Crop Science Teen Weekend

Cultivate: Crop Science Teen Weekend

October 24-26th, 2014

Boiled peanuts, putting practice and other agronomic mischief will be unfolding at NC State on October 24-26, 2014 for our first ever, inaugural Crop Science Teen Weekend. "Cultivate" is a brand new program that invites High school-aged youth (sophomores, juniors and seniors) to apply for a residential agronomy experience where hands-on opportunities to explore a broad range of Crop Science possibilities will abound.

Youth will delve into the process of breeding and transforming crops, try their hand at growing and harvesting a diverse selection of agronomic commodities, and discover innovative means by which Crop Science is growing a better world. Youth will visit a variety of agriculture field sites, including our NCSU Crops Teaching Garden, Agroecology Student Farm, Lonnie Poole Golf Course or maybe Carter-Finley field and others. Youth will also be introduced to career possibilities, college-making decisions and leadership development and enjoy evening entertainment and team-building activities.

Apply Now!

The cost of the weekend will be $40 with applications due Friday, October 17th. Notification of acceptance will follow shortly thereafter. Youth can apply now at: http://go.ncsu.edu/cultivate or for more information, visit the Cultivate website.

Please contact Liz Driscoll at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu or 919.513.7346/ 919.886.3424 or Carla Cave, cccave@ncsu.edu with any questions or comments. 

Agriculture Opportunity for Rising Seniors

North Carolina Farm Bureau is pleased to sponsor 2015 Institutes for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) at NC State University in Raleigh and NC A&T State University in Greensboro the week of June 21 – 26, 2015.   This week-long program is for high school students interested in the agricultural industry.  Emphasis is placed on career opportunities, emerging technology, citizenship and leadership development.  

1. Applicants MUST be RISING high school seniors in the upper 1/3 of their classes.
   
2. Applications MUST BE SIGNED by the county Farm Bureau president.
   
3. There is no tuition cost.
   
4. Attendance is limited to 40 students. Selection criteria includes: 
   ● Grade point average ● Interest and experience with agriculture
   ● Career interest ● Priority will be given to Farm Bureau members
   
5. Applications Due by the end of March
   
6. APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR ACCEPTANCE IN MAY. Students not accepted or placed on a waiting list will be notified as well. County Farm Bureaus will also receive notification of their students’ status. 
   
   For more information, visit www.ncfb.org
   

Livestock Events

Check out the upcoming events with the North Carolina 4-H Youth Livestock Program

Western NC Showmanship Clinic
When: August 9
Where: Mountain State Fairgrounds, Fletcher
Who:  This event is open to all youth that would like to learn more about showing livestock

Youth Beef Industry Tour
When: August 3 – 6
Where:  Meet in Raleigh and travel to farms across the State
Who:  Youth must currently be enrolled in High School (Grade 9-12, Age 14-19) or College (Age up to 21).
Learn about all facets of the Beef Industry and is a great opportunity to enhance their knowledge. This is event is totally free to youth who apply and are accepted to participate. This covers travel for the event, lodging, meals, and shirts for each day. This event is sponsored in full by the NC Cattle Assessment.

 Youth Amazing Grazing Day
When: August 9
Where: NCSU Beef Educational Unit
Who:  This event is open to youth ages 14-21
Learn about Pasture-Based Livestock program. More information can be found at the Amazing Grazing website or on our webpage.
http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/whatwedo/researchunits/amazing-grazing.html

Activities for Kids

Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture on the 2014 High Country Farm Tour June 28 & 29. Don't miss this kid-friendly event that introduces families to different farms in the High Country region.

This year’s Farm Tour features 20 Farms in Ashe and Watauga Counties during the weekend of June 28th and 29th. Participating farms will hold an ‘open house’ from 2-6 PM and visitors can pick which farms they would like to tour during the course of the afternoon. Passes cost only $25 per car, so it's perfect for a 4-H Group or a van full of your family!

With so many farms there are opportunities for whole family! Greens growing in gutters, rotational grazing and bioshelters are only a few of the innovative approaches featured this year. Furthermore, there are plenty activities for kids including the Lil’ Locovore Learning Series and exciting alpacas, highland cattle, chickens, goats, and pigs to meet!

Ashe County 4th of July Livestock Show

Annual 4th of July Livestock Show
Saturday, July 5

Upper Mountain Research Station
Open to all youth under 18 years of age
Register by June 20

For information, see here

Environmental Exploration Day

Environmental Exploration Day

Rising juniors and seniors

Saturday, July 12

9:30-4:30

Cost:  $15.00

Spend a day at NC State
Hosted by the NC State College

of Natural Resources

To apply, check here

Hands-on experiments

Explore careers and degrees in Natural Resources
See here for more

Extension Survey 

In 2014, North Carolina Cooperative Extension celebrates 100 years of service, enhancing the lives, land and economy of North Carolina citizens.  As we do so, we need your help to illustrate our impact and identify ways to better serve you during the next 100 years with a  survey to ask you about what differences we have made in your lives, your businesses, and in your communities.  By taking time to complete this survey, you are helping us to ensure we will be here when you need us for another century! The survey is 22 questions. https://survey.ncsu.edu/coopext/

Summer Fun

Join us for 4-H Super Summer, with activities to keep 5-12 year olds engaged in the summer.

We will explore insects and plants to chemical reactions and foods.  To see a list of activities, see here.

To register, download the registration form and medical release form.  You can mail the forms in or drop them off at our office at 971 West King Street.    

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4-H Specialty Camps

If you did not get a spot with our county camping group or you are too young or too old for our camping week, check out these....

Eastern 4-H Center  – www.eastern4hcenter.org

LIT Adventures Camp (ages 15-17)      July 20-25    $460

Cloverbud Camp (ages 5-8)                  July 13-17    $300

Marine Science & Sailing (ages 12-17) July 13-18    $460

Camp Canvasback (ages 10-17)            July 13-18    $460

     Wildlife conservation

Camp Corral (ages 8-15)*                     June 22-27   Free

Camp Corral (ages 8-15)*                    June 29 – July 4 Free

* Children of military personnel.  Apply at http://www.campcorral.org/

Millstone 4-H Camp – http://millstone4hcamp.com/

Fur, Fish & Game (age 11-15)                    July 13-18   $420

Advanced Fur, Fish & Game (ages 11-16) July 13-18  $420

4-H Horsemanship Camp (ages 9-19)        June 15-21  $420

Target Sports Shooting Camp (age 10-16)   July 6-11  $460

Boating Camp (ages 11-15)                        July 20-25  $420

Cloverbud Camp (ages 5-8)                           July 6-8  $135

Sertoma DEAF Camp (ages 8-16)**         June 22-27 $420

* *info at http://campsertomaclub.org/

4-H Fruit Plant Sale

Plants are still available for the 4-H Fruit Plant Sale.  Plants will be on-hand Friday, April 11 from 12:00-6:00 and Saturday, April 12 from 9:30-12:30 at the Agricultural Conference Center on 252 Poplar Grove Road.   It is fine to drop by on April 11 or 12, or, to ensure your plants, reserve them with an order form.  Forms can be picked up at the Cooperative Extension office at 971 West King Street; or call 264-3061 or download here:

Fruit Plant sale order form 

Plants available include blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, and heritage apple trees. The plants are bare root, which means they do not come in potted soil. This allows the plant to be sold at a lower cost. For those who do not want bare root plants, we have two varieties of blueberries in 1 gallon containers.

4-H Summer Activities

It's a great time to be getting the summer planned out.   4-H offers several options for the summer.
4-H Camp:  this involves a residential, overnight camp at one of the three 4-H camping centers across the state.  Our county selects a week and takes a group.  You do not have to be a member of 4-H to attend with us.  We provide transportation and assistance in getting ready for camp and extra support at camp.  If our camping week does not work, you are welcome to choose a camp and a week and enroll on your own and get there individually.  We will be happy to help you navigate that.
Ages for camps are 8-14, although specialty camps for other ages are available as well.

UPDATE:  currently we have a waiting list for interested campers.  We will be happy to put you on the waiting list, but cannot guarantee a space.

4-H Super Summer:  workshops and engaging activities during the summer.   Workshops may last from a couple of hours to a day, or even a day camp.  Our flyer is usually ready in May.

Other opportunities through NC State:
Horticulture, Poultry
4-H Teen Leadership opportunities

Veterinary Science Opportunity

The NC State University's College of Veterinary Medicine 2014 OPEN HOUSE will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. 

Students and teachers interested in animals and sciences--biology, animal science, veterinary medicine, ecology/ environment, One Health, human/animal bond, infectious diseases, regenerative medicine--should not miss this once-a-year opportunity.

DETAILS: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/news/openhouse/

The popular annual event will offer the traditional opportunities to get up close with various animals large and small, demonstrations, special displays and exhibits, and chances to talk with faculty and students.

NEW THIS YEAR: The Smithsonian Institution's special traveling exhibit, “Animal Connections: Our Journey Together” will be one of the new attractions this year.  Housed in a mini-museum inside an expandable 18-wheeler, the 1,000-square foot exhibit introduces visitors of all ages to the human-animal bond. Whether you’re an aspiring veterinarian, an animal lover, or a health care professional, you and your family will find something to capture your interest in this exhibit. Take a video tour now.

Numerous fun and informative tour stops explain advances in veterinary medicine, veterinary medical technology, best care practices for the family pet, and what it takes to become a veterinarian.

Animals touch our daily lives from the food we eat, the products we consume, the health care advances we benefit from, and the services, entertainment, and companionship we enjoy. Wildlife species add to the beauty and wonder of our world. The connection between wildlife, domestic animals, the environment, and humans is called "One Health" and this concept is the foundation for veterinary medicine.

The Open House will explore the One Health concept with special exhibits and discussions on the connection between wildlife, domestic animals, the environment, and people.

Summer Opportunities for High Schoolers

Horticultural Science Summer Institute, July 6-11, 2014

High school-aged youth (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors) are invited to apply to a weeklong, residential horticultural experience on the campus of NC State University. Youth will have hands-on opportunities to explore a broad range of horticultural possibilities from breeding better fruits and vegetables, growing a diverse selection of woody ornamentals, lengthening the life of cut flowers, learning sustainable production practices and delving into practical tools that enhance our understanding of plant processes. Participants will visit a variety of horticultural businesses. Youth will also be introduced to career possibilities, college-making decisions and leadership development and enjoy evening entertainment and team-building activities. 

There are a limited number of scholarships for 4-H youth to attend! Youth should apply here by Friday, April 4th. For more information visit the HSSI webpage.

Poultry Science Summer Institute. 

PSSI is a 5 day/4 night camp that offers high school's rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who are interested in majoring in Poultry Science a chance to learn more about the poultry industry as well as educational disciplines and available scholarships.  Applications will be accepted through May 2nd.

For more information about this program as well as the registration form, see here.

4-H Camp Enrollment

Enrollment for 4-H Camp for Summer 2014 is open.  Watauga County 4-H will escort a group of 8-14 year old campers to Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center.  The center is located above Greensboro in Rockingham County, near Reidsville.   The camping week is July 6-July 11.    The good news is you can reserve your spot with a $100.00 deposit and have until June to save up for the rest of the fee, which is $360.00 more (total of $460.00).  The fee covers meals, lodging, t-shirt, transportation to camp and more.  Special programming for 12-14 year olds costs an additional $20.00.    Some scholarship money is available.  Contact the 4-H office at 264-3061 for more information or to register or download the form below.  See more 4-H camping information here.   

Camp Flyer