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National 4-H Week 2025: Beyond Ready
National 4-H Week runs October 5–11, and the theme is Beyond Ready! Across North Carolina, 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters will come together to celebrate the impact of 4-H and show how young people are prepared for college, careers, and life — and beyond. 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, helping young people build confidence, learn valuable life skills, and grow into leaders in their communities. National 4-H Week gives us a chance to shine a spotlight on the amazing work of 4-H clubs, highlight achievements, and share stories of youth making a difference every day. Join us in celebrating National 4-H Week and show how youth are not just ready for the future — they are Beyond Ready!
Join us each day to celebrate 4-H
- Sunday 10/5 Kickoff Please take a minute to share your 4-H journey with someone else. Consider putting it on social media. Tag us and your club on Facebook. Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready Perhaps it will inspire a new volunteer or 4-H member!
- Monday 10/6 Go Green Join the Stanly Extension staff in wearing green. Share pics on social media. Tag Stanly County 4-H and your club. Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready
- Tuesday 10/7 Get Creative Highlight your talents with an artistic project, craft or hands-on activity. Share pics on social media. Tag Stanly County 4-H and your club. Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready
- Wednesday 10/8 Get Healthy Focus on your well-being with healthy habits, fitness or nutritious eating. Talk about it & share on social media! Tag Stanly County 4-H and your club. Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready
- Thursday 10/9 4-H For Good Share how you or your club make a positive impact in your community. Order from Jersey Mike's in Albemarle between 4pm-8pm and 15% of your order directly supports Stanly 4-H. Help spread the word! Tag Stanly County 4-H and your club. Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready
- Friday 10/10 Grow Your Future Show how 4-H is helping your learn, lead and prepare for what's ahead. Tag Stanly County 4-H and your club.Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready
- Saturday 10/11 Celebrate Celebrate Accomplishments, projects and the 4-H community with photos and stories. Visit 4-H Clubs at the Community Night Out event. Tag Stanly County 4-H and your club. Use #national4Hweek and #4Hbeyondready
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Start Your Own Garden
With Our Seed Library
The Stanly County Seed Library aims to serve as a place for beginners to start their gardening journey. A Seed Library is a community program where people can get seeds for free to grow vegetables. We have carefully selected seed varieties that are all well-suited to thrive in the Stanly County climate. Families can simply come to the Extension office to pick up free vegetable seeds and all the information they'll need to successfully start and tend their home gardens. Each packet contains enough seeds for at least one full calendar year, with most having several years' worth of seed. We even encourage you to save your own seeds after visiting the library to keep the cycle going!
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Spread the word -
Thursday dinner at Jersey Mike's in Albemarle!
Mark your calendars! We're not cooking dinner this Thursday, October 9th!
Instead, we're making it an easy, delicious Jersey Mike's night—and doing some good while we're at it! Join us in supporting Stanly Co. 4-H!
15% of ALL sales between 4PM and 8PM will directly fund the only youth development program of its kind in the county. 4-H is for everybody, and everybody belongs! See you at Jersey Mike's!
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Visit Stanly 4-H Clubs at the Community Night Out
Saturday, October 11 from 4pm-7pm, Stanly 4-H will be joining with partner organizations at the annual Community Night Out at YMCA Park. Come meet members of the Stanly 4-H team at our booth and learn all about 4-H from Nature Navigators 4-H Club leaders! This is always a fun, family friendly event. See you there!
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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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Stanly County Nature
Navigators 4-H Club
Our kickoff meeting was so much fun! We are planning something special for Halloween and will be learning about nocturnal animals! Don't miss out!
Who: The meeting is for all Stanly youth, ages 5-18, who are interested in all things nature. Friends are welcome!
When:Thursday, October 16th at 6:30 PM
Where: South Stanly Middle School (12492 Cottonville Rd, Norwood)
Cost: Free to enroll and participate. This is why we fundraise!
Details: The club will meet for 1-1.5 hours. We ask that parents and guardians stay for the meeting.
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Join Us for the First Rocky River Riders Fall Fun Show!
Get ready for a day of fun, competition, and community as the Rocky River Riders 4-H Club presents its First Annual Fall Fun Show! Whether you're a rider or a supporter, mark your calendars for Friday, October 25, 2025, at the West Stanly Saddle Club in Oakboro, NC. Gates open at 8:00 AM, with the show kicking off at 10:00 AM. Let's all plan to go out and support our longest-standing 4-H club at this cool event.
