Alleghany. Clover News

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1 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Alleghany Alleghany County Center 90 S. Main Street P.O. Box 7 Sparta, NC ~ fax 18 USC 707 Clover News January, 2010 Amy Lucas, 4-H Agent Top 10 Reasons to do a Project Record Book 1)It's a great way to reflect on all the cool things you've done throughout the year!! 2)It's an easy and fun way to earn 4-H scholarship money to help you pay for camp and summer fun opportunities in ) It's a great resource for when you get older. They can help you fill out college applications, job applications and resumes. 4) You will have a great sense of accomplishment. 5) Helps to improve your writing and record keeping skills. 6) Gives you time in the spotlight!! 7) You can win district and state level awards. 8) It's something to share with your friends and family. 9) You can do them on any topic you choose. The possibilities are endless. 10) You may win a cash prize. For more information on how to do a project record book contact your club leader or come by the Extension Office. I'll be glad to help. Forms can be accessed at this website or by contacting Amy or Michele at the Extension Office at (336) or amy_lucas@ncsu.edu. You must be 9 years old by January 1, 2010 to compete at district and state levels but we encourage Cloverbuds (5-8) to compete at local level. Awards and recognition will be given to all age groups. Project Record Books are due to the Extension Office by January 15th at 5:00 pm. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating.

2 If you are a graduating 4-H Senior looking for scholarship opportunities, then look no further. NC 4-H is awarding over $30,000 to graduating seniors to pursue higher education. Scholarship applications are due to the local 4-H office no later than 5:00 pm on January 13th. All forms must be reviewed and signed by me. If you have questions, please contact our office at or me at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu. To be eligible, you must be a current North Carolina 4-H member who is a graduating high school senior. Applicants must have accumulated at least a minimum of 3 years of 4-H work. All Scholarships will be directly paid to the college or university. Recipients must be full time students. Most scholarships are for colleges & universities in North Carolina. However, some are available to those attending schools that are out of state. For more information on each individual scholarship and eligibility, visit the Scholarship Guide located on the NC 4-H website at You can also download the application from this site. Who: Ages 9-19 When: Practices start January 13th. Interested in livestock? Want to know more about dairy? Come be a Dairy Quiz Bowl member. The first practice will be held on January 13 th. We will be leaving the Extension Office at 3:30 to go to the Yadkin Office. Dinner will be provided. For more information or to find out more about what quiz bowl is, please contact the 4-H office at You must be at least nine years old by January 1, Transportation is provided and practices will rotate between the Yadkin and Alleghany Office.

3 Membership in the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club is bestowed upon those 4-H ers who have exhibited outstanding 4-H citizenship and leadership throughout their 4-H career. An Honor Club member continues to provide leadership and service to the total 4-H program throughout life. In order to be eligible for membership, the applicant must have completed three or more years of 4-H club work and shall be at least 16 years of age and not more than 20 years of age on January 1 of the year of application. Honor Club Applications are due to your local Extension Office no later than 5:00 pm on January 13. These must be signed by me before they can be forwarded onto the state office in Raleigh. For more information contact our office at All forms can be downloaded from the Alleghany 4-H Blog at alleghany4h.blogspot.com or visit the NC 4-H website at youth/awards.html North Carolina 4-H International Exchange Program Would you like to learn about people in other countries, travel to Japan, Costa Rica, Australia or Norway, host an Exchange student from Japan, or one of the Newly Independent States such as Russia or Ukraine, or just learn more about the world? North Carolina 4-H offers you that opportunity through the 4-H International Exchange Program. For more information and forms go to the blog at alleghany.blogspot.com or contact the Extension Office at Deadline for Outbound Exchange Opportunities is January 15 th. Minimum ages for each trip: 13 to Japan 15 to Costa Rica 16 to Australia 17 to Norway ** Ages are as of date of travel

