Family News

The links for the June and July Growing Together issues are now active. If you have difficulty opening the links, please try a browser with a built in PDF reader such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
June 2018   https://growingchild.com/growingtogether/index.php?i=5296nm
July 2018   https://growingchild.com/growingtogether/index.php?i=1169uz

Horse Program Update

Below please see the link to the latest information from the NC State Horse Husbandry folks concerning 4-H Equine events.
https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NC-4-H-Horse-Program-Newsletter-May-2018.pdf?fwd=no

Getting Ready for the Fair

  Does it seem a little early?  That’s because the fair is about six months away, but getting ready for it starts now.  Our 4-H members came out to the fair with high expectations and ready to learn all about the animals that they will be raising to show at fair.
  After learning about project records and record keeping it was time to delve into the specifics.  Our Poultry folks got their laying hens and/or turkeys today.  The speckled Sussex are a relaxed chicken that should follow our participants around the yard.  Our turkeys are giant white turkeys and should offer our participants a challenge that only turkeys can provide in raising them.
  The rabbits are Silver a Foxes and as cute as cute can be.  At four weeks old these cute brown and grey rabbits can get up to six pounds, but probably not by fair time.  Each rabbit was happy to be held and cuddled and was looking forward to going home with their new care taker.
  We still have one animal to give out which is our goat. We will have more on that in the next week. In the meantime we would like to wish all our 4-H members luck, love, and fun with these 4-H projects.  You can see more about them at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.  Fair dates are September 27 thru October 6. Our first show will be Saturday, September 29.

We have a New Tool!

  Very excited to announce that we were able to purchase a new tool to enhance the technology side of our educational programs.  This week a new SMART Board was installed at the Extension office and we are excited to learn about utilizing it and integrating this new technology into our programs.  Already we are seeing some great uses for this new technology and you can expect some changes to the same old same old programs and we implement this technology into our educational activities.

Spring Day

  Southeast District 4-H Volunteer Leaders Spring Day.  The meeting was being held at the brand new Wayne County Center in Goldsboro and it was a perfect day for the drive and the event. 
 It was early as our Robeson County Volunteers piled into the van to attend the meeting.  There were ten folks attending from five counties.  We also had our Past State President, Diane Sturgis, and current President Kim Lackey in attendance.  Three of the district officers were also there; Rose Lee, President; Kim Nead, President-Elect; and Marilyn Merritt, Treasurer. 
  Barbara Byers, from Wayne County lead the first workshop on Cloverbud Leadership.  We talked about feelings, differences, family, and even touched on Citizenship.  Some of the activities included bubble blowing, fingerprint families, and making a flag.  Barbara also gave each participant an activity guide as part of attending the workshop to make it easier for them to implement when they get home.
  Kim Nead stitched up the lesson for the next workshop as the volunteers made their own heat pads.  Kim taught the group how to make a sleeve that was filled with dry rice, and then sewn to close it.  The sleeves can be placed in the microwave to heat up.  The warm moist heat is often a welcome healer for sore joints and muscles.  the beauty of this heating pad is that it can be used over and over again.
  After finishing the activities a business meeting was held.  The group decided to host lunch at District Activity Day to raise funds for the scholarship.  Kim Nead will get the scholarship applications judged and the winner or winners will be announced at District Activity Day.  The group also decided to host Fall Day on November 3 in Robeson County.  Please stay tuned as more details will be coming. 
  If you would like to know more about the SE District Volunteer Leaders Association and what they have going on please follow them on Facebook at SE District 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association.  You can also find them on remind at 4-H SE Volunteer Leaders' Association.       

Something New for the Family

  United Way of Robeson County did something a little different this year.  As a second leg to the ever popular Day of Caring, they added a family volunteer day.  Families gathered at Bigs Park Mall in the morning to get their family volunteer assignments and headed out to complete them.  Upon returning to the mall they were greeted with one heck of a welcome.
  United Way along with various United Way agencies set up a a child friendly fun event lead by the Robeson County partnership for children.  There were games, a bouncy house, activities, and so much more.  Youth could spin a wheel an answer health questions to win a cup at the WOW bus.  the Red Cross had coloring books, Community in Schools had some fun family board games, and 4-H worked with the youth to make personalized bookmarks.
  Everyone had the opportunity to enjoy lunch off the grill made by members of the Kiwanis.  T and L characters were on hand for photos and dancing opportunities.  At the end each family registered that morning had their name dropped in a bowl for a drawing for tickets to Disney World.  Now that's what we call a motivator!

Target Time

They are hitting the air with a little velocity.  This morning marked the first meeting of the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club.  The group met at the firing range in Fairmont and had several new members this year.  After getting the pledges and business out of the way it was time to get to the business of the meeting...safety.
Each youth learned or got a refresher on the rules of the range.  There are eyes and ears that must be worn for protection, range rules and directions that also must be followed for safety, and then there is a little fun.  The veteran members taught the new members how to secure targets, which today are paper plates.
As they learned how to load, site, and shoot, the club leader kept a close watch on all of them.  Watching for eye dominance, who can adjust their style based on instruction, and what each of them needs to improve on was the course for the day.  For our first timers hitting that target the first time was a thril, after that they all wanted to be proficient as they got in more practice.
The club leader will let each of the families in the club know about the next club meeting.  If you would like more information about this or any of the clubs please contact Wendy Maynor at Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu.