Putting our Best Handshake Forward

Have you ever been in a social situation and found yourself a tad uncomfortable? Have you been at a dinner party and you are not sure which fork goes with which course? Well we want to make sure our 4-Her's are prepared for whatever might be ahead and feel more comfortable in any situation. That is why we offer 4-H Etiquette Day Camp at the beginning of our Summer Fun program. Etiquette Day camp is split up four hours over two days.

Today marked day one of Etiquette Day Camp. About 15 youth signed up to take part in the adventure. We started the evening with icebreakers and then split up into three groups. The groups rotated between four workshops. Mande Swisher, Tourism Extension Agent, taught the youth about cell phone and online etiquette. They learned when to use a cell phone when not to use it. They also learned about being careful about what they post online. Christy Strickland, Family Consumer Science Extension Agent, worked with the youth on the art of conversation. They talked about safe subjects to discuss, asking questions, and how to feel more comfortable having a real conversation with an adult. Aggie Rogers, 4-H Program Associate, talked with the youth about the proper ways to dress. She talked with them about how to dress for different functions such as a formal dinner party or a causal party such as the one they will be hosting the next night. Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Extension Agent, worked with the youth on introductions and name tags. Proper handshakes, making that first impression, knowing that your name tag goes on your right side of your shirt not on the bottom of your shirt are all very important things to know as they go out into the world.

At the end of the workshops the group had a mixer. They learned about going through the line and not speaking ill of food they did not recognize. As they learned in the workshop, you do not have to like it, you do not have to eat it, but you can not talk about it. The youth worked their way through punch and appetizers while learning how to balance their plates and cups while shaking hands and carrying on a conversation. They also learned that it was not the time to be on their cell phone or answer the phone.

As they left for the evening they said they were ready for workshops, adventures, and dinner the next night.

Stiching Up the Details

You may remember the post a few weeks ago about the Knit-In that 4-H helped organize as part of the United Way Day of Caring. Today we made the first of two donations of the items that were made and donated that day. Sherita Jenkins, a social worker with the Gibson Cancer Center accepted the adult blankets and caps from Margaret Crites. Crites is the Director of the Robeson County Rape Crisis Center and one of three organizers of the Knit-In. You may remember Jenkins husband, Assistant County Manager Rod Jenkins, took part in the event. He learned how to knit that day and even completed a pink baby cap. Sherita Jenkins said the items will go to patients who need them and they will provide great comfort during a difficult time in their lives. Showing that the United Way Day of Caring is making a difference in people's lives right here in our community.

The rest of the items, newborn and youth items, will be donated to Southeastern Regional Medical Center next week. Stay tuned for more news on that donation.

They Keep Hatching!

Talk about a science experiment in action. This morning when I came in the office we had three chicks, who had just hatched in the incubator. Usually all of our eggs hatch at one time. However this time we had some extra eggs and went ahead and put them in the refrigerator. After a week we had just about six left so we put those in the incubator with the others. We weren't sure if they would hatch, or if the hatch rate would be as high but we thought we should at least try. During the course of the day five of the six have hatched. We are going to give the last egg until the end of the week. If you would like to come out to the 4-H office (O. P. Owens Agricultural Center) and see the cuties, please feel free to stop by. They love visitors, especially those who talk with them.
Also, just an update, we are starting to hear from our schools. Green Grove Elementary had 13 out of 16 eggs hatch that is an 81% hatch rate. Mary Savage said he students loved the chicks and even got on the specially modified chick floor and watched them as they walked around. She said she is ready to do it next year!

Breaking News!

The chicks are here! The chicks are here! That's right it is just over 20 days since we put our eggs in the incubator and the chicks are here! We have been getting calls from the various schools with incubators and the chicks are hatching everywhere.
We actually had our first chick hatch yesterday and it was joined by two more the next morning and before the end of the day we had a total of nine. We still have several more trying to peck their way out so we can't wait to see what happens.
If you come in to the lobby of our building you will be able to hear our chicks as well as some music. Our first hatch was so loud that we started playing music for it to help it calm down and find its indoor voice. Believe it or not it worked. The chick loved the music and all of them have been relatively quiet, sleeping and breathing to whatever tune they are listening to. They will be in our office through Friday when they go to their new home and then we expect a few more to arrive in another week, since we did put a few eggs in a week later. We will let you know how that works out.

