4-H the possibilities are endless

Wilkes County 4-H is a United Way supported agency that offers many opportunities for the youth of Wilkes County. The opportunities include everything from after-school care, to community clubs, school enrichment and special interest programs. While 4-H enjoys the reputation of program excellence in traditional areas of agriculture, life sciences, and consumer science, the present 4-H program is at the forefront of contemporary public issues like child care, workforce preparedness, leadership development, and healthy lifestyles. The H's in 4-H stand fro head, heart, hands, and health. With a focus on the total development of youth, 4-H prepares youth ages 5 to 19 to be responsible capable citizens. By taking part in 4-H, youth gain academic and interpersonal skills designed to provide a foundation for their future.

4-H GIS Technology Club

Pictured is volunteer leader, Chris Neggers, demonstrating the use of GPS Units to club members and parents






On October 20th, Wilkes County 4-H held an organizational meeting of the 4-H GIS Technology Club. Youth and parents participated in a hands-on GIS experience using GPS Units lead by Chris Neggers and Andrew Casey, of Casey Company Forestry, volunteer leaders for this program. The 4-H GIS Technology Club engages youth in hands-on learning experiences that provide them with valuable leadership, communication, and decision-making skills while also introducing them to a new way of seeing, thinking, and interacting with their community around them. Youth can explore their world through meaningful community mapping projects that will help to address community issues. The program incorporates service learning and volunteerism, which enables youth to make a positive contribution to their community. As youth go through the program not only do they learn about the fundamentals of GIS/GPS technologies but also how to make knowledgeable decisions about their world around them. This opportunity is made possible with a grant from ESRI Software in partnership with National 4-H Council. The 4-H GIS Technology Club will be meeting again on Monday, November 3rd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Cooperative Extension Office. The club is open to any youth age 11 and up and their parent. Please call 651-7331 by October 31st , to register. Wilkes County 4-H is a United Way Supported Agency.

Wilkes County 4-H Goat Show

The Wilkes County 4-H Program recently held a 4-H Area Goat Show at the Wilkes County Agricultural Fair on Tuesday, October 14th. There was a total of five participants in three the three different age categories. Wilkes County was represented by three participants; Kyle Rhodes in the junior age division, Trenton Rhodes in the clover bud division, and Luke Williams in the senior division. Kyle and Trenton Rhodes both placed first in their respected divisions and Luke Williams placed second. The 4-H Program would like to congratulate all participants!!!

Wilkes County to Celebrate National 4-H Week

Throughout National 4-H week and the year, 4-H’ers solve problems in their communities, raise awareness about environmental issues, and make a difference for their futures in the spirit of 4-H’s vision to create a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change. In Wilkes County, the 4-H Program has engaged more than 1,162 youth and 44 volunteers through their programming efforts this past year.

You can join the 4-H community today. To learn how to become a 4-H member or volunteer leader in Wilkes County, contact Megan Caudill, 4-H Program Assistant, at 336-651-7585, Cooperative Extension, at 336-651-7331 or megan_caudill@ncsu.edu. 4-H youth from across the nation will be “Keeping It Green” as they celebrate 2008 National 4-H Week October 5-11 by raising awareness about environmental issues and initiating environmental projects that make a positive difference in their communities. Wilkes County 4-H members ask their community to get ready for the challenge by helping the Wilkes County 4-H celebrate with events that are focused on keeping it green that will be held at the Wilkes County Agricultural Fair. 4-H Staff will also honor the first baby to be born during this week at Wilkes Regional Medical Center with a 4-H Goodie Bag. The Wilkes County Commissioners will also honor the celebration by declaring the week of October 5-11, 2008 as National 4-H Week in Wilkes County during their commissioners meeting on October 7th, 2008.


4-H is a community of 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Headquarters, which operates out of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the federal partner of 4-H programs implemented by the Cooperative Extension System of the nation’s 106 land-grant colleges and universities and in local communities through 3,150 county Cooperative Extension offices. Learn more about the 4-H adventure at http://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/.