Introducing...Trifolium!

 

If you are a sports fan, you know every team has its mascot. That lone character that has folks rallying around it, bringing good luck, unity, and a sense of identity to the organization. In 4-H, we have our logo–the clover. You have seen it before, the four-leaf clover with the H in each leaf representing Head, Heart, Hands, and Health (AKA 4-H). However, over the last 20 plus years in this position, I have noticed that a clover, although it elicits pride and loyalty for the organization, doesn’t really give our folks the “warm fuzzies.”  So, in the past year, we have sort of solved that situation.

Meet Trifolium. Trifolium is a 3D-printed baby lucky dragon. He was created by one of our 4-H Volunteers in the mountains and he came to be in Robeson County through a magnificent story you can find on our blog. Trifolium is the Latin word for clover. Since a     four-leaf clover is considered especially lucky, it seems appropriate that he is covered in four-leaf clovers (which are also the symbols for 4-H). Since being in Robeson County, he has done some amazing things and gone to some amazing places.

His first trip was to attend a performance at Givens Performing Arts Center with our Arts Exploration 4-H Club. He has been in the garden with our Dirty Rascal Jr. Master Gardeners and hung out with our Young Leaders Club. He went to County and District Activity Day, enjoyed the summer camps, and made new friends. Most of all, he has taught our youth about caring for things and being responsible. Children loved having him with them for our events and took the responsibility of caring for him very seriously.

Since Trifolium was such a big hit this year, and so many of our youth wanted to take him home we had the opportunity to partner with our friends at ETI to make small “trifoliums” for our 4-H members. Also known as fidget toys, these little baby lucky dragons came with care instructions such as needing a name, needing to be cared for, and having parental approval before going places to make sure they weren’t lost. So far, we know they have been to school, church, and family vacations. Let’s just say this has been a great way to get youth to start taking responsibility for something they want to care for.

All 4-H members who attended our annual achievement program received their little Trifoliums that day. Our 4-H Appreciation program is when we recognize our youth for all that they have done in the past year and our volunteers for their years of service. Did you know we have more than 50 highly-trained volunteers who have given a combined 480 years of service to our organization. One volunteer has served for more than 42 years. That is a dedicated workforce unlike any other.

So please, come check out Robeson County 4-H and all we have to offer. Come learn about our logo, the 4-H Clover, and meet our mascot here in Robeson County, Trifolium. He will be here excited to meet you and hopes you will join us for a fun-filled 2026.

Happy New Year! 4-H Style!

   

It is amazing how fast a year grows and we just want to take a moment to say thank you for all you have done in the last year.  What better way to do that then in photos?  Check out our 4-H Year in Review right here.

Top 4 for the New Year!

  1.  4-H Online:  

  4-H Online is back up and running and we are excited for you to re-enroll.  Please click on this link and sign into your account.  Parents please go through all the steps and make sure the health information is correct before submitting.  Adult volunteers when you get done with your application we will ask you to watch the training video and complete that before we move on to the next steps of approvals.  The link for 4-H Online is:  https://4honline.com/   

 2.  4-H Achievement Program

    As we enjoy what we have accomplished now is a time to set our 4-H goals for the new year.  One way to do that is with the 4-H Achievement Plan.  This downloadable form is a great way to plan and earn achievement levels.  Each person can only obtain one level per year.  This year's achievement records are due to the county 4-H office no later than November 16th.  We will hold a virtual session about this program on January 12 at 6 pm.  Please register on Eventbrite to be part of this informational session.  The link is:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979552005336?aff=oddtdtcreator

3. Volunteer Leaders Conference

  Volunteer Leaders the NC Volunteer Leaders Association Conference is right around the corner.  It will be held from January 30th to February 1st at the Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport.  This event provides 4-H volunteers with valuable opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge through workshops and activities designed to foster positive learning experiences for young people across the state.  The weekend kicks off on Friday with dinner and engaging group activities, followed by a full Saturday schedule featuring educational workshops, district meetings, and award recognition. Participants will also have ample opportunities to network and reconnect with friends, and the event will close on Sunday morning with inspiration, the installation of incoming officers, and renewed commitment. 

Any approved 4-H volunteer in 4-H Online can attend! However, everyone who registers must be fully approved and in good standing as a volunteer in 4-H Online.  Please register using the link below and the 4-H staff will register you for the conference and take care of the hotel reservation once you have registered with us and paid.  To register and pay please click on this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nc4-h-volunteer-leaders-conference-robeson-county-registration-registration-1979417310460?aff=oddtdtcreator

Conference Options and Pricing:

-Full-Time Registration (Friday – Sunday): $260.00 (through January 21, 2026)

-Part-Time Registration (Friday - Saturday or Saturday - Sunday) with Banquet: $190.00

-Saturday Only Registration (No Dinner Banquet): $175.00

-Banquet Only: $85

Hotel:

Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport 1 Marriott Drive - Greensboro, NC 27409

Room rates are $145 per night. Please register for the number of nights you will be staying and if double occupancy the name of the person you will be rooming with.