4 It is time to start thinking about the Honey Bee Essay Contest. This year's topic is: "Is My Community Honey Bee-Friendly?" Honey Bees and other pollinators have been in the news lately. Many beekeepers have experienced colony losses to the yet-unexplained Colony Collapse Disorder, or "CCD". These unexplained losses have caused some people to wonder "What can I do to help?" For this essay, you should survey your community to see what is being done, or could be done to help honey bees. Perhaps there are classes to attract new beekeepers, or laws that prohibit beekeeping? Does your community allow roadsides and open land to grow up in blooming plants in the spring, or not? Are there resources to help home gardeners make bee-friendly choices? When insecticides are required for pests (for example, mosquito control), are insecticides chosen or applied with bee protection in mind. Include your state in your survey if there is some reason, for example, your state may have declared the honey bee your state insect, or your state highway department may have a wildflower seeding program. Earn $1 for every word you write. About two years ago, the national prize for first place was raised to $750! Details and rules can be found at the link below. Please follow them precisely. Essays are due to the Extension Office by February 1, For more information check out this website, ipm.ncsu.edu/4-h/essay.html or contact me at or amy_lucas@ncsu.edu Do you want to be the next Iron Chef? Then come show off your culinary skill at the area food show. Pick from your favorite category - Dessert, Main Dish, Vegetable/Salad/Soup or Snack/ Appetizer. There are three age divisions: Cloverbuds 5-8, Juniors 9-13 and Seniors All entries are welcome but if you can make your dish healthier you will get a higher judged score. Be sure you are able to answer questions about your dish and be ready to serve up a helping to the judges. We will be dishing out plenty of food and fun activities too. If you have questions, contact the 4-H office at (336) and ask for Amy or Michele. Registration forms are due to the Extension Office by February 12, Food show will be February 20 th at East Wilkes Middle School. Some transportation will be provided.

5 The 2010 NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Conference will be February 5-7, 2010, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center in Research Triangle Park. This is your opportunity to participate in workshops and seminars designed especially for 4-H volunteers and agents to create positive learning experiences for young people across the state. Annually, more than 350 conference participants gain skills and knowledge to help make the best better! Pre-conference sessions will be offered on Friday, February 5. These three-hour sessions provide opportunities for intense topic investigation for focused learning. Regular conference registration opens Friday afternoon with the evening featuring an entertainment showcase and a service project. Saturday features more than 40 offerings of workshops in either 90-minute or 60-minute settings. Everything from preparing healthy snacks to managing behavior, from leather crafting to electric project work there s sure to be something for everyone! We wrap up the conference on Sunday morning with brunch and a great speaker. It s always a great training event! For more information, a full agenda and registration forms, please visit the blog or contact Amy at (336) or me at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu. Don t miss out on a great weekend of amazing opportunities. The West Central Teen Retreat will be March at Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Camp. Teen retreat is open to youth ages (must be 13 by January 1, 2010). The weekend will be packed full of fun, fellowship and workshop opportunities focusing on the 2010 NC 4-H theme We Are 4-H: Then, Now, Forever. Deadline to register is February 26 th. To register or for more information, contact the Extension Office at

6 Betsy-Jeff Penn Summer Camp Don t miss out on a cool camping opportunity. We will be camping at Betsy-Jeff Penn in Reidsville, NC, June 13th-18 th, To reserve your spot come by the Extension Office and make a deposit of $50. Don t miss out on a great week of fun and adventures with traditional camp experiences (horseback riding, hiking, archery, swimming and arts and crafts). Ages 14 and up participate in traditional camp but also learn outdoor living, high ropes, canoeing, rock climbing and much more. Space is very limited so call or come by the Extension Office. Partial scholarships may be available. Camp is open to youth 8 and older. NC OMK is excited to announce the 3rd Annual NC Operation: Military Kids Visual Arts Contest. The contest is open to all North Carolina youth. Age categories are 5-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15, and Designed to introduce youth to the Visual Arts as a part of the 4-H Expressive Arts Curriculum, youth will utilize their skills and their artistry to capture their views of America and patriotism. This year s themes are: ** Celebrating Military Careers; ** Honoring Our Heroes; ** Growing Up in America Contest rules and guidelines can be found at or Eligibility of Photos: All visual art must have been created by youth between the dates of January 1, 2010 and the time of entry. Entry Deadline: ENTRIES must arrive in the North Carolina 4-H Youth Development Office, postmarked no later than Friday, April 30, What a great opportunity for all North Carolina youth to showcase their talent and skills in the Expressive Arts area.

7 January 2010 January 13 Honor Club & Scholarship Applications Due to Extension Office January 15 - International Exchange Applications Due January 15 Project Record Books Due January 18 Holiday Office Closed January 22 Deadline for early registration for Volunteer Leaders Conference January 29 Final deadline for Volunteer Leaders Conference January 30 District Horse Bowl Iredell County February 2010 February 1 Bee Essays due to Extension Office February 5-7 Volunteer Leaders Conference Raleigh February 12 Food Show forms due to Extension Office February 20 Area Food Show ~ East Wilkes Middle School February 26 Deadline to Register for Teen Retreat ~ BJP March 2010 March 6 State Horse Bowl/Hippology Contest ~ A&T University March Teen Retreat ~ Betsy-Jeff Penn

8 Be sure to check out the Alleghany 4-H Blog & the 4-H Calendar for updates on programs and activities at: alleghany4h.blogspot.com. Sign up for notification & you will receive an every time we update the blog. Sincerely, Amy Lucas Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Alleghany County Center P.O. Box 7 Sparta, NC 28675