By Laura Allen
N.C. Cooperative Extension

Lots of 4-H’ers have been extremely busy this fall in various 4-H projects, interest areas and competitions. I want to take time to highlight their accomplishments and let you know of some upcoming opportunities in 4-H.

4-H Broiler and Pullet Projects

4-H’ers involved in the 4-H Broiler Project & 4-H Pullet Project received day-old chicks earlier this year and raised them at home. They finalized their project with a show at the Rowan County Fair.

Pullet Project participants: Barrett Devine, Tallula Four, Lainey Plott, Colt Poirier, Lynlee Propst, John Tucker

Grand Champion: Colt Poirier; Reserve Champion: Barrett Devine

Broiler Project participants: Barrett Devine, Georgia Fritz, Baylee Householder, Bryan Meza, Justin Meza, Lynlee Propst, John Tucker

Grand Champion: Georgia Fritz; Reserve Champion: Lynlee Propst

Thank you to Rowan County Farm Bureau for sponsoring the Grand and Reserve Champion winners.

4-H Dairy Heifer Project

This year, we held our second annual Rowan County 4-H Dairy Heifer Project. We partnered with Lutheridge Jersey Dairy Farm in Mt. Ulla to work with 11 of their Jersey dairy heifers. Eleven 4-H’ers signed up for the project and we met at the farm two times per week for 8 weeks for this project. When we met, educational dairy information was shared and we also spent time interacting with the heifers. On Sept. 21, the 4-H’ers showed the heifers at the Rowan County Jr. Dairy Show held at the Rowan County Fair. It was apparent how much they had learned during this project. The 4-H’ers that participated in this project included: Tallulah Ennis, Easton Hellard, Baylee Householder, Gage Majors, Lainey Plott, Lynlee Propst, Kyann Race, Anna Waller, Mary Waller, Rosie Wells and Abigail Wood. Congratulations to each of these 4-H’ers. Special thanks to Lutheridge Jersey Dairy Farm for hosting this project and for all of the volunteers who assisted.

National 4-H Dairy Conference

Rowan 4-H’er Kennedy Clawson recently represented North Carolina at the National 4-H Dairy Conference, held on Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in Madison, Wisconsin. During this conference, Kennedy toured local dairy farms and agribusinesses, learned about various career opportunities within the dairy industry, participated in dairy-related workshops, and attended the World Dairy Expo.

NC 4-H Egg-cellent Egg Contest

This contest is offered to 4-H’ers across North Carolina. Those who register to participate must attend two educational Zoom sessions, submit up to two half dozen eggs for grading, and submit supplementary projects to show their knowledge of chickens and/or eggs.

Rowan 4-H’ers participating included: Tallula Four, Georgia Fritz, Will Fritz, Baylee Householder and Colt Poirier.

Special congratulations to the following 4-H’ers:

Georgia Fritz: second place in brown eggs (pee wee, small medium), junior division

Baylee Householder: third place in blue/green eggs and third place in brown eggs (large, extra large, jumbo), junior division

Will Fritz: second place in brown eggs (large, extra large, jumbo), intermediate division

Ways to get involved this fall

• Purchase items during the 4-H Plant Sale

The last day to order plants during the 4-H Plant Sale is Thursday, Oct. 31. We have several varieties of fruiting trees and shrubs available for purchase. Call our office to order at 704-216-8970; our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. All profits go towards supporting the county 4-H program. All plant sale information and prices can be found at https://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/09/rowan-county-4-h-plant-sale-2024/.

• Purchase items during the 4-H Wreath Sale

The last day to order wreaths and garland is Tuesday, Oct. 29. Our beautiful wreaths and garland are from a small, family Christmas Tree farm in Alleghany County. Order pick up is on Wednesday, Nov. 20. All profits directly benefit 4-H clubs in the county. All information about the wreath sale and helpful hints for making your greenery last longer can be found at https://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/09/4-h-wreath-sale2024/. Orders must be placed at go.ncsu.edu/2024rowan4hwreathsale or you can call our office at 704-216-8970.

• 4-H T-Shirt Sale

Rowan County 4-H t-shirts are available for purchase. They are in-stock and are first come, first served. The shirts are a soft texture and we have the same design on both gray shirts and green shirts. Shirts are $15 each. Whether you are a Rowan 4-H’er, 4-H alumni, 4-H parent, volunteer or supporter, you can purchase a T-shirt. Please stop by our office to pick up and pay for a T-shirt or call ahead to make sure we still have your size.

• Participate in the 4-H Pasta Drive

Rowan County 4-H County Council is hosting a service project during the entire month of October. Participation in this service project is an opportunity for 4-H’ers as well as community members. During this drive, we are collecting bags/boxes of uncooked pasta to donate to Rowan Helping Ministries. All pasta can be donated at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office. The drive ends on October 31.

• Save the date for Kids Voting NC-Rowan 4-H

Come to the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Rowan County Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Election Day) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a kids-only election. School-aged children, less than 18 years of age, are eligible to “vote” in this election. They will visit a voting booth and use an iPad to vote on a ballot that mimics the adult election ballot for 2024. They will even get their own “I Voted” sticker. Youths do not have to be a current 4-H’er to participate. This is a practical and engaging way to promote citizenship within our local youths as we get them excited about the importance of voting.

4-H is the youth development component of Cooperative Extension. Any youths ages 5-18 (as of Jan. 1) are invited to enroll and participate in 4-H. Visit us at 2727-A Old Concord Road in Salisbury or rowan.ces.ncsu.edu. For questions or more information, contact 704-216-8970 or laura_allen@ncsu.edu. You can also follow Rowan County 4-H Program on Facebook, @Rowan4h on Twitter, or rowan_4h on Instagram.

Laura Allen is 4-H agent with the Rowan County Extension.