4-H Top 4 for the Week of February 28, 2022

   It's hard to believe that it is already the last day of February.  We have had so many things happening already this year!  Big Shout out to the Dirty Rascals JMG 4-H Club and Young Leaders 4-H Club for hitting their strides and being our first two clubs to have in person club meetings this year.  Don't forget folks if you are not registered in 4-H Online you will not be getting emails from us, which means you will miss out on programming announcements, reminders, and updates.  So please if you haven't already, please register.

    -Today our 4-H mask policy is adjusting.  Based on recommendations from our state 4-H office we will follow in line with our local school system.  So starting today masks will be optional for 4-H indoor events.  We ask that everyone be kind and respectful of anyone's choice to wear or not wear a mask.  To learn more about our mask policy please click this link.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at sadejarn@ncsu.edu

-Tomorrow, Tuesday March 1 at 8 am is the deadline to register and pay for the State Turkey Project.  If you have a child who would like to raise and show turkeys this year they need to be registered and pay before 8 am tomorrow morning.  You can register on the app under programs or by clicking this link.  State Registration on our end opens at 9 am so we will need the hour from 8-9 to verify that youth registered for the program are also active in 4-H Online.  Turkey polts will be given out in June, and then youth will show at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair in October and the State fair the week after that.  If you have any questions about this program please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at sadejarn@ncsu.edu.

 -Friday is the deadline to register for County Activity Day.  Registration can be found on our app under programs or by clicking this link. County Activity Day will take place March 19 Starting at 1 pm and is open to all 4-H members between the ages of 5-18 who are actively registered in 4-H online.  County Activity Day is our annual Presentation and Public Speaking Competition.  Youth can chose to do a speech (no props or posters or Powerpoint just a speech they write themselves), Presentation (includes a demonstration, posters or Powerpoint), or outdoor cooking (firing up the charcoal to cook beef, turkey, poultry, or pork).  For more information about topics and rules please go to:  https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth-3/4-h-awards-incentives-programs-2/presentations/  Please note that youth who place first our second in their age group and topic area will have the opportunity to move forward to District Activity Day after working with our 4-H Staff.   If you have any questions about this program please contact Wendy Maynor at wrmaynor@ncsu.edu.

-March 7 at 6:30pm is the first in our series of 5 county 4-H Volunteer trainings.  The trainings will be held via zoom and if volunteers in each county would like to meet in person at their respective county centers please check with your county 4-H agent to let them know.  Registration can be found on the app under programs or by clicking this link.   The topic for our first meeting is traditional 4-H programming.  Please remember all volunteers are expected to take part in two hours of training during the year.   If you have any questions about this program please contact Wendy Maynor at wrmaynor@ncsu.edu.

     One last reminder, due to changes in the 4-H offices statewide we now require folks to register in advance for club meetings.  At the first of each month we will put the links up for clubs meetings for that month and ask that you register if you are attending.  Some clubs will not be able to meet until they have the minimum number of members registered in 4-H online.  So if you don't see your club or are missing a meeting please feel free to contact Wendy Maynor at wrmaynor@ncsu.edu.

That's all for today.  Hope you have a great week!

Wendy, Christy, Dominique, and Shea Ann

  

  

Update to the Robeson County 4-H Mask Policy

   

 With numbers of positive cases in Robeson county and statewide declining it is time for our mask policy in 4-H to be updated.  Based on recommendations from our state 4-H office we will follow in line with our local school system.  So starting Monday, February 28, 2022 masks will be optional for 4-H indoor events.  We will continue to try to social distance and encourage hand washing and other sanitation measures as much as possible.  

   Masks are currently not required for youth for outdoor events and we will continue to try to social distance outside.

  When traveling in vans our current plan is to continue to have less people in the vehicles and wear a mask.  This is an enclosed space and at this time we feel this is best to keep everyone safe.  Please note we will follow the guidelines of the locations we go to concerning masking.  If the location requires it we will mask at that location.

  Please note this is a fluid plan and is subject to change based on a number of factors.  We will relay those changes to our 4-H members and volunteers as necessary.   Please note we will be doing our best to ensure a safe environment for our youth and volunteers while we move towards a more normal reality.  We ask that everyone be kind and respectful of anyone's choice to wear or not wear a mask.

  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at sadejarn@ncsu.edu.

United Way News

SIGN UP TODAY! Lumber River United Way offers FREE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The IRS-linked program will assist taxpayers in the preparation and e-filing of their federal and state tax returns at no cost to the participant. Taxpayers eligible for this service should have an income below $57,000, be an elder, or have a disability. MARCH TAX CLINICS Thu, Mar 3 @ Hawkeye Sands 5385 Red Springs Rd, Red Springs 10 am - 1:30 pm Fri, Mar 4 @ Bladen County Extension Office 3 pm - 5:30 pm Tue, Mar 8 @ Hoke County Extension Office 4 pm - 7:30 pm Thu, Mar 10 @ Lumber River United Way Office* 9 am - 12:30 pm Sat, Mar 12 @ Lumber River United Way Office* 2 pm - 5:30 pm Wed, Mar 16 @ Bladen County Library 2 pm - 5:30pm Thu, Mar 17 @ Lumber River United Way Office* 9 am - 12:30 pm Tue, Mar 22 @ Lumber River United Way Office* 2 pm - 5:30 pm Sat, Mar. 26 @ Lumber River United Way Office* 2 pm - 5:30 pm Thu, Mar 31 @ Lumber River United Way Office* 9 am - 12:30 pm *Lumber River United Way is located at 308 E 5th Street, Lumberton, NC 28358 910-739-4244 All Tax Appointments are "Drop-Off" Appointments DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED Valid ID, Social Security Card, Banking Information: routing and account #s LEARN MORE

[910-739-4249] | [www.lumberriveruw.org]

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Let's Talk Turkey

The Youth Market Turkey Show is an opportunity for youth to raise and show a market turkey at N.C. State Fair. The competition is open to any NC youth between the ages of 5-18 who will be in grades K-12 on the day of the show. The youth will register prior to March 1, pay a $20 entrance fee, pick up three poults at the Extemsion Office in June, rear their birds at home, and bring back their best market turkey to the N.C. State Fair show in October.

Youth will bring their second best bird to the Robeson County fair to show and then their best bird will go to Raleigh for the biggest show of the year.  First round of showing will take place at the Robeson Regional Agricultural as part of the 4-H poultry shows.  Birds will be checked in on the first Saturday of the fair and can be picked up the Sunday following the fair closing.

Drop Off/Weigh In for the state show will take place October 5, 2022,  8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Each participant’s turkey can be dropped off at location TBD anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; date will be finalized by TBD. Birds with infections or weighing less than 15 lbs. will not be accepted for show and will be returned to the exhibitor. Once birds are accepted, they will be numbered with a leg band and put in their cage. You will be asked to bring feed and water and provide it for your bird. Turkey Show – October 6, 2022, 8 a.m. The show starts at 8:00 a.m. in a location TBD.

If you would like to take part in the turkey project please register and pay by clicking this link or go to our app under programs and click the registration link.

SE 4-H District Winter Fling

   We went to new depths to celebrate our first in person district teen event this year.  Winter Fling took place at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC.  About 50 youth and 20 adults from 10 counties in our district traveled to Pender County for the big day.  

  Our officers joined forces with our SE 4-H District Volunteer Leaders Association Officers to start our day off with Ice Breakers.  After a few series of some interesting stories we created as a team we jumped into our business meeting.  Called to order by our District President, Kaylee Lackey from Sampson County we had introductions, roll call for our 10 counties present, and talked about our upcoming teen retreat.  

  After the meeting we took part in outside team building exercises so we could get a breath of fresh air.  then we came back inside to enjoy some leadership workshops put together by Kaylee Lackey and her Mother Kim Lackey who is our current State 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association President-Elect.  

  After our first workshop we enjoyed box lunches from Jersey Mikes and got a chance to be outside and enjoy a beautiful North Carolina Day.  We also were introduced to carton water which had a neat challenge with it.  I you post a photo of the water with the hash tag "better planet" the company would plant two trees in a National Forest.  What an awesome way to complete a community service project.  As we finished up the Sea turtle center offered a lot of opportunities for our youth.  Corn Hole boards, photo opportunities, and just scenic area our teens had a chance to get to know each other face to face and make friendships that have been hard to make for the last two years.

  When we came back in, we split into three groups; the green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, and loggerhead turtles.  These three species actually lay their eggs on North Carolina beaches and are most tied to our state.  Each group went to a different area of the center to start learning about a variety of things.

One group started in the main hall and learned different types of sea turtles, nesting habits and habitats.  Our youth learned about the dangers that face the sea turtles with one of those being humans and our ecological habits.  Trash, released balloons, and plastic straws sometimes mimic food for these grand creatures and cause issues and can be fatal.  By switching to metal, reusable straws,   not releasing balloons, and making sure trash goes into appropriate receptacles (and doing our best to recycle) makes a huge difference.

Another group started in the turtle x-ray room and then over to an exam room where they learned about measuring turtles, and overall health and wellness of these incredible creatures.  They also learned what happens when one is checked in the process these volunteers go through to nurse these large creature back to health.

The 4-H members also helped out by preparing fish and veggies to feed the turtles.  With all the food they prepared the staff and volunteers told them it would probably last for just over a day to feed all the patients.  Winter is a busy time for the facility because of cold stunned turtles.  The facility also has turtles that will take long term rehab and some that can not go back into the wild but can be adopted by educational facilities (such as a zoo or aquarium).

When our 4-H Members left Saturday they said they had a good time, had learned a great deal, were glad to see each other, and left with metal straws to start a change for the environment for sea turtles.  To see more of our adventures check out our photos.  To review the unapproved minutes please feel free to click this link.  Way to Go SE District!

JMG News!

