By Laura Allen
N.C. Cooperative Extension

As we approach the end of 2024, it is the perfect time to reflect on a wonderful year for Rowan County 4-H and share some updates as we prepare for the upcoming 2025 4-H year.

This year has been a busy and rewarding year. We continued several long-standing 4-H programs, saw growth and improvement in many areas, and introduced new opportunities for youth in our community. Here are some highlights from this year:

• School enrichment programs: A total of 2,009 youths from Rowan-Salisbury Schools, local charter schools, private schools and homeschool families participated in our 4-H embryology and 4-H butterfly programs. These school enrichment programs taught students about life cycles while connecting them to agriculture and nature.
• State leadership: In July, Rowan 4-H’er Nathan Croyle was elected as the North Carolina 4-H State council president. This prestigious role involves a year of traveling to speak and present at various 4-H functions across the state.
• Clubs and special interest programs: Seven 4-H clubs and a five-week 4-H SPIN (special interest) club met throughout the year. Youth learned about topics such as horses, shooting sports, livestock, cooking/nutrition, STEM, dog training and more.
• Competitions: For the first time in over six years, youth competed in all 4-H animal programs, including horse, dairy, poultry and livestock competitions. The 2024 livestock judging team marked a significant milestone for Rowan County 4-H.
• Camp experiences: Fifteen youth attended Millstone 4-H Camp with Rowan County 4-H. Thanks to generous local donors and state-level scholarships, seven youth attended on full scholarships. Additionally, five youth participated in the Fur, Fish & Game Rendezvous Camp, all on full scholarships.
• New partnerships: This year, we partnered with Lutheridge Jersey Dairy Farm to offer our second Rowan County 4-H Dairy Heifer Project. Eleven youths participated in this eight-week program, culminating in a dairy show at the county fair. Nine of these youth are now preparing for 2025 dairy judging and quiz bowl competitions.
• National representation: Two Rowan County 4-H’ers attended national 4-H events. Kennedy Clawson participated in the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, and Nathan Croyle attended the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was also selected to serve on the event’s leadership team.
• Volunteer contributions: Our 53 official 4-H volunteers provided invaluable time, knowledge and energy to help our youth learn and grow. The success of our program is a direct result of their dedication.

While this list only scratches the surface, it offers a glimpse into the impact 4-H has had on our community in 2024.

Looking ahead to 2025

As we prepare for 2025, we are excited about new opportunities but also acknowledge that the year will bring significant changes. One of the biggest transitions will be relocating the Cooperative Extension offices, including 4-H, to our new facility on Jake Alexander Boulevard (the former Salisbury Mall). This move offers a fresh start and the chance to rethink and improve our programs.

However, the transition will take time, and some programs will be temporarily paused or retired. Specifically, we will not be offering the Speak Up program or Summer Fun in 2025 to allow us time to move and settle into our new space.

Despite these adjustments, there will still be plenty of opportunities for youth to engage in 4-H activities:

• Five existing 4-H clubs will continue, with a new club starting in March.
• School enrichment programs will remain available.
• County Activity Day will feature 4-H presentations, talent and expressive arts competitions.
• Judging and quiz bowl opportunities will continue in horse, dairy, poultry and livestock categories.
• Youth can participate in district and state-wide leadership and camping events (Millstone 4-H Camp, 4-H Congress, Electric Congress, YouthVoice, etc).
• Animal-based projects will once again be offered.
• Port-a-Pit Fundraiser will return.

If you are not already receiving our monthly 4-H newsletters, please reach out to me so I can add you to our email list. The newsletter is the best way to stay updated on 4-H opportunities and developments. Additionally, if you have ideas for new programs to introduce once we’re settled in the new facility, I would love to hear from you.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on an exciting 2025. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in Rowan County 4-H.

4-H is the youth development component of Cooperative Extension. Any youths ages 5-18 (as of January 1) are invited to enroll and participate in 4-H. Visit us at our current location at 2727-A Old Concord Road Salisbury, NC 28146 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 or rowan_4h on Instagram.

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