What is 4-H?

Read all about it!!! Want to know more about what 4-H really is? Check out this special edition of the Clover News HERE. Not only does it explain all the nuts and bolts of 4-H but there is also a collage of some of the really neat things we did in 2009. If you would like more information about 4-H or how you can get involved in Alleghany 4-H, contact Amy at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu or call our office at 336-372-5597. We'll be happy to tell you more.

Life and Work on the Moon Art and Design Contest

NASA invites high school and college students from all areas of study, including the arts, industrial design, architecture and computer design, to submit their work on the theme "Life and Work on the Moon." Artists are encouraged to collaborate with science and engineering students. Such collaboration is not required but would help to ensure that the work’s subject is valid for the moon’s harsh environment.

Entries will be accepted in three categories: two-dimensional, three-dimensional and digital, including video. For the first time, entries in literature (poetry and short stories) will also be accepted. Judges will evaluate entries not only on their artistic qualities, but also on whether they depict a valid scenario.

Prizes include awards and exhibit opportunities. International students are encouraged to participate, but they are not eligible for cash prizes.

Entries are due no later than April 15, 2010.

For more information about the contest and to register online, visit http://artcontest.larc.nasa.gov/. Questions about the contest should be directed to Dr. Elizabeth Ward at Elizabeth.B.Ward@nasa.gov .

Dairy Quiz Bowl Practice

The next Dairy Quiz Bowl Practices will be February 10th (Wednesday) at 3:30 P.M. and February 25th (Thursday) at 4:30 P.M. We will be leaving the Cooperative Extension Office at 3:30 pm on 2/10 to travel to Yadkin County. Dinner will be served. You do not have to have prior experience or own dairy cattle to participate. Quiz bowl is open to youth ages 9-18. You must be 9 by January 1, 2010 to participate. If you would like more information contact the Extension Office at (336) 372-5597 or e-mail Amy at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu for more information.

West Central District Horse Bowl

The District Horse Bowl Competition has been postponed until Friday, February 12th at 6:00 pm at the Iredell County Extension Office. Only Junior teams will be competing. We will be leaving the Alleghany County Extension Office at 4:00 pm. Please make arrangement to eat dinner before you come or on the way down. No meal will be served during the competition. If you have any questions, please contact the extension office at (336) 372-5597. For directions to the Iredell Office click here.

January Clover News

Sorry everyone . . . we had forgot to post. Check out the January edition of the Clover News HERE.

Area Food Show

Do you want to be the next Iron Chef? Then come show off your culinary skill at the area food show. Pick from your favorite category - Dessert, Main Dish, Vegetable/Salad/Soup or Snack/Appetizer.

There are three age divisions: Cloverbuds 5-8, Juniors 9-13 and Seniors 14-18. All entries are welcome but if you can make your dish healthier you will get a higher judged score. Be sure you are able to answer questions about your dish and be ready to serve up a helping to the judges.

We will be dishing out plenty of food and fun activities too. If you have questions, contact the 4-H office at (336) 372-5597 and ask for Amy or Michele. For registration forms and to see a sample judging sheet click HERE. Registration forms are due to the Extension Office by February 12, 2010. Food show will be February 20th at East Wilkes Middle School. Some transportation will be provided.

Dairy Quiz Bowl Practice

The next dairy quiz bowl practice will be January 25th at 5:00 pm here at the Extension Office. The district competition will be April 17th in Iredell County. You do not have to have competed before or own a dairy cow. This is a great oppotunity to learn more about dairy and the dairy industry. During each practice we will cover dairy questions, feeds, cuts of meat and equipment that you will need to know for the competition. You must be 9 years old by January 1, 2010 to compete. If you would like more information about dairy quiz bowl, contact the extension office at 336-372-5597.

4-H Honor Club

Membership in the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club is bestowed upon those 4-H’ers who have exhibited outstanding 4-H citizenship and leadership throughout their 4-H career. An Honor Club member continues to provide leadership and service to the total 4-H program throughout life.

In order to be eligible for membership, the applicant must have completed three or more years of 4-H club work and shall be at least 16 years of age and not more than 20 years of age on January 1 of the year of application.

Honor Club Applications are due to your local Extension Office no later than 5:00 pm on January 12. These must be signed by me before they can be forwarded onto the state office in Raleigh.

For more information contact our office at 336-372-5597. All forms can be downloaded from the Alleghany 4-H Blog at alleghany4h.blogspot.com or visit the NC 4-H website at www.nc4h.org/youth/awards.html

4-H Scholarship

If you are graduating 4-H Senior looking for scholarship opportunities, then look no further. NC 4-H is awarding over $30,000 to graduating seniors to pursue higher education.

Scholarship applications are due to the local 4-H office no later than 5:00 pm on January 13th. All forms must be reviewed and signed by me. If you have questions, please contact our office at 336-372-5597 or e-mail me at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.

To be eligible, you must be a current North Carolina 4-H member who is a graduating high school senior. Applicants must have accumulated at least a minimum of 3 years of 4-H work. All Scholarships will be directly paid to the college or university. Recipients must be full time students. Most scholarships are elegible for those attending College in North Carolina however, some are open to those attending outside NC.

For more information on each individual scholarship and eligibility criteria, visit the Scholarship Guide located on the NC 4-H website at www.nc4h.org/youth/awards.html. You can also download the application from this site.

Deadline for submission is Wednesday January 13th to me. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 336-372-5597.

2010 Perry & Doris Teeter Beef Leadership Institute

Perry and Doris Teeter would like to give each youth who is willing to work hard and go the extra mile an opportunity to pursue training in leadership. The Institute is designed to equip young people with the necessary tools needed to become an effective leader. Additionally, youth will be challenged to take the skills acquired at this event and put them into action in their home counties, districts, and at the state and national levels. For an application click HERE. Applications are due in Raleigh by Friday, January 8, 2010.

**DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 13, 2010. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING CONTACT THE EXTENSION OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AT 336-372-5597.