Schoalrship Opportunity

 

The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year is now open at CFNC.org.

A total of 215 scholarships are available for first-time recipients from qualifying rural North Carolina counties, helping students attend participating N.C. colleges and universities.

This scholarship is designed for students with strong roots in rural North Carolina with an intent to return home after graduation to live, work, and lead in their communities.

Selection considers multiple factors, including academic performance, financial need, and community ties.

Applicants must complete the FAFSA.

Apply by March 1, 2026

Check eligible counties and apply at CFNC.org.

Read more about the qualifications: https://goldenleaf.org/applications-for-golden-leaf.../...

4-H Top 4 for the week of January 12

 

Let's get things started in Style!

1.  Sewing Lab

-Sewing Lab is open on Saturday, January 17th.  This is when folks come in and have the opportunity to sew.  It is not lessons just a day to utilize equipment and space to get projects done.  The lab is open from 8:15-5:15 and you must pre-register and pay at the Extension Office.  The cost is $20 and you will have access to the lab all day long which includes; sewing machines, cutting mats, tables, ironing boards, irons, and more.  Please register and pay prior to January 17th.  If you are mid project and need some space to finish a project this is for you!  Contact Wendy Maynor, Family Consumer Science Agent at (910) 671-3276 or wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu for more information.

2.  The Art Hub 4-H Club Meeting

-The Art Hub 4-H Club will have their first meeting of 2026 on January 24 at 8:30 am.  For more information about this meeting please check out the Eventbrite registration.  All youth must be registered for 2026 in 4-H Online and registered on the Eventbrite Registration to attend this meeting. 

3.  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/   

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.

Can't wait to see you in 2026!

Jade and Shea Ann

 

International Exchange Program

 

4-H International Exchange - Summer Inbound Program

SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR EXCHANGE DELEGATES! 

APPLICATIONS DUE BY MARCH 31

For Questions, email Caitlin Clineff at:  nc4-hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

It’s time to make plans for the summer! This year, we have exchange delegations of young people, ages 12-18, plus adult chaperones, coming to NC from Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan! Each of these wonderful people will need their own host family to stay with–that’s why we need YOU! 

We know that hosting an international delegate requires a lot of schedule coordination on your end, so here are the dates for each country’s delegation:

Taiwan: June 30 - July 25 (4 host families needed)

South Korea: July 20 - August 15 (3 host families needed)

Japan: July 24 - August 16 (35 host families needed)

Special trips and tourism are not required to host a delegate. These young people are here to be members of 4-H families and experience American culture for a month, not to be tourists. It’s a great way to get everyone off of their phones and iPads and spend a fun summer together, creating lifelong memories. There is no fee to participate. Do you have room for one more?

We will have an Online Information Session for potential host families on Thursday, January 22, from 7:00pm -9:00pm. Please register to attend at this link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/1De7Xh5GRlSNbIk0QPDFtg 

 Not sure if your family is eligible? Please take a look at the checklist below. 

Host Family Checklist

__ Host sibling must be same gender and within 3 years of age of the delegate (families with younger or older children can host an adult chaperone!)

__ Provide delegate with their own bed (can share room with host sibling, but needs own bed–air mattress is OK)

__ Provide delegate with three meals a day

__ Will have an adult or responsible older teen around at all times 

__ Friendly, welcoming home

__ ENTHUSIASM for learning about another culture and sharing yours with your new “family member”!

The most important things for a successful experience are not having a perfect house and going on extravagant trips– it’s having a lot of enthusiasm and flexibility! These delegates are here for a short-term homestay to experience American life. Is your child going to a camp this summer? Send your delegate too! We do ask that trips and camps be limited to one week out of the exchange period. Take them to the grocery store, let them do chores like feeding the animals, go swimming or play frisbee at the park, take them to 4-H meetings! Treat this young person as you would treat your own child. The main requirements are just that the delegate has their own bed, three meals a day, and adult supervision. 

Applications are due by March 31! Apply at https://www.states4hexchange.org/apply/host/. Host family selection is subject to the completion of the online application, an in-home interview, a background check, and delegate availability.

For more information, contact State Coordinator Caitlin Clineff at nc4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu. Follow our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/nc4hinternational and sign up for updates at our NC 4-H webpage, https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth-3/nc-4-h-international-exchange-program/. We look forward to hearing from you soon and starting your once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t have an extra bedroom. Does that mean I can’t host?

-Certainly not! Delegates do not expect their own bedroom. They can share with siblings of the same gender. If you don't have an extra bed, an air mattress is perfectly fine! 

Why should I host?

-Create friendships with new people, learn about new cultures, learn more about your OWN culture, and make a difference in your family’s lives and the life of another young person. It’s a great family bonding experience!

 

What do I do with my delegate when they get here?

 -Normal, everyday activities! Go shopping, cook dinner, do household chores, go to the park, play games, watch movies, visit friends and family, etc. Trips are allowed in and out-of-state, but it is recommended to keep it to 5 days or less. Trips and special activities are not expected!

 

Can my family host multiple delegates? 

-In some cases, yes! A host family may host multiple delegates as long as they are not from the same country (i.e. not both from Japan), and each delegate has their own host sibling. If there is no overlap between the program dates, the same host sibling could host two delegates sequentially (for example, both a Taiwanese delegate and a Japanese delegate). In 2026, there will be a one-day overlap between Taiwan and Japan, so we would need to get special permission, but this would probably be approved. 

My child is going to camp during the homestay, what would the delegate do during this time?

 -Send the delegate to camp as well! Camp in different countries is very different so this would be a great learning experience and a fun way to make more friends for the delegate. If needed, camp costs can be covered by the international partner organization. However, camp time should be limited to one week or less so that the delegate can experience mostly the typical daily life of an American family.

How are delegate/host family matches made?

  -Delegates are matched to host families based on similarities in interests and personalities, as well as any medical concerns such as allergies. Delegates for the summer program are the same gender and within three years of age of their host sibling. NC 4-H strives to collaborate and work with host families in order to make the best placement possible.

Do the delegates speak English?

-Expect very little English. One of their main goals in coming to the United States is to practice communicating in another language. The delegates are usually able to understand more than they can convey. You and your family can also come up with other means of communication such as charades and drawing pictures. Learning to communicate is part of the fun! Chaperones also travel with the delegation and are available 24/7 if you really need assistance with translating.

My kids aren’t the right age. Can I still be involved?

-Yes! There are no age requirements to host an adult chaperone, so it’s a great opportunity for families with young children, no children, or children who have aged out of the program. Chaperones do require their own bedroom, and will need some time to make phone calls to check in with their youth delegates (they will have their own cell phone to make calls). Otherwise, the experience is very much the same as hosting a youth delegate! Introduce them to your community, go shopping, cook together, play games, and have great conversations about culture and family life - similar to having an extended family member for a visit!

Caitlin Clineff, International 4-H Program Coordinator

nc4-hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

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.