Christmas Time Is Here!

Lights are twinkling, happy music is everywhere. presents are being wrapped, the tree is up & decorated - it must be Christmas time! 

If you can't tell, I'm excited about this!  Christmas means tradition, family, friends & fun - all things that I love.  I wanted to take just a minute to let you know about some great opportunities & general cool stuff that is going on around here right now.

NCSU has used science to prove how Santa can deliver all those presents at once each & every Christmas Eve!  I always asked that question when I was little, and now they have figured it out.  Click here to see how the science works behind the sleigh!

Richmond County 4-H will come together to have our 4-H Christmas Project next Tuesday at 6:30.  We will meet here at the Agricultural Services Center in Rockingham.  We will have dinner, play some Christmas music, maybe look at some pictures from the last year and complete our service learning project.  This year we are again collecting donations for the Back Pack Pals program in Richmond County.  This fellow United Way Agency provides food to children in our schools who may not have access to nutritious food during the weekend.  The club that contributes the most items gets a pizza party on 4-H!  They sent home over 350 bags right - let's try to supply them for a week!

If you are still looking for that perfect present for your loved ones, there are a couple opportunities to support Richmond County 4-H while you shop.  United Way volunteers are wrapping presents for donations at Belk in Rockingham on weekends & the week before Christmas.  Stop in & get your presents wrapped with all the donations going to Richmond County United Way Agencies.

Last, but certainly not least, you can visit JCPenney in Rockingham December 4th - December 13th for the JCPenney Round-Up.  When you check out, the associate will ask you if you would like to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar.  All proceeds from the Rockingham store goes to Richmond County 4-H to purchase curriculum.  JCPenney has hosted two Round-Up events this year and have contributed nearly $700 to the program this year.

We hope that each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday season & remember to take time to enjoy it!

Farm City Week Starts with a Tractor....

Parade, that is!  The Saturday before Thanksgiving is the traditional start of Farm City Week here in Richmond County.  The parade was held in Ellerbe under rain-free skies this year.

John & Velma McInnis served as the Grand Marshals for this year's parade.  John & Velma have a long history of farming in Richmond County.  They are even helping get the next generation of farmers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, nurses & maybe even Extension Agents ready to lead by playing a huge role in the Richmond County 4-H Livestock Program.  They are a constant source of support and encouragement to our 17 youth who showed goats this year.  John also serves on a statewide 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee to help lead state programs in the right direction.  It was a privilege to be able to honor them at the Farmer-City Parade this year!

At least in my mind, no parade is fun or complete without yummy food & sweet treats being available.  This one was no different with venders selling everything from BBQ to hot dogs to baked goods and even fried Twinkies!  Everyone seemed to have a great time visiting the craft vendors too, and maybe got a bit of Christmas shopping started while enjoying the day!

This year was the 2nd year that a FREE craft station was offered by Richmond County 4-H.  We were able to again give youth the chance to make one of two crafts at no cost due to a generous donation from Richmond County Farm Bureau.  The kids who visited the 4-H station could make Little Gobbler Turkeys or Sweet Potato Bead Necklaces!  Everyone had a great time getting creative & we hope you enjoy your crafts & learning more about 4-H!

We want to thank everyone who came out for the Farm-City Week Parade!  Whether you drove a float, smiled & waved from the passagener's seat, sold food or crafts, helped 4-H'ers get creative or simply wanted to enjoy the sights, thanks for spending part of your day with us!  To see all the pictures from the day, please click here!

We hope you take some time this year to be thankful for all the gifts we are given.  Be sure to add one of the safest and easily available food supplies in the world to that list this year!  We look forward to seeing you at the Farm City Banquet on November 24th at the Cole Auditorium when Dr. Jim Clark will share how 4-H history goes hand in hand with America's Farmers!  Tickets are available at the door or the FSA office at 123 Caroline Street.