JMG News

 

BIWEEKLY UPDATE | June 2021 CELEBRATING WITH PLANTS KID ZONE FUN JMG GEAR JMG CELEBRATES THE GARDENS! Happy 3rd Birthday to The Gardens! Each Wednesday during the month of June, JMG is sharing books, fun activities and creative ideas in celebration of gardening. It's a great way to integrate hands-on-gardening with wonderful children's books! This week, follow along with LISA WHITTLESEY as she shares unique planting ideas you can do from home! Just like Lydia Grace, from the book THE GARDENER, used cracked teacups and bent cakepans to beautify her city home, Lisa shares how to use unlikely planting containers to bring garden plants to life! Check out more books and lessons in JMG's Literature in the Garden curricula! HIDE AND SEEK P Plants and insects are great at camouflaging! Take the challenge and search for the answers to WHAT IS IT? found in the KID ZONE section of our JMG website! With the dog-days of summer upon us, we encourage you and your kids to checkout the many interactive lessons in our JMG KID ZONE. Most can be done both indoors and outdoors depending on the summer temperatures in your area! WHAT IS IT? "GEARING" UP WITH JMG CURRICULA & RESOURCES! Searching for JMG curriculum or gear for your summer camp groups or your classroom this fall? Browse options here! Got questions? Email us at juniormastergardener@gmail.com Once you've chosen your curriculum and garden gear, visit the AgriLife Bookstore to make your purchase! If you need assistance, reach out to learnonline@ag.tamu.edu, or call 979-803-1372. AGRILIFE BOOKSTORE CHECK OUT OUR JMG GEAR VISIT OUR WEBSITE Junior Master Gardener Program | juniormastergardener@gmail.com CONNECT WITH US:  ‌  ‌  ‌

4-H Top 4 for the Week of June 7, 2021

 

Happy June to everyone.  I am very proud to start off this message congratulating and honoring two of our high school graduates; Jalen King, with the Titans 4-H Club, and Tristan Morgan with the 4-H Animal Science Club, the Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports Club, and the Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club.   Way to go Gentlemen!  We can't wait to see what the future holds for both of you.

On to our Top 4

-4-H Summer Fun is currently open to the public for registration.  At this time our 4-H Animal Science Camp is full.  However you can join the waitlist for that camp in case someone drops out or that we are able to increase our numbers by the time we have camp.  To register for this our our other 4-H programs please use our app.  When you open it click on programs. and you will see the different programs.  Click on register for the ones you are interested in.  To learn more about our summer offering please go to https://robeson4-h.blogspot.com/2021/05/4-h-summer-fun-at-glance.html. 

-There is a new state competition coming up and we want to let you know about it.  We are excited to announce the Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge for 2021.  This contest challenges an individual or a team of two 4-H members to create a dish using a mystery basket of ingredients. The final dish should highlight the mystery basket ingredients and basic items they have at home. Individuals or team members must identify and prepare the dish, then make a presentation video about it.   The pre-determined mystery basket of ingredients will be available on June 18. One team from the 14-18 age group will be selected to attend the National 4-H Food Challenge in September in Texas.  This year the contest is virtual and youth must upload a pre-recorded video.  We are using the same timeline as State 4-H Presentation Finals.  This contest is open to any 4-H'er who meets the requirements.  You must be registered in 4-HOnline to participate as well.   Age Categories are:  8-10, 11-13 and 14-18.  The entry deadline is July 12, 2021.  Registration will be open in 4-HOnline by July 1 for youth to register and upload their videos.  Click this link for more information.

-4-H Congress is available for registration.  This virtual state event will be held via zoom July 19-22, and is open to 4-H members 14-18 years old.  Registration will be available thru June 22.  The cost for this event is $65 per person which includes your Congress t-shirt and other materials.  Due to our United Way Funds we will be offering this opportunity at a reduced cost of $30.  Please be aware that if you register and do not attend you will need to refund the remaining amount of money ($35) to us.  If you would like to see a tentative schedule you can click this link.  Registration is available on the app and at this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nc-4-h-congress-robeson-county-tickets-158462492581

-We still have room in 4-H overnight camp.  We will be travelling to Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Center July 25-July 30.  This is a face to face event and we are excited about this opportunity.  For more information about this camp or to register please contact us at (910) 671-3276.

That is all for this week.  Happy summer to all our 4-H members and we are looking forward to seeing you both in person and virtually this summer.

Wendy, Christy, and Shea Ann

New Livestock Events

 

Summertime is here and we are charging forward planning multiple events.  Please take a moment to look over some of the activities below and think about participating.  Also, the state livestock group continues to update their website weekly with shows and other events.  So keep your eyes open for that

What: State Livestock Clinics (Deadline to enter June 18)

When: June 22 (Skillathon) and June 23 (Judging)

Where: Carroll E Joyner Beef Educational Unit, Raleigh

Who: Youth ages 8-18 that have a desire to learn more about the Livestock Industry.   Speakers will cover a variety of topics related to the industry.

What: Advanced Livestock Judging Clinics (Deadline to enter June 18)

When: June 29- Buncombe County, July 6 - Rowan County, July 13 - Wilson County

Where: We will be visiting multiple farms in the area of each county on there given day

Who: Youth ages 14-18, this program will be limited to the first 15 youth to register.  This is designed for youth that have experience judging and would like to enhance their skills as they prepare for the National Contests. 

What: Youth Beef Educational Workshop (Limited to 30 youth)

Date: July 15, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm 

Location: Piedmont Custom Meats, Asheboro, NC

Who: High School Students, this program will be limited to the first 30 youth to register.

Cost: This program is completely free, and participants will be provided lunch. 

