Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Poultry Poster Contest

Start working now on your poster for the 2011 Poultry Poster Contest. The theme for this year's contest is "The History of The Turkey". Youth will be judged in the following age categories: 9-10, 11-13, 14-19. Ages 5-8 will be awarded on the county level only. Posters should be standard size 22"x 28" . For more information click here , or contact the Extension Office at 336-651-7336.

Monday, February 7, 2011


It’s time to show off all your culinary skills at the upcoming Food Show! The Area Food Show including Ashe, Alleghany, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties will be held on February 19 at East Wilkes Middle School and is open to youth ages 5 and up. There are three age categories to participate in: Cloverbud (ages 5-8), Junior (9-13), and Senior (14-18).

Categories include snack/appetizer, main dish, vegetable/soup/salad and desserts.

The theme for this event is “4-H Hungry to Help: The Kitchen Is Open!”

Setup will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 9:45 a.m. Your dish must be cooked ahead of time. Judging will begin at 9:45 a.m. While judges taste all the wonderful recipes, participants can enjoy different hands-on activities. Participants will be judged on recipe, taste, table setting and nutrition. All participants will receive a cookbook of all the recipes featured at the event. You must fill out a registration form to participate, come by the the Extension Office to get one. There are sample questions listed of things the judges may ask you. Forms must be completed by February 16 if you plan to participate.If you would like more information about food show, please contact the office at 336-651-7331.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Wilkes County 4-H program held it’s annual 4-H Achievement Night on Monday January 31, 2011 at the Stone Center. The event brought together 4-H youth, volunteers, Cooperative Extension staff and supporters for a night of food and fun. Judy West, Extension Agent, FCS/4-H welcomed the group and recognized special guests and Extension staff; Jamie Stroud and Vickie Shew, 4-H staff and Bill Hanlin County Extension Director. 4-H youth and volunteers were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the 4-H program during the 2010-year. In keeping with the NC 4-H community service initiative, the theme for the event was “4-H is Hungry to Help”. Each day hunger disrupts the lives of 1 in 5 children in North Carolina. To combat hunger the NC 4-H Youth Development program and the Food Banks of North Carolina, have teamed up to promote awareness of hunger in North Carolina and to make an impact in local communities through a new hunger awareness initiative entitled “Hungry to Help.” To help in Wilkes County donations of non-perishable food items may be brought to the Extension Office or the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse, collections will be distributed to local food banks.

Décor focused on “feeding the hungry” and those attending brought in non-perishable food items. Over 350 lbs of food were collected and donated to Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission (BROC). Ms. Dare Stromer and Ms.Karen McNeil were the guest speakers from BROC. They spoke to the group about the importance of hunger awareness in our county and how 4-H’ers can help.

County Commissioner, Charles Sink and Cooperative Extension Advisory Board President, Ms. Nila Johnston presented the achievement awards.

One new club, The Liberty Kids, led by Michelle Griffin was chartered and recognized this year. Gabrielle Venturini was honored as senior 4-H’er of the year, Kyle Rhodes as Junior 4-H’er of the year and Elizabeth Carter, Trenton Rhodes, Lucca Venturini, and Rose Lovette were Cloverbud (age 5-9) 4-Her’s of the year. 4-H youth are awarded 4-H’er of the year based on their accomplishments in project work, presentations, club activity, community service, and county participation. Seven youth who are active in the Red Dirt Diggers gardening club received certification as Junior Master Gardeners in Growing a Vegetable Garden; Andrew Meeks, Eli Meeks, Addison Meeks, Alyse Venturni, Anna Venturini, Gabrielle Venturini and Jonathan Newman.

4-H is volunteer driven and many were recognized for outstanding service.

Ms. Arbie Alison was honored for receiving the North Carolina 4-H volunteer lifetime achievement award. Arbie has been an active volunteer with 4-H on a county, district and state level for over 12 years. She will receive her state award in Raleigh Saturday February 5. Mr. Watson and Ms.Dawn Ward were also recognized for their commitment to 4-H in leading the 4-H Explorer club for 13 years. Officers for the Wilkes County 4-H Volunteer Leader Association were also recognized for providing leadership for over 42 4-H volunteers. Dave Venturini, President, Susan, Venturini, Secretary, Arbie Allison, Treasurer, and Michelle Griffin, Vice President.

The Brushy Mountain Smokehouse, Wilkes Farm Bureau, and Arlena and Lamar Creasman sponsored the achievement night.

Wilkes County 4-H would like to thank all 4-H youth and volunteers for all their hard work and look forward to what 2011 have in store. Wilkes County 4-H is a United Way supported agency. For more information on how to become a volunteer or involve your child in 4-H contact the Wilkes Cooperative Extension Service at (336) 651-7331.