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Stanly County 4-H Newsletter
May 2026 |
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Stanly County 4-H Clubs
Looking for a place to belong, meet new friends, and "learn by doing" for about an hour a month? 🍀 Stanly County 4-H has five incredible clubs ready to welcome you! Whatever you're into, there is a spot for you at the table (or in the field!). Best of all? It is 100% FREE to join & participate.
Check out our current club lineup:
🐴 Rocky River Riders – Perfect for horse lovers and competitive judging!
🌲 Nature Navigators – Explore the great outdoors at City Lake Park.
🚜 Sunny Oaks Farm Club – All things agriculture, right on the farm.
🍳 Kitchen Kids – Coming soon! Sharpen your chef skills at the Agri-Civic Center.
😀 General Interest Club – Learn about whatever interests YOU!
Ready to join the fun?
💡Learn more on our clubs page.
📱Enroll today: 4Honline.com |
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🍀 Paper Clover Fundraiser 🍀
Stanly 4-H’ers, August Thompson and Nora Stokes, visited Tractor Supply in Albemarle recently to promote the store’s spring Paper Clover Campaign. Proceeds from Paper Clover purchases by store patrons benefit our county and state 4-H programs with 90% of proceeds staying right here in Stanly County. This money helps offset the cost for Stanly youth to attend summer camp and 4-H Congress. Tractor Supply also donated $50 to our county program. The Fall Paper Clover Campaign is scheduled for Nov 27-Dec 13. The process couldn’t be easier - simply ask to purchase a paper clover when you check out at the Albemarle Tractor Supply Store. Paper Clovers cost just $1, but you can donate any amount you like. Thank you to Tractor Supply and its patrons for supporting the premier youth development program in Stanly County! |
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Welcome Our Summer Intern
We are thrilled to introduce a new face to our team this season! Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Extension Intern, Lily Pope.
Lily is from Stanly County and is a graduate of Stanly Early College. She is currently a student at North Carolina State University, where she is majoring in Animal Science. With a deep-rooted interest in agriculture, livestock, and farming, Lily brings both local heart and "Wolfpack" expertise back home to Stanly County.
This summer, Lily will be immersed in every corner of our 4-H programming. You’ll see her out in the community:
Leading the Way: Developing and teaching a specialized summer youth program focused on livestock.
On the Farm: Touring local Stanly County farms to learn more about Stanly’s agricultural community.
Sharing the Story: Building a digital content library for our social media to showcase the "Learn by Doing" moments that make 4-H special.
Supporting our Youth: Providing administrative support and direct instruction for all our 4-H youth activities this summer.
Please help us welcome Lily to the team! |
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🌞 Ready to plan your summer?! 🌞
While we are retiring the "Summer Blast" name, we aren't slowing down when it comes to providing high-quality educational programs for youth. We'll be posting educational opportunities individually as they open, rather than all at once. 4-H youth will still be offered the same, high-quality programs as always. Find information on Facebook, in the 4-H newsletter and at 4Honline.com where you can enroll in 4-H AND register for most of our educational programs for youth. Make sure to stay connected and enroll or renew your child's 4-H enrollment at 4Honline.com.
Once your 4-H Online enrollment has been approved, you can click on "Events" in the left side menu to view to register for 4-H programs available to your child's age group! |
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Dino Snacks With Hayley
🐢ROAR into Healthy Eating this Summer! 🍎 Looking for a "dino-mite" summer adventure for your kids? Join our Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Hayley Cowell, for Dino Snacks with Hayley! As part of the 2026 "Unearth a Story" Summer Reading Program, we’re hosting FREE classes where kids can:
🔶 Learn to make fun, healthy snacks
🔶 Unearth a great story
🔶 Have a blast with friends!
