awesome. Would make a great Community Service Project to make ornaments for people and brighten their day.
Aggie Rogers set up a table for two of her favorite activities pasta art and greeting card placemats. The premise for pasta art is that youth use different types of dry pasta and glue them down to create a design and then when they are done you spray paint the design and it takes on a whole new look. It is inexpensive and fun to do during a club meeting. Greeting card placemats recycle old greeting cards into a festive placemat that can be used for special occasions and holidays.
To round it all off Shea Ann DeJarnette had a table introducing Volunteers to all the kits that we have in the office that they can check out for club meetings. There is the 4-H bracelet kit which offers leaders a fun way to teach youth the 4-H pledge, colors and motto. There is a team working kit that includes activities, games and fun candy personality tests. There is also the smell game kit which teaches youth about using other senses and disability awareness. We also have an ice cream in a bag and hot chocolate mix kits which help youth with match and fractions not to mention learning about chemical reactions...science is all around us.
Overall we had a great time creating, crafting, and celebrating all that we do in 4-H. For more hands on trainings stay tuned to our 2010 4-H year which you can find on google calender.

Battle after Battle Rowland Norment Students Win Hands Down

We're Back! That's right, we made it back it back to Rowland Norment School and had a blast working with the second and third graders this time. Kim Long invited us back to work with the second graders on hand washing in the mix of all the media attention paid to H1N1 and other flu strains. In talking with the youth we found about 80 percent of the youth had missed at least one day due to illness since the beginning of the year less than two months ago. We worked with the youth on proper hand washing techniques and showed them the germs on their hands with our special glo-germ lotion. By the end of our time with them we were able to certify each student as an official hand washing expert and charged them with the task of helping others to properly wash their hands and help stop the spread of germs that cause illness.

After working with the second graders the third grade teachers (actually Mrs. Browning) asked for a refresher course for their students. As we went in we were greeted with the salutation of, "I remember you, you're the germ lady!" Although it might not how I would normally like to be greeted in this instance it was music to my ears. Most of the students remembered the basics but admitted they might have gotten a little slack in their practices. When I explained that the first and second graders were now ready to catch them in the act of slacking off on their hand washing responsibilities, they all quickly promised it would not happen. We ran them through the lotion and black light to let them see the germs and they all did an excellent job of washing their hands afterwards.

Hopefully with this little reinforcement the students at Rowland Norment School are ready to take on the germs and fight back. If they do it right it could mean more days in school and a higher level of learning, which is what we are all hoping for.

The Votes have been Counted and the Winners are...

November is traditionally the month for elections. Our 4-H members and volunteers had the opportunity to practice their voting skills while electing our 4-H County Council and 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association members.

The 4-H County Council are 4-H members between the ages of 14 and 19. We prefer youth who have shown leadership skills within their clubs serving as club officers and feel they are ready to handle the responsibility of being an officer on the county level. Officer positions available are President Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Reporter, and Sergeant at Arms. The officers on the volunteer side who are elected represent the volunteers and conduct quarterly meeting for our volunteers on the county level. the officers elected on the volunteer side include; President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Reporter. Each organization also has a President. The President is rotated into office and serves and the President-Elect the year before their Presidential term.

We started with taking nominations from the floor and then headed into voting. The slate of

4-H County Council Officers included; Aljaquon Nixon for President, Laquanda Banks for President-Elect, Korina Pittman and Yazmin Washington for Secretary, Keorie McMillan and Monique Edwards for Treasurer, Christian McRae and Kristen Sealey for Reporter, Jacoya Gathings and Ashley Sealey for Sergeant-at-Arms. When the votes were counted we found the excitement was just starting. Aljaquan Nixon was elected President, Laquawanda Banks President-Elect, Yazmin Washington took her third term as Secretary, Monique Edwards became the Treasurer, and Kristen Sealey will be our Reporter. The Sergeant-at -Arms position was in a dead heat with equal votes for both candidates. Different ways were discussed to break the tie and we ended up flipping a coin to determine the winner. When it was all said and done Ashley Sealey walked away with the officer position and Jacoya Gathings walked away with the coin and a wonderful attitude about the turn out.

