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BIWEEKLY UPDATE | APRIL 2026 Horticulture STEM Teacher Workshop JMG Summer Camps Open Nominations for future JMG Group of the Month Winners TAMU Gardens Hullabloom Fest EdEN Program Applications Enroll Your JMG Students in 2026!

Teachers: Don't miss out on the Horticulture STEM Teacher Workshop! Horticulture STEM Teacher Workshop: Join us for a one-of-a-kind STEM workshop for elementary through middle school teachers, built around the science of gardens and natural systems. This highly interactive professional development experience will focus on horticulture, water science, entomology, garden tech, and soil science, with plenty of hands-on learning throughout the day.👏👏 Available Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 6 hours - Issued by Texas A&M University, certified by TEA Event Date and Time: Wednesday, June 17, 2026: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location: The Leach Teaching Gardens at Texas A&M University 556 John Kimbrough Blvd. College Station, Texas 77843 Click HERE to register for the workshop! Join JMG this June for our NEW Learn, Grow, Eat, & Go! Summer Camp! June 2-4, 2026 @ The Gardens at Texas A&M University Hosted by The Junior Master Gardener Program and The Gardens at Texas A&M University, this energizing camp is designed for young learners who are eager to explore the path from garden to plate. Rooted in the Junior Master Gardener Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! curriculum, this experience blends gardening, nutrition, and activity into an unforgettable adventure. Throughout the camp, participants will:  Learn how plants grow and what they need to thrive through hands-on gardening activities in The Gardens. Discover the importance of wholesome eating by exploring fruits and vegetables, tasting fresh produce, and making simple garden-inspired snacks. Participate in fun crafts, activities, and games that will deepen their understanding of how agriculture shows up in our daily lives and promotes an active lifestyle. Earn their Junior Master Gardener Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! Certificate! This half-day camp offers a meaningful opportunity for kids to connect with nature, build healthy habits, and develop a lifelong appreciation for gardening and wellness. Click here to learn more! Register HERE! Register your kids today for the 2026 Bugs-n-Blooms JMG Summer Camp! June 9-11, 2026 @ The Gardens at Texas A&M University Hosted by The Junior Master Gardener Program and The Gardens at Texas A&M University! This exciting camp is perfect for learners who are curious about the wonderful world of garden insects. Throughout the camp, participants will: Discover the interconnectedness of insects and plants through hands-on activities and guided explorations around The Gardens. Learn about different types of insects and plants, their lifecycles, and the important roles they both play in our ecosystem. Participate in fun crafts and games that will spark their imaginations and deepen their understanding of the natural world. Earn their Junior Master Gardener Golden Ray Insect Series Certificate! This half-day camp is a fantastic opportunity for kids to connect with nature, make new friends, and develop a lifelong love for the environment. Click here to learn more! Register HERE! Nominate your JMG students today for JMG National Group of the Month! NOMINATION CRITERIA:  A. Within the last 12 months, your group has utilized any JMG program curricula/resources to support your youth garden project at your campus/site. B. Within the last 12 months, your group has been registered as an Official JMG Group at https://JMGkids.us/enroll. There is no cost for registration. C. This nomination form is completed/submitted by the JMG group’s teacher/leader. Click here to apply for JMG National Group of the Month! The 2026 TAMU Gardens Hullabloom Fest was a success! Our program had the best time last weekend at the 2026 TAMU Gardens Hullabloom Fest! We led youth and their families in a fun flower craft activity, which was perfect for spring! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth!! EdEN Lab Program Applications The EdEN Lab is now accepting applications for two incredible programs: SproUTing Teachers – personalized coaching to help you bring your curriculum outdoors and build lasting garden-based learning at your school EdEN Interns Program – partner with UT nutrition students who bring hands-on garden, cooking, and nutrition lessons directly to your classroom Both programs are designed to support teachers, strengthen school gardens, and create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for students. Don’t wait—applications close May 1, 2026! Apply today and grow something impactful in your school community!!!!  Click here to learn more and apply by May 1st!