Deadline to register is January 16. If you have any questions please contact the 4-H staff at (910) 671-3276.

4.  Volunteer Launch Pad

    We are excited to announce a virtual learning opportunity for our volunteers.  the 4-H Volunteer Launch Pad will be a quarterly virtual training opportunity for volunteers in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, and Robeson Counties.  We have determined topics based on the needs expressed by our volunteers in these counties who responded to a survey we sent out in December.  To learn more about the trainings please click this link or check it out on the app under programs.

We hope this information is helpful and we can't wait to see you in 4-H in 2026.  As always if you have any questions please contact myself or Jade at (910) 671-3276 or sadejarn@ncsu.edu, or jade_mcneill@ncsu.edu.

Happy New Year!

Jade and Shea Ann

Give the Gift of Reading

 This article was written for the Robesonian.

In third grade I had a teacher who read the class Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.  That is the book that got me excited about reading.  That storyline and how it was written had me picking up books and reading on my own.  I learned certain authors told stories in a manner that spoke to me and other authors didn’t have the same attraction for my brain.  That is also when I figured out that when you find an author whose writing style speaks to you, you start reading everything they have ever written and anticipate what may be coming down the line. 

I’ve taken you down this twisted memory lane tale to say reading books (whether pages or on a screen) is an awesome gift to give a young person, and not just at the holidays.  This is an everyday page/life turner.  I remember my Daddy getting a new book from a favorite author and laying on the couch through the night to finish it because he literally didn’t want to put it down.  I can’t say they ever let me do that, but when I got a good book, finding a quiet corner to continue reading was what I was always trying to do.  Having a passion to read, to get to the end of a story that challenges your mind and accidentally teaches you new things … it's part of self-learning and exploring the world from a very safe place.  It’s a great way to learn new ideas, and about challenges people face.  Reading is a great and safe way to escape from the world for a little while and watch with your brain what is going on in another place and time.

My passion for reading was fueled by my parent’s who never had a problem buying me a book because they knew I would read it and expand my vocabulary, reading skills, and my horizons. That support to read is part of why we have a lending library at the front of our office.  Our 4-H youth wanted to encourage literacy, and they donated some of their favorite books for folks to come by and get.  We have books for all ages in there, and I will say the majority of books that go out are probably for readers 10 and under.  However, adults and teens, we have books for you as well.  So, come by anytime and check out the selection and take home anything that interests you.

Also, feel free to drop off your gently used favorite books.  Sharing what you love might inspire someone else to explore the same author, a new genre, or just expand their horizons.  We love book donations; that is how we keep the library free for everyone, and it is available 24/7 when the reading bug hits you. Our lending library is always open and stocked.

Judy Blume quit writing recently because she said after 50 years shut in a room writing books, it was time to go out and live her life.  Who knows, maybe one of our young readers will be the next Blume, Mark Twain, or Stephen King?  You never know what the gift of reading might inspire.  So, take a chance to give the gift that will keep on giving.

For more information, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Youth Development Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276, by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at https://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/. Shea Ann is also licensed by the Emily Post Institute as a child etiquette teacher.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

ABOUT N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC State Extension, The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), and local government partners statewide. Extension delivers research-based education and technology from NC State and N.C. A&T that enriches the lives, land, and economy of North Carolinians. Extension professionals in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee provide educational programs specializing in agriculture, youth, communities, health, and the environment.

Honor Club and Scholarship Applications

 Folks this information just hit our emails today please read carefully.  Scholarships are for Seniors who will graduate this year.  Honor Club is for youth 16 and up.  Please note we need all applications submitted to our county office no later than close of business on January 26th so we can do what we need to and get it submitted to the state office.

Key Information and Links

1. Honor Club Applications

• Eligibility: Applicants must be between 16 and 20 years of age as of January 1, 2025 with at least three years of 4-H work.

• Submission Requirements: A single PDF file of all materials and a headshot photo of the applicant.

• Application Link: NC 4-H Honor Club Application
  Scroll down to How do I Join NC 4-H Honor Club

• Honor Club Membership Expectations

1. New Honor Club members are required to pay lifetime dues upon induction. Some counties cover this expense.

   For further details on eligibility, application materials, and submission procedures, please refer to the links provided.

2. 4-H Scholarship Applications

• Eligibility: Current NC 4-H members who are high school seniors with at least three years of 4-H experience.

• Submission Requirements: One PDF file containing all required documents except the Financial Need Statement (to be mailed separately). A separate PDF of the applicant's résumé is also required.

• Application Guide: 4-H Scholarship Guide

Submission Process

1. Compile all applicant documents into a single PDF (excluding the Financial Need Statement).

• Name the file as follows:

• Scholarship: [last name]_[first name]_county_scholarship2024 (e.g., doe_john_wake_scholarship2025)

• Prepare a separate PDF for the résumé.

• Honor Club:  [last name]_[first name]_county_HC2025 (e.g., doe_john_wake_HC2025)

• 
  

2. Register the applicant using the appropriate online registration link.

3. Upload the PDF files during the registration process.

Additional Notes

• If using a financial need note please place in a sealed envelope and deliver with the application. The envelope will be mailed separately by our staff to the state 4-H office.