The 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association election was not quite as much of a thrill ride but it was very exciting. There was only one person slated for each position so each was elected to the position which they were slated for. The 2010 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association officers are Hazel Sumner as President, Nikki Edwards as President-Elect, Susan Floyd as Secretary, Melissa McLean as Treasurer, Joyce Peay as Reporter, and Renee Blue will be the past President.

After the election results were announced Dave Welch, a former 4-H Agent and member of our 4-H Specialized Committee swore in our new officers during the candlelight ceremony. Dave tried to impress on our incoming officers the importance of their office and the responsibility that they have. Congratulations to all of our incoming officers and we are looking forward to your leadership of our Volunteers and Members in the future.

A few other announcements from this evening. District Fall day is coming up this Saturday in Moore County for out Volunteers. Also there is a county volunteer training coming up on the 10th for our Volunteers. It will be a make and take session that will allow our volunteers to leave with all sorts of ideas for club meetings. Also our annual Volunteer Appreciation banquet is coming up on November 13th. Deadline to sign up is Monday November 9th. This is the night that we honor our volunteers for all that they do and we have a special surprise this evening. Dr. Marshall Stewart, our state 4-H program leader will be joining us for this special evening. Also there will be an announcement that will change the face of our 4-H program in Robeson County and our support of our Volunteers. This will be a night that will go down in the history of 4-H so you will not want to miss it!

A couple of other announcements include the new use of technology to make communication easier. Our 2010 program calendar is on google calendars so you can access it year round. We will update regularly and you will have access to it 24-7. You can access it by clicking the link above or you can go to the google website under more click on the calendar. Sign in if you have a google account if not you can quickly and easily make one with your e-mail address. You can search for the 4-H County Programs Calendar and you can link to it and it will show you all the upcoming events. Also we will be sending out reminders on Twitter. If you would like you can sign up for reminders and updates from Twitter by clicking on this link and signing up to follow us. You can also set it up to get updates from us on your mobile phone. If you already have a Twitter account and want to search for us just put in RobesonCounty4H and you will find our page and you can sign up to follow us. To make sure there is no inappropriate material on our Twitter page we will not use it to follow anyone else it will only be used one way to send messages to those who want to know what we are up do. Also mark your calendars for December 11, 2009 which is our Youth Achievement Night. We are looking forward to seeing everyone that night and more details will be coming about this night.

Stay tuned for more announcements and updates as we wind down the 2009 year and gear up for 2010.

Rowland Norment Students in Hand to Hand Combat

You can't help but be aware of the flu epidemic and how everyone is lining up for H1N1 vaccines and doing all sorts of things to try to stay healthy. The first grade students at Rowland Norment Elementary School in Lumberton are no different. Today the EC and first grade youth took charge by learning how to properly wash their hands. Hand washing you might think is a little preventative. However as the students learned today it is probably one of the best ways to fight illnesses and stay healthy.
Shea Ann DeJarnette and Aggie Rogers, with Robeson County 4-H Youth Development were invited to do their Glo-Germ program with the students. Glo-Germ is a neat science type program that allows youth to see the germs on their hands and then, using the proper hand washing techniques, kill the germs. You might ask what are proper hand washing techniques? We're glad you asked. As the youth learned today using warm water and soap are the best tools in the war on germs. The students learned as they lather up and wash their hands (particularly between their fingers) they need to sing (in their heads) the ABC's or Happy Birthday. When they are done they can rinse and the germs should be gone. Of course the fun part is putting on the Glo-Germ lotion and placing your hands under a black light. Then the germs glow a really bright white and you can see just how sneaky those darn germs are. The majority of students got it right on the first try. A few were sneaky and didn't quite wash as long as they needed to so they went back to bathroom and tried again, this time doing a much better job.
Before we left we were able to name each of our students certified expert hand washers and charged them with some new responsibilities. It is their duty to now make sure others wash their hands appropriately and if they see someone who is not doing it right they are going to show them how to do it. Talk about germ warfare!
We must give a special thanks to Ms. Vera Hockaday's class (pictured above). Not only did they invite us to come do this they were kind enough to share their Harvest Festival treats with us, and even gave us enough to bring back to share with our entire Cooperative Extension Staff. We really appreciate the generosity and thoughtfulness. We had so much fun today that we have been invited back to visit with the second and third grades next Tuesday. Stay tuned because we are looking forward to that as well.

Winding Down and Saying Thank You

It is sad, no more cotton candy, funnel cakes, or collard sandwiches. As we finish winding down the fair, cleaning up at the fairgrounds, cleaning out our vehicles from hauling everything around for 10 days, it is time to reflect, smile, and say thank you.

First we need to say thank you to the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair, Coble D. Wilson, Jr. the Fair Board President, and all the members of the fair board, and friends of the fair. The fair board members not only allowed us to celebrate our centennial but really backed us and supported us in our efforts this year. It started before the fair ever opened. This year the 4-H educational booths were placed in a special area in the commercial exhibits building and we had more than 3 times the booths that we normally have.
Then the fair kicked up a few notches with our opening ceremonies and Dr. Thearon McKinney, from our state 4-H office, helping kick off this year's fair. Our Junior Fair Board members handed out centennial pins to the first 100 people through the gate. Each of the fair board members received a centennial pin and wore them throughout the duration of the fair. A few even had 4-H shirts and we really appreciate those who were brave enough to switch from their fair board shirts to their 4-H shirts and wear them during the fair. The fair also had special travel mugs made with the fair logo on one side and the 4-H centennial logo on the other side, which they gave out to principals, and special guests during the fair. A few of our 4-H members released one hundred 4-H balloons into the air. To top off a grand opening ceremony Steve Troxler our state Agriculture Commissioner, Cherrie Berry, our state Labor Commissioner, and Dr. Thearon McKinney all cut the 4-H birthday cake to really make sure this year was extra sweet.

It did not stop there. During the week we had our usual youth activities. 4-H of course was predominate in the Livestock building with nightly animal shows. We also had a centennial scavenger hunt we gave out t-shirts that had the fair logo on the front and a huge centennial logo on the back. The fair board was kind enough to supply the shirts as a prize for this event. J&J Amusements and the Starr Family Circus were also kind enough to help us by keeping answers to the scavenger hunt on rides and stages. The Junior Fair Board which is made up
predominantly of 4-H members was present every night. These teens helped measure youth for rides, gave out wristbands to help children so they would not get lost, and for those who did get lost they helped them find their parents. These very responsible teens also gave out information about shows and other goings on at the fair and helped out some of the fair board members with their events.

Our own Aggie Rogers organizes a ton of other youth events at the fair like Apollo Night, the Step Show, Fair Pageant and Praise Dance Competition. Between these events she is with the Junior Fair board members making sure they have everything they need.

Probably the biggest thank you of all needs to go to our 4-H members and volunteers. To start with the efforts of all of our clubs were evident in their hard work in their booths. The St. Paul's Pony put up a horse skeleton that the members of the club spent a year putting together. The Junior Fair Board, Lighting Electric Club, Inspirational Youth, and Future Leaders put up their first fair booths ever. Voices in Praise, Young Leaders, Horsin' Around and Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardeners stepped up to the challenge of the Centennial theme and outdid themselves again this year. Of course we also have to thank our friends from Bladen County 4-H for all their hard work on the ambassador booth and 4-H booth. They did themselves proud as well and showed that our fair is truly a regional fair, and we all work together to make the best better.