 

BIWEEKLY UPDATE | FEBRUARY 2022 PLANT MASH-UP CONTEST GRANT OPPORTUNITY PAPER TOWEL GARDENING MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANT MASH-UP CONTEST! Know middle schoolers passionate about gardening? Encourage them to participate in the Scholastic & Seed Your Future Plant Mash-Up Contest! Amazing prizes await. Be sure to join the fun by March 7, 2022! This opportunity is not sponsored by JMG. LEARN MORE & ENTER WANT TO GROW FUNDING W/ A GRANT? Apply for the Garden Grant Program from the Whole Kids Foundation! This provides $3000 in funding for an educational garden at a K-12 school or nonprofit organization. Start writing today, and be sure to get your app in by March 11, 2022! This opportunity is not sponsored by JMG. LEARN MORE & APPLY PLANNING TO PLANT SOON? Involve your students in the planting process with some paper towels and seeds. Mark spots for your seeds, wait for the weather conditions to be just right, and then go full speed ahead into spring gardening! DOWNLOAD PLANTING GUIDE VISIT OUR WEBSITE Junior Master Gardener Program | juniormastergardener@gmail.com CONNECT WITH US:  ‌  ‌  ‌

Calling all Adult Volunteers Interested in Judging Project Records on the District Level

 To:   Potential 4-H Project Records and Portfolios Judges

From:   Shannon B. McCollum, Ed.D                        

Youth Development Specialist, Extension 4-H Associate

 

Re:   4-H Record Judges needed - Agents and 4-H Adult Volunteers

What a few years we have had.  I’m excited to announce that we will be judging 4-H Records in person with Covid modifications this year. One of the best ways to learn how to help 4-H'er with their record books and portfolios is to judge. Judging is open to our 4-H Adult Volunteers and 4-H Staff. This is the time of year that the 4-H'ers are completing their project record books, Portfolios books, and various other projects for county competitions. We all know that judges are a vital part of this process and we are writing to request your help.  If you would like to judge please see below for the specifics.

The dates for judging are Project Record Judging – April 22-24 and Portfolio - April 25-27, 2022 depending on the number of books to judge. Our judges are one of the reasons that our 4-H youth can excel and judges’ constructive comments help to improve our 4-H’ers record-keeping skills. This is why we are asking for your help. I have no clue how many records to expect but we will be ready to judge. Due to the space limitations of COVID, we will only be able to accommodate 20-25 max judges for each day of project record judging and 10-15 judges for each day of Portfolio judging.  Judges will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and all registrations for judging must be entered online no later than March 15, 2022.  Judges must be registered/approved 4-H Volunteers.  

COVID GUIDELINES

We will be operating under the guidelines as identified by NC State University.  Two points to keep in mind as we are moving forward.  This is subject to change at any time prior to and during judging. We hope things are better by this time however at this time we will follow the guidelines outlined by NC State.

This event falls under NCSU Community Standards. Attendees will be required to bring proof of COVID-19 Vaccination (completed shot series) - OR - a negative PCR COVID test taken within a 72-hour window of the start of this event. Documentation must be shown during the on-site registration. Registered participants who do not follow this policy will be asked to leave.

I understand that wearing a mask that covers both my nose and mouth is required to attend this event. Masks are part of the NCSU Community Standards and are required unless actively eating. Registered participants who do not follow this policy will be asked to leave. 

Please know this is in place to protect the health and safety of everyone.  

I will be rooming judges in a private room unless they are family and prefer to stay in the same room. Please note that on the registration form.  

I anticipate we will be able to complete all of our judgings during the allotted time so please come ready to work.   If you sign up to judge and find out that you can no longer judge, please give us at least a one-week notice if at all possible.  If you do not give this notice, you will be invoiced for the charges (lodging, meals, snacks, etc.) that are incurred during the time for which you registered to help. Please understand that we are not trying to discourage anyone from judging, we just need a firm commitment, in order to assure we have enough judges and that we are good stewards of our resources. We totally understand emergencies that come up.

 

4-H Volunteers who are judging:  Also – in order to judge we need to have all of our judges registered in 4HOnline.  I anticipate most of you are however if you are not, please work with your 4-H Agent to register or go here: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

If you are already registered then you are all set. Go to the link on the next page to register for judging. Please note that registering in 4HOnline using the above link does NOT register you to judge – see link below for that.  Google Registration is required.

 

If you are available to help, please mark the dates for judging on your calendar.  Your participation in this process will benefit the 4-H'ers as well as yourself. 

 

Below is a schedule so that you can check your calendar. For those who can stay for more than one day, we will provide lodging. You will also have some meals on your own.  If you are only able to help judge one day, we suggest Saturday for Project, but we welcome help on any of the date selections below! We will do an orientation on the first day.  

PROJECT RECORD JUDGING: April 22-24, 2022

SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Cary, NC

PORTFOLIO JUDGING: April 25-27, 2022

SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Cary, NC

 

LODGING LOCATION:          

I have secured space at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott for lodging and judging. The address for the SpringHill is 1129 Ledsome Lane Cary, NC 27511 – phone number (919)977.7244.

 

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rdurh-springhill-suites-raleigh-cary/

If you are able to volunteer to help judge please complete the ONLINE google form.  Below is the information that is needed.  (If you do not have access to the internet, please work with your 4-H Agent to register you. ) The deadline is March 15, 2022

 

The google form link is: 

Register online at:  go.ncsu.edu/recordjudging

 

 

Thank you for considering this opportunity and we hope that we will see you.