New Virtual Opportunities

 

Episode 2 is Now Available

Love Nature: The Biophilia Podcast's second episode is available on your favorite streaming platform now. Join the Museum's Director and CEO Dr. Eric Dorfman and our Chief Veterinarian Dr. Dan Dombrowski as they take you on a fascinating exploration of our connection to nature, why we seek it and how science can help us understand and navigate our changing world. Along the way, their guests will discuss their connection to nature through science and art, the extraordinary and the ordinary, to enhance our understanding of why preserving and protecting wildlife and wild places means better health and happiness for all. Visit the Love Nature: Biophilia Podcast website for guest bios, interview transcripts and more.

Listen Now

Our Guest: E.O. Wilson Returns! In our second episode, the legendary biologist and two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient Dr. E.O. Wilson, who popularized the term and concept of "biophilia," returns to discuss his Half-Earth theory. Listen to Episode 2 now

What is "Biophilia"? Dr. Eric Dorfman shares his hopes and vision for this podcast and why it's more important than ever for humans to connect with nature. Check out Eric's blog on his website.

Thank you to our sponsors

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

We are happy to welcome you back to the Museum. There are new procedures, hours and plans in place to help ensure the safety of our guests and staff. Please visit our website for more information.

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NC 4-H Horse Program Update

 

NC 4-H Horse Program Newsletter  Volume 6, Issue 6 September 2020 Scholarship Winners Southeast/Northeast District Bill Murray Scholarship Lydia Boerner My name is Lydia Boerner and I am from the Tuff Riders 4-H Club in Halifax County. I was also able to receive the Billy S. Murray 4-H Horse Program Scholarship. I was so excited to get the news that I had received a scholarship, especially one revolving around 4-H and horses, since they both have had a huge impact on my life. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to receive this award because it is going to help me greatly in my future to go to Edgecombe Community College and become a dental hygienist, like I have wanted to be since I was a little kid.  Emily Worth It means so much to me that I received this scholarship. The Southeast District 4-H horse program is where I got my start in 4-H, outside of going to club meetings. It holds a lot of important firsts for me. The district show was the first major 4-H event that I went to. It is what pushed me to pursue the chance of riding at the state show, my first big goal in 4-H. I volunteered at my first horse show with this district. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities our district has given me over the years, as a rider and as a 4-Her. I have enjoyed horse bowl, horse shows, clinics, and so much more. I am honored to represent our district as a recipient of the Billy S. Murray scholarship. I will be attending Johnston Community College, pursuing a Nursing degree. Leader Information Volunteer Training Information We are excited to share about some upcoming 4-H volunteer training. All training is offered to all registered NC 4-H volunteers. These are offered free of charge and will be delivered over Zoom. We hope you will join us! To access more information, click here! Digestive System Educational Tutorial This educational video, created by Purina Mills, demonstrates how a horse breaks down food and the process of digestion. This is a great learning tool for youth to learn about the digestive system! The video can be accessed here. Other Information State Fair Horse Show The State Fair Horse Show is including special classes for aging out 4-Hers. Please check the schedule for October 24 and 25, Classes 50, 73, 85, 99, 119 and 131 are designated for 4-Hers aging out of the program. Further information can be found here. Quarter Horse Show with 4-H Classes This show is offering classes for 4-H youth, and you do not have to show a registered Quarter Horse in those particular classes. There is also a youth team challenge and stall decorating contest with $250 going to the winner of each! Further information is located here. Country Superstars Virtual Fair With so many local fairs being cancelled this year we thought it would be good to feature the projects local FFA and 4-H members have been working so hard on all year! Submissions can be entered for: Beef and Dairy Cattle, Rabbits, Goats, Lambs and Sheep, Swine, Floriculture, Photography, ect… Further information can be found here. Eastern National 4-H Round Up Horse Academy The National 4-H Round Up is offering special opportunities to youth ages 13 and up, coaches, volunteers, and Extension staff. The goal is to promote growth and success, while gaining knowledge. There will be sessions on Horse Judging, Communication Contests, Hippology and Horse Bowl. For further information and to register, click here. Registration is required by October 12th. 2019 Judging Contest DVD Are you looking for new content of judging classes? This DVD has a wide variety of classes that were put together from the 2019 Southern Regionals Judging competition. This is a great tool if you're looking for something new to help improve your judging skills! If you're interested in purchasing a copy, click here! Popular Links NC 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations » NC 4-H Program » National 4-H Program »  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌ NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension. Extension's 4-H program is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina. We help over 247,000 young people grow into active, contributing citizens each year.