With the school year wrapping up, don't forget to enroll your students for FREE in the JMG program! Attention JMG Teachers and Leaders: Group Enrollment for the Junior Master Gardener Program is OPEN for the 2025-2026 School Year!!!📚🥕🌱🪴🍏 As a reminder, JMG group enrollment does NOT roll over from year to year, so groups must enroll or reenroll their students each year to be eligible for JMG certifications and other recognition! JMG Enrollment Steps: Type in jmgkids.us Click the “Enroll” Tab. Click the Orange “Register” Button. Login to Your Existing Account or Set Up Your Profile.  Enroll Your JMG Group for Free! Click here to enroll or reenroll your JMG students for FREE for the 2025-2026 School Year!!!

Junior Master Gardener Program | juniormastergardener@gmail.com

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What is 4-H?

   

Enjoying the Robot Battle as part of
Biotech Day Camp

Art Hub Club making
block print designs

   The premiere non-formal youth development organization in the world is 4-H.  Yes, we are international.  Yes, it is, and always has been, coed.  Yes, we are time tested having been around since the late 18th century.   Using research from the land grant university systems we use research based curriculum to allow youth to have experiential educational opportunities that build life skills.  That is the formal boring answer.  What I have always said is 4-H is about letting youth explore, and accidentally learn along the way.  There is nothing better than the sight when youth figure it out for themselves and the lightbulb goes off over their head and their eyes sparkle with excitement and things start getting put together.

   Robeson County 4-H works with youth between the ages of 5-18 to provides opportunities and hands on educational activities so they can develop and learn.  4-H is part of NC Cooperative Extension and focuses on building real-world skills through the four core values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

Our Key Areas of Focus

-STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math) We do that with programs such as AI Challenge, coding, Lego contests, etc.

-Agriculture & Animal Science:  Youth learn about livestock, gardening, and crop management.

-Leadership & Civic Engagement:  Focusing on community service, public speaking, and leadership roles.

-Summer Fun:  Our annual camping program including overnight and day camps for all ages.

-Lending Library:  A free resource for both children and adults located at the Robeson County Center of NC Cooperative Extension.

How Can You Get Involved?

Sea Grant Training teaching 
Project Wet

1.  Sign up or re-enroll online via 4-H Online 2.0.

2.  Youth can join a variety of community, school-based, or SPIN Clubs.  See what interests you and try it out.

3.  Adults you can join to by becoming a trained volunteer to lead projects and help mentor our youth.

4.  Youth can sign up to part part in competitions such as County Activity Day where they compete in public speaking and presentations.  As they place in their age and category they move on to District and State level competition.  This builds their skills, their self confidence, and their friend base.

4-H members marketing 4-H

5.  Community Engagement activities, youth can plan and lead or join forces with programs we already have going that give back to our community and/or help with a need.

Local Contact Information

The program is located at the O. P. Owens Agriculture Center in Lumberton, NC.  Shea Ann DeJarnette is the 4-H Extension Agent and Jade McNeill is the 4-H Program Assistant.  You can reach them at (910) 671-3276.  To learn more about 4-H please check out the posts on this blog to see all our youth do.

Fun Fact:  Robeson County's 4-H program has a long history, starting in 1913, and currently impacts nearly 7,000 youth annually.

Star Party

   

Star Gazing on the street

We are so lucky to have so many partnerships in our community.  Tonight I was part of the annual Star Party which is a partnership between the Robeson County Planetarium, the Partnership for Children, Robeson Community College and of Course Robeson County 4-H.  

Cotton Candy Space Ship

Enjoying some Popcorn

    Each year we close down the street between Exploration Station and the Public Library and have Robot Wars in the street, a telescope, a presentation from Ken Brandt who is the director of the planetarium, free resources about space, fun time in Exploration station and of course popcorn and the most unique cotton candy you can find anywhere.

  About 75 folks from around the county came out and enjoyed the event and learned a little more about the stars, moon, and Artemis II.   

Robot demonstration collecting 
balls.

4-H Summer Fun is LIVE!

