Zoologist You Say?

  

Nicole Kidman was once quoted as saying, "I love acting but taking the kids to the zoo is a lot more fun!"  We couldn't agree more.  That is why today we loaded up the vans early and headed to the NC Zoo in Asheboro.  We have to admit the excitement level was high as we had talked about the animals they wanted to see which included the elephants, gorillas, and puffins...not to mention a few other animals that don't actually live at our zoo.

  Once we walked in we saw a crocodile and learned about the conservation efforts of the zoo.  We walked on to see the seals, puffins, and of course the Polar Bear.  The majority of the animals were cooperative however there were a few that were not on display like the otters.  Although a favorite we learned today that otters and giraffes could be susceptible to COVID.  It was something most of us had not thought of.

  In several of the habitats today we got to see the zoo staff working with the animals on everything from cleaning filters in one of the snake habitats to working with the flamingos.  By the way did you know flamingo's coloring comes from the food they eat?  They like a steady diet of shrimp, hence their pink coloring.  This trip their were more signs talking about different careers at the zoo and some of the things that you can do if you want to work with the animals.  

   As always the elephants were a hit and even the Gorillas even if they were just laying around.  We saw bison, black bears, and even more exotic birds than we found at Skywatch yesterday.  By the end of it all we had walked a little over three miles, and most of our campers were hot and exhausted.  Somewhere in there they got to see something that made all of them happy, and they accidentally learned something along the way.  Just another benefit of 4-H.

To see all the fun we had check out our photos.

 Stay tuned.  The week isn't over we still have more adventures to come.

It Was Like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, but with Birds...

   We are at the half way point and it is amazing how fast they come out of their shells (the campers not the animals)...today they walked in and gave me a list of what they liked and learned at the Sea Turtle Rescue.  What they soaked in during the time we were there was amazing.  After processing yesterday we prepared for today. Then we headed to our vans to hit the open road and learn about some birds of prey.

  Part of our COVID protocols has us stopping part way through each road trip for a mask break.  While we are taking a mask break it seems to be a good time for a snack and water or juice break.  Sometimes the locations of where we stop can be as interesting as where we are going.  Today we stopped around the corner from the Columbus County Extension Office at a fitness park.  There was a great shelter so we could get out of the sun and enjoy some time outside and just breathe before putting our masks back on, jumping in the van, and getting to our destination.

  We headed to Skywatch in Castle Hayne today.  It was our first time and we really weren't sure what to expect.  We came up on an old house and went to the driveway door to ring the bell and the door magically swung open.  A very nice volunteer let us in and we were also greet by three emus just running around inside.  As the volunteer explained about the rescue center and where we could go and what we could see, our eyes got lost look at the myriad of birds around us.  From domestic, to wild, farm, to donkeys (yes the four legged kind) we had a veritable adventure that our eyes were feasting on.

  Right away everyone was taken with the emus.  They would come up and let you pet them, and would walk with you just in case you might have a grape to fee them.  The peacocks were probably the second biggest attraction.  They were coming into mating season and feathers were flying as the race for a mate took place.  We had the opportunity to see ducks, geese. and chickens. There were parrots, partridges, and a turkey vulture (that has a stuffed animal chicken to play with.  there were also donkeys and horses at the center.  I suppose they keep the barn owls company.

  After wandering, playing, learning and make new friends it was time to climb into the van, take a moment at a local park for lunch and head home.  It was a day filled with the knowledge of birds and birds of prey and their important roles in our world.  To see more of this great adventure please check out this link to our photos.

Sea Turtles to the Rescue!

                                     

 You might say day two of our first face to face camp was hybrid.  Scratching your head?  Our campers did too, but only for a brief moment.  You see we broke out the VR Goggles and the Clorox wipes (sanitation is key in our post COVID world) and we introduced them to all sorts of interactive video learning.  This morning our campers visited a hog farm, swam in the ocean with hammerhead sharks, and may have ridden a roller coaster with dinosaurs.  