The Fall Fun Show is open to all 4-H members aged 5-18 and features a variety of classes, from Hunter Showmanship and Ranch Halter to Barrel Racing and Pole Bending. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting, there's a class for everyone to participate in and enjoy.
Entry fees are $10 per class or you can register for the day for just $60. Payments can be made with cash or check at the event. A HUGE thank you to individuals and businesses already committed to show sponsorships. All funds raised through this event will help cover costs for Stanly 4-H'ers competing in 4-H Horse Bowl and district and State 4-H horse shows.
Registration is open in 4HOnline, but be sure to stay tuned because more details are on the way! We can't wait to see you there! For more information, contact
Rocky River Riders Club Leader, Kathryn Nelson at 252-435-7652.
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Rocky River Riders 4-H Club Presents the Inaugural
Stanly County 4-H Fall Fun Show
The Rocky River Riders 4-H Club will host the 1st Annual Stanly County 4-H Fall Fun Show on October 25, 2025, at the West Stanly Saddle Club located at 13154 Saddle Club Rd, Oakboro, NC. The event will kick off at 10:00 a.m., with gates opening at 8:00 a.m.. The show will be judged by Barbara Prather. Stanly County 4-H and Rocky River Riders 4-H Club would like to thank all the sponsors who helped to make this event possible.
Event DetailsRiders between the ages of 5 and 18 are invited to participate in a variety of classes, including Hunter, Western, and Ranch events. The show will also feature fun classes such as Lead Line, Ride a Buck, and a Costume Class.
While the show is free to audience members, the cost to participate is $10 per class or a flat rate of $60 for all-day participation. Event registration and 4-H enrollment must be completed at go.ncsu.edu/4HFallFunShow before the event. On the day of the show, class fees can be paid with cash or a check made payable to Stanly County 4-H.
Full Class List is available here.
Please note
- Parents/guardians are asked to stay at this event with their children.
For more information about this event, please contact 4-H Volunteer, Kathryn Nelson, at 252-435-7652.
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Sunny Oaks Farm 4-H Club
Our September meeting was September 25. John’s Rope Making came and each 4-her made their own rope! Our next meeting is planned for October 22nd at 6:00pm at
Sunny Oaks Farm.
We plan harvest our sweet potatoes and will be welcoming a special guest from NCSU Plants for Human Health Institute!
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The Stanly County 4-H Rabbit Rangers Club
A Hopping Good Time at the Tractor Show!
What a weekend! On September 6th, the Stanly County Rabbit Rangers had a fantastic time at the Stanly County Antique Power of Yesteryear Club's Tractor Show. Our rabbit ambassadors were a big hit, and we loved sharing our passion for rabbits with everyone who stopped by our booth. Thanks to everyone who came out to say hello!
New Meeting Day for the Rabbit Rangers
Get ready for a change! Going forward, our club meetings will be held on the last Thursday of every month.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 30th at 5:30 p.m. at Stanly Community College. Remember to park in lot F and come to the Snyder Building.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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2026 North Carolina Youth Institues
Research Opportunity forHigh School Students
All high school youth are invited to join us for the 2026 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
You can find all of the information about this opportunity by clicking the link above.
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State Fair 4-H Opportunities
It's time to show off your skills! A fantastic opportunity is now available for all 4-H members to enter their projects and exhibits. This is your chance to compete in a variety of categories, including Crafts, Photography, Entomology, and more.
Whether you've been working on a detailed craft project, capturing stunning photos, or building a creative hay bale, this is the perfect time to share your hard work with the community. Be sure to carefully review the rules and important dates for each category to ensure a successful entry.
For all the details, including rules and important deadlines, follow this link and navigate to the "Competition Information" section. Don't miss out on this great chance to showcase your talents and be recognized for your efforts!
Parents are responsible for taking and picking up items at the State Fair.
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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.
Register at 4Honline.com
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Join a 4-H Club!
In just 2 years' time, Stanly 4-H has grown from 1 club to 4 with one on the way! Any 4-H member is welcome to join any of these clubs - you can even participate in multiple clubs!
- Sunny Oaks Farm Club: Sunny Oaks Farm club will meet at 6:00 PM on August 20 at Sunny Oaks Farm in Albemarle. Follow their Facebook page to learn about upcoming meetings.
- 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.
- Stanly County Rabbit Rangers Club: Meets the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm. The April meeting will take place at Stanly Community College.
- General Interest Club: Meets the first Thursday of each month at 5PM at the Stanly Agri-Civic Center
Contact our office or click here to learn more about Stanly 4-H Clubs.
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Rocky River Riders 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:
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