Vance County 4-H Clover Buzz
February/March 2010
We’re off to a great start in 2010 and want you to join us! Read about what we’ve already done and what we’re planning. See what fits you, expand your involvement, and bring a friend. Vance County 4-H is growing and we want you to be a part of that.
Yours in 4-H,
Pam Jones
NC Soybean Association Program
On a cold February 12 evening, both the Vance County 4-H Livestock Club and the Pine Lake 4-H Club and their families came to the 4-H Office for an informative “taste” of soybeans, in the form of edamame (we learned this was Japanese for “soybean”), soybean hummus, soybean “chicken” salad, soybean “meatballs”, and even soybean brownies! Chef Caroline Morrison and speaker Laura Rogers were very impressed with how willing everyone was to try dishes made with this alternative, healthy protein.
Special guests were supporters Mr. Thomas Shaw and his wife Jennifer with the Vance County Farm Bureau.
Club members present completed their 2010 enrollment forms; if you have not done yours please get them in by the end of February.
Finally everyone enjoyed sharing a covered dish supper and fellowship. Send us your suggestions for more programs ideas for the future.
Teen Retreat March 5-6
Vance County 4-H club members Selena Bullock and Martell Kittrell-Mitchell, as well as 4-H members-at-large Madison Bobbitt, Shai-Ann Clayton and Kayla Royster will be attending. They will meet youth from across the Piedmont atBetsy Jeff Penn 4-H Center for the annual Teen Retreat. They will make new friends, participate in fun leadership activities as well as just have plain old fun. TTYL!
Who Am I and Where Am I Going?
4-H office is now taking enrollment for Middle- and High-School students to attend Spring Break Day Camp Tuesday-Thursday, March 30-April 1, 2010, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Have SERIOUS FUN learning your Personality Type, go “Shopping” at the
Reality Store, and explore your college and career options with lots of hands-on activities and guest speakers. Set up a College Foundation of North Carolina account of your own (bring your laptop if you have one).
Open to all youth ages 11-18, spaces limited, $15 registration fee includes snacks and program materials. Bring a bagged lunch daily. Deadline Wed. March 24 for parents to come register youth.
4-H Summer Camp
Two opportunities to go to 4-H summer camp are available to Vance County youth. June 27-July 2 is the week and the choice is yours: the foothills and Betsy Jeff Penn or the coast and Eastern 4-H Camp and Conference Center. Check out thesegreat camps at click on Camps & Centers. Then sign up for the experience of a lifetime. Subject to availability; pay $75 registration at the 4-H office and a space will be requested.
IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENT!
6th Annual 4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus, June 14-16, 2010 in Raleigh at the Sheraton Downtown.
WHAT: Hands-on workshops and service project to learn leadership skills.
WHO: 100 - 170 4-H'ers ages 14-19. All are selected by the application process--at least 2 per county - new or returning youth and adults.
COST: $150.00 per person includes 2 nights lodging and meals during the conference. This is less than a third of the actual cost per person. The actual cost per person is over $500.00 per person. (The remaining cost is covered by donors and other funding sources.) Transportation provided.
Bring some canned vegetables for the service project: turnip greens, mixed vegetables, green peas, tomatoes, corn, green beans, etc.
HOW TO APPLY: Bring the fee to the extension office and fill out an application by April 25.
Area 4-H Poultry Project
Soon it will be time to sign up to be part of the 4-H Poultry Chain. Anyone can raise chickens in their backyard, even in town. This is how it works:
--Open to all youth 5-18 years.
--Entry form and $10 entry fee due March 23.
--Attend a workshop to learn how to care for baby chicks.
--Receive 10 one-day-old baby chicks in spring. Choose all 10 of one breed or 5 each of two breeds.
--Keep a record of how you care for your chicks and turn in the project record book by the deadline date.
--Participate in age divisions at the
4-H Poultry Show and Sale in Franklin County in the fall. Show and sell 3 chickens of each breed you selected.
Awards include trophies, 4-H poultry pins, ribbons and cash. Learn valuable lessons about responsibility and showmanship.
Additional poultry workshops will be offered. Watch for details.
Call for more information on how you can become involved in this hands-on 4-H project.
It’s Electric! Workshop
March 23,2010, 4:00-5:30pm, Vance Co. Extension Center.
A huge emphasis of the NC 4-H program is providing opportunities for youth to enhance their scientific knowledge and skills.
Come complete a simple electric project and find out how you can receive a free trip to NC 4-H Electric Congress. Held on a college campus, twoelectric program participants from each county can attend.
Haiku Poetry Contest
The NC State Insect Museum is sponsoring this 3-line poetry "Hexa-pod Haiku Challenge" and it is open to anyone of any age. The website is: blog.insectmuseum.org/?p=148 and there you will find all the details. Entries are due on March 20.
We’d be SO EXCITED if you entered. Send us a copy and we’ll print it here in the newsletter.
2010 District Activity Day
Did you know that the #1 fear of many adults is public speaking? Participate in Vance County 4-H’s Powerful Presentation Program and you can avoid that. On June 23, Vance County youth will travel to Person County to compete in district presentation contests. Youth present a 5-12 minute demonstration or illustrated talk in specific categories on a topic of their choice from over 35 categories. Judges give constructive criticism and choose winners who may then compete at 4-H Congress on the state level. To prepare for this competition, youth will participate in workshops and work one on one and in small groups to prepare their best presentation
possible. Call for more information about categories, rules, and workshop information.
2010 4-H Congress
Congress is the culminating event of the year for 4-H. Held this year July 19-22 on the campus of NC State University, it is geared for youth 13-18 years old. Junior 4-Hers may attend IF they were named district presentation winners. Activities of the week include: State Fashion Show, State Talent Show, State Presentation Finals, Leadership Workshops, 4-H Honor Club Tapping, State-level Hands-to-Service Project, State 4-H Council Officer Elections, Banquets, Dances and lots more. Contact Pam if interested.
New Radio Show for Chicken Enthusiasts: Backyard Poultry with The Chicken Whisperer
Andy Schneider, better known as the Chicken Whisperer has become the go-to guy across the country for anything chickens. Over the years he has helped a countless number of people start their very own backyard flocks.
Backyard Poultry with the Chicken Whisperer is a nationally broadcast radio show all about keeping! backyard poultry.
Listen "LIVE" Monday through Friday at 12:00pm EST here:
Facebook: tinyurl.com/yfav4xc
4-H Summer Fun Calendar
We are finalizing plans for this summer’s enrichment programs. So far we know we plan to offer old favorites such as fishing, volleyball, Kerr Lake day camps, and a Cloverbud (5-8 years old) day camp. We hope to release the calendar in the next few weeks. Sign up as soon as possible because spaces will be limited.
There is still time to become a Vance County 4-H Centennial Donor by making a tax-deductible donation of any amount to support Vance County 4-H programs. Another HUGE thank you to those who have already made donations! For more information, call the office at 252-438-8188.
2010 NC 4-H Theme
Continuing the 4-H Centennial theme, the NC 4-H emphasis this year is “We are 4-H, Then, Now, and Forever”. Many of you have a past with 4-H as a member or volunteer. Many of you are currently involved in 4-H as members, volunteers, or donors of your resources. The future looks bright for NC 4-H. We’re not just cows and cooking anymore! The sciences, technology, citizenship, and community service are areas we are focusing on for the future – Making the best better for our clubs, our community, our country and our world!
Come join us or if you’re already on board, expand your involvement. 4-H is making a difference in our community.
--North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commitment themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.