Registration Form

What: State 4-H Livestock Contests

When: July 29 (Skillathon / Quiz Bowl) July 30 (Judging) July 31 (Awards Breakfast)

Where: Carroll E Joyner Beef Educational Unit, Raleigh

Who: Youth ages 8-18.

What: NC Junior Beef Roundup

When: August 6-8

Where: Mountain State Fairgrounds, Fletcher NC

Who: Youth under the age of 21 that have an interest in the Beef Industry.  Contests include Graphic Design, Skillathon, Livestock Judging, Showmanship, Heifer Show, and Steer Show.

A New State 4-H Opportunity

 

We are excited to announce the Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge for 2021.  This contest challenges an individual or a team of two 4-H members to create a dish using a mystery basket of ingredients. The final dish should highlight the mystery basket ingredients and basic items they have at home. Individuals or team members must identify and prepare the dish, then make a presentation video about it.   The pre-determined mystery basket of ingredients will be available on June 18. One team from the 14-18 age group will be selected to attend the National 4-H Food Challenge in September in Texas.  We have mentioned this contest a few times but finally, have it ready to go live.  

This year the contest is a quick turnaround as we are hoping to take a team to the National Competition in September to help us learn how the National Contest works.  We are testing the waters to see what interest we have before we move to a face-to-face competition in 2022.  This year it is virtual and youth must upload a pre-recorded video.  We are using the same timeline as State 4-H Presentation Finals.  This contest is open to any 4-H'er who meets the requirements.  You must be registered in 4-HOnline to participate as well.  

Age Categories are:  8-10, 11-13 and 14-18.  The entry deadline is July 12, 2021.  Registration will be open in 4-HOnline by July 1 for youth to register and upload their videos.  Click this link for more information.

Summer Fun Reminder

 

4-H Families if you are interested in taking part in 4-H Summer Fun you still have tonight to register.  Starting at 9 am tomorrow 4-H Summer Fun will open to the public for registration.  

At this time our 4-H Animal Science Camp is full.  However you can join the waitlist for that camp in case someone drops out or that we are able to increase our numbers by the time we have camp.

To register for this our our other 4-H programs please use our app.  When you open it click on programs. and you will see the different programs.  Click on register for the ones you are interested in.  To learn more about our summer offering please go to https://robeson4-h.blogspot.com/2021/05/4-h-summer-fun-at-glance.html.

JMG News

 

BIWEEKLY UPDATE | June 2021 JMG GARDEN READ-A-LOUDS SOLARIZING GARDEN BEDS LGEG SUMMER ENRICHMENT COURSE STORY TIME IN THE TEXAS A&M GARDENS! Happy 3rd Birthday to The Gardens! Join us in celebrating this exciting milestone. From a beautiful location within The Gardens each Wednesday in June, JMG will bring stories to life with garden read-a-longs and and showcase fun gardening activities to do from home this summer. Watch our JMG Facebook page to view! READ-A-LONG WITH US! SOLARIZING YOUR GARDEN FOR THE SUMMER TO LEARN MORE If you know your school or community garden will be unattended for the summer, but plans are to begin using it again in August or September, you should consider solarizing your garden bed.  Solarizing beds is very simple, inexpensive and a green way to reduce some of the most difficult garden work of reclaiming weed-choked beds during the hottest time of the year! SUMMER ENRICHMENT FUN! Searching for ways your student can continue to learn this summer? Check out the NEW Learn, Grow, Eat & GO! Online Course! This is gardening education anytime, anywhere, at your own pace. Click to see course highlights here, and join us for the adventure! LEARN MORE PURCHASE COURSE VISIT OUR WEBSITE Junior Master Gardener Program | juniormastergardener@gmail.com CONNECT WITH US:  ‌  ‌  ‌

In case our youth are interested...

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems, at North Carolina State University, farm to school initiative is seeking 8-12 high school students from across the state (current students or graduating seniors) to meet virtually five times during June/July to guide the collaborative design of 3-5 pilot wellness committees in NC schools for the 2021/22 school year.  
Applications due June 10th - students apply now!

https://forms.gle/Hjo9jBj8ZJ9TjSHVA

OVERVIEW

The goals of this design team 

• support youth leadership and 
• encourage youth engagement with community food security, environmentalism, and justice in schools and surrounding communities.

The focus areas will address some combination of
1. farm to school – where schools incorporate gardens and agriculture education, cooking and nutrition education, and purchase of local foods for their school meals;
2. climate justice – where schools incorporate environmental education and practices; and  
3. racial equity – where schools incorporate education and practices that address inequities based on race in educational systems.

The process framework will include both
1. circle practices and
2. policy development.

Student Design Team PARTICIPATION
Student Responsibilities
1. Attend and engage in all five meetings in full
2. Prepare as required for each meeting
3. Complete evaluation and written surveys as needed

Student Compensation/Benefits
1. Experience and resume builder for project development and youth leadership
2. $200 paid to each student at the completion of the project
3. Opportunity to continue engaging in pilot as it moves forward

TIMELINE (meeting dates to be chosen by team)
by June 7th - Final due date for application! 
June 10th – Confirmation of participation
June 14-18th - Student planning meeting 1
June 21-25rd - Student planning meeting 2
June 28-July 2nd - Student planning meeting 3
July 5th-July 12th  - Full Visioning meeting
July 13th-17th - Student reflection and wrap-up meeting

Applications due June 10th - students apply now!

https://forms.gle/Hjo9jBj8ZJ9TjSHVA

Questions?
tes thraves, CEFS tes_thraves@ncsu.edu

www.farmtoschoolcoalitionnc.org
www.cefs.ncsu.edu/youth/farm-to-school/