  By 10:30 we were on the road again headed out to learn all about Sea turtles.  We landed in Surf City at the Karen Beasley Turtle Rescue and Rehab Center.  It was a complete tour learning about the five types of sea turtles (that's really all there are) in the world.  We learned about the center's history, and how there many many many volunteers help protect and save sea turtles.

  We learned about the anatomy of these sometimes large creatures.  For example their shells are made from something similar to our finger nails that can grow with them.  We also learned that the unique structure of their bones is what allows them to float and swim.  Did you know that sea turtles actually can't hide in their shells like land turtles?  So for these creatures its a case of fight or flight.  

Our campers got a small history lesson as well.  In 1973, then President Nixon, enacted a law that made owning any part of a turtle illegal.  So that is why things such as tortoise shell combs and jewelry are generally made of plastic.  It is also a federal offense to be in possession of a sea turtle or any part of it from what we were told.  So as neat as they are...don't save a shell if you find one on the beach.  

We also got lessons in how trash effects our turtle population and why it is important not to release balloons, leave fishing lines out and how plastic bags can be confused underwater for jelly fish.  Imagine going in to eat your favorite treat and swallowing a plastic bag instead.  That is a common cause of something that makes these amazing creatures so sick.

Did you know sea turtles can lay up to 200 eggs in a nest?  Mama sea turtles will lay eggs for a couple of weeks and could have several nests, but then they don't lay eggs again for a couple of years.  When sea turtle hatch out of the sand they follow the light of the moon towards the sea.  The volunteers at the rescue center actually go out looking for nests and mark them.  They they sit out around hatch time to help these little guys find their way to the sea.  The sea turtles have a small survival rate due to environmental concerns, predators, water temperature fluxuations and these folks do all they can to help increase their survival rate in the world.

I think the highlight of the tour was actually meeting the turtles that have been rescued.  Some are getting ready to be released after months and even years of being cared for.  Others will not be able to be released.  For example the female turtle that is blind, or the turtle that was hit by a boat propeller and now his back is damaged causing his tail to float above the water and not his head.  These ingenious folks made a device out of PVC pipe that he can go under and it holds his backend down and he can reach up above the water for air with no issue.  He is much loved and frequently comes to the surface of his tank for belly rubs.

We learned that the center makes it's own salt water for these turtles using pallets of salt every week to ensure their clienteles safety and health.  they even have a physical therapy tank for the turtles and give them baths and tend to all of their medical needs.  This was a great place to go and learn about a creature we don't often see and none of us knew about before.  A big thank you to our tour guide and the centers willingness to give us a tour.  We appreciate your time, expertise, and what you are doing for our sea turtle population.

To see more of our adventure in photos please click this link.

When We Do Something, We Do it Right!

 It is time to get back to it and I can't think of a better 4-H Summer Fun Camp to cut our teeth on than Animal Science Day Camp.  This is our first face to face opportunity with youth and we are taking all precautions to ensure they can be together, have fun, and accidentally learn along the way.  Those precautions include, everyone wearing masks indoors (and in some cases outside), having fewer people per van, sanitizing surfaces, asking health questions each day to ensure each person's safety, and much more.  Our youth are being fairly understanding about the new policies and are doing their best to make sure everything is followed so we can do this again in the future.

Our first day of our first face to face camp found us in Durham and the Museum of Life and Sciences.  Based on the museums policies this day we wore our masks outside and inside the facility.  Outside we saw all types of animals from farm animals to insects, butterflies to bears, and the lemurs were particularly popular among our campers.  There were even some dianosaurs that we learned a few animal lessons from.

Inside the animal tour didn't stop.  Our campers saw wildlife native to North Carolina.  Animals such as owls, snakes, turtles, muskrats, birds and fish.  It was quite an eclectic collection of animals that inhabit our state.

Campers also got a chance to explore the exhibits and learn about weather, space, engineering principles, and much more.  Each of them had a favorite thing from the day and no two were the same.  For us that is a win, becuase if each of them found something fun and amazing it is all worth while.

Tomorrow we will head to surf city to learn about creatures from under the sea....I wonder what that might be?

