Rowan 4-H January Newsletter

From the 4-H Agent,

Laura Allen:

Happy New Year! Wishing you many blessings in 2026! This 4-H year will be more back to "normal" now that we are settled into our new facility!

In this newsletter find information on:

-Achievement Night forms to complete
-our incoming 4-H intern
-several upcoming 4-H deadlines
-scholarship and award applications

Please note that WE WILL have Summer Fun this summer! Registration will be within 4-HOnline this year, so please make sure you go ahead and get re-enrolled once 4-HOnline opens in mid-January. I will send out information when it is open for enrollment. More Summer Fun info will be shared in the February newsletter!

Please click "view entire message" at the end.

Click here for Rowan 4-H page on Facebook

Click here for Rowan 4-H page on Instagram

Making the Best Better,
Laura

IMPORTANT!

4-HOnline will re-open for 2026 enrollments in mid-January. I will contact you when it re-opens. It is imperative that returning members & volunteers re-enroll in January 2026 to continue 4-H participation in the 2026 calendar year.

**As you re-enroll, please UPDATE your child's saved information and please make sure it is accurate and correct.

**If your child is in a shooting sports club, you MUST select all the "projects" related to the disciplines they will be participating in, as there are specific additional waivers for shooting sports.

Upcoming Meetings

County Council: for youth ages 12-18 years old as of January 1

**If your child is 12-18 as of Jan 1 and they are interested in County Council, please email Laura to get on the County Council email list for all reminders and updates for this group!

-Next County Council meetings:
-January 12, 6-7:30 pm at the Extension office
-February 26, 6-8:30 pm at the Rowan County Events Center to set up and practice for Achievement Night

PALS: These meetings are for any parent, alumni, leader or supporter of Rowan County
4-H. If you are interested in 4-H or new to 4-H, you are invited to attend these meetings as well! Please come share your ideas for 4-H and help us find ways to support Rowan County 4-H.

Next meetings:
-February 9, 7 PM on Zoom
https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/96213942264

Rowan County 4-H Achievement Night
recognizing 2025 4-H achievements

Friday, February 27, 2026
7 PM
Rowan County Events Center

1. Each parent should complete the Achievement Program Certificate form to make sure their child's certificate is accurate for their 2024 participation. Must be completed by Feb. 9 in order for the child to get a year of service pin and for their achievements to be printed on the form.
**If you are a graduating senior, this form MUST be completed for special recognition.

2. Families will need to RSVP to attend the Achievement Program in 4-HOnline under "events". Currently this is not available since 4-HOnline is down. I will notify you once you can do this. Due by Feb. 13.

3. County Council has chosen the theme "Lights, Camera, 4-H!

4. This year's 4-H Achievement Night will be a sit-down program, however, we WILL NOT have a meal. Instead, we will have popcorn and drinks available during the program and NC State Howling Cow ice cream at the conclusion. Please plan accordingly.

Graduating High School Seniors

4-H'ers who are high school seniors may be eligible to apply for NC 4-H Scholarships for college. The completed application is due back to Mrs. Laura no later than Friday, January 23, 2026.

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

NC 4-H Honor Club applications

Apply now for NC 4-H Honor Club! You MUST plan a time to meet with Mrs. Laura PRIOR to the deadline to go over this application to make edits.
Completed applications due to Mrs. Laura by January 23.

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 to "General Forms Related to the 4-H Program)

HORSE: If you want to stay up-to-date on all things related to the NC 4-H Horse Program, click here to sign up to receive their newsletter. Click here to access the main page for the NC 4-H Horse Program to learn more.

If interested in participation in 4-H Horse Bowl, Hippology, or Horse Judging, please contact Mrs. Laura. Practices have already begun.

LIVESTOCK: Rowan County 4-H will begin practicing in early 2026 for next years' contests, which are held in in late July/early August. This opportunity is led by 4-H volunteer Eric Deal. Contact Mrs. Laura if interested.

DAIRY CATTLE: 4-H Dairy Quizbowl is normally held in March annually & Dairy Judging contest is usually held in April annually. If interested in participating in 2026, contact the 4-H Agent. Practices have already begun.

POULTRY: The 4-H Poultry Judging contest is held annually in July. This is led by the Rowan 4-H Agent & Rowan Livestock Agent. Contact Mrs. Laura if interested.

If you are interested in participating in or learning more about ANY of these opportunities, please contact the Rowan County 4-H Agent at laura_allen@ncsu.edu.

Rowan 4-H Volunteer Reporting for 2025

If you are registered as a 4-H Volunteer in 4-HOnline it is super important that you report your hours and contacts! This greatly assists Laura with her Extension reports every year, since your hours and contacts must be reported!

Please go to go.ncsu.edu/2026rowan4hvolunteercontacts and complete your reports. Reports are due 10 days after the end of each month (January contacts due by Feb. 10). Email reminders will be sent to those who should be completing reports. It should only take about 5 minutes!