Robeson County 4-H

What a night to kick off a program with seven incredible families. Strengthening Families is a curriculum from Iowa State University that helps promote family communication and addresses issues such as substance abuse, behavior problems, and develops positive social skills for families. The program is shown to reduce and delay substance abuse in youth and give families the tools they need to be stronger and withstand outside negative influences. The program which is being delivered in Robeson County as a cooperative effort between the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and 4-H Youth Development departments is targeted at families with youth between the ages of 10-14. During our first meeting the parents worked with Christy Strickland and Janice Fields, Family Consumer Sciences Extension Agents on using love and limits. In another room Shea Ann DeJarnette and Aggie Rogers with 4-H, worked with the youth on having goals and dreams. After the first session apart, everyone came together to...

It is traditionally our first county event of the year, 4-H County Council and Leaders' Association officer orientation. This is the first chance for our officers elected in November to come together and learn about their job responsibilities , what is expected of them, and what will be coming up in the new 4-H year. This year we also had a little parliamentary procedure training as part of our event. We started with gavel protocol that will be used at our meetings. One tap of the gavel means the meeting is adjourned or to sit down. Two taps of the gavel means the meeting is called to order. Three taps means everyone stands in unison on the third tap. Many taps means order, when things get a little off the topic. As our Presidents practiced everyone got a chance to get up and or sit down and have a little fun. The officer made trail mix using proper parliamentary procedure. One officer would make a motion to add an ingredient, a second would be made there would be discus...

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon as Libby Burney welcomed five youth and parents into her home for the first meeting of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club. The parents and youth got the overwhelming introduction to 4-H as Mrs Burney, her daughter Holly, and 4-H staff members tried to explain what 4-H is all about. After explaining the projects and opportunities these youth will have as part of the club the youth got a chance to meet the miniature horse, pony, and new baby that they will be working with and learning how to care for. They also had a homemade horseshoe cake to dive into after the meeting. Mrs Burney was previously a 4-H volunteer in Florida and has been part of 4-H since the 1960's. Her daughter Holly was part of the club the Mrs Burney lead in Florida and has graduated to being a co-leader for this club. Keeping it all in the family will be Christopher, Holly's son who is a cloverbud and will be a member of this club. The St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club will meet...

100 Reasons to Celebrate I love the holiday season. Thanksgiving is the kickoff to great food and family time, followed by a month of planning for Christmas. There is decorating, shopping, and travel plans. It is a concentrated effort to brighten someone elses life through a present, visit, or just a thought. As you are reading this, you are probably sitting back enjoying having rung in the New Year, a day that brings a fresh start and new things to come. There is something magical about this time of year. Part of me wishes we could bottle it and celebrate all year, but the other part of me knows that if we celebrated all year, it would not be nearly as special or magical as celebrating it once a year. Imagine the magic if we celebrated only every 5 years, 10 years, or even 100 years. Now that would be truly magical. Of course, celebrating a centennial does not happen but maybe once in a person's lifetime. If you have the opportunity to celebrate a centennial, wouldn't you want...