YouthVoice 2010

August 27-28 marked the inaugural North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Youth Summit –YouthVoice 2010, which was held in Greenville, North Carolina.   Held in conjunction with the annual county commissioners meeting and sponsored by the NCACC, over 80 youth and adults from 74 counties attended the event.  During YouthVoice 2010, attendees had a chance to interact with County Commissioners, attend the annual Horn of Plenty event sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension, participate in workshop sessions and attend NC SPIN. 

In addition, the youth attendees debated and decided on the top ten issues facing youth.  These issues stemmed from ones that 4-H’ers and youth in every county identified and compiled.  Youth then met in groups to prioritize the top ten issues in their Extension district.  One youth from every county was invited to attend YouthVoice 2010.  The Richmond County delegate was Nathan Ezzell, son of Randy & Tracy Ezzell of Rockingham.

One youth per county was invited to attend YouthVoice 2010 and bring their district issues. From over 60 issues, the delegation attending YouthVoice 2010 determined the top 10 issues facing youth in North Carolina.  The State 4-H Council officer team shared the top ten issues with the County Commissioners.

YouthVoice 2010 was developed because of NCACC’s 2010 President Mary Accor’s commitment to youth and to developing youth leaders.  The event was sponsored by the NCACC. North Carolina 4-H Youth Development and North Carolina Cooperative Extension were the lead partners and led the efforts to plan the conference and organize YouthVoice 2010. 

North Carolina 4-H has over 240,926 youth enrolled in the program as well as 21,200 youth and adult volunteers. 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, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

- Written by Sarah Kotzian, State 4-H Office, NCSU -

Running with the Pack

It's football time again & recently 2 Richmond County 4-H'ers got to see just what that entails during a NC State University football game.  4-H’ers from across the state took part in this year’s Run with the Pack in Raleigh.  DeLani Reep of Hamlet and Makayla Wilson of Rockingham represented Richmond County 4-H at the event.  
 

On Saturday, September 4, 12 excited 4-H’ers from across the state took the field at Carter Finley Stadium with the N.C. State football team to kick off their first game of the season - a matchup against Western Carolina University. North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives sponsored the game and this once in a lifetime opportunity for the  4-H’ers. The electric cooperatives have a long-standing relationship with the 4-H program, and these students were chosen based on an application.

In addition to running on the field with the N.C. State football team, each 4-H’er also received tickets to the game for themselves and their family. This was a wonderful experience for the youth who were chosen to participate as well as for their families.  Richmond County 4-H sent two representatives to Run with the Pack this year.  They were DeLani Reep of Hamlet and Makayla Wilson of Rockingham.  Congratulations ladies!

North Carolina 4-H has over 240,926 youth enrolled in the program as well as 21,200 youth and adult volunteers. 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, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

Still Showing Strong!

Richmond County 4-H'ers recently made the treks to Lee and Moore County Goat Shows.  The Lee County results are listed below, as well as a link to the pictures taken at the Lee County Show. 

Mrs. North Carolina even made an appearance for pictures!

Great job & have a great rest of the season!  Click here for pictures!

Cloverbud - Non-competitive

Ages 5-8 (as of Jan. 1)

Exhibitor Name	County
Abby Hamilton	Richmond
Delani Reep	Richmond
Bryce Goodwin	Richmond
Isabella Evans	Lee
Grace Fehlman	Union
Madison McInnis	Moore
Eli Maske	Richmond
Eddie DeBerry	Union
Matthew Lemonds	Montgomery

Junior Division

Ages 9-10 (as of Jan.1)

Exhibitor Name	County	Placing
Katie Edwards	Anson	1
Katie Heldt	Lee	2
Maria Fehlman	UNION	3
Kristen DeBerry	Union	4
Dylan Harrington	Lee	5
Brianna Hamilton	Richmond	6
David Heldt	Lee	7

Intermediate Division

Ages 11-13 (as of Jan. 1)

Exhibitor Name	County	Placing
Joel Dahms	Durham	1
Michaela McInnis	Moore	2
Jordan Carroll	Richmond	3
Sarah Maske	Richmond	4
Bethany Thompson	Montgomery	5
Kristi Reep	Richmond	6
Alana McQueen	Richmond	7
Jeremy Fehlman	Union	8
Matthew Acorn	Hoke	9
Nathan Lemonds	Montgomery	10
Cody Harrington	Lee	11

Senior Division

Ages 14-19 (as of Jan. 1)

Exhibitor Name	County	Placing
Dixie Acorn	Hoke	1
Nathan Ezzell	Richmond	2
Santiago Acuna Robinson	Richmond	3
Catherine DeBerry	Union	4
Darren Lefler	Moore	5
Morgan Rockwell	Hoke	6
Theresa Fehlman	Union	7
Grayson McQueen	Richmond	8

Richmond County "SHOWS" It's Pride!

Most people will tell you that “office hours” do not include Saturdays, but members of the Richmond County Cooperative Extension Office were hard at work this past Saturday hosting the 2010 Richmond County Goat Show.  The Richmond County 4-H Show attracted youth from 7 counties, including Anson, Hoke, Moore, Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly, and Union Counties.  A total of 35 4-H’ers brought approximately 60 animals to the farm of Dale and Melanie Dewitt in Ellerbe.

The Richmond County 4-H Livestock Club really showed their stuff on Saturday by competing strongly in every event. Richmond County 4-H’ers took home most of the major awards of the show.  The club members competing in the Farm Credit 4-H Showmanship Circuit are: Santiago Acuña Robinson, Brennon Bullard, Jordan Carroll, Madelyn Chappell, Savannah Chappell, Taylor Chappell, Nathan Ezzell , Bryce Goodwin, Abigail Hamilton, Brianna Hamilton, Peggyann Kennedy, Eli Maske, Sarah Maske, Alana McQueen, Grayson McQueen, Will Meacham, DeLani Reep, Kristi Reep, Faith Thompson, and Garrett Thompson.  Everyone in the club did a fantastic job and is looking forward to the rest of the show season. 

Sarah Maske

Nathan Ezzell

Brianna Hamilton

Morgan Rockwell was awarded the Senior Showmanship award, while Bethany Thompson was the Junior 11-13 Showmanship winner and Brianna Hamilton won the Junior 9-10 Showmanship division. Cole Mullis was awarded the Senior Showmanship 2^nd place award, while Sarah Maske was the Junior 11-13 Showmanship 2^nd place winner and Katie Edwards won the Junior 9-10 Showmanship 2^nd place.  The Showmanship classes are designed to gauge the 4-H’ers knowledge, skill with the animal, and hard work.   4-H’ers can be asked questions about their animals and how they are cared for while presenting the animal to the best of their ability for the judge. 

Madelyn Chappell, a 4-H’er from Richmond County, showed the Grand Champion Doe. Jordan Carroll of Richmond County showed the Reserve Champion Doe.  Does are females who will be bred and will continue production on the farm.  Does are judged on their frame and structure based on how they would carry the extra weight of being pregnant and the stress of milking. 

Wethers, castrated male goats, are judged on the total marketability of the animal.  The Grand Champion Market Wether was shown by Dustin Helms of Stanly County.  Cole Mullis, also of Stanly County, showed the Reserve Champion Market Wether.

We would like to again thank our Richmond County 4-H Goat Show Sponsors who have already contributed: Richmond County Farm Bureau, Inc., Richmond County Tourism Authority, Iron Horse Auction Co., E.E. Vuncannon, Inc., Wal-Mart, Jordan & Jordan Enterprises, Carolina Farm Credit, Daniel Simmons, Carroll Farms, Jack & Mary Webb, Anne & Richard Thrower, Dale & Melanie DeWitt, King’s Septic Tank Pumping & Port-A-John, Jerry’s Inc., Maness Tire & Recapping Inc., BB&T, Bobby’s Furniture, Carroll’s Pantry, Ellerbe Pharmacy, Pee Dee Electric, Steve and Shelia Webb, Carey Thompson, John and Velma McInnis, and Rainbow Hill Farm.  Several individuals and businesses donated funds that were used to purchase pens to be used at the show, including:  John McInnis Farm, Danny & Glenda McInnis, Scotland Motors, Inc, Lee Howell & family, and Fidelity Bank.  Special thanks to Ricky Dewitt of Farm Bureau for awarding plaques and ribbons, John McInnis, Marv Powell, Cary Thompson, Brian Hamilton, and Duke Goodwin for setting up the ring and facilities and to Dale & Melanie DeWitt for donating outstanding show facilities. 

To see pictures from the Show, Click here!  Special thanks to Olivia Webb, Mayor of Ellerbe, for taking many of these pictures - they are wonderful!  For more information about 4-H Livestock, please contact Michelle Stumbo, 4-H Extension Agent, or Tiffanee Conrad-Acuña, Livestock Extension Agent at 997-8255.  United Way of Richmond County also supports Richmond County 4-H Club activities. 

Way to go Courtney Miller!

Mr. Wells Hall, Mrs. Phyllis Stainback and Dr. Hugh Liner present Dixie Acorn, a Hoke County 4-H’er who will attend Sandhills Community College, and Courtney Miller, Richmond County 4-H’er who will attend East Carolina University, with the South Central District 4-H Development Fund Scholarship.

Courtney Shea Miller, 17, of Richmond County was recently selected for North Carolina’s 4-H Honor Club, one of the highest honors a 4-H’er can achieve.

Miller, daughter of Anne and Jeff Miller of Laurel Hill, was tapped for the club during a candlelight ceremony Monday July 19 during State 4-H Congress. Congress is the high point of the 4-H year, bringing young people from across the state to the North Carolina State University campus and Raleigh for four days of activity July 19-22. More than 500 4-H’ers, volunteer leaders and North Carolina Cooperative Extension agents attended 4-H Congress.

Membership in the Honor Club is based on service to the 4-H program, leadership, moral standards, 4-H activities and project achievement. Less than one-half of 1 percent of North Carolina 4-H’ers are selected for membership each year. Members must be at least 16 years old and have a minimum of three years 4-H experience.

Miller was also awarded the South Central District 4-H Development Fund Scholarship at the annual North Carolina 4-H Scholarship and Awards Reception and Partnership Luncheon held in Raleigh during North Carolina 4-H Congress.  The Scholarship and Awards Reception and Partnership Luncheon celebrates outstanding North Carolina 4-H’ers who have distinguished themselves through their long-term project work, as delegates to national 4-H events, and recognizes those youth who are awarded college scholarships.  This year 4-H honored over 137 4-H’ers and awarded over $66,000 in academic scholarships. 

The 4-H program is the youth education program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State universities. More than 240,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 21,000 adult and youth volunteers.

- Written by:  Michael Martin & Dee Shore -