Planning to Score

The 4-H County Council Volunteer Leader Association officers met tonight to make plans for a whole new and exciting County Council, Volunteer Leaders Association meeting that will take place on Monday, February 4, starting at 6:30 pm.
The group is starting by making the first meeting of 2013 a sporting event. Actually they have asked everyone to come wearing your favorite team color. Any team, any sport, any age. They are expecting a whole lot of colorful people at our first event.
As always the the meeting will start at 6:30 pm on the dot. For those that arrive early the group plans for ice bakers and games to entertain before everyone so the meeting can start on time. Although some of the meeting topics are meant to be a surprise, we can tell you club reports should be fun as everyone does their best to give their report in some type of sports them, weather as a sports announcer or with sports jargon. We are bound to have a good time. If you have any questions about the meeting please contact the 4-H office at (910) 671-3276.

Our 4-H Volunteers are ACEs

  Tonight seven of our volunteers travelled to Cumberland County to take part in the 4 County 4-HVolunteer Revolution trainings.  Thanks to a grant from the Extension Foundation this series of popular trainings are taking place with a whole new focus.  This year the 4-H Agents are coordinating the trainings to follow the bronze level ACE Master Volunteer trainings.  the goal is that by the end of the year each volunteer attending will be able to submit their bronze level portfolio.

  The first training, which took place in Cumberland County, focused on the fundamentals of 4-H.  Angela Shaver, the 4-H Agent in CumberlandCounty talked with everyone about the history of 4-H and the essential elements of 4-H.  She also covered the organizational structure of all the organizations that 4-H is associated and fall under.  Peggy Monk, Robeson County 4-H Volunteer, went over the some of the tell tale signs of 4-H.  Things like the emblem, motto, colors, and pledge.  All elements of every part of 4-H club work.

  Each volunteer also walked out with a notebook to help them get started in compiling the information they will need to earn the bronze level ACE certification.

  The next training will take place at the Moore County Extension office on March 26 where the volunteers will go over Parliamentary Procedure.  If you would like more information please contact the Robeson County 4-H staff at (910) 671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.

Forecast: Warm and Friendly at District Winterfest

    2013 means a whole new adventure for our 4-H members as we step into a new district.  The move meant more than just a name change from the South Central to the Southeast district, it means new counties, new friends and different programs for one and all.

  Today was the first of these programs as 11 teens attended the Southeast District 4-H Winterfest Meeting.  Our youth got up early on a day off from school to jump in the van and drive about two hours to the Wayne County Extension Center in Goldsboro.  Once there we joined forces with about 70 other youth from 18 different counties.  Youth broke the ice with a quick game of 4-H Jeopardy, and even learned a couple of things along the way.   The district officers lead a brief business meeting and then everyone took a break for lunch.

  After lunch the group was broken into two smaller groups, one went to the kitchen to cook with one of their district officers, while the rest attended a workshop on team building with our own 4-H Extension Agent, Shea Ann DeJarnette.

During the cooking workshop youth learned about making a spinach smoothie, baked fries, dirt cake, and straight from the pages of Harry Potter, butter beer.  Everyone had a good time in the kitchen learning, experimenting, and testing.  Ok, some recipes they liked more than others, but there was no question about the amount of fun they had.

The team building workshop meant getting creative and getting up to have some fun.  We started with the game of two truths and a lie.  Essentially everyone introduces themselves and gives two factual Peices of information about themselves and one fictitious one.  It is up to the group to determine which one is fictitious.

  It is amazing what we learned about each other during this exercise.  After getting up and stretching for a good laugh, we broke up into five teams for a quick circular logic exercise using a hula hoop.  After the hula hoop exercise everyone broke out into four teams for a lemonade relay.  Maybe it was more an exercise in how not to make lemonade, but it was lots of laughs and fun. After that we came together in one big circle to pass the ball and answer some questions before our Hershey's Personality Assessment.  After about an hour the participants switched workshops and had exponential amounts of fun!

  When the workshops were over there was a community service project that sort of makes you melt.  The youth made valentines that will be distributed to others.  The valentines were made from melting crayon shavings between sheets of wax paper.  The wax paper was then cut out in the shape of a heart and a whole punched in it so a string could be threaded through it and it could be hung up in a window like stained glass.

