Judges Needed For Record Book Judging

Another exciting and successful year in 4-H has almost come to an end and the 2018 year looks to be even more exciting for the program as we continue to make the best better in 4-H! This is the time of year that the 4-H'ers are completing their project record books, Portfolios books and various other projects for county competition. We all know that judges are a vital part of this process and we are writing to request your help. 

The dates for judging are: Project Record Judging – April 20-22 and Portfolio - April 23-25. Our judges are one of the reasons that our 4-H youth can excel and judge’s constructive comments help to improve our 4-H’ers record keeping skills. This is why we are asking for your help. We are expecting a larger number of records to be turned in this year.  Due to space and budget limitations we will only be able to accommodate 36 judges for each day of project record judging and 20 judges for each day of Portfolio judging.  Judges will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis and all registrations for judging must be entered online no later than March 15, 2018.

Lodging, meals and snacks are provided.  If you cancel, and do not provide at least one weeks notice, you will be charged for expenses.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Extension Office to register @ 336-372-5597.

PROJECT RECORD JUDGING: April 20-22, 2018

SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Cary, NC

PORTFOLIO JUDGING: April 23-25, 2018

SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Cary, NC

AIRE (Application, Resume, Interview & Essay)

AIRE (Application, Resume, Interview and Essay) is a workforce development and college prep program. Youth, ages 11 – 18, are eligible participate in this program in one of two ways.

Option 1: Youth participate in this program by completing the AIRE program portfolio (online PDF) and submit it for review by our AIRE judges. All participants submitting an AIRE portfolio will be invited to participate in either the competitive portfolio review (open to youth ages 14-18) or in the non-competitive portfolio review (open to youth ages 11-13), which takes place annually during NC 4-H Congress. Youth participating in the competitive AIRE review process are eligible to be selected to attend national events such as National Congress, National Conference, and International Leadership Conference.

Option 2: Youth participate in this program by completing the AIRE program portfolio (online PDF) as self-study and/or as part of their local 4-H program. Option 2: Does not require the participant to submit their AIRE portfolio for review.

*Youth participants selecting Option 1: Are required to submit their AIRE portfolio to their local 4-H agent prior to the state submission deadline of May 15, 2018. Please contact your local 4-H agent for your county submission deadline.

2018 AIRE Materials

2018 AIRE Prep & Application Packet

2018 AIRE Mock Application (non-competitive youth ages 11-13)

AIRE Interviews will take place on the Monday of NC 4-H Congress (July 23, 2018).

January 2018 Clover News

The January Alleghany 4-H Clover News is now available online.

Be sure to check it out, so you don't miss any of the exciting opportunities that are coming up!

Astronomy Wonders

WHO:  Ages 8+ (5-8 with a parent/guardian)
WHEN:  Saturday - January 20 - 6pm - 10 pm (we will leave the County Office Building @ 5:15 pm)
WHERE:  Fisher River Park - Dobson
COST:  FREE

We have been invited to join the Piedmont Astronomy Club from Statesville, NC and Surry 4-H on Saturday, January 20th at Fisher River Park in Dobson from 6 pm-10 pm to view the moon and many other celestial wonders of the night sky. This event is FREEand families are welcome. Hot chocolate will be provided. Come prepared with a warm blanket (if you choose). 

Please register @ the link:https://goo.gl/forms/L3KNzT2Ia8mvQYXD3

Open to youth ages 8+ (5-8 with a parent/guardian present). Snowdate - February 24.

Part-time Extension Support Staff

Part-time Extension Support Staff

Just for clarification the work schedule is 8 am - 3 pm, Monday - Thursday (max 24 hours per week).  We ask that applicants be flexible in their scheduling to help maintain office coverage.

Please contact the office with any questions.

Applicants MUST apply through the NC State University system at the link above.

November Clover News

The November Alleghany 4-H Clover News is now available online.  

Be sure to check it out so you don't miss any of the exciting opportunities that are coming up!

Citizen Science Project

The Pieris Project

Do you grow cruciferous vegetables? Kale, radish, collard greens, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels’ sprouts, kohlrabi, etc.? Well then we need your help to learn about the organisms that eat them, as well as those that protect them. There are two ways you can help.

One way is by catching cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae) in your garden or anywhere you see them. This butterfly is actually not native to North America. It recently (~150 yrs ago) invaded many parts of the world and is now one of the most successful and abundant butterflies on the planet! Oh yes, it and has a ravenous appetite for crucifers. We will use DNA from butterflies you collect, along with those from all over the world to learn how this butterfly adapts to changes in its environment.  Grab a butterfly net and get started here! 

The second way to participate is to help find parasitoids in your garden. What is a parasitoid? They are usually flies or wasps that hunt the herbivores in your garden. There are two ways to find them. Collect pupae you find in your garden, place them in a cup and see what emerges. This is really fun as you never know what will come out! The other is to put out sticky traps that the parasitoids will get stuck on (and other garden pests such as aphids). This will help us learn more about these often unsung heroes of your garden—where they live and who they eat =)

Find out more about the project and how you can get some sticky traps sent to you here.

You can also contact the director of both projects with any questions you have: Dr. Sean Ryan

October Clover News

The October Alleghany Clover News is now available online.  Be sure to check it out!

State 4-H Council Conference

What:  State 4-H Council Conference
When:  November 4-5
Who:  Youth ages 13-18
Where:  Jane S. McKimmon Center - Raleigh
Cost:  $150 per person (scholarships may be available)

It is almost time for the 2017 State 4-H Council Conference! The dates of the conference are November 4-5 and it will be held at the Jane S. McKimmon Center in Raleigh. State Council Conference is for youth ages 13 - 18. We are planning exciting workshops and speakers for the event. Our State 4-H Council this year has selected “Dream Big” as the State Council theme for the year and all of the workshops offered will help delegates to Dream Big! We will have a variety of workshops at this year’s conference including Ambassador workshops and State Council workshops all focused around our conference theme.

The conference will officially begin with lunch on Saturday at 12 Noon.

Registration is due no later than October 6th. Cost of the event will be $150 per person (scholarships may be available)  To register you must contact the Extension Office @ 336-372-5597

Barter Theatre / Sherlock Holmes and the American Problem

Join us on Tuesday, October 24th (Alleghany Co. schools teacher workday) as we travel to Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia to see the exciting and supsenseful play Sherlock Holmes and the American Problem. 

It’s Queen Victoria’s 50th year on the British Throne and Annie Oakley is the toast of London with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Extravaganza. Join the chase full of mystery, suspense, deceit and brilliant deductions as Victorian England is smashed together with the Wild West in a case that only Sherlock Holmes can unravel.

We will also participate in a "talk-back" session with some of the actors from the performance. 

Open to youth 8 years old and older.  $20 per person with transportation, lunch and snack included. Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today by calling 336-372-5597!  We will meet in the parking lot of the County Office Building at 8 am and plan to return by 5 pm.