2014 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

All youth between the ages of 5 & 18 are eligible to participate in this great essay contest! This years topic is “Beekeeping in Colonial Times.”

To the earliest European settlers in the New World, honey bees were an important part of their existence. Cargo manifests show that honey bees were among the first shipments of animals. How were they shipped? Why were they important? Why were they so important to the colonists? How does that differ from today?

The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and the variety of the sources are all evaluated.

Historical research will be important. The more authoritative the source, the better. Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in the end notes, should be listed in a “Resources” or “Bibliography” list.

Note that “honey bee” is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.

State beekeeping essays are due February 15th, 2014. Cash prizes will be awarded to winning essays. Please send all essays ELECTRONICALLY to Liz Driscoll at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu

2014 NC Volunteer Leader's Conference

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H Club Volunteer please seriously consider attending this State wide Volunteer Leader Conference Jan 31-Feb 2. If you want to volunteer but are unsure of the commitments that come along with the position give me a call and we will talk through it! All leaders are eligible to attend this conference and have the option of attending the entire conference (Friday-Sunday) or just attending the Saturday portion only. Surry County 4-H will pay for registration fees and transportation will be provided.

The registration process for the Volunteer Leader's Conference will be online, using Google forms. If you are interested in attending call Whitney Sprinkle at 336-401-8025 and we will register you once you've completed the necessary volunteer forms. 

4-H Horse Program Enrollment

The 2014 NC 4-H Horse Program Enrollment form is now available online.  Click here to print the enrollment form, fill it out and send it along with all fees required to NC 4-H Horse Program Enrollment, NCSU Box 7523, Raleigh, NC 27695-7523.  

Payment deadline is January 17, 2014.

4-H Plant Sale

The annual 4-H Plant Sale is in full swing. Be on the look-out for your brochure this month if you're on our mailing list. Orders will continue to be taken through Thursday, February 27th. 

Plant pick up will be Thursday, March 13th between 8:15 am and 5:00 pm at the Cooperative Extension Office in Dobson.

Types of plants being sold this year include:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Asian Pear Trees
• Peach Trees
• Apple Trees
• Muscadine Grapes
• Various Ornamentals
• Various Herbs

New this year we will be offering Container Gardens (small, medium, and large) full of beautiful plants that will serve as great decor around your house and on your patios this spring! 

Also, we will have Herb Gardens that come with a beautiful container and herbs ready to enjoy for months to come! These include a Fragrant Herb Garden, Spaghetti Herb Garden, and a Medicinal Herb Garden. We are excited to be offering new things and hope that you will enjoy more variety and great plants as you support your county 4-H program!

For a 4-H Plant Sale brochure/order form Click Here. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email or call us at whitney_sprinkle@ncsu.edu or 336.401.8025.

2014 4-H Scholarships

Scholarship information is here!!!  The applications must be reviewed and signed by me before they are forwarded to the State 4-H Office. Please click on the links below for more information.

Scholarships are open to 4-H members in North Carolina who will be registered as a full-time student. Recipients awarded NC 4-H Academic Scholarships will have an outstanding record of 4-H participation and achievement. Additionally, recipients will possess an excellent high school record of academic achievement measured chiefly by their performance on solid secondary school courses including English, mathematics, physical sciences and social sciences. Also, recipients will demonstrate an aptitude for college work which will be measured by their performance on college entrance examinations including the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT).

SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Deadline to apply is February 3.

4-H Clover Clip Newsletter!

Stay up to date with events & happenings in 4-H by viewing our newsletter online on our Surry County Cooperative Extension website! Click this link to find the most recent newsletter: 4-H Nov/Dec Clover Clip Newsletter! This is the best way to stay informed and involved in our 4-H program! Don't forget about our upcoming Cards & Cookies Workshop next Friday, December 20th from 1-4 pm at the Extension Office in Dobson! I look forward to seeing you there!

'Tis The Season

Are you stressed about finding that perfect gift for your family member, friend, teacher? Consider giving a gift from the heart instead of something you find at a store last minute. Research consistently shows that what we most remember and value are experiences, not material items. The most precious thing we can give someone is our time, so why not gift your time to someone special this Holiday Season? 

Some fun ideas would be taking your parents out to eat at a new restaurant they haven't tried before, riding around and looking at Christmas lights together, purchasing tickets to a movie/show ahead of time and scheduling an evening with your friends, or even a relaxing movie night at home where you prepare yummy snacks and laugh together! Among all the hustle and bustle this season take some time to relax and enjoy being with those that mean the most to you. This Holiday Season I challenge you to give someone you care about the gift of your time!