   

Are you ready for the premiere summer camp program in all of Robeson County?  Get ready to join us for 4-H Summer Fun!  We have camps this year for all ages and interests.  Our pdf booklet will be out soon and until then please check out the flyer about for dates, ages, and prices.  This is open to actively enrolled 4-H members from now until May 15.  On May 16th we will open to the public for registration.   

To register and pay please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988028093544?aff=oddtdtcreator.   

For questions please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at shea_ann_dejarnette@ncsu.edu or Jade McNeill at jade_mcneill@ncsu.edu or call (910) 671-3276.

Are you Ready for an AI Challenge?

The 4-H AI in your community challenge is live and will be available through May 3, 2026.

https://events.projectboard.world/4HAI2026

Youth learn about AI Education and then create a 2 minute pitch video about their idea for using AI to solve problems in their community.

Youth will be divided into two categories:  age 13-15 and age 16-18.

State winners could win:

First Place-$300

Second Place-$200

Third Place-$100

National winners-sponsored by Microsoft could win:

First Place-$1,000

Second Place-$600

Third Place-$400

A youth could earn up to $1300 just for completing this project.

Check out last year's projects here.

https://events.projectboard.wrld/4HAI

In addition to the AI challenge, please check out AI in Agriculture lessons on our CLOVER by 4-H online platform.  In addition to AI lessons, there are more than 300 different modules on health, computer science, citizenship, agriculture and more.

https://4-h.short.gy/mark-ai

Dirty Dozen are Aiming to Start Up

 

We are excited to announce that the Dirty Dozen 4-H Club is getting ready to kick off again and this is your invitation to join the club.  Joe Forcier and Josh Woodall are freshly back from 4-H Shooting Sports certification and ready to get our youth inspired and competition ready for rifles. We are thrilled for the opportunity to start this club back up and can't wait to see what our 4-H Volunteers have in store for the kids.

The first meeting will be an interest meeting on May 16th at the 4-H office in Lumberton.  At that meeting you will learn the rules and regulations of the club for the safe and responsible hadnling of firearms.  You will learn about appropriate dress for the range and how things will be run.  We have safety gear for our 4-H members and firearms will be provided at the club meeting so everyone had equal opportunities.  If you are interested in having your child as a part of this club focusing on safety, responsibility, etc please register them through this Eventbrie link.  All youth must be actively enrolled in 4-H Online for 2026 to be part of this meeting.  

Speak Up and Speak Out!

   

Now is your time 4-H Members!  Tell us what you want us to know, learn, experience.  Have an opinion about something that you need to express?  Well County Activity Day is your chance.  County Activity Day is the day where our 5-18 year olds have a chnace to compete in Public Speaking, Presentations, and Entertains.

   Why should you do this?  To build confidence and skills in public speaking, presenting, and leadership.  You can do this by presenting on a topic you care about in a supportive environment where participants gain valuable, constructive feedback and learn crucial organizational skills. This event allows you to showcase their knowledge, explore personal interests, and possibly advance to higher-level competitions.

  All you need to do is pick your topic and sign up.   To register go to our Eventbrite page and sign up.  If you are not going to be able to attend that day and compete because of a prior commitment? No worries, all you need to do is send an unedited video of you giving your speech or presentation and we will view that during the judging on May 2. Please note if you place in your age and category to move on to District you will need to compete in person.  District Activity Day will be at Mount Olive University on June 18. 

Paper Clover Days are Right Around the Corner

 Hi!  Paper Clover with Tractor Supply starts this Friday, April 17^th and runs until May 3rd.  For those of you not familiar with the biannual event, Tractor Supply Company customers can “purchase” a clover at checkout in stores or at TractorSupply.com to directly benefit the organization. 

Exclusive 4-H collectible ornaments and hats give customers more ways to support America’s largest youth development organization.

“4-H provides opportunities and experiences that have a real, measurable impact to millions of young people across the country,” said John Ordus, EVP and Chief Stores Officer at Tractor Supply and a member of the National 4-H Council board of trustees. “As a true community partner, Tractor Supply is invested in ensuring that every student interested in taking advantage of those experiences can do so. With our customers’ support, the Paper Clover campaign, along with our exclusive 4-H products and in-store fundraisers for local chapters, enables us to successfully uphold that commitment and give one of the most impactful gifts there is: opportunity.”