Moove On Over We Have Some New Showmen In Town

When people hear 4-H they often think of our animal science program. Although it is a small program in our county, compared to the other things we offer, it is still very popular. A few years back, to make sure our youth had the knowledge they needed to be competitive and still have fun we started a mandatory animal science workshop. Last year we combined it with our animal give out as well.
About 60 people attended this year's workshop. Families came from as far away as Richmond and Bladen Counties as well as our own. Youth lead the majority of workshops with adults on standby to help out. The workshops included; project records, poultry, rabbits, heifers and steers, as well as goats.
We started the day with project records. Shea Ann DeJarnette, the Robeson County 4-H Agent taught that workshop. She gave everyone the forms they needed and went through them by age to help them understand what they would need to put in their project records to have an award winning record book.
Benjamin Herndon taught the youth about poultry. He told them about feeding and watering, how to handle them. He gave them lessons on the difference between hens and roosters as well as broilers and laying hens. Although the laying hen chicks were there for give out, Benjamin also brought older chickens so the youth could touch them and learn how to handle them when they get bigger.
Anthony Bullard was one of our most popular presenters because he brought the cutest and smallest animals out, the rabbits. He taught the youth how to pick up their rabbits, about food, treats and a few other neat tips such as placing a piece of wood in the pen for them. One of the other great tips he has is freezing a two liter bottle of water and placing it in the pen on hot days so the rabbits can stretch out on it and stay cool.
Santiago Acuna Robinson taught our youth about caring for goats. He gave them details not only on feed but also taught them about worms and mites. Things that our youth need to look for. After lunch Santiago, Tiffanee Conrad Acuna, the Livestock Agent from Richmond County and Michelle Stumbo, the 4-H Agent from Robeson County worked with our two youth who will be showing goats. They learned how to clip their goats, sand the horns, work on the hooves and even got in the ring and practice showmanship. As one parent said, "I thought all we had to do was let it loose in a field, I had no idea how much is involved in raising a goat." The youth went home with their goats freshly groomed and ready for their new homes.
Michelle Stumbo taught the youth the tricks of the trade when it comes to raising cattle. Thanks Tony Bullard we had one that she could also give hands on showing lessons. Although the majority of youth at the workshop are not showing cattle they were interested in finding out what it takes and several are trying to figure out how they will talk their parents into letting them show next year now that they have a taste of it.
After all of the lessons we had a freshly cooked lunch by our 4-H volunteer and grill master Larry Russ. Then it was time to give out animals and let people go home. Benjamin helped herd chicks so everyone got 15 to take home. We had a lottery for the bunnies so everyone got theirs to take home. The two showing goats already had their goats named and had started bonding with them before leaving the building.
Overall it was a fun day and our youth and parents appeared to have learned a great deal. We will be giving out turkeys to those signed up on June 8th and will give out broilers in August. To see how our youth do please come to the Robeson Regional Fair, September 30-October 9 as they compete in animal shows to see how they did.