To see our day in photos please click this link.

It’s (goat) Showtime!

 This article was written by Catherine Shelly, 4-H Agent in Richmond County for the local newspaper, Richmond County Daily Journal.

Wherever you may live in Richmond County, you’re sure to know how Richmond County 4-H enriches the lives of so many young people.

We appreciate your support in the past for the 4-H youth to participate in leadership and showmanship opportunities. We are asking for your help to sponsor our 2021 Richmond County 4-H Goat Show. In previous years, the Richmond County Show has attracted youth from Anson, Bladen, Cabarrus, Chatham, Cumberland, Franklin, Guilford, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Montgomery, Person, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, and Union Counties. More than 50 4-H’ers have brought over 100 animals and a large group of supporters from the district to the Richmond County Show annually. Our Richmond County 4-H youth that participate in this show will also participate in the North Carolina State Fair Livestock Shows. Youth work with their animals on a daily basis to train, feed, groom, and prepare their animals to be shown. This dedication and hard work deserves recognition.

At the show, showmen will compete in two main categories, showmanship and market classes. Showmanship is judging the youth on how well they handle their goat and how much they know about it. The judge will ask several questions relating to the animal being shown and require the showman to move the goat around the ring, judging how well the animal responds to its owner. Market classes strictly judge the animal’s marketability. This is done by looking at the goat and feeling for muscle mass and bone structure. Market classes are separated by weight as well as into wethers (males) and does (females). One thing that makes the Richmond County show unique is our Pee Wee class. Young showmen between the ages of 1 and 4 are allowed to enter the ring with an older showman helping them show a goat. This boosts their confidence in the ring and gives them practice so they are ready to show on their own as they get older.

Your sponsorship is needed to cover the costs of the necessities to host a livestock show. You and/or your organization will be recognized at the Richmond County Show and in printed materials on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Gary Welch (former Dale DeWitt) Farm off of Highway 73. This event is hosted by Richmond County 4-H and is funded through the generous donations of Richmond County businesses and individuals, like you. We are excited to be hosting an in person show after a year of virtual shows due to COVID-19. We appreciate your assistance in celebrating the hard work and achievements of these young people. Thank you for your continued support of this yearly event! Please mail contribution/sponsorship to 123

Caroline Street, Suite 100. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Richmond County 4-H with goat show in the memo. Please contact us at 997-8255 if you have any questions.

Catherine Shelley is the 4-H Agent for the Richmond County Cooperative Extension.

Jr. Chef was Virtually the Sweetest Program Ever!

 It has been a world wind of a week.  It was our official first day camp of our 4-H Summer Program and we could not be more excited to be offering Jr. Chef virtually.  The benefits to this program being held at home was our participants could get up and go into their own kitchen and use their own equipment to make these fabulous deserts at home.  They had their own families as taste testers and the ingredients to adjust it to their taste buds as they went along.  To see our photos from the week please click this link.

  This year we did things a little different.  Each camper had their own kit to pick up from our office.  The kits contained ingredients, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, apron, 4-H Cookbook, and much more.  Some serious packing had to happen to get everything in their bags.  It was a lot to unpack and digest.  

Leading this virtual camp we had a whole team of folks.  Jessie Jones and Joanna Rogers were in the kitchen leading the recipes and clean up.  Jessie is our Family and Consumer Science Agent and Joanna is our Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant.  Helping behind the scene we our two Extension Interns this summer, Kalani Gaddy and Peyton McMillan.  Wendy Maynor, 4-H Program Associate was on screen duty making sure everyone followed along.  Ms. Shea Ann DeJarnette, our 4-H Agent was on the camera making sure everyone could see everything as we melted, stirred, folded, and made the sweetest mess ever.

