4-H Newsletter - April 13, 2023

NEW

4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus

4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus will be held June 21-22, 2023, in Cary, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton. This is a conference where delegates participate in facilitated discussions and activities related to the importance of advocacy, local government, state government, and action planning. Through various conference sessions, delegates learn from leaders across the state and from other conference attendees. 4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus is sponsored by NC Electric Cooperatives-Touchstone Energy.

Who can attend?
200 North Carolina 4-H’ers, ages 13 through 18 along with one adult per county may attend.

Conference Highlights
* Citizenship-themed workshops
* Distinguished speakers
* Visits with elected officials
* Citizenship Opportunity Fair

What does it cost?
$175.00 per youth. The actual cost per person is over $600 per person. The remaining cost is covered by donors and other funding sources.
This includes:
*1-night lodging
*Wednesday lunch
*Wednesday dinner
*2 Snack Breaks
*Workshop Materials
*Thursday breakfast
*Thursday lunch

Transportation and Lodging
Transportation and chaperones are the responsibility of participating counties. Lodging for youth will be 3 per room (two beds and a full-size pull-out couch bed) and adults will be 2 per room. Rooming assignments are based on the county responsible and youth ages. Special rooming requests will not be accepted.

Conference Times
Please note this conference is only one night. Conference will begin with registration from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21. Conference will end after lunch on Thursday, June 22.

How do I register?
4-HOnline April 10-May 12, 2023.
Everyone must register through 4-HOnline – youth and adults – by the May 12th deadline, or when capacity is reached – whichever comes first.

Making Appointments with Elected Officials:
We will be visiting the North Carolina General Assembly on Thursday, June 22. As part of this, 4-H’ers attending the conference need to make appointments to visit with your elected officials. Your 4-H agent will assist you in making these appointments.

Shirts
Polo shirts will be ordered for all delegates. Shirts will be ordered based on the information in 4-HOnline. The shirts will be Kelly green and delegates should plan on wearing black dress pants or a black skirt with the shirt for Legislative visits.

NEW

4-H County Activity Day Presentations

and Public Speaking Workshop

If your 4-H'er is planning to have a presentation during County Activity Day, please contact Jessica Drake to set up a time to come to the Extension office and present their topic before Friday, May 5, 2023, 5:00 p.m. This has to be done in order to participate. Click this link for the categories and guidelines.

If your 4-H'er needs help putting the finishing touches on their presentation or even help figuring out where to begin, then the Public Speaking Workshop is the perfect place to start. This will be a one time event only and you will need to register for this event in 4HOnline. You can start registering beginning Monday, April 10, 2023. The workshop will be conducted on Thursday, April 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This workshop is an optional event.

Contact information for Jessica Drake is 910-321-6867 or jessica_drake@ncsu.edu

NEW

2023 Great Pumpkin Contest

We are excited to share a new contest for the Cumberland County Fair. It's the "Great Pumpkin" contest. We are inviting folks to try to grow the biggest pumpkin for entry into the fair. Grand Prize will be $50!

We have the pumpkin seeds and information about growing the pumpkins in our office. Please come see Susan Johnson, pick up your packet, and join the fun!

Seeds and a growing guide will be provided.
Seed Pickup: April 3-21 2023 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Cumberland County Cooperative Extension
Susan Johnson
301 E Mountain Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306

Final Entries Drop Off: August 28 or 29 9am -7pm
Cumberland County Fair - Crown Arena
1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306

Giant Entries win Big Prizes
First Place: $50
Second Place: $25
Third Place $10

NEW

Judge Like a Champion - 2023 Livestock Judging Camp

Don't miss this opportunity to work with outstanding coaches from across the country as you learn evaluation skills, develop efficient note-taking abilities, obtain new terminology, and become proficient and accurate in your reasons delivery.

When: Sunday, June 4 - Tuesday, June 6
Where: Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, VA
Ages: 9-19
Cost: $175 per participant
Registration is required at this link: https://tinyurl.com/2023-Judge-Like-a-Champion
Limited to the first 75 participants.

Coach's Clinic - Judge Like a Champion

Adults will learn the basics of livestock evaluation, oral reasons, and techniques for coaching youth of all ages. Listen, learn, get hands-on, and ask questions in an informal setting where you the coach get to be the student and improve your skills as an evaluator and teacher.

