Volunteer Fun!

I often write about trips and conferences that our 4-H members participate in, but recently our wonderful Volunteers got their chance to have fun learning when they travelled to Volunteer Leader’s Conference in Raleigh. 

Volunteers from across the state gather each year to learn new information, share what they are doing in their counties, celebrate the work that has been done over the past year and meet other volunteers who can understand the challenges and successes that they experience.   

Four Richmond County 4-H Volunteers, Randy Ezzell, Tracy Ezzell, Anne Miller and Jeff Miller, went to the weekend conference to learn how to better serve the youth of Richmond County. 

Photo by Kim Ingold. 

Tracy Ezzell received a District Volunteer Award for her service to the Richmond County 4-H program.  Tracy serves as a club leader for the 4-H Livestock Club and has done great work with the group and the 4-H program in general over the past few years.  Great job, Tracy!

Richmond County 4-H Agent Michelle Stumbo even helped out with the event by teaching one of the more than 30 classes that Volunteers could choose from.  Livestock Shows 101 taught Volunteers the basics of conducting a 4-H Livestock Show by sharing tips that Michelle, along with 4-H Agents Shea Ann DeJarnette and Lauren Irby, have gathered through their experiences hosting shows. 

If anyone is interested in becoming a 4-H Volunteer, please contact Michelle Stumbo at 997-8255 or michelle_stumbo@ncsu.edu.  Volunteering is a great way to affect youth in a positive way by allowing them to form learning relationships with caring, screened, trained adults.  You can also support Richmond County 4-H by contributing to the United Way of Richmond County and by supporting the 4-H Auction scheduled for 7pm on March 5^th at Browder Park in Rockingham. 

Winter Enrichment

6 Richmond County 4-H teens started their 4-H year off by attending Winter Enrichment recently.  The event was held on the campus of Sandhills Community College in Moore County.  It brought together 4-H'ers from the South Central Extension District which includes 15 counties.  Nearly 90 youth from across the district gathered to conduct business meetings, attend workshops, meet new friends and have a good time.  

In addition to our South Central District Reporter Courtney Miller, Richmond County had a strong attendance including Nathan Ezzell, Jade McAllister, Logan Northcutt, Sarah Tyler and Hannah Webb.  Courtney taught a workshop on scrapbooking in which attendees helped to build the District 4-H Scrapbook.   Other workshops offered included Green to the Extreme, 4-H Ambassador 101 and Biofuel Blast.

This, and other 4-H events are supported by contributions to the United Way of Richmond County and fund raising events including the 4-H Auction & Plate Sale.  The Auction and Plate Sale is scheduled for March 5th at Browder Park in Rockingham, NC.  We will be selling spaghetti plates at $6 from 5-7 with the auction starting at 7 pm.  Iron Horse Auction Co, Inc have agreed to donate their services for the event and we are currently collecting items from local businesses and community members.  To make a donation or schedule an item pick-up, please call 997-8255 or email michelle_stumbo@ncsu.edu. 

We are very proud of our teens and look forward to a great 4-H year to come.  To take a look at all the pictures from Teen Retreat, click here!