This year our campers focused on deserts.  On Tuesday (Monday was a holiday) they started learning about measuring, cleaning up (our least favorite part of everything), and we made two types of mug cakes.  One of the cakes involved melting chocolate, butter, and other yummy ingredients to make a creamy rich chocolate mug cake.  The second cake they mixed two boxes of cake mix together (angel food and then their favorite flavor).  They put 3 T of cake mix in the mug, added 2 T of water and cooked it in the microwave for 1 minute.  Although they said they liked both the decadent chocolate cake won for taste while the 3-2-1 cake won for convenience and budget.  Ms., Joanna also showed the campers how to make ice cream in a jar to go with those mug cakes.  I have a feeling there was a lot of ice cream and cake being consumed after this lesson.

Wednesday was our all about chocolate day.  Got to say this group loved some chocolate.  We started with Marshmallow Crunch Brownies.  These brownies were layers of decadence on top of chocolate and more rich decadence.  We started by making a flourless brownie.  Because it had not flour it was gooey and fudgy.  We topped the brownie with marshmallows and melted those on top during the baking process.  On top of that was layered a peanut butter fudge toping that included coca crispies rice cereal for that crunch.  These brownies had to be eaten in small amounts so as not to overload.  After that we made banana split bites.  These banana creations actually looked like a small ice cream cone.  Chunks of banana were dipped in chocolate and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.  They were simple but impressive looking and tasted devine. 

Thursday we focused on the world of cookies!  After a brief history lesson on cookies we made oatmeal bar cookies.  They had M&M's in them and were so tasty.  We also learned how to decorate cookies.  We were able to get cookie kits from a COVID startup business in Raleigh called Oakwood Cookie Company (mom's and dads you can find them on Facebook if you would like to learn more about this small business).  Each kit contained six cookies, three colors of royal icing, and sprinkles.  We learned how to professionally decorate our cookies and we might even have some professional bakers and decorators in our future.  A big  shoutout to this company for helping us with this special order for our campers.

Friday was Fry-Yay!  Our campers made their own granola from scratch using steel cut oats, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and other ingredients.  They baked everything in the oven and when it was done they crumbled it up to add a little as a topping for their fruit parfaits.  These gorgeous creations involved laying Greek yogurt with fruit (we used strawberries and bananas) in a glass bowl or glass for presentation and topping it with granola.  From the sound of crickets as our campers tried it (and devoured it) I think it was a great success.  We also added some spicy watermelon to the mix today.  Although some said it was not their favorite others were pretty happy with the blend of taco seasoning and salt on this wet and sometimes sweet treat.  

Our campers are anxiously awaiting their 4-H Jr. Chef Cookbooks in the mail and we can't wait to see what they cook up next.  We hope they had a great time and that they check out their padlet to see more fun things being posted.  Stay tuned next week as we have our first face to face program since COVID-Animal Science day camp with be an adventure in more ways than one.

JMG News

 

BIWEEKLY UPDATE | July 2021 PLANT PARTS WE EAT HEALTHY HOLIDAY DESSERT JMG GEAR

TOPS AND BOTTOMS IN THE GARDENS!

As we conclude the festive events honoring The Gardens 3rd birthday, JMG has had a great time collaborating with our friends from Texas A&M's Leach Teaching Gardens to share virtual book readings and demonstrate engaging youth garden activities throughout this very special month long celebration! If you missed it, viewers were invited to follow along on the adventures of rabbit and bear as these two book characters used their wits and a few tricks while discovering the many parts of the plant. Click here to hear the JMG read-a-loud of the award winning children's book titled, Tops and Bottoms!

To learn more about the edible parts of plants, view a tomato plant dissection and discover the important jobs different plant parts perform join Randy Seagraves on this virtual learning adventure. Click on the tomato picture  BELOW, to get started!

EASY AND TASTY 4TH OF JULY RECIPE! 

Try out Dinner Tonight's cool and deliciously fruity dessert for this weekend's 4th of July celebration with family and friends! A summer tart perfect for dessert and festive enough for your Fourth of July backyard gatherings! This Berry Cherry Tart is lighter than other cheesecake pastries but just as delicious. For more healthy and tasty recipes explore AgriLife Extension's Dinner Tonight website here! Choosing kid friendly recipes is a great way to involve your entire friendly in meal prep this summer!

"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

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