When: Monday, June 5, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, VA
Cost: $75 per participant
Registration is required at this link: https://tinyurl.com/2023-JLAC-Coaches-Clinic
Limited to the first 50 coaches to register.

Summer Camp "Howling with CALS"

Join us for a week of exploring agriculture and life sciences at NC State. This is FREE camp for rising 9th graders.

The Howling with CALS Camp is a four day residential camp (June 11-14, 2023) for a small group of rising high-school freshman from rural North Carolina counties or underrepresented communities to reside on North Carolina State University's campus to learn more about opportunities within agriculture and life sciences.

From meeting our dairy cows and having a taste of howling cow ice cream to propagating weird and wonderful plants, this week promises a lot of fun discovery. We are seeking students who are interested in learning more about agriculture and life sciences disciplines, have a passion for making a difference, and understanding the science behind these fields, and participating in hands-on learning.

Eligible and selected campers do not need to pay a registration or camper fee (travel costs to and from NC State's campus not included). Campers will be led by camp counselors through a number of different activities during their stay on campus.

Applications are open now! Click here to apply. We are accepting applications until April 17 and families will be notified of acceptance

NC 4-H and FFA Scholarship Opportunities

AgCarolina Farm Credit has scholarships that support academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership for students committed to southeastern North Carolina agriculture and rural development.

The deadline to submit your application is April 15, 2023. Click here for the application link.

AgCarolina Farm Credit is offering up to (6) 4-H and FFA scholarships of $1,000 and (12) high school At-Large scholarships of $1,000. Additionally, there are (5) $2,000 scholarships to NCSU, (4) $1,000 scholarships to NC A&T, (4) $1,000 scholarships to UMO, (6) $750 scholarships to NCSU Agriculture Institute, (6) $750 scholarships to NC Community Colleges, and (2) $1,000 scholarships to HBCU and Historically Minority-Serving Institutions.

2023 NC WHEP State Contest

The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a national 4-H program that:
* teaches 4-H'ers about the fundamentals of wildlife management
* brings 4-H'ers together to develop team skills
* promotes and develops leadership skills among 4-H'ers
* provides an opportunity for 4-H'ers to work with natural resource professionals

Although WHEP is a competitive event, its primary purpose is to increase participant's knowledge of wildlife management while promoting life skills and critical thinking. The basis of the program is the NC WHEP Learning and Activity Guide, which covers wildlife habitat management concepts and helps participants prepare for the annual state contest.
When: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Where: PeeDee National Wildlife Refuge
Wadesboro, NC (Anson County)
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Registration deadline: April 21, 2023
Click this link for registration site and WHEP information: https://sites.google.com/ncsu.edu/nc4h-forestry-wildlife/whep-contest-information

4-H Poultry Showdown - Sampson County

Join other 4-H youth for the Sampson County 4-H Spring Poultry Showdown on May 20!

Registration will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with the show starting at 10:30 a.m. Youth will be allowed to bring two breeds of their choice. There will be showmanship and breed classes.

Where: Sampson County Livestock Facility
55 Agriculture Place, Clinton, NC 28328
When: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Cost: No cost to enter
Ages: 5-18
Registration: Click this Google form link
Deadline to register: May 17, 2023

Email or call for further information: Elizabeth R. Merrill
elizabeth_rowe@ncsu.edu
910-592-7161

7-County 4-H Master Volunteer Training

Join 4-H volunteers from Bladen, Brunswick, Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, New Hanover, and Robeson Counties for the Master Volunteer Training. You will have the opportunity to choose attending virtual or in person. Dinner will be included for those attending in person.

Everyone attending, whether in-person or virtual, is asked to register at this link in Eventbrite, this way we will have a count for dinner and also be able to send you the zoom link if you choose virtual. Eventbrite will have topic descriptions.

April 17 - 4-H Basics - Hoke County Cooperative Extension
June 12 - Competitive World of 4-H - Robeson County Cooperative Extension
September 18 - Teen Opportunities - Bladen County Cooperative Extension
October 23 - High Tech/High Touch of 4-H - Cumberland County Cooperative Extension

Summer Staff Needed at Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center!

Do you have what it takes to be a staff member at Betsy-Jeff Penn? Ready for a summer filled with memories and amazing experiences?

