February 2025

Rocky River Riders Club competed in the South Central District Horse Bowl on January 25th.  Here they are looking SHARP in their team shirts.  Well done, teams!

Club Meetings

Listed below are the active 4-H clubs in Stanly County. Any 4-H member is welcome to join any of these clubs - you can even participate in multiple clubs!

1. Sunny Oaks Farm Club: Usually meets at Sunny Oaks Farm, but will meet at the Stanly Agri Civic Center on February 20 due to colder weather. Meetings start at 6:30pm.  
2. Rocky River Riders Club: Meets the second Friday of each month at 6 p.m. at West Stanly Saddle Club. See full 2025 meeting schedule below.
3. Stanly County Rabbit Rangers: will hold their first meeting on February 26 at 5:30pm at the Stanly Agri-Civic Center.

Please contact our office if you'd like to learn more about these clubs or how you can join our amazing volunteer staff to help lead a new club.

Let's go to Teen Retreat!

Don't miss out on this fun-filled, inspiring weekend for teen 4-H'ers in the South Central District.  Whether you're looking to lead, serve or cheer, there's something for everyone!  Teens 13-18 as of Jan 1, 2025 are invited to this annual overnight retreat at Millstone 4-H Camp in Ellerbe, NC.  Registration is open now at 4HOnline.com!  

When: Saturday - Sunday 3/29-30 

Cost: $100 includes tshirt, meals & lodging

Registration Deadline: March 7

What to expect: Campaigning and voting for 2025-26 district officers, workshops, personal & leadership development, and making new friends across our 4-H district.

Details: Download a tentative agenda

How to register: Visit 4HOnline.com and contact 4-H Agent, Mandy Smith-Thompson at 704.983.3987 or smith-thompson@ncsu.edu

How to pay: Payment can be made with cash or check to the Stanly County 4-H Office. 

Run for South Central District Officer Positions at Teen Retreat!

Teens interested in running for South Central District Officer positions must fill out an application (District Officer Nomination & Election Form II) and be ready to speak and campaign at Teen Retreat!  The 2025 application and lots of details can be found here.  Completed applications must be submitted to your 4-H Agent, Mandy Smith-Thompson, no later than March 7.

Congratulations, New Sunny Oaks Farm Club Officers!

Sunny Oaks Farm 4-H Club elected officers in December and officially installed them at the club's January 16 meeting. Club officers have important jobs and are democratically elected by their fellow club members. Congratulations, Sunny Oaks officers!

President: Maddie Burgess

Vice President: Ty Crayton

Secretary: Max Burgess

Treasurer: Macon Swain

Historian: Carly Honeycutt

Reporters: Sammy & Gabe Cox

Recreation Leader: Amara Kyle

Financial Advisor: Logan Swain

Learn more about club officers at: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth-3/4-h-teen-programs/state-council/

Kickoff Meeting for the New Stanly County Rabbit Rangers Club 

We are thrilled to introduce the County Rabbit Rangers - a new 4-H Club here in Stanly County open to all 4-H'ers 5-18 years old (as of January 1, 2025). Club members will learn about rabbits, how to care for them and even how to show a rabbit in the upcoming Piedmont Rabbit Project Show from local experts! The kickoff meeting will be Wednesday, February 26th at 5:30PM at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. Where families can learn more about the club, ask questions and meet the club leaders and county 4-H Agent.

2025 Piedmont Rabbit Project Show

The deadline to register for the Piedmont Rabbit Project Show is fast approaching - February 14th!

Cabarrus, Catawba, Iredell, Stanly, Mecklenburg & Rowan Counties are partnering to host a Spring Rabbit Show on May 3 at the Rowan County Fairgrounds. This is a fun 4-H learning experience for those who own a rabbit or what to borrow a rabbit. All participants are required to attend Zoom meeting February 24th at 6:30pm.

Click here for rules: go.ncsu.edu/25piedmontrabbitproject

Click here to register: go.ncsu.edu/25rabbitproject

Contact smith-thompson@ncsu.edu or katelyn_stegall@ncsu.edu for more information.

4-H Volunteer Leadership Series

We are excited to share a series of wonderful learning opportunities for any adults working with 4-H youth.  The following trainings will be held from 6:30PM-7:30PM virtually via Zoom and in-person at Lee County 4-H Office.

• Feb 20 - Theories of Youth Development & the Thrive Model
  Guest Speaker is Dr. Autumn Cano-Guin
  Register for Zoom link at go.ncsu.edu/volunteerleadershipseries Register for in-person

• Mar 14 - Team Building & Icebreakers

• Apr 7 - Protective Factors during Child Abuse Awareness Month

• May 6 - 6:00-7:00PM Youth Mental Health

• Jun 4 - Summer Cooking with Local Foods

• July 31 - Parliamentary Procedure

• Aug 15 - Generational Differences and How to Cross Lines

• Sept 2 - Volunteer Self-Care

• Oct 7 - STEM Play

• Nov 5 - Chartered!

• Dec 9 - Christmas Party & Club Progress Reports

Rocky River Riders Announce 2025 Meeting Schedule

Is your 4-H'er interested in horses??  All horse-loving 4-H'ers should consider joining the Rocky River Riders Club.  Club members will be competing in the 4-H Horse Bowl on January 25 and will host a Horse Bowl Practice on January 3.  Rocky River Riders club typically meets the 2nd Friday of each month at 6pm, and will host all 2025 meetings at a new meeting location - West Stanly Saddle Club located at 13154 Saddle Club Rd in Oakboro.  The 2025 meeting schedule is listed below:

• February 7

• March 14

• April 11

• May 9

• June 13

• July 11 (State State Horse Show)

• August 8

• September 12

• October 10

• November 14

• December 12 (Christmas Party)

Summer Camp at Millstone:

only 5 spots remain

If your 8-18yr old would like to attend sleepaway summer camp (and you have not already), please contact your 4-H Agent no later than Feb 28. We will attend Millstone 4-H Camp in Ellerbe, NC the week of June 22-27, 2025.  Millstone hosted its first  group of 4-H youth for camp in 1939!  

What is the cost for overnight camp? 
The cost for a Stanly 4-H member is $535.  If budget allows, Stanly County 4-H may be able to offer an additional discount for each camper.
Are there scholarships? 
Yes. There are full and partial need-based scholarships available.  Please talk with your 4-H agent to learn more.
Where is 4-H camp? 
Stanly County 4-H'ers attend overnight camp at Millstone 4-H Camp each summer.
How long are 4-H'ers gone during overnight camp? 
Overnight camp lasts 5 nights.  Camp drop off day is always on Sunday, and pickup day is the following Friday morning.

What kinds of things do campers get to do while at Millstone?

Meet new friends, take on new challenges and learn things about themselves they may have never known.  There's canoeing, swimming, crafts, riflery, a giant swing, a climbing wall, archery and MORE!
How do I register my child for overnight camp?

Register your child for camp by contacting 4-H Agent, Mandy Smith-Thompson at 704.983.3987 or smith-thompson@ncsu.edu and submitting your $50 deposit to the
4-H Office no later than February 28, 2025.

2025 4-H Presentations and Talent Show

Public speaking is an essential life skill that is critical to our workforce today. Start polishing those public speaking skills early by participating in 4-H presentations

All Stanly County 4-H’ers are encouraged to participate in County Activity Day coming up this spring. Now is the time to start thinking about and developing a 5-7 minute presentation on a topic of your interest OR a 5min or less talent show performance. Participation in County Activity Day teaches valuable life skills and will be required to participate in the 2025 county livestock show.

Stanly County 4-H'ers will present and perform by appointment over a 2 week period. If you would like to participate in the 4-H Presentation Competition or 4-H Entertains Talent show, please contact the 4-H Office to reserve your time slot no later than April 1, 2025. This the deadline for scheduling your time slot during County Activity Days. Stanly County Activity Days will be Monday April 21 - Friday, May 2.

What is a 4-H Presentation?

4-H Presentations are 5-12 minutes long and are either demonstrations or illustrated talks. This means that you are either demonstrating how to do something or you are talking about a topic of interest and using props to add value to your presentation. Youth ages 5-7 (as of January 1 of the current year) are Cloverbuds and do not compete, but are allowed to participate with a presentation of any time length.

Contact our office or follow this link to learn more about NC 4-H Presentations and 4-H Entertains talent competition rules.  Details about county-level presentations along with example videos can be found on our website at https://stanly.ces.ncsu.edu/4-h-youth-development-3/4-h-presentations-2/

4-H Cornbread Cook-Off

4-H'ers in (grades 4-6), you're invited to submit a recipe for the 28th Annual National Cornbread Festival 4-H Cook-Off, sponsored by Lodge Cast Iron! The competition is open to 4-H students nationwide. The rules and registration form are attached, as well as a tip sheet for students interested in competing. Recipe submissions must be received via mail or email by February 28, 2025. The top ten recipes will be announced in early March. Those students selected will compete live at the National Cornbread Festival on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in South Pittsburg, TN. If you have any questions, contact WESLEY BREWER at 423.942.2656 wbrewer9@utk.edu marion.tennessee.edu.  Read more here.

Youth Market Turkey Show T-shirt Design Contest

Calling all young artists (ages 5-18) who love poultry, design, and the NC State Fair! The 2025 Youth Market Turkey Show T-shirt design contest is OPEN!

Show off your creativity and celebrate turkeys, the NC State Fair,  youth, and NC with a chance to win a ribbon, FREE YMTS registration, and see your design come to life on a T-shirt! Sketch or hand-drawn designs are welcome! Submit your design by February 15th: go.ncsu.edu/ymts #YMTS #NCStateFair

NC Youth Institute for High School Students

Deadline to register: March 10 - Engage In Global Food Security: Through NC State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and North Carolina 4-H, along with national partners, high school youth are invited to explore these tremendous opportunities that will challenge them to explore our world and consider what it means to be a global citizen and the role they can play in making our best, better.  North Carolina Youth Institute, April 11th, 2025  All high school youth are invited to join us for the 2025 North Carolina Youth Institute, an exceptional opportunity that ignites a passion for solving global hunger through an engaging exploration of agriculture and food systems. The North Carolina Youth Institute is an educational initiative of the World Food Prize Foundation and is designed to spark emerging leaders in developing innovative solutions for our world’s most pressing grand challenges surrounding feeding a growing population. Read more here.

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

Volunteers Mean More Stanly Co. 4-H Clubs! 

We plan to continue growing our 4-H program by adding more clubs. Each club requires 2 volunteer leaders over the age of 21, and several clubs are ready to start meeting as soon as a 2nd leader is identified! If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer club leader, please contact the 4-H Office. Follow the link above to read the NC 4-H Club Leader job description.  These clubs are only waiting for a volunteer to get started:

• Nature & Wildlife Club

• Kitchen Kids Cooking Club

No subject matter expertise necessary!