Robeson County 4-H

Although I am not one who likes to dwell in the past I must say that looking back at our accomplishments over the past year is really exciting. When you can do it in photos it is even better. Each year Robeson County 4-H publishes a photo book showing what we have done. Needless to say we have done that again this year. The book is used for marketing purposes and one stays in our library and we often take them with us when we set up displays. Of course you can view the electronic version of the book and even order your own book by clicking on the link. This year the book has a family theme, because 4-H is really another family for many of us. Over this year we have seen many changes. Our Extension Director, Everett Davis retired, after 28 years of service. We dedicate this book to him as a thank you for his support of the 4-H program. Before his departure Everett set up two endowments for 4-H to support our volunteers and 4-H members and ensure the future of our program. Keith Walters,...

This morning, our first day back in the office, we have been sharing the highlights and special details of our holiday celebration. In many cases the phrase, my children our blessed, I am blessed have been repeated over and over. The spirit of the season has brought us back to center and in many cases we want to share our blessings. Our Robeson County 4-H members, volunteers, and family know that Robeson County 4-H is a United Way Agency. In other words our funding for county programs (not salaries, overhead or typical office needs) which directly impact our youth and volunteers come from United Way. Without this money we would not be able to offer the variety of programs and trainings that you see highlighted here on our blog. 100% of our county budget is dependent on United Way. I say all of this because this morning we had our quarterly United Way Agency Meeting. Robeson County 4-H is one of 17 agencies that receive funding from United Way. Each agency is different in how muc...

The following is an original poem from those excellent equestrian entrepreneurs in St. Paul's. Yes, they created their own Christmas poem as part of a contest in the Fayetteville Observer about their 4-H club and we could not help but share it with you. Santa Needs Help! It was fourteen days, till Christmas, that we knew. All the reindeers, and elves came down with the flu. Poor Santa, he just didn't know what to do. "Now Santa!" said Mrs Claus, "don't worry, I know who to call! The 4-H Club in St. Paul's." When the 4-Hers got the call, they grabbed all the ponies, then took off, so they could help out Santa Claus. They got to the North Pole just in the nick of time, because they knew Santa, was getting behind. "Now! Alicia, and Brianna, Now! Caylee, and Chasity, Now! Christian, Daniel, Meagan, Taylor and Paiton too," Santa said, "we have lots of work to do!" They washed all the ponies, and the sleigh too, They knew there was two ...

Of course anytime we have the opportunity to highlight something special about 4-H we will. If it is something about 4-H in North Carolina you better believe we will toot the horn of our fellow 4-H'ers. For those of you who watch Good Morning America you may already know what I am talking about. This video link will take you to a segment on the show. A group of 4-H'ers from Graham County taped a little snip it that made the edit this morning. If you are wondering which ones they are check out the piece around the 54 second marker. Congratulations Graham County 4-H!

It was all about nature as the members of the Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener 4-H club meet last night. Nature and Christmas were the main topics of this meeting right after they got done with a little business. The club members elected officers that will serve through September of 2011. Dillon McCartney will be President, Tyson Alford Vice President, Tyron Alford Treasurer, Andra Turbok Secretary, and Kieren Hatcher will be Reporter. After getting done with the difficult business of elections the group spread out to make some really neat and natural craft projects Club leader, Missy McLean worked with the youth to make some really neat mouse ornaments. They used acorns, gumballs from trees, straw, google eyes and pom poms to make the unique creatures. With a ribbon placed strategically between the body and head during construction they had some really cute, yet personal tree ornaments. The youth also worked with Kerrie Roach who volunteered to come play as she calls it. They used...

Rain nor snow nor sleet would keep the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports club from their appointed field trip with shooting stars (a.k.a. shooting legends). Yes, shooting legends who could all be found at the Annie Oakley Boom Days in Pinehurst, NC . For those of you not familiar with Annie Oakley, she was born in the 1860's and is considered the first female superstar. Travelling with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Oakley was a sharpshooter and exhibition shooter that was known for her fast shooting, and trick shots with a mirror. In 1922 at the age of 62 Oakley apparently competed in a shooting contest in Pinehurst and shot 100 clays at 16 yards. Thus the contest of this legend continues today as the Annie Oakley Boom Days. This year the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports club worked with the promoters of the event to visit and meet some of the best in the field. They knew they were right on target meeting two members of the USA Olympic Shooting Sports team . Caitlin Connor and Ja...

Today marks a new day of leadership for Robeson County Cooperative Extension as Dr. Cathy Graham joins our team as our County Extension Director. Dr. Graham was previously the County Extension Director in Scotland County. Many of our long time volunteers and alumni may remember Dr. Graham from when she served as a 4-H Agent in Robeson County. Dr. Graham is stepping into the position that was vacated by Everett Davis when he retired in April. Keith Walters, the County Extension Director in Hoke County, served as interim during the seven months it took to find our new director. On Monday the staff got together to say thank you and good bye to Keith as he returned back to duty in Hoke County. An NCSU graduate, we made sure we gave him a proper send off with an NCSU cake and a photo of his "Team Robeson". As Dr. Graham started today the staff gave her a breakfast social with fresh baked muffins, coffee cake, fruit and other morning goodies . We sat and talked and introduced ours...

It might be before Thanksgiving but we have found anytime of the year is a good time to spread 4-H cheer. More than 50 members and volunteers did just that at the annual Lumberton Christmas Parad e this year. Our 4-H members could be seen on a variety of the more than 100 entries in this year's parade. Some rode on church floats, others with school groups, two special 4-H members even represented 4-H on the United Way of Robeson County's first ever float. Dakota Strickland with Horsin' Around 4-H Club and Korina Pittman of Titans 4-H club represented the more than 6,000 youth that 4-H worked with thanks to the financial support of the United Way of Robeson County. Both donned Live United t-shirts and waved to crowds who gave them both supportive shout outs. Libby Burney of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club headed up the Christmas Parade committee this year and provided a trailer that was festively decorated and included a white Christmas tree with green garland and four lea...

It is amazing how the educational songs we learned in Kindergarten stay with you. In this case it is our ABC's and the Happy Birthday song. Both can help our youth become official germ busters and keep them healthy in school rather than sick and out of school. I can tell you are singing your ABC's trying to remember how that might work. Well the message is not in the lyrics to the song rather the timing of it. The 4-H and EFNEP (Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program) staffs descended upon Rowland Norment School to help battle germs. Yes, those microscopic things that are rampant no matter where you are. However, in a school where little ones like to touch everything and everyone it makes the germ travel faster and easier than other settings. The four staff members went class to class to conduct glo-germ, a science experiment in which the students got to see the germs on their hands illuminated. Then the youth had the opportunity to go to the bathroom and wash their han...

The students in the Community in Schools (CIS) Red Springs after school program answered that question Wednesday. They found humans and plants share many of the same answers. Plants need sunlight, food, water, and air to survive. Humans need all of the same things, but we happen to get them in different forms. The youth did a recycling plant science project that tests the theory of all the things we need. Using knee high stockings, a little soil, and grass seed they made their own healthy project, a grass head. The project allows youth to not only learn about what it takes to grow, but recycle knee high stockings and express their own creativity. This is part of a series of projects that we are doing with Red Springs middle after school students to teach them about Healthy living.

"Thank you, this is a blessing for so many." That was Helen Rogers's words as Sandy Locklear, a volunteer with her organization, and two Extension Staff members carried in box after box filled with the more than 300 pounds of canned goods and nonperishables that our 4-H members, parents, and volunteers donated as part of 4-H Youth Achievement night. Rogers could not stop smiling as she realized her empty food pantry shelves would not only be full when we got done, but overflowing. Rogers is the director of His Little Ones, a pregnancy support group that helps mothers with the support they need for their babies. Thanks to donations from the public the group is able to offer mothers with financial needs necessities such as diapers, bottles, clothes, and even food. A recent church community service project brought the need of the organization to the attention of the 4-H Staff. With our 4-H Hungry to Help canned food drive looming on the horizon it seemed like a perfect fit ...

It was only a few hours after receiving their charter certificate and community service award that the Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports 4-H Club members hit the range and completed their community service project for this year. The town of Fairmont allows the club to use their firing range for club meetings and shooting practice. This morning the club members went out and pulled weeds, policed brass, raked the burm and picked up trash trying to give back to the town and show that they care about maintaining this facility. While the members were busy with their community service project the parents were busy with paperwork. Since this was the first meeting for the club in the new club year they were busy talking schedules, activities and making sure all the club paperwork was up to date. After the project and cleaning the youth, parents and volunteers enjoyed a picnic with hamburgers off the grill (thanks to their club leader) and all the sides. The next meeting will be in December and will...

I admit Christmas is not here yet, nor Thanksgiving, but this is the most wonderful time of the year for our Robeson County 4-H program. That is because this is when we celebrate our youth and their accomplishments in our 4-H program. Tonight marked our annual 4-H Youth Achievement Night. The evening began with our Mistress of ceremonies, Staci Kinlaw. She has been a strong partner and supporter of our local 4-H program and worked with the Bladen County program as well. We were very excited that she could be with us this evening. Hazel Sumner, our Past President of the Robeson County 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association offered everyone an official welcome. While Michiko Hill of the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club and Christian Tice of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club lead the pledges. Our Interim County Extension Director, Keith Walters recognized special guests and gave a very special thank you to our parents and volunteers who really support our youth in all that they do. Christo...

It was an early and chilly morning as Robeson County 4-H Volunteers, Rosie Jones, Sonny Sampson, and Veronica Powell climbed into the state van with 4-H Agent Shea Ann DeJarnette to head to Anson County. This wasn't a scenic tour, more of a day of hands on learning and training at the annual South Central District Fall Day . Anson County hosted the event this year at the Extension Office in Wadesboro. The day started with a welcome, workshops, district meeting and ended with an incredible home cooked lunch by the Anson County volunteers. The workshops this year included a Hungry to Help Workshop, ACE trainings, a health and fitness opportunity and a bow making workshop. Dr. Mitzi Stumpf-Downing with the state 4-H office conducted the training on the 4-H Hungry to Help initiative. This is a state wide community service project in which youth and adults in 4-H will help address the hunger issue within our state. Dr. Stumpf-Downing educated the volunteers on the issue of h...

Thank you seems like so little to say to our incredible Robeson County 4-H volunteers. That is why we hold our annual Robeson County 4-H Adult Volunteer Appreciation Banquet for the more than 100 volunteers that we have. This year our harvest theme was a hit with our adults who had the opportunity to enjoy dinner and entertainment from Hailey Ivey, a winner of the talent competition at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair and our featured speaker was Charles Graham, candidate for the House of Representatives. Mr. Graham talked about the importance of opportunities like 4-H and commended our volunteers on their efforts. Of course the highlight of the evening was when we honored our volunteers, without whom we would not have a successful program. Our first year volunteers include; Melanie Allen, Candi Blackmon, Amanda Dial, Brian Dial, Anna Hatcher, Gary Henderson, Marie Henderson, Felicia Hill, Willie Johnson, Rosie, Jones, Atha McArthur, Fredrick McKinnon, Vanessa Moore, Veronica P...