We are looking for responsible and enthusiastic individuals who can serve as role models and mentors for summer camp 2023, June 4 through August 6. Staff live, play, sing, eat and assist in the supervision of campers throughout the summer.

Most qualified candidates will possess: Patience, fairness, playfulness, compassion, great listening skills, and the ability to adapt. Summer staff provides meaningful experiences to youth from around he country. Camp staff can make a positive impact on the campers they lead. The position demands great responsibility and compassion. You will be on call 24/6. It is also one of the most gratifying experiences you'll have.

You will be contributing to many wonderful memories in addition to having the greatest summer ever while making lifelong friends.

Other Positions Available at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center Include:
Cabin Counselors, Adventure Counselors, Activity Specialists (Aquatics, Horseback Riding, Archery, Arts & Crafts, and Climbing Wall) and Lead Counselors (experience required).

Work Schedule:
Will coincide with the 2023 Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center Camp schedule. Most workweeks will begin around noon on Sunday and end around 1 p.m. on Friday. You will be with campers Sunday through Friday.

Forty-plus hours per week. Approximate employment from June 4 through August 6, 2023. Actual dates may vary based on position. Required to live on site, work Sunday - Friday. Applicants will live in a cabin while supervising groups of campers.

First year staff start out at $300 weekly, including Sunday dinner - Friday lunch meals and room and board for the summer.

For additional information click on this link: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/02/nc-4-h-camps-2023-summer-camp-employment-opportunities/

Apply for employment: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/178819

Please contact Allison Ledford, anledfor@ncsu.edu or 336.349.9445, at BJP directly with questions.

Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photography Contest

The Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photography Contest is a statewide annual contest that highlights North Carolina 4-H'ers photographic achievements. The winning photos will be premiered during the National 4-H Week and displayed on the North Carolina 4-H Photography Contest website.

There is a new photography category, Special Effects and a new age division, Adult Division, 19+ as of 1/1 this year.
Click here for more information: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth-3/north-carolina-4-h-photo-contest/

Things to Remember when submitting entries:
Entries are DUE August 17, 2023 before 5 pm, EST
Entries must be submitted by the 4-H Agent/PA
  4-H Professionals, Click HERE to submit entries
Photographs MUST BE SUBMITTED at the highest image resolution possible
Photographs can not exceed 10 GB
Photograph MUST BE SAVED AS:
AgeDivision_PhotograpyCategory_FirstName_LastName_2023
FOR EXAMPLE:
Junior Special Effects Photo for Chris Clover saved as: Jr_Effects_Chris_Clover_2023
Senior Nature’s Beauty Photo for Kris Clover saved as: Sr_Nature_Kris_Clover_2023
Adult 4-H in Action Photo Cris Clover saved as: Adult_Action_Cris_Clover_2023

Please help your 4-H'ers discover these while participating in our photography contest:

Highlight NC 4-H’ers’ photographic achievements
Allow 4-H’ers to be creative and EXPLORE the 4-H Photography Curriculum
Help 4-H’ers to research how to take the best picture
Encourage 4-H’ers to Practice, Practice, Practice!!
Take 100 pictures to capture the one perfect image
Connect 4-H’ers with a professional photographer
Have FUN!!

4-H Online 2.0-How to Enroll

Please see the attached letter that details information that will make your enrollment and re-enrollment much easier. If you were enrolled in the system last year, you will not have to set up a brand new account. Your login information is the same. Please reach out if you need assistance or need your password reset.

Adults, please note that in the information transfer many of our volunteers and adult birthdates were changed. Unfortunately, you will need to go in and add your actual date of birth.

Also note that you will need to determine a club affiliation in order for your
application to go through. If you are not in a particular club, please select
Member at Large (Cumberland County).

Please refer to the letter attached and contact the 4-H office if you have any questions.
4-H Online Enrollment/Re-Enrollment Family Letter 2022
4-H Online Family Enrollment Packet Information

4-H Online Re-Enrollment Packet for Youth and Volunteers
NC 4-H Online Enrollment Website 2.0

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.

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.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by 10 days before the event to Jessica Drake, 4-H Extension agent, jessica_drake@ncsu.edu or 910-321-6867.

NC State University provides equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts, and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation or veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating.