August 5, 2020 
4-H Family Newsletter
Announcements

Show Off your Talent



 If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me at 910-947-4650 or email me at [email protected].

Upcoming Events/Opportunities
4-H Clover Wordle


4-H Southern Regional Teen Leadership Conference 

The 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference (SRTLC) is going virtual September 24-26, 2020, because of the current global pandemic. This virtual experience will provide ample opportunities for creativity and innovation. The Conference will happen during the evenings of September 24th and 25th, and throughout the day on September 26th. There will be several opportunities for youth to engage in workshops and learning opportunities from other youth and adults from across the Southern United States. There will be no cost to participate in SRTLC this year. This high-quality event is open to eligible and interested participants between the ages of 14 to 18-years-old. Refer to the draft agenda to see what is in store. In the meantime, follow 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference on Facebook (@4HSRTLC). There will be a spirit week leading up to the event 
Registration for the 4-H SRTLC must be completed by September 10. To attend youth MUST complete the following registration steps:
  • First register and get approved in 4-H Online to be confirmed as participants. All participants (youth and adults) must answer and confirm their agreement to participate on the online Qualtrics form by September 10th at 4:30pm ET. 
  • Secondly, complete the registration form, scan it and send in to Deborah McGiffin, [email protected] by September 10.
  • A participant photo is required for registration.  Participants are asked to provide a photo as a JPEG or PNG file.
Workshop Round Tables will be held on Saturday, September 25:
 
  • A new component this year is the Round-Tables. This will be a time for youth to attend topic areas they may be interested in. For example, the Kentucky 4-H Officers will host a round-table for State Officers from across the Southern Region. Other examples may be other leadership boards, club leaders, or a project area (livestock, horse, camp).
  • Workshops and Round-Tables will be on Saturday, September 25th
  • All who are interested in teaching or leading a workshop/round-table must have an adult sponsor who has access to set up a Zoom meeting. If the proposal is selected the adult will work with Rachel Noble to set up the Zoom meeting and provide a link for participants.
  • Round Table proposal are also due by 4:430 pm on September 10 to [email protected].
There is a 500 limit for the virtual conference from all the participating states. So, delegates to the SRTLC will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Hay Bale Decorating Contest

Each year during the NC State Fair, there is a hay bale decorating contest.  Since, the pandemic cancelled the fair and the hay bale contest,  NC 4-H is excited to announce the 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Fun for your 4-H families and 4-H'ers.

This is a fun opportunity for 4-H families to spend some time together and enjoy decorating hay bales.  There is a family category and an individual category.  The linked flyer will explain this competition.  

Registration will be due November 23rd so you have plenty of time to get creative. 

The registration link is here: 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Fun
The registration deadline is November 23rd at Noon. So you have plenty of time. 

Calling all teachers, homeschool families and educators who want to spice up your fall education plan!

Announcing Nature Adventures, a virtual learning program aligned with NC state teaching standards on NC ecology and the natural sciences.
Nature Adventures is a 7-part series of 45-minute educational sessions for the fall semester developed and taught by professional Environmental Educators from North Carolina's premier 4-H Camps. This program is provided for FREE for teachers and families. Check out the session schedule below. All programs are aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and are presented live over Zoom. Can't make the live event? Register for the recording and go at your own pace!

Learn more at the North Carolina 4-H Camps website.
Program are free, but registrations is required.


PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Coastal Ecology
Sept. 18, 9 am
Students will explore the vibrant ecology of the Albemarle Sound, learning about the plants and animals that call this unique ecosystem home. Presented by The Eastern 4-H Center

Beaver Pond Explorations Oct. 1, 9 am
Students explore a decades old beaver pond habitat, learn how to identify evidence of beaver activity, and discover why beavers are important to many other plants and animals. Presented by Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center

Pine Forest Ecology Oct. 14, 9 am
Explore the unique Longleaf Pine ecosystem of the North Carolina Sandhills with a wildlife expert, featuring one of the most beautifully restored Longleaf Pine stands in the south eastern US. Presented by Millstone 4-H Camp.

Stories in the Stars Astronomy
Oct. 27, 1 pm
Students investigate the myths behind constellations, learn about current astronomical events, and explore what they can find in the night sky right now.

Nature Crafts
Nov. 9, 1 pm
Students will build simple nature crafts like toad homes and bird feeders, then use their crafts to collect data, make observations and develop inferences about the natural world and the species they find there.

Outdoor Survival Skills
Nov. 20, 9 am
Students will learn survival skills including the Rule of 3, the Ten Essentials, how not to get lost, and how to survive in the wilderness. Then students will apply what they've just learned with a mock survival scenario where they have to make decisions about how to survive.

Sharks Teeth & Fossils
Dec. 8, 9 am
Students learn where and how to find & identify fossils. Students will explore different types of fossils and dive deep on shark teeth. The session instructor will share his personal fossil collection to show and tell what he's found over the last ten years. 

The Livestock Show Is Still On

The NC State Fair may be cancelled this year, but agriculture and youth livestock events are at the heart of the North Carolina State Fair. While many changes have occurred due to the pandemic, the 2020 N.C. State Fair intends to offer a modified livestock show program for junior competitors. Refer to North Carolina Department of Agriculture for the 2020 modified show rules, schedule and entry forms. Registration is open until September 


Participants of the NC Fair Youth Market Turkey Show 
Registration for the Youth Market Turkey Show is also due by September 15.

Work is in process to make the Youth Market Turkey Show socially distanced & safe for everyone involved! Dorton Arena will be the location of the show. Details are still being finalized, but you are asked to save the following show dates:  

     Lil Gobblers Tuesday 10/13.                                            
     Juniors Wednesday 10/14                                 Seniors & Grand Rounds Thursday 10/15

Tentatively, health checks & weigh-ins will occur from 7:30 a.m. - 12 noon and the show will run from1-4 p.m. each day.  As with poult pickup, you will signup for a time slot to bring in birds for health checks and weigh-ins.  Families with siblings of multiple age groups will have the option to show on one day.  A mask will be required by everyone involved with this show.      

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made at least two weeks prior to each event date to Sarah Barber at (910) 947-3188.

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.

NC State University and NC A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status 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.

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.