• Renewing Scholarships: Ensure that renewing applicants register online and upload an updated transcript.

  For more questions please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at sadejarn@ncsu.edu or by calling (910) 671-3276.

From our Extension Family to Yours...

 

4-H Appreciation

 

We love to show how much we love our 4-H Families and volunteers.  4-H Appreciation is one of those days where we get to do it right.  

 

This year we had a PJ's and Waffles brunch in your honor and for those who came I think a good time was had by all.  Mrs Jade and Ms Shea Ann showed up in their special 4-H P.J.'s and were styling for this special day.  Lots of folks came in their PJ's and looked so good.  There were grinch slippers, 4-H socks, a bear PJ outfit (so comfy).  Our crowd was definitely trend setting for the occasion.

We had a great time making waffles in our PJ's and folks got creative.  That's good because we had a contest for the best looking waffle out of all that were made.  We will share the winners a little later in this post.

 

This year we had a more formal program with a power point of what our youth had accomplished.  We made this based on who was planning on attending and signed up for the event.  It was fun have friends, family, and volunteers see what our youth had done this year and we hope they have some ideas on what they want to do next year.  Mr. Mac Malloy, our County Extension Director said his favorite part of the event was listening to what our youth had accomplished.  He was proud of how invested they are in the program and how much they have obviously learned,  Actually we reached more than 6000 youth this past year, and although we don't recognize everyone we love being able to recognize those who were able to attend.  If you would like to check out our powerpoint we would love for you to see it by clicking this link. 

 

We also recognized our adult volunteers based on their years of service.  Did you know we have more than 70 volunteers who have served from 1 year to 42 years.  That is a lot of time and dedication to our program that we sincerely appreciate.  Leaders do everything from volunteering with programming to running clubs and helping with District and State level programs.  They are an amazing and talented group of folks. 

  Our youth and adults both received gifts.  Our youth received pocket baby lucky dragons (that look just like our 4-H mascot, Trifloium).  Our adults received their annual pocket calendars and 4-H car coasters to help market our program.   After a brief meeting with the youth present it was determined that the adults could also get a baby lucky dragon however they are also boaund by the same responsibilities that they youth are.  They will have to name them, give them attention, take them places, keep them warm in their pockets.  It is a lot to be responsible for a baby lucky dragon and we know our 4-H families are up for the challenge.   

 

Ms Jade said her favorite part of the event were the box photos.  She took photos of everyone willing to get in the box and made this wonderful collage for us to enjoy and use.  It is the Christmas tree photo at the top of this post and it is adorable!  These family and 4-H photos are adorable and we are so happy to have them to remember this by.

  For some folks the best part was being able to see what they and their friends had accomplished this year.  For the others it was eating some delicious brunch favorites like cinnamon rolls and tater tot casserole.  Mostly I think the big hits were games like candy cane fishing and of course what is starting to become an annual snowball fight.  Oh and lets not forget the waffle contest.  The winners received gifts for their efforts.  Coming in third was Tanya Underwood, Second was Thomas Underwood, and  in first place was Willie Roberson.  Way to go our incredible waffle makers!

  If you would like to see all the photos from our fun check it out here.  Make plans for next year's event we haven't decided what that quite looks like yet...maybe our baby lucky dragons can tell us.    

High School Summer Opportunity

 I’m excited to share an exceptional summer opportunity for high school students, designed to promote interest about agriculture, science, and research.

The North Carolina A&T State University - College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is now accepting applications for its Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) — a two-week, residential, hands-on research experience designed especially for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences. North Carolina A&T State University

Program Highlights
 Dates: June 14–26, 2026
 Location: NC A&T campus — Greensboro, NC
 Experience: Students work directly with university research scientists on independent research projects, gaining invaluable lab and field experience. North Carolina A&T State University
 Collegiate Exposure: Participants live on campus, explore Greensboro landmarks, and enjoy a true taste of college life. North Carolina A&T State University
 Stipend & Costs: A stipend is awarded upon successful completion and later enrollment in a CAES major; program participation is fully funded except for a $25 non-refundable application fee. North Carolina A&T State University

Who Should Apply?
 Rising juniors & seniors (Fall 2026)
 Minimum GPA of 2.8
 U.S. citizens
 Students ready to engage in serious research and enrich their future career pathways in STEM and ag-related fields. North Carolina A&T State University

Application Details:
Students must submit the online application and required materials—including transcript, career interest essay, letters of recommendation, and counselor endorsement—by February 27, 2026. North Carolina A&T State University

This program is a fantastic way to support your students’ STEM and agriculture interests and help set them on a path toward research, higher education, and long-term career success.

 Learn more & apply: https://www.ncat.edu/caes/agricultural-research/rap-program.php North Carolina A&T State University

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or share this opportunity with your high school students, families, and colleagues. Let’s help our future agricultural leaders thrive!

Warm regards,

Antoine.

Antoine J. Alston, Ph.D., COI, CFD 

Professor & Associate Dean, Academic Studies 

College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 

NC A&T State University