The work of our volunteers did not stop there. Some of our 4-H volunteers were out there every night (or pretty close to it) and deserve a special pat on the back for all their support of our 4-H program. Marilyn Merritt was by Aggie's side helping with the Junior Fair Board. Bobby Rogers started helping set up booths, offered his carpentry skills all around, and then moved on to hay and helping mentor some of our 4-H members at the fair. Every time I turned around there was Jane Hurst with her camera. Snapping photos and filling any slot where we needed someone. Sandra Cox came out and helped with Senior Citizen day which is always appreciated. Missy McLean and Larry Russ were in the livestock building helping with everything from watering down the ring to weighing in animals, cutting up chickens (grocery store chickens), and even capturing crazed animals that would get loose in the ring.
Allen Monk, a Bladen County 4-H member and his mother Peggy Monk volunteered to help us in the Livestock building and they were wonderful to work with this year and were willing to step in wherever we needed them. Tanya Underwood and Penny McCartney flew in to help with their first ever poultry judging contest. Of course I can't forget one of our best gate keepers, Scott Shaver, a Bladen county 4-H volunteer, who would go to work and then come out to the fair to handle gate duty for our lamb and heifer show. Then there is an entire list of extension agents who came in and volunteered on weekends and on their own time to help with competitions: Livestock Agents Michelle Shooter, Tiffanee Conrad-Acuna, and Becky Spearman; 4-H Agents Michelle Stumbo, Angela Shaver and Lauren Irby; Horticulture Agent Kerrie Roach and Poultry Agent James Parsons.

After thanking all of these volunteers, which our success at the fair is
dependant on their help there is one last group we need to thank, our youth and parents. We had 4-H members from around the state come to compete at our fair and parents who are so supportive they are willing to get up early and drive to our fair to allow their child to be in an environment where they can learn, achieve and succeed. This is why we all do this, is to give that positive hands on learning opportunity to our youth to allow them to grow and become successful adults in the future. the place to do that from October 1-10 was the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.

One quick follow up to our opening day. I got a call Friday afternoon from a very nice man named Tim Barfield, in Cary, North Carolina. He called to tell me that he and his son were fishing about 10 miles south of Atlantic Beach out in the ocean and saw something floating out there. Being the good environmentalist that they are they thought it was trash and went to pick it up. As they got closer they realized that it was a bunch of balloons. When they fished them out they were able to piece together that it was part of our balloon release and called me to let me know where they found them. I was so thankful that they fished them out of the ocean, and called us that we will be sending him a big thank you note and centennial pin.

The fair may be over for 2009 but we will start planning now for 2010. If you would like to volunteer to be part of the fun just let us know by calling (910) 671-3276 we always need help and are excited to work with volunteers in any capacity. Go ahead and mark your calendars for the 2010 Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair, our 10 days of fun will be September 30-October 9.

One last thank you to everyone who made this fair such a huge success for 4-H. We can't do it without you and we hope you know how much we appreciate everything you do.

Baaaack to the Shows

Saturday at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair is time for our 4-H Lamb and Heifer Shows, and did we ever have a show. The day starts early, around 7 a.m. with the first lambs making their way in around 7:30. We have weigh in and by 10:30 everyone is ready and waiting to go. After a quick calculation of weight classes we were ready to get into the ring.

We started with showmanship. The cloverbuds, our 5-8 years olds took the center stage. This division is non competitive so the youth have the opportunity to show their lambs in the ring and receive trophies for the work they have done. April Baldwin, Hannah Naylor and Tate Naylor kicked things off for us in this division and did a spectacular job showing their lambs.

Next up is the 9-10 year old junior division. Once again their were only three competitors in this division but unlike the cloverbuds these were placed on their showing ability. After a bit of time in the ring our judge placed Ashley Wilson first, Amber Fout second and Hunter Muse third. Each received a rosette ribbon and cash prize for their efforts.

In the 11-13 year old junior division there was a lot of competition. The judge had a tough time deciding with this crowd. When the eight contestants finally stopped moving around in the ring the judge had his placings. Samantha Naylor took home the blue ribbon, Robert Seals took home the red ribbon, and Henry Carter walked away with the white. Rounding out that age division were Sabrina Blake in fourth place, Megan Baldwin in fifth place, Glenn Bill in sixth, Benjamin Herndon in seventh and Olivia Muse in eighth.

Up next is the toughest group of competitors each year, the 14-19 year olds also known as the Senior division. With 10 in the ring at one time the judge had his hands full watching our competitors as they did their best to show their lambs. Taylor Black must have wowed the judge taking home first place, while Heather Goodrich came in a close second and Ian Ridenhour rounded out the top three spots. Following closely behind our top three leaders in this division were Courtney Dotson, Hattie Furr, Jacob Faggart, Danielle Blake, Mariah Graham, Steven Boudreaux, Jr., and Cooper Locke.

That was just the first round in the ring after that our competitors went in the ring for the 4-H market lamb show. This show is centered around the lamb. The divisions are divided based on the lambs' weight. This year our lightweight division was 65-111 pounds, our middleweights were 113-127 pounds, and our heavyweights were 129-147 pounds. Each division had 12 -13 competitors making the judging difficult for our judge. Below are the standings for our divisions:
Lightweight

Glenn Bill with Snowflake-11

Cooper Locke with Sissy Girl-10
Hunter Muse with Allie-9

Olivia Muse with Snow-12

Steven Boudreaux with Lilly-8
Olivia Muse with Zoe-7
Henry Carter with Aggie-3
Sabrina Blake with Mary-1
Megan Baldwin with 270-6
Hunter Muse with Combo-5
Smantha Naylor with 107-2
Amber Fout with Spout-4
Middleweight

Benjamin Herndon with Alexander-9

Glenn Bill with Annie-10
Henry Carter with Merle-11
Samantha Naylor with Wildman-4
Hunter Muse with Carlie-12
Ian Ridenhour with Bella-6

Olivia Muse with Bozo-13

Hattie Furr with Lucy-3
Heather Goodrich with Clyde-5
Mariah Graham with Bo-7
Benjamin Herndon with Bucephalus-8
Glenn Bill with Bo-1
Heather Goodrich with Blue-2

Heavyweight

Courtney Dotson with Spice-11
Danielle Blake with Pickles-12
Jacob Faggart with John Boy-10
Samantha Naylor with Lambo-5

Samantha Naylor with 723-1

Robert Seals with Sinbad-3
Hattie Furr with Sugar-4
Robert Seals with Sarah-2
Ashley Wilson with Buddy-6
Hattie Furr with Duke-7
Ian Riddenhour with El Diablo-8
Taylor Black with Troy-3

After the weight divisions were decided our first place winners from each got back into the ring to chose the best of the best. Sabrina Blake with Mary, Glenn Bill with Bo and Samantha Naylor with 723 were vying for Grand Champion. When it was all said and done Samantha Naylor with lamb number 723 took Grand Champion while her ring replacement Robert Seals with Sarah took home Reserve Champion.

After a short break and time for everyone to get photos in the ring it was time for our 4-H Steer and Heifer shows. As always we started with showmanship. There were no cloverbuds this year to kick off the festivities so we went straight to the Junior division. There were two competitors in this division, Vinnie Grazino who took first and Abigale Montcreif who placed second. In the Junior 11-13 age division Austin Cameron and Anthony Bullard went head to head with Austin taking home the blue and Anthony the red. In the Senior division Sable Scott and Dennis Bullard squared off in the ring with Sable edging out Dennis for first place.

Next we had our 4-H market heifer show which is done by birth dates of the heifers. In the 3/1/2009-4/30/2009 division there were three competitors. Austin Cameron with Double C8/50, Anthony Bullard with April, and Abigale Montcrief with Agnes. Austin and his heifer took first while Abigale and Agnes were a close second and Anthony and April rounded out the top three spots. In the 1/1/2009-2/28/2009 category Vinne Grazino with Lucy took first. Austin Cameron racked up another blue ribbon with Double c 8/21 in the 9/1/2008-10/31/2008 division. Sable Scott and Annie Oakly also took home blue in the 11/1/2007-12/31/2007 division.

After that our first place winners took center stage competing for Grand and Reserve Champion. When it was said and done Vinnie Grazino with Lucy took home the Grand Champion prize while Sable Scott with Annie Oakley took home the Reserve Champion title.

After that we had two contestants with steer so we had an impromptu steer show. Usually steers are shown by weight but since we only had two we thought we would combine and weight classes into one and let them go head to head. Once again Vinnie Grazino had a blue ribbon to take home while Dennis Bullard walked away with the red in our first ever 4-H steer show.

As if all of this was not enough fun for one day we had someone else to recognize for their support of our 4-H centennial. We chased down Coble Wilson, Jr., President of the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair to present him with a certificate for the entire Fair Board for all of their support of 4-H. They helped us promoted our centennial through the fair book, on coffee mugs, with t-shirts and by allowing us to have extra special activities for this fair. We could not have had such a wonderful celebration if it weren't for their support and we really appreciate it.

This was all the fun we could stand for one day but stay tuned to our 4-H blog for more followups of 4-H events from the fair as we wind down and clean up from this years events.

Friday is a Day of Rest for our Animals

Friday at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair is a day of rest for our animals as they prepare for our last big show on Saturday, the 4-H Lamb and Heifer show. This show will involve youth from all over North Carolina and is second biggest to the goat show each year. As we prepare for that show we are just kicking back and enjoying the sights and sounds of the fair this night.

One of the neat things we were able to do today with a little down time was say thank you to some folks. We presented Star Family Circus and J&J Amusements with official 4-H Certificates of Appreciation for their support of our 4-H Centennial Activities at the fair. Star Family Circus allowed us to put an answer for our 4-H Scavenger Hunt on their fence in front of the stage and J&J amusements let us put two answers up, one on the ferris wheel and fun slide. They were particularly supportive of our efforts and happy to help out in our celebration and we really appreciate their efforts.

The 4-H Scavenger Hunt was 10 questions about 4-H. Each question had clues to find the next answer. Several youth found the answers and will receive a free 4-H t-shirt provided by the fair. The winners of t-shirts include: Maurice R., Tarangie G., Dillon M., Cierra W., and more.

In case you missed it in the Robesonian, our County Extension Director, Everett Davis, did a fantastic article about the fair and 4-H. Make sure you take a moment to read it. It might even make you want to join 4-H.

Stay tuned to the 4-H blog as we give you the highlights of the 4-H lamb and heifer show...coming up soon.

No Eggs Laid During This Competition

What would a county fair be without animals? I don't mean pony or camel rides but cows, goats and the ever popular chicken. Although the chickens may not be the cutest or cuddliest chicken in the building it is a big draw especially on Thursday nights at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair when we have our annual 4-H poultry shows.

This year we had youth showing both laying hens and broilers. Three cloverbuds, Adelmo Wyrtko, Regina Koch and Caleb Jacobs learned how to hold their laying hens as the entered the show ring and got ready for our judge to check out their birds. When they left they all had trophies in hand and big smiles on their faces. Up next was the Junior division. Long time competitor Benjamin Herndon took first in this division with his hen while Mikayla Hecker took first place in the senior division.

The broiler competition was a little more competitive this year. Although we did not have any cloverbuds we had two Benjamin's registered for our Junior division Benjamin Herndon and Benjamin Dial. Benjamin Herndon added another blue ribbon to his collection after this competition. The Senior division allowed for a brother sister match as Kelsy Bullard took on her older brother Sebastian. Kelsy took home the blue while her brother walked away with the red ribbon in this competition.

We will wind down our animal shows on Saturday with Lambs and Heifers. The lamb show starts promptly at 11 while the heifers will start at one. Come by and see us at the Robeson County Fair this year...just two days left for the 2009 fair year.

What an Eggs-cellent Opportunity

What would make teens from across the county flock to the Robeson County Fair? Deep fried goodies? Rides that turn you and churn you? Youth social events? How about the ever popular 4-H Poultry Judging Competition? These FFA and 4-H members flew to the fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon for an incredible competition that included eggs in and out of the shell, live and dead chickens, and chicken parts.

More than 65 youth took part in this years competition. It was a humdinger as they had to judge live past production hens and place them, provide oral reasons on why they placed the chickens in the order they did, name the various parts of a chicken from a grocery store hen that had been cut up, grade eggs that had been broken out of the shell, grade grocery store chickens that had been tied up so they could properly examine them, and judge eggs by their interior qualities by candling them.

Each youth travelled with 9 others from station to station and had 10 minutes at each station. The youth did their best to examine each item and fill in their answers to gain the top score. When it was all said and done Destiny Smith placed first in the individual junior division. Stan Locklear placed first in the Senior Division with Allen Monk a close second and Dillon Dennis third.

In the team category there were 16 teams competing for three slots. The teams included Diamond Trail Academy, Lumberton FFA, St. Paul's FFA, Red Springs FFA and Purnel Swett FFA. When the scores were tallied Diamond Trail Academy went home with the top honors. Two of the St. Paul's FFA teams followed with second and third place.

Keep following all of the competition news and excitement on our 4-H blog as we continue all this ag-fun. Thursday night is our annual poultry show. Our 4-H youth will show laying hens and broilers this year in contention for the top prize.

Day of the Pig

They were a lot cuter six months ago when they went home with our 4-H members however now these hogs that have tripled in size are becoming contenders for the ring. In case you missed the squeal Tuesday night is traditionally the 4-H pig show at the Robeson County Fair and we unveiled our new adult hog show too.

This year three 4-H members took on the challenge of raising and showing a pig. Kashawn Cooper with Voices in Praise, Triton and Sebastian Bullard of Footprints 4-H Club all took center stage in the ring as they showed off their hard work. Kashawn Cooper placed first in the Junior Showmanship division while Triton Bullard placed first in the Senior division and his brother Sebastian placed second. In the weight division the hogs ranged from 108-190 pounds. Triton Bullard placed first while his brother Sebastian placed second and Kashawn rounded out the weight division in third.

This year instead of having two youth divisions we had one 4-H show and an adult hog show. This year Anthony Locklear brought 16 pigs and seven other adults to show them. As the adults ran after their pigs, they found keeping their eyes on the judge and the pigs was not as easy as the youth make it look. After several rounds through the ring the judge made his decision in the lightweight division. Anthony Locklear took home the blue ribbon, Ryan Locklear followed with second place and Ruby Oxendine took Third. The following contestants rounded out the lightweight division:

Dwan Locklear-6
Lyvans Lowry-4
Sherry Locklear-5
Candy Lowry-8
Tonya Mitchell-7

In the Heavy Weight Division our pigs ranged in weight from226-267 pounds. The adults did their best to motivate the hogs through the ring and around the judge to see which hog might place first. Once again Anthony Locklear took home the first place ribbon while Lyvans Lowry took home the red and Candy Lowry took home the white ribbon. The following contestants rounded out the heavy weight division:
Ruby Oxendine-5
Sherry Locklear-8
Dwan Locklear-6
Ryan Locklear-7
Tonya Mitchell-4
After getting all the hogs out of the ring we moved on to Grand and reserve Champion. Anthony Locklears two first place pigs placed one in each category awarding him the big trophy's and prize money.

Stay tuned to our 4-H blog for more updates as we continue squealing about all the fun at the fair!

Things were Hoppin' At the Fair

Mother Nature might not have been kind as an all day rain dampened the spirits of possible fair goers. With puddles and mud the fair decided close shortly after opening however the rain, mud, and muck did not dampen the spirit of our 4-Her's as they competed in our annual rabbit show.

About 15 youth were registered for this fun and fuzzy show and we had a crowd of more than 50 people cheering them on.
As always our cloverbuds (5-8 year olds) took the ring first. Some got a little help getting their rabbits to the table under the watchful eye of our judge. They held their rabbits and answered as many questions as they could about their rabbit projects. When it was all said and done they walked away with trophies and $10 for their efforts. The incredible cloverbud participants included: Jaheim Purdie, Christian Smith, Tierra Locklear, Dakota Strickland and Brionna Locklear.

Next our 9-10 year old Juniors took the ring. After checking the rabbits, talking with the youth and getting details like what they fed their rabbits, how often they cleaned their cages, if the rabbits were males or females, the judge delivered the news. Chenlin Hill took home the blue ribbon, Kristen Barnes took home the red and Abigale Montcrief took home the white ribbon.
We stepped up the competition with our 11-13 year old Junior Division. The judge had such a difficult time determining the winner it came down to one last factor the cleanliness of their feet. He said he could tell who kept the cleanest cages by the rabbits feet. Although it was still tough Dillon McCartney ended up with the blue ribbon, Ally Spivey came in second, Jordan Rogers third and Anthony Bullard fourth.

The Senior division rounded out the competition. This division was just as difficult as the others. However when it was all said and done Brian Smith took home the blue ribbon in this division and Triton Bullard took home the red ribbon.