Where & When:
🚗 Albemarle: June 12 | July 10 at 10 AM (Call 704-986-3755)
🚗 Locust: June 19 | July 24 at 11 AM (Call 704-888-0103)
🚗 Norwood: June 22 | July 27 at 2 PM (Call 704-474-3625)
🚗 Badin: June 23 | July 28 at 10:30 AM (Call 704-422-3218)
Classes are FREE, but registration is recommended! Call your local branch today to save a spot. |
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District Activity Day
Stanly County has a big opportunity this summer, and WE NEED YOUR HELP to make it a success! For the first time in approximately 19 years, Stanly will host for the NC 4-H South Central District Activity Day (DAD). This event is the culmination of county 4-H presentation competitions, where high-performing 4-H'ers from our district (including 7 Stanly County 4-H'ers!) advance to compete at the next level.
We need 45 volunteers to join us (for all or part of the day) in supporting these talented young leaders. No prior 4-H experience is needed!
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Location: South Stanly Middle School (12492 Cottonville Rd, Norwood, NC)
Training: Volunteers will meet the day before (June 16) at the school for a walk-through and a short training session. Time is TBD.
Why We Need You: With hundreds of 4-H’ers and their families visiting Stanly County, volunteers keep the day running smoothly. Responsibilities primarily include:
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Parking Assistance
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Helping guests find their way as they arrive.
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Door Hosting: This is our most critical role. Volunteers will be stationed at classrooms to ensure presenters are not interrupted. You’ll make sure the door stays closed during presentations and help presenters sign in as they arrive.
By volunteering, you aren't just helping with logistics—you are making a statement that Stanly County supports and invests in the hard work of our youth.
How to Sign Up: If you are ready to help us "make the best better," please reply to this email or contact the Stanly County Extension office at 704-983-3987. We can’t wait to show the rest of the district what our community can do! |
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NC 4-H Congress
😀 Stanly Teen 4-H'ers! Are you ready for an unforgettable experience?! It’s time to register for NC 4-H Congress 2026! Join 4-H teens from across the state for a week full of leadership, service, friendships, and fun!
July 20–24, 2026 Raleigh, NC.
From workshops and state competitions to elections, traditions, and making lifelong memories—Congress is where leaders grow and connections begin!
Don’t miss out—start getting excited now!
For more information: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/.../4-h-teen.../youth-congress/
Contact Mandy Smith-Thompson no later than May 30 to reserve your spot! Congress registration is $250.00 plus the cost of lodging. Active 4-H members will receive a discount. smith-thompson@ncsu.edu 704.983.3987 |
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Millstone 4-H Camp
Each summer, 4-H’ers from Stanly, Rowan, Union, Richmond, Caldwell, Moore and Hoke counties spend a week together at Millstone 4-H Camp. 4-H’ers reserve their spots with our 4-H agent no later than February 1st. 16 4-H’ers from Stanly County will head to camp on June 21 and return home on June 26, and our 4-H agent will join them. Campers will try their hands at rock climbing, performing in the talent show, making new friends, learning new dances, practicing archery & riflery, fishing, kayaking. For our 4-H Agent, the best part is always watching each Stanly camper try something new, face a fear and grow! L.R. Harril was a key figure in the development of the NC 4-H Program who said (about Millstone 4-H Camp), “You will leave this place a different person. We hope you will be a better person,” and our experiences at Millstone throughout the years proves, time and time again, that his wish for 4-H campers always comes true. |
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Agri-Civic Day is an annual event hosted by the Friends of the Agri-Civic Center at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena. It’s a lively celebration of arts and culture beginning with a 4-H Heifer Show on Friday, August 14th at 5:30PM and culminating on Saturday, August 15th with a Vendor Market, Tractor Display, Goat & Sheep Show and more from 10am-4pm. For more information, contact the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center at 704-986-3666. |
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Dr. Kim Ingold 4-h Photography Contest
Hey 4-H'ers, do you love taking pictures? Well, here's your chance to show off your awesome photography skills! Consider entering this contest! We want to see your best shots. Whether you've captured a fun moment at a club meeting, a cool animal project, a beautiful sunset from camp, or anything that caught your eye, we want to see it! To enter, just go to the NC 4-H Photo Contest Website to see all of the rules and directions. Get those cameras ready and start snapping!
