Celebrating What Is GREAT In Richmond County!!!

Written By:  Michelle Stumbo, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development and Tiffanee Conrad-Acuña, Extension Agent, Livestock. 

The theme at this year’s NC State Fair was “Celebrate What’s Great!” and Richmond County 4-H’ers should have great reason to celebrate after their strong showing at events this year!  Youth exhibited in the Junior Meat Goat Show, Junior Meat Goat Showmanship, Junior Doe Goat Show, and Junior Doe Showmanship during the NC State Fair. 

The 4-H Livestock Club was busy for several days at the fair. During the Junior Meat Goat Show, 20 Richmond County youth displayed their finished products.  They have been working with their animals since early July and sold their goats during the Fair.  Youth competing in the Junior Meat Goat Show included Santiago Acuña Robinson, Brennon Bullard, Jordan Carroll, Madelyn Chappell, Savannah Chappell, Taylor Chappell, Bryce Goodwin, Vance Goodwin, Nathan Ezzell, Abigail Hamilton, Brianna Hamilton, Peggyann Kennedy, Alana McQueen, Grayson McQueen, Eli Maske, Sarah Maske, Will Meacham, DeLani Reep, Kristi Reep and Faith Thompson.  These young people did very well, bringing home one 1^st place ribbon, two 2^nd place ribbons, one 3^rd and 4^th place ribbons and three 5^th place ribbons during the Junior Meat Goat Show. Nathan Ezzell had one goat in the Grand Champion drive while Jordan Carroll and Will Meacham both had goats in the Reserve Champion drive.    

The Richmond County 4-H Livestock Club was again working hard during the Junior Commercial Doe Goat Show and Showmanship.  Jordan Carroll, Madelyn Chappell, Bryce Goodwin, and Nathan Ezzell all competed in the Junior Commercial Doe Show.  Richmond County brought home two 4^th place ribbons and one 5^th place ribbon during the Junior Commercial Doe Show.

Several youth received Showmanship Pins for their outstanding ability to show their animals to the best of its ability.  These youth included:  Jordan Carroll, Madelyn Chappell, Taylor Chappell, Bryce Goodwin, Abigail Hamilton, Brianna Hamilton, Eli Maske and Sarah Maske. 

Richmond County 4-H volunteers even got into the action of the State Fair! John & Velma McInnis, Richmond County goat producers who continually support the 4-H Livestock Program, had animals on display in the State Fair Ark.  John had a doe, an adult female, and two kids, baby goats, which were exhibited in the Expo Center at the State Fair.  We are very proud of the McInnis Family for being awarded this honor!

Congratulations to all of these young people and special thanks to all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and community members who traveled to the fair to support these youth as they strive “To Make The Best Better” in Richmond County!  To see pictures from the State Fair, click here!

Great Things Happening in Richmond County!

 Written by:  Michelle Stumbo, Extension Agent, 4-H & Youth Development and Gene Shutt, Millstone 4-H Camp Director

Phone:  997-8255/652-5905

Upon first arriving at Millstone 4-H Camp and seeing over 250 youth walking around carrying guns and bows, I thought how some might be scared of the scene.  Many people fear any and all weapons because of the highlights on the news each night.  These young people, however, are not to be feared, they are to be applauded for their efforts in the recent North Carolina 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament held in Ellerbe, NC. 

The purpose of the NC 4-H Shooting Sports program is to develop caring, capable youth by enabling young people to become responsible self-directed members of society, offering young people of our state a positive experience in the shooting sports program, and promoting the safe sport of hunting and shooting. 

4-H’ers from across the state participated in both team and individual contests in the following categories:  shotgun, small-bore sporting rifle, small-bore match rifle, air rifle, air pistol, black powder, recurve archery, compound archery, and hunting and orienteering skills.  More than 25 counties were represented at the event this year.   

During their stay at the historic site in Ellerbe, youth used over 7,000 rounds of .22 ammunition, almost 5,000 shotgun shells, and around 200 round balls for muzzle-loading, ammo for air rifle and air pistol and numerous ends of arrows for archery.  Participants also got to experience the numerous renovations that have been done at the Camp over the past 3 years, including heated/air conditioned cabins, state of the art septic system, new roof & windows in the Dining Hall and a brand new kitchen.  More changes are quickly on the way at Camp as well!  Ground has been broken for a Courtyard which will eventually be part of the NC 4-H Museum at be housed right here in Richmond County. 

To see pictures from the day, Click Here , for results from the contest, check out the Shooting Sports section of www.millstone4hcamp.org.  If you are interested in developing safety, ethics, personal responsibility, and lifetime recreational skills in youth that you know, contact Michelle Stumbo, 4-H & Youth Development Agent with NC Cooperative Extension at 997-8255 or michelle_stumbo@ncsu.edu.  For more information on Millstone 4-H Camp and the Museum Project, contact Gene Shutt, Millstone 4-H Camp Director with at 652-5905.