Announcement:

The Spend.Save.Share workshop scheduled for December 21 has been cancelled. Due to inclement weather last week, public school will be in session. We will be offering this workshop again in January.

Beekeeping Essay Contest

Enter the Beekeeping Essay Contest! All 4-H'ers are elligible. You can find the rules here. Entries are due to the 4-H Office on February 10, 2010.
The topic for 2011 is:

"U.S. Honey: A Taste for Every Preference"

The taste and color of honey varies according to flowers where the bees gather the nectar. Each different type of plant will yield honey with a different taste. The same plants, growing in different soils and climates, can yield different honey. The 4-H'ers are encouraged to invesigate the local/regional honeys of the United States and see how they differ in taste and color. Is a honey dark with a rich flavor, or light in color and mild-tasting? One honey may be the choice for topping your pancakes; another may be best for baking cookies or cakes. Actual access to the honey for tasting is not required - just find out about some of the characteristics and write about them.

Workshop

When: December 21, 2010 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Who: any Wilkes County youth grades K -5th

Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available)

Where: Wilkes County 4-H, 201 Curtis Bridge Road Wilkesboro, NC

To register contact the Wilkes Cooperative extension service by December 14. (336-651-7331)

Please pack a bag lunch. Two snacks will be provided.

In this workshop youth will:

· Participate in activities from Reading Makes Cent$, a 4-H curriculum focusing on reading and financial literacy

· Read excerpts from several children’s books and view “A Christmas Carol”

· Create holiday crafts they may sell or give as gifts

Simple Service Project

4-H clubs and families are encouraged to participate in a service project sponsored by the National Military Family Association. "Stand Behind Military Kids" allows participants to create a wall of thanks to the children of military families. Simply go to this website, print the sign, take your photo and upload to their site. Show your support for the youngest heroes!

4-H West Central District Science Fair

On Saturday November 6^th four youth from Wilkes County participated in the West Central District Science Fair. In the area of Life Sciences Malachi Venturini received 2^nd place, Alyse Venturini received 3^rd place. In Earth Science Jonah Horton received 1^st place. Tiffani Brown participated in the electricity category. Great job and congratulations to all the participants!

Update

The North Carolina 4-H Program announced the Hungry to Help initiative that we will focus on the next three years. We started with this initiative in October by collecting non- perishable food items at the Wilkes Agricultural Fair. Clubs also entered their fair booths based upon the theme Hungry to Help, The Kitchen Is Open. Future Generations for Change will also be leading a food drive during the month of December. Collections will be accepted at the Extension office. Please encourage your clubs, youth groups and other organizations to take part in this food drive.

National 4-H Week Celebrated

Youth participated in many activities in celebration of National 4-H Week, October 4-8. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina and the largest in the nation with six million young people. 4-H in North Carolina has 240,926 members and 21, 221 volunteers. Wilkes County 4-H numbers more than 2,226 members and more than 48 volunteers. Wilkes County 4-H recognized the first baby born at Wilkes Regional Hospital on Monday October 4^th as the 4-H baby. Many 4-H club members attended the Commissioner’s meeting Tuesday evening where the Commissioner’s signed a proclamation declaring October 4^th – 9^th 4-H Week in Wilkes County. 4-H’ers led the pledge to the American Flag and 4-H Flag. Thursday 4-H youth participated in an afternoon of science fun. 4-Her’s nationwide completed the same science experiment entitled 4-H2O for National 4-H Science Day. In the experiment youth were able to visualize the affects of their carbon footprint on water and the environment. Thank you to everyone who supported National 4-H Week by attending the commissioner’s meeting to hear the proclamation of 4-H Week in Wilkes County, and to those who participated in the nationwide science project!