COVID Leads to New Opportunities

 

This article was written by Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, for the Robesonian and Robeson Journal news papers.

If 2020 has proven anything, it’s that we are adaptable and creative thinkers. For example, this time of year I would be highlighting the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the fair had to be cancelled. So instead let’s talk about all the incredible virtual opportunities open to youth this fall. Many of these are set up as free opportunities available to teachers or parents; only a small number are open to just 4-H members. Want to see what you may just want to fall into?

Our NC 4-H Camps and Educational Centers put together a 7-part series of 45-minute educational sessions entitled Nature Adventures. This is a free series for teachers and families. You can register for the live or recorded sessions to make it easier to do at your own pace.

We are egg-cited to offer the 4-H Egg-Cellent Egg Contest to our 4-H members that raise laying hens. Youth will get the opportunity to learn what makes an “egg-cellent” egg and submit up to two dozen eggs for competition.

MARS Base Camp is the 4-H National Science Day experiment and comes with a rover, map reading, and coding opportunities. This is an exciting program we are offering to teachers and families in Robeson County for free. What child wouldn’t like to explore the Red Planet?

STREAMING with 4-H is an environmental education piece being put together in Hoke, New Hanover, and Robeson counties for teachers and families. This free opportunity starts October 1 with training on the series, then self-paced activities and lessons that fall in line with the NC Standard Course of Study. We are also adding three video lessons teachers and families will have access to, a live virtual field trip, and a nature arts and crafts contest.

We are also excited to let you know that NC 4-H is getting ready to launch a curriculum website that supports teachers with at least three different curricula and will connect you to our 4-H office for support on these resources. I know this seems overwhelming, but that’s not the end of the offerings.

Adult 4-H volunteers also have the opportunity to learn about the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health of Wellness as part of a training offered by the state 4-H office on September 30, 2020, from 6–7 p.m. For those wanting to improve their tech skills, there will also be a Kahoot! training on October 28 from 6–7 p.m.

So now the big question is, how do you sign up? Well that is easy, and there are multiple ways. Most of our registration is through Eventbrite. You can register through our 4-H App (download 4-H Now! from the Google Play or Apple app store, and when you open it, look for Robeson County 4-H) by clicking on programs, scrolling to the one(s) that interest you, and clicking on the registration button. You can also find all of our programs listed on our website or on our 4-H blog. It’s that easy to come and see what is fun, new, and exciting thanks to COVID-19 this year.

For more information, contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent, at 910-671-3276, by email at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu, or visit our website.

Breakfast the Most Important Meal of the Day

This article was written By Joanna Rogers, 4-H Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant for the Robesonian and Robeson Journal.  This article can also be found on the NC Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center Page.

Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day? This is a question many of our youth ask when we discuss the importance of breakfast in the 4-H Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) classes offered through North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Students participate in a series of six lessons where they learn about the importance of making healthy choices so their bodies get the proper nutrients they need to grow and stay strong. Breakfast is a great way to start your day; it has many benefits to help you kick start a full day of learning.

Some of the many advantages of breakfast include being a great source of brain food and energy, as well as a great way to get most of our daily nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. In EFNEP, we talk about different ways we can make breakfast fun and delicious at home or on the go. Participants learn to make sure their breakfast covers three of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and protein. Each food group plays a huge role in our bodies. School breakfast is a great option for students to choose when school is in session as it gives options that cover each of the food groups.

If school breakfast is not available, let us look at what we can prepare at home. Whole-grain cereal is a great place to start, paired with 2 percent milk and fresh fruit. Another option could be scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast and juice. Yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit, topped with crushed granola, is an excellent on-the-go meal. Getting enough grains in your diet can sometimes be difficult, but in EFNEP we show participants how everyday favorites can be great with whole grains. Here is a tasty grains breakfast recipe that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser:

French Toast

Makes 8 Servings

Serving Size: 1 slice

Ingredients

• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup skim milk
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 8 slices of whole wheat bread
• 1 teaspoon margarine

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs with fork. Add milk, cinnamon, and vanilla; beat together until mixed well.
2. Melt margarine in a large skillet on medium heat.
3. Dip one slice of bread at a time in the egg mixture; coat both sides.
4. Place bread in hot skillet. Brown each side, about 2 minutes per side or until toasted.
5. Serve the toast with fresh fruit, pancake syrup, or applesauce.

For more information, contact Joanna Rogers, Youth Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Assistant, by phone at 910-671-3276, by email at joanna_rogers@ncsu.edu, or visit our website.