Richmond County 4-H at the State Fair

The theme at this year’s NC State Fair was “A Whole Lotta Happy!” and Richmond County 4-H’ers should be very happy after their strong showing at all events entered during 4-H’s Centennial Year!  Youth exhibited in the Entomology Displays, Junior Meat Goat Show, Junior Doe Goat Show, and the Heritage Festival during the recent NC State Fair. 

Madeleine Hudson, a Cloverbud 4-H member, made an insect collection with specimens found around Richmond County which was displayed during the State Fair.   She received a green ribbon for her hard work and will be old enough to compete in the category next year.  This family was using Madeleine's work to show younger generations what insects look like & do. 

The 4-H Livestock Club was busy for several days at the fair. During the Junior Meat Goat Show, 13 Richmond County youth displayed their finished products.  They have been working with their animals since early July and sold their goats during the Livestock Sale.  Youth competing in the Junior Meat Goat Show included Jordan Carroll, Madelyn Chappell, Savannah Chappell, Michael Ezzell, Nathan Ezzell, Abigail Hamilton, Brianna Hamilton, Ryan McInnis, Trey McInnis, Alana McQueen, Grayson McQueen, Will Meacham, and Kristi Reep.  These young people did very well, bringing home three 1^st place ribbons, two 2^nd place ribbons, three 3^rd place ribbons, two 4^th place ribbons, and two 5^th place ribbons. Will Meacham, Jordan Carroll and Brianna Hamilton all had one goat in the Grand Champion class. 

The Richmond County 4-H Livestock Club was again working hard during the Junior Commercial Doe Goat Shows.  Jordan Carroll, Madelyn Chappell, Nathan Ezzell, Eli Maske, Sarah Maske, Ryan McInnis, Trey McInnis, and DeLani Reep all competed in the Junior Commercial Doe Show. Ryan McInnis showed the Reserve Grand Champion Junior Commercial Doe, which could include any doe (female goat) that did not have breed pedigree papers.  Richmond County brought home two 1^st place ribbons, one 2^nd place, and two 3^rd place ribbons during the Junior Commercial Doe Show.

Finally, Alana McQueen displayed her clogging talent at the Heritage Festival during the fair.  She was selected to be a part of this showcase through her 4-H activities and represented Richmond County well, as usual. 

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 all the pictures from this year's State Fair, click here! 

Farm City Week is Coming!

It hardly seems that summer has passed, but already we have a report ready to be published about Richmond County4'H's outstanding showing at the State Fair! That means that it is time to start thinking about Thanksgiving, which means eating lots of yummy food & catching up with family & watching football at my house.

Somewhere in those festivities though, it is important to stop and take a moment to reflect and be thankful for all the blessings that we enjoy. While they are MANY, I think that one of the most important things to be thankful for is the fact that we have all the Thanksgiving goodies readily available! For that, we need to thank a farmer!

Farm City Week allows us to do just that, while strengthening the ties between urban residents and rural America. It shocks me that in the rural county I live in, there are still some children who have never seen a tractor up close, or who do not know where their food comes from. Farm City Week allows us to take a step back from our busy lives and think about the simple gifts that we are given.

Richmond County Farm City Week kicks off on November 21st with the Farmer's Parade in Ellerbe, NC. We will also have a Farmer's Luncheon on November 23rd and a Banquet featuring NC 4-H Historian Dr. Jim Clark on November 24th. Take a look at the Richmond County Cooperative Extension Homepage for all the details & come out to join us at one, or all, of these great events!

Hope to see you there!