Sewing Up the Day of Caring

As many of you are aware Robeson County 4-H receives the entire bulk of its programming funds from the United Way of Robeson County. We are very fortunate to have this funding so we can provide our youth opportunities they would not otherwise have. As part of our partnership with United Way we take part in their annual fundraising campaign, and we take a large roll in the United Way Day of Caring. You may have read about this rather incredible event in The Robesonian. In case you are not familiar with this almost decade long event, the Day of Caring is an organized effort to go out an make a difference in the community and this year it happened in a big way. Robeson County 4-H was a part of this change in a variety of activitiess.
The volunteers and members of the Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener Club partnered with members of the Master Gardener Association to beautify an outdoor sitting area at Southeastern Hospice House. The group dug in and dug down to plant flowers and other plants that will brighten the area and hopefully some one's day. The youth also presented a Hospice House representative with a piece of yard art that represents the club logo.
4-H and Robeson County Cooperative Extension Staff also took part in a canned food drive. The food drive was opened to everyone throughout the county. More than 20,500 pounds of food was collected and distributed to the Robeson County Church and Community Center.
If you went to the Day of Caring headquarters at Jerry Johnson Chevrolet in Lumberton you might have seen some familiar 4-H faces. Aggie Rogers, Marilyn Merritt, Nelson Brownlee and Tameka McLean helped make almost two hundred plant people for youth who came by to get fingerprint cards and enjoy story time.
A new activity took place at the 4-H office, Robeson County's 1st annual Knit-In was for knitters, crocheters, sewers and more. A group of volunteers met and created items all day. When they were done more than 112 items which included baby blankets, caps and booties as well as adult lap blankets and caps were donate. Four first time knitters each completed at least one baby cap, while the more experienced crafters did their best to churn out several items that day. The items made will be donated to Gibson Cancer Center and Southeastern Regional Medical Center.
Some of the other events and impacts that the United Way has reported include:

4-H and Southeastern Hospice House - Flowers were planted at Southeastern Hospice House.

Boys & Girls Club - ¾ of the fence around the Boys and Girls Club was painted.

Robeson County’s First Annual Knit In - 112 items were completed; blankets, caps, booties and toy teddy bear.

Wheel Chair Ramps - 4 wheel chair ramps were built throughout the county. Pembroke, Maxton, Rowland, and Lumberton.

Odom Home – Play Ground Repairs - Repairs were made to the play ground, and other small projects to include organizing the food storage area, making boxes for their vegetable garden, replacing some missing aluminum, planting flowers, repairing benches and bikes.

Community Health Checks - 24 individuals received health checked; Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, and Blood Glucose.

A Time To Visit—Pillows - 30 pillows where delivered to individuals at Sarah’s Assisted Living in Pembroke.

Teacher Cadets to serve in PSRC - Tanglewood Elementary, W.H. Knuckles, Rowland Norment, West Lumberton and Janie Hargrave students received lesson plans and projects prepared by Lumberton High School’s “Teacher Cadet”.

Backpack Meals - 312 backpack meals were prepared. 100 delivered to W.H. Knuckles, and remainder delivered to West Lumberton.

Food Drive 30,000 lb. GOAL (Food Collection will take place from April 1- May 12) - 20,518 pounds of food was collected

Child Identification Cards and Education Outreach - 154 students received, Child ID Cards, participated in a 4-H hands on learning project, and received an age appropriate book.

Hot Dog Lunch at Jerry Johnson’s - 375 hot dog lunches were prepared and served to volunteers, youth, and the community.

Blood Drive - 25 units of blood were collected

We are already making plans for next year's big event if you would like more information on the United Way Day of Caring or would just like to support our local United Way and help them support 17 local agencies please contact them at (910) 739-4249.

A big thank you to all those who volunteered and made a difference in our community. Once again proving that we Live United.

Celebrating Member Success

We are always so proud of our 4-H members and like to encourage them to be the best, after all our 4-H motto is, "Making the Best Better". So when a volunteer and or parent sends us a note, and especially photos about a 4-H member doing something spectacular the least we can do is put it on the blog and share it with the world! Debra McBride sent us this e-mail and we wanted to share this fantastic success with you.

"Hope all is well. Just wanted to share the news; Jasmine is getting
inducted into the National Junior Beta Club on Thursday, May 12 and she
has also received an invitation from the Superintendent of the Public
Schools of Robeson County requesting her presence at the
Superintendents Student of Excellence Award Ceremony on Thursday, May 19 @ the
University of NC @ Pembroke.

On another note, P.J. (my little kindergartner) will be place in the
Academically Gift Program (AIG) when he starts first grade next school
year. He is currently reading on a level of completing 1st grade.

I’m not bragging; I’m just so proud of my kids and just wanted to share
this news with you. Love ya."

We appreciate your sharing the news and hope others will share the successes of other 4-H members in all that they do. Congratulations to Jasmine and P. J.!