All entries are due by August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m, EST and must be submitted online.
All participants must be enrolled and approved in 4-HOnline
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| Submit an entry for the NC 4-H Photography Contest → |
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Stanly General Interest Club
Due to rain, Stanly General Interest Club’s plans for a trash cleanup and creek stomp at Rock Creek Park were postponed for a future meeting. Instead, club members learned about stormwater pollution and had loads of fun at a game night at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena.
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On May 9th & 10th, Stanly 4-H’ers competed in the North Central District 4-H Qualifying Horse Show that leads up to July’s State 4-H Horse Show. All hailing from our Rocky River Riders 4-H Club led by Kathryn Nelson and Miranda Stroupe, these talented youth did an amazing job representing Stanly County: Nelson, Hadley Denton, Pressley Stroupe, Edyn Stroupe and Ellie LaMotte. |
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Like, Comment & Share, to Spread the Word about Stanly Co. 4-H!
💬 👍 😁 💛 💯 🍀 👈
Spreading the word throughout the community is one of 4-H’s greatest challenges here in Stanly County. 4-H’ers, their families and Extension volunteers can help! Post flyers around the community about fundraisers, club meetings, etc - ask our office for hard copies! Share our posts on social media! Like our posts on social media! Always leave a comment when you see one of our posts. Share a link to our newsletter page so other families can keep up with all the opportunities available to their young people! TALK about your experience in 4-H and what you enjoy about it. Bring friends to your club meetings! |
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Sign up for Texts! 📱
Do things ever get lost in your email inbox? We've got a solution! Never miss an important 4-H Update again when you text 4H (without the dash) to
888-507-9628. Subscribers receive important updates and reminders about Stanly 4-H. You'll get info like fundraiser reminders, new club announcements, 4-H event updates, annual 4-H re-enrollment reminders, etc. |
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🍀 Help the Right Person Find Us! 🍀
Do you know someone with time to invest in expanding our reach across the county? We're searching for a Community Outreach Volunteer—a key person to help us share the life-changing, no-cost opportunities Stanly 4-H offers local youth.
The perfect volunteer has time to invest, is passionate about connecting with people and excited to help more families learn about 4-H. We will provide all the necessary training.We are certain the right person is out there and need your help putting us in contact with them. Call or email Mandy Smith-Thompson at 704.983.3987 or smith-thompson@ncsu.edu. |
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Clover Contribution Campaign
Stanly County 4-H uses monetary donations for volunteer training and appreciation, free programs for Stanly Co. kids, healthy snacks and summer camp fees. We're working every day to build a generation of Stanly County citizens who are beyond ready for the challenges of a changing world. The Clover Contribution Campaign makes it easy for individuals and businesses to support Stanly County 4-H any time. Each and every donation you make remains right here in Stanly County. Visit go.ncsu.edu/donate4H |
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Volunteers Mean More Opportunities for Stanly County Youth!
Would you like to become part of the Stanly 4-H Team? Contact our office today to discuss how your skills can support our youth development program. We have opportunities for everyone, from all different skillsets, availability and interests. |
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Read past 4-H Newsletters on our website. |
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Mandy Smith-Thompson
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
NC Cooperative Extension - Stanly County Center
704-983-3987
smith-thompson@ncsu.edu.
stanly.ces.ncsu.edu |
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Stay Connected |
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N.C. Cooperative Extension - Stanly County Center
26032 Newt Rd
Albemarle, NC 28001
United States |
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NC State University promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon one’s race; color; religion (including belief and non-belief); sex, including but not limited to pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition, parenting, and sexual harassment; sexual orientation; actual or perceived gender identity; age; national origin; disability; veteran status; or genetic information. |
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