Paper Clover funding provides scholarships, strengthens educational programs, supports leadership and public speaking training and more for 4-H members nationwide. Ninety percent of donations directly support students in the state where the funds were raised, and the remaining 10 percent helps advance 4-H programming nationwide.

National 4-H said, "We would love to see pictures of your 4-H'ers in store.  We will randomly surprise a few submitters/posters with a 4-H gift pack so please share those pictures!!  You can email pictures to me or post at hashtag #4HPaperClover"

International Exchange is asking for Your Help...

We still need about 25 more families for this summer. There is also an article you can pin to your county CES page: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/news/apply-now-to-host-international-youth-through-4-h

______________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow is the deadline to apply to become a host family for the Summer Inbound Exchange Program!

• Host Family Application: https://www.states4hexchange.org/apply/host/

• Visit our ~newly updated~ webpage for more information: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth/nc-4-h-international-exchange-program/

• Contact for questions: Caitlin Clineff, NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

 

We will continue to accept late applications on a rolling basis until all delegates are placed! Please apply even after the deadline. 

 June 30-July 25: All Taiwan delegates are tentatively placed!

 July 20-August 15: we need 1-2 more families to host South Korea delegates! Pick them up and return them directly to the airport (could be RDU, Charlotte, or Asheville, depending on host family location)

 July 24-August 16: We need about 23 more families to host Japan delegates! Pick them up from 4-H Congress, or a regional pick-up location. We will also have regional options for the return. 

We have delegates ranging in age from 12-18, so host siblings from age 9-18 are eligible to host this year! Don't have kids in that age range? Are you busy for part of the program dates for Japan? No problem! You may be eligible to host one of the 3 wonderful adult chaperones who will travel with the group. Please note you may not host a youth and an adult chaperone at the same time. 

PLEASE reach out with any questions! 

Thank you all!

Caitlin A. Clineff

State Coordinator

NC 4-H International Exchange Program

cadavis7@ncsu.edu

NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

https://www.facebook.com/nc4hinternational

District Officer Opportunity

      

 Do you have what it takes to be a District Officer?  We are looking for 4-H Members who has the time over the next year to grow their leadership skills, communication skills, and is willing to be responsible (as part of a team) for 4-H district team events.  

      You must be at least 14 years old (4-H Age), have been in 4-H for at least two years to run for office, and actively enrolled in 4-H Online.  If you are interested please contact Miss Shea Ann at (910) 671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu to have a conversation and allow her to get your paperwork submitted to the state 4-H office.  Deadline to reach out to the county 4-H office is April 1 to get paperwork submited before Teen Retreat April 24-25.   

 

Betsy's Bash

 

Dear Friends and Family,

What began as a special anniversary gathering has quickly become a beloved tradition—a time for
Penn’s Pals to come together in support of a place that has shaped generations of youth, staff, and
families since Mrs. Betsy first opened the doors in 1964. This event honors her enduring
vision: a camp dedicated to the health, well-being, and education of North Carolina’s youth.

The Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center continues to fulfill that vision today, serving more than 7,000 youth
annually through summer camps, school programs, and retreats. The camp’s impact is evident in the
confidence, character, and lifelong memories it instills in every child who passes through its gates.

We invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting this important work by becoming a
sponsor of the 2026 Betsy’s Bash and attending the event. Your contribution helps ensure that the
Penns’ legacy continues to grow—providing transformative camp experiences for generations to come. 

The event includes dinner and drinks with your ticket purchase, live music from the Sassafras Bluegrass Band, a s'mores dessert bar, a silent auction and more! To learn more, visit bjpenn4h.org/betsysbash or contact Center Director Kyle Shillinglaw at kmshilli@ncsu.edu or 336-349-9445. Thank you for your continued belief in the mission of the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center. We look forward to celebrating with you at Betsy’s Bash 2026!

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Betsy-Jeff Penn Team