  After completing the project it was time to say good bye to all our new friends with the promise to see them again at the next district event which will be Teen Retreat March 8-9.  If you would like more information about this program please contact the 4-H

Speaking Up and Speaking Out

4-H County Activity Day is one of the big competitive programs for our youth.  Essentially County Activity Day has two parts, Public Speaking competitions and Presentation competitions.  In Public Speaking youth must research, write, and deliver their own speech.  They can not use any props, just their voice to make their point.  Presentations is more like show and tell.  The youth demonstrate something and use posters, PowerPoint or other aids to help them demonstrate their point.  Topics ranged from how to make a fruit salad to peer pressure, and the competition was fierce.
  Let's start with Public Speaking.  4-H Members compete by age division.  This year in the 9-10 Junior 1 Age division Jordan McKinnon with Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club took first place with a speech on Epilepsy.
In the Junior 2 (11-13 year old age division) there were four competitors  Page Freeman with the All Around All Stars 4-H Arts and Crafts Club, Michiko Hill with the Inspirational Youth Leaders, D'Andre Johnson with Young Leaders, and Elizah Leach with Voices in Praise.  With a tie in this division the judges had to take a little extra time to discuss it and determine the winning line up.  When it was all said and done Page Freeman got a green participant ribbon, Elizah Leach got third place, D'Andre Johnson took home second place and Michiko Hill walked away with first place.
The senior division was really tough.  Going in there were 9 competitors signed up but that dropped down to  4 by the time it came for them to get up and speak.  The topics were serious in this category from childhood hunger in the United States to Doing Your Best, the audience had to listen and think about what was said.  The judge had a tough time with only 4 points separating first and fourth place.  When all the words had cleared the air, Wendy Maynor, 4-H Program Assistant, announced the placings.  With a participant ribbon, Kyasia Simmons of the Spiritual Generations 4-H Club, Zaire Baker with Voices in Praise took third place, Just one point ahead of her getting second place with Alexus Jones with Inspirational Youth Leaders, and leading the point count, receiving first place was Camry Ocean with Voices in Praise 4-H Club.

If you thought that competition was tough you should have seen what was going on next door, in the kitchen during presentations.  There we started with our youngest members, the 5-8 year old cloverbuds.  In this age division it is not competitive we just want them to get up and have fun giving presentations like the older kids.  Jada McKinnon, with the Inspirational Youth Leaders, started us off showing us, "How to Make a Tossed Salad."  Samiah Williams, also with the Inspirational Youth Leaders, was able to show us "How to Make a Fruit Salad".   After receiving their participation ribbons it was time to move on to the competitive divisions.
Junior 1 Division (9-10 year olds) was made up of one competitor, Nadia Bennett with the Spiritual Generations 4-H Club.  She told us all about the different parts of a clarinet, the history of the instrument, and the pieces   She even played a song for us.  for her hard work the judges awarded her first place in Communications and Expressive Arts.
Then it was on to the Junior 2 division (11-13 year olds).  Leading us off was Jamal Bennett of the Spiritual Generations 4-H Club, telling us all about the recorder.  Tyrik Taylor with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club showed us how to make the perfect cookie (by the way it was clover shaped). Then Christian Tice, also with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club, followed it all up showing us how to make fruit juice.  Becuase each one of these presentations was in a different category (Communications and Expressive arts, Egg Cookery, and Fruits and Vegetables) each one of these competitors was able to walk away with a blue ribbon.

In our final age division (Seniors 14-18 years old) there were 4 strong competitors.  Chasity McClay, with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club, talked to us about what kinds of  treats we should feed our horses, Katie Hiller , also with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club educated us about the dangers of Salmonella.  Megan Hurst with the Horsin' Around 4-H Animal Science Club and Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club, gave us all sorts of information about domesticated cats.  Shawndora McNair of the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club talks about the serious topic of Teen Obesity.   When it was said and done, Chasity McClay took first in the horse category and Megan Hurst received first in Companion Animals.  Both Katie Hiller and Shawndora McNair went head to head in competition with Shawndora receiving second place while Katie was awarded the blue ribbon.

While all this was going on Jaylyn McNair, with the Inspirational Youth Leaders was outside competing in outdoor cookery.  Our judge said the chicken dish he prepared this year was moist and had a hint of sweet thanks to the sauce he created.  Jaylyn also received a blue ribbon for his efforts.
All first and second place winners will go on to 4-H District Activity Day held at Mount Olive College on April 27.  Until then our youth will be practicing for the big day and planning to take the Southeast district by storm.
Congratulations to all our participants, job well done.  A special thanks to all our judges, parents, and volunteers who made today happen.

Breaking News!

  Things are never dull around our 4-H office.  With as many clubs, projects, programs, and just plain excitement it is a wonder that we don't have more of these type of posts.  You will want to read this whole post becuase this is more than 1 announcement it is several together.
  I am pleased to announce  that the Horsin' Around 4-H Horse Club will now be known as the Horsin' Around 4-H Animal Science Club.  Now they will focus on all animals big and small, and watch out come animal science time, this club plans to take charge and offer a whole new experience for participants.
  Not only will this club have a whole new look but the Kung-Fu Chicken 4-H Poultry Club has decided to merge with this Horsin' Around Club to make this a stronger club with more members and more opportunities.  The new club will continue to meet at 6 pm on the Third Tuesday of each month.  If you are interested in more information about this club please contact the 4-H office at (910) 671-3276, or Shea_Ann_DeJarenette@ncsu.edu.

Warming the Community

  We do all sorts of things in 4-H, and one of the big things we encourage is giving back to the community.  Today the All Around All Stars 4-H Arts and Crafts Club did just that.  You may remember an earlier post this month where club members made brightly colored fleece scarves, and adorned them with buttons and other decorations.  The goal at their club meeting was to make as many wonderful scarves as possible and donate them to those who might need and enjoy them.  Sort of a hug by proxy from club members.

   Today two club members, Kierin Hatcher and Maggie Underwood, were able to stop by Robeson Pediatrics (along with a few adults that they allowed to take part) and deliver the scarves to Dr. Katie who will give them to patients who might need a warm scarf.  With cold and flu season upon us this is the perfect time for this type of donation.  Maggie modeled a scarf while Kierin talked about decorating them.  The club even asked about other projects that might be helpful for children and Dr. Katie replied that baby blankets are always a wonderful necessity at their office.  Hmmmmm, sounds like a future project for this club that is always crafting for a cause.  Way to go All Around All Stars!

Spiritual Generations Believe in the Future

  The first meeting for the Spiritual Generations 4-H Community Club was an organizational meeting where the club members made big plans.  Mrs Beverly worked with the parents to make sure all the paperwork was done.  Then it was time to motivated and move the club members forward.  Every member of the club signed up for County Activity Day while four teen members signed up for the South East District Winterfest Meeting which will take place in Wayne County January 21st.
  Miss Shea Ann and Ms Wendy were at the meeting to help out with the paperwork and talked about all the things coming up this year.  There are lots of opportunities and Mrs. Beverly wants to make sure all their club members take advantage of them.  If you are interested in becoming part of this community club that meets in the Pembroke are contact Wendy Maynor, 4-H Program Assistant, at Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu

Planting the Seeds of Science

    The monthly meeting of the DirtyRascal Junior Master Gardener 4-H club took place tonight at the 4-H office.    Club members started the meeting with Keiren Hatcher and Layla Locklear leading the pledges.  After an update and quick member introduction for all the new club members it was time to have fun and accidentally learn something.

   This meeting we learned all about capillary action.  Capillary action is when liquid can flow in very narrow spaces.  Using capillary action we made our own self watering planters out of two liter bottles.  Some friends of Mrs. Tanya's donated the bottles that we used for our project.  She drilled holes in the caps, cut the bottles in half, and cut string.  We threaded the string through the hole and knotted it with a little bit hanging on one end and a whole bunch hanging on the other end.  The we lined the top with newspaper.  The next step was a little tricky as we feed the long end of the string through the newspaper at the top.  We spread the strings out and added dirt.  Then it was time to add the seed.  We added basil seeds to our planters.  We will put water in the bottoms and it will wick up the strings to water our seeds which will grow into plants.

    This is an awesome project and we hope to tell you all about our basil plants during our next meeting.  Speaking of which...our next meeting will be February 12th at 5:30 pm.

Fair Brings Home an Agriculture Award

  "We are proud of this award and the role that 4-H and Cooperative Extension played in helping us obtain it," said Allen Faircloth, President of the Robeson County Fair.  Approximately 15 fair board members including our own Miss Shea Ann (who took the photo of course) and Mrs. Aggie, were in attendance at the  North Carolina Associations of Agricultural Fairs Conference in Raleigh.  Board members have the opportunity to attend workshops, learn about things going on in other counties, get entertainment ideas, and much more at the annual conference.
  This year the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair was awarded the Agricultural award.  This award is given for a combination of agricultural elements from crops, agricultural activities and animals on display as well as involved in shows.  Faircloth said, "Cooperative Extension works hard to educate folks about agriculture in our County and does that through displays, working with groups such as the Master Gardeners and Bee Keepers, not to mention the youth component with 4-H.  We love the partnership with Cooperative Extension that we have in this county and enjoy that they help us celebrate our strong agricultural roots in this county."
  This is one of three awards that are given as part of the conference   If you would like to be part of this award winning fair in 2013, contact Cooperative Extension at (910) 671-3276.  This year the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair will take place October 4-12.  For more information on the fair check out their website at www.robesoncountyfair.com. 
  Congratulations to the fair board and all those that helped make this award possible!

Crafting for a Cause

The following report was submitted by the members of the All Around All Stars 4-H Arts and Crafts Club.

  The first 4-H club meeting of 2013 goes to the All Around All Stars 4-H Arts and Crafts Club.  The group met at the 4-H office tonight.  Mrs. Jessica had a special project for our January meeting that worked for all age groups.  We made scarves that will be donated to help keep others warm.  We hope to donate them to Robeson Pediatrics in the near future.  The brightly colored swatches of fabric were adorned with buttons (we learned how to sew) and other creative ideas.  We were so excited about making the scarves that we made bunches of them.  If you want to know how to make them feel free to ask Mrs. Jessica, she is really crafty like that.
  Our next meeting will be held at the 4-H office on February 7.  If you are interested in being part of our club just call the 4-H office and they will put you in touch with our crafty group.