Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Recipe Contest

Calling all young chefs!

First Lady Michelle Obama is teaming up with Epicurious, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture to host the third-annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge recipe contest.

Kids ages 8-12, with the help of their parents, can take part in the challenge by sending in original lunch recipes that are healthy, affordable, and tasty!

Participating young chefs can use USDA's MyPlate as a resource to make sure that their recipes meet healthy standards. Each lunch recipe should represent all of the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy foods, with fruits and veggies making up about half of the plate or recipe.

The creators of the best recipes will be invited to D.C. this summer, where they will have the opportunity to attend a Kids' "State Dinner," hosted by Mrs. Obama at the White House, where a selection of the winning healthy recipes will be served.

Just last week, the First Lady announced that cooking will be a new focus for Let's Move!, so start honing those skills and enter the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.

The deadline to submit recipes is April 5 -- only two weeks away -- so if you're looking for something to do with your kids this weekend, get cooking!

Learn more about the challenge here, or visit recipechallenge.epicurious.com.

Fashion Review 2014

There's still time to enter the Fashion Review for 2014 to be held at District Activity Day on April 12th in Elkin.  Fashion Review is open to youth ages 9-18.  Entry forms are due no later than April 1st to Yadkin County.  You must contact Amy before sending in a registration form.   For full details on what is eligible, visit the link below or contact the Extension Office at 336-372-5597.

FASHION REVIEW REGISTRATION 2014

North Central District Horse Show

The North Central District 4-H Horse Show is not too far away. Please remember that the entries need to be postmarked by April 25 (no late fee). The show will be Saturday and Sunday - May 17 & 18.

You can find all the forms here:
(Under the Heading NC District 4-H Horse Show)
http://rockingham.ces.ncsu.edu/categories/4-h-youth-development/

We are also looking for volunteers so if you would be able to help out, let us know.

Helping Hands Club Report

Helping Hands 4-H Club Report

Feb. 2014

On Friday Feb. 21st the Helping Hands 4-H Club met in Sparta for officer elections. The elected officers were:

President-Day Lindberg
Vice President-Eli Henry Joyce
Secretary-Elijah Lindberg
Treasurer-Kara Hartt
Historian-Deann Butler
Reporter-Bryan Cassell
Meeting Helpers-Benjamin Joyce, Luke Joyce, and Alaina Hartt

After the meeting some of the families went to the Sparta Bowling Alley and had a great time.

On Monday, Feb. 24th the 4-H Club had planned to go ice skating at Appalachian Ski Mtn. but due to weather the rink had been closed. But thanks to the helpful staff at Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk we were able to take last minute skiing lessons and skied all evening. The club had a great time learning to ski and some skied on the big slopes while others stuck to the small ones.


Food Show

Four members of the Helping Hands 4-H Club went to the food show in Wilkes County on March 1st. Cloverbuds, Hogan Dillard and Tori Dillard, Junior Colleen Cassell, and Senior Bryan Cassell competed. All Cloverbuds received a certificate of participation. Colleen placed 1st in the Junior division and Bryan placed 3rd in the Senior division. There were over 20 participants everyone had a great time tasting food and making cards for Meals on Wheels.


Mar. 2014

On Monday, March 10th the Helping Hands 4-H Club met at the town office in Sparta for presentations. There were many interesting topics like Falconry, Hot Wheels, Submarines, Marbles and many more.

Submitted by Bryan Cassell

Spring Holiday Classic Open Horse Show

The Spring Holiday Classic Open Horse Show will be here soon!

The show will be held in Raleigh at the Hunt Horse Complex on April 19-20, 2014.  This show has something for everyone!!  Please remember that this show is a benefit for the North Central District 4-H Horse Program and the NCSU Western Riding Team.  So, we need your help selling sponsorships for this show.

The money made from this show helps keep our NC District 4-H Horse Show entries low and helps provide scholarships for youth in our district, but we need you to help. If we did not have this as a fundraiser we would not be able to help out our 4-Hers with travel scholarships, college scholarships and low costs for events.
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THIS SHOW!

Entries (without a late fee) as well as sponsorships are due by 4/4/14.

Also, if you would like to help volunteer at the show, please contact Richard Isley at 336-908-3302 to find out more details.

There are lots of opportunities to sell sponsors, volunteer, show and more!

You can find all details at the web site:  http://holidayclassicopenhorseshow.webs.com/

4-H Plant Sale

We are currently taking orders for the 2014 Annual 4-H Plant Sale

The following types of plants are available to purchase:

• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Rhubarb
• Asparagus
• Horseradish
• Ferns
• Herbs
• Vegetables
• Flowers

Order & Payment Deadlines:

For Blueberries ~ Thursday, March 27th

For All Other Plants ~ Monday, April 7th

Payment is due at the time the orders are placed.

Tentative Pick-Up Dates:

For Blueberries ~ April 1-2 (9am-5pm)

For All Other Plants ~ April 15-16 (9am-5pm)

CLICK HERE to print your plant description / order form or you may pick one up at the Extension Office. Call 336-372-5597 or email Michele Hamm for more information.

ALL proceeds are used for scholarships for youth to attend 4-H Camp & other 4-H programming.

Holiday Classic Open Horse Show

The Holiday Classic Open Horse Show web site has been updated with the class list, entry form and sponsorship form!

The show will be held in Raleigh at the Hunt Horse Complex on April 19-20, 2014.  This show has something for everyone!!  Please remember that this show is a benefit for the North Central District 4-H Horse Program and the NCSU Western Riding Team.  So, we need your help selling sponsorships for this show.

The money made from this show helps keep our NC District 4-H Horse Show entries low and helps provide scholarships for youth in our district, but we need you to help.

Also, if you would like to help volunteer at the show, please contact Richard Isley at 336-908-3302 to find out more details.

There are lots of opportunities to sell sponsors, volunteer, show and more!

You can find all details at the web site:  http://holidayclassicopenhorseshow.webs.com/

West Central Teen Retreat

March 22 - 23

Ages: 13-18

Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center

Cost:  $75 (Scholarships may be available)

The deadline to register is quickly approaching - Wednesday March 5.  Contact the Extension Office at 372-5597 ASAP if you are interested in attending.  

North Central Teen Retreat will be held at Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Center March 22-23.  This is a great opportunity to meet new 4-Hers and participate in some really great workshops.  There will be a spirit stick competition and you will also be electing our new district officers (we have two candidates from Alleghany County).  There will be a variety of workshops on topics including leadership, science, sewing, physical activity and agriculture.  You may also have a chance to use the climbing wall and canoe.  You must be 13 as of Jan 1, 2013 to attend.  Registration Deadline:  March 5, 2014.  To register or for more information contact the Extension Office. 

County Activity Day - Presentation Day

Just a reminder, County Activity Day will be Wednesday, March 12th at the Alleghany County Office Building beginning at 3:30 pm.  Activity Days are the 4-H presentation competitions.  These are open to any youth 5 - 18 and cloverbuds (5-8 yr olds) are non-competitive.  You can win scholarships to attend other 4-H events and medals by participating..

You MUST contact the Extension Office in advance and sign up for a time to present.  Presentations will begin at 3:30 pm.  For more information and to sign up call the office at 372-5597.  For a full list of presentation categories visit website or more info can be found oat the link below.  By presenting at County Activity Day you may be eligible to present at District Activity Day on April 12th in Surry County.

PRESENTATION CATEGORIES

 **You must present to either a club leader or at a County Activity Day before attending District Activity Day.   

**If you plan to attend Congress you MUST present at County Activity Day & District Activity Day (if eligible)**