Happy Hatching!

I have had a new sound in my office for a past 2 weeks.  The gentle hum of an incubator has been in my office and 25 Richmond County 1^st and 2^nd grade classrooms.  The students are participating in the 4-H Embryology project by hatching out a group of chicks in their classrooms. 

Students at LJ Bell, Mineral Springs, Monroe Avenue, and Rohanen Schools are participating in the project now, with 2^nd Baptist, Fairview Heights, Washington Street and West Rockingham Schools participating in March.   

During the 21 days that it takes for the chicks to develop and hatch, students help to ensure healthy growth by turning the eggs, monitoring temperature and keeping water in the incubator.  Students learn about many different areas during this project, including life cycles, growth, agriculture, and bio-security. 

1^st grade classrooms were offered a visit from 4-H Agent Michelle Stumbo to learn how important it is to wash hands by looking at where germs like to hide under the black light.  2^nd graders could get a visit from Carolina, the White Beverin rabbit, to help discuss agriculture and how important that is for us. 

Richmond County 4-H receives support to offer programs like these to Richmond County School Students at no cost through the generosity of Richmond County.  Farm Bureau has donated money in order to purchase new incubators.  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. 

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.