Share


View this email in your browser

4-H Logo

September 2025

NC Cooperative Extension Logo
Happy Labor Day

Our Office will be closed on Monday, September 5

4H Volunteer Wanted Advertisement

๐Ÿ€ Help the Right Person Find Us! ๐Ÿ€


Do you know someone with time to invest in expanding our reach across the county? We're searching for a Community Outreach Volunteerโ€”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.

Kickoff Meeting Announcement for nature navigator 4-H club.

We're excited to announce the first meeting for the Stanly County Nature Navigators 4-H Club! 


Who: The meeting is for all Stanly youth, ages 5-18, who are interested in all things nature. Friends are welcome!


When:Thursday, September 18th 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 monthly for 1-1.5 hours. We ask that parents and guardians stay for the first meeting and any others they wish to attend.

Join Us for the First Annual 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 not yet 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.

Fall Fun Show Schedule


Sunny Oaks 4-H Club 


Sunny Oaks 4-H Club is off to an exciting start this season, with members already busy with community outreach and engaging activities.


The club began its new year by setting up a booth at the recent

Agri- Civic Day. Members shared information about 4-H and successfully recruited new participants, expanding their ranks for the year ahead.


At their August 20 meeting, held at the Endy Volunteer Fire Department, members enjoyed a fun-filled evening. The meeting included a lively round of trivia, led by Amara and Ava, that encouraged teamwork and problem-solving. The group's creativity was on full display with a hands-on activity where they crafted unique farm animals out of cookies and other treats.


"Our 4-H'ers are full of imagination and creativity!" a club leader commented. The Sunny Oaks 4-H Club expressed gratitude to the Endy Volunteer Fire Department for providing a cool, comfortable space for their meeting.


The club is now looking forward to its next meeting, which will take place on September 24 at 6:00 p.m. at Sunny Oaks Farm. The highlight of the evening is planned to be a demonstration from John's Rope Making, where members will learn the fun and practical skill of making their own rope.


Child with snack
Lady at 4H booth
Kids at booth
Child with snack
Lady at 4H booth
Girl with snack
Girl with Snack
Child with snack
Child with Snack
Girl with snack

The Stanly County 4-H Rabbit Rangers Club


The Stanly County Rabbit Rangers made a memorable impact at this year's Ag Day, showcasing the passion and dedication of young rabbit enthusiasts. More than just a display โ€“ it was an immersive educational experience that brought the community closer to understanding the joys of rabbit care and showmanship. Two club members, Tessa and Anevay and one of their club leaders, Misti Vanhoy, engaged with local youth and demonstrated the skills involved in posing and presenting the animals during a rabbit show. Through hands-on interactions and answering lots of questions, the Rabbit Rangers helped spark curiosity and excitement about rabbit raising among community members of all ages.

4H Rabit Ranger Club Logo
Boy petting Rabit

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 that is named in loving memory of Stanly County 4-H Alumni, Dr. Kim Ingold.   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 that is linked below to see all of the rules and directions. Get those cameras ready and start snapping!


All entries are due by September 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST and must be submitted online at the link below. 

All participants must be enrolled and approved in 4-HOnline.

                                             NC4HPhotoContestWebsite

Photography Contest Info
NC State Fair Logo
Ferris Wheel


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.


Image of 4-H volunteer leadership series flyer

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.  

  • Sept 2 - Volunteer Self-Care

  • Oct 7 - STEM Play

  • Nov 5 - Chartered!

  • Dec 9 - Christmas Party & Club Progress Reports

Register at 4Honline.com

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!

  1. 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.
  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 Club: Meets the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm.  The April meeting will take place at Stanly Community College.
  4. 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.

Image of a horse background and meeting dates listed

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:

  • September 12

  • October 10

  • November 14

  • December 12 (Christmas Party)

Image of a small Clover Contribution Campaign Flyer

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

Image of young people examining leaves and learning outside at a table
Image of a child using a camera to take a photo

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:

  • Kitchen Kids Cooking Club

No subject matter expertise necessary!

Read past 4-H Newsletters on our website.

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

NC Cooperative Extension Logo
4-H Logo

Stay Connected

To stop receiving our promotional email, unsubscribe now
N.C. Cooperative Extension - Stanly County Center
26032 Newt Rd
Albemarle, NC 28001
United States

NC State University promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon oneโ€™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.


Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign