Happy New Year! On behalf of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Randolph County Center and 4-H, I wish you a joyful 2010. As we bid farewell to 2009, I am proud to report Randolph County 4-H families left a fantastic imprint on their community. Through club meetings, community service events and special 4-H projects, we met new friends and learned how to be better stewards for our community.

In 2009, we made some great new connections that have led to new clubs forming throughout the county. Jamillah Nasier from the Randleman area is a great advocate for youth and families who is working with youth at the Randleman Housing Authority as well as getting programming off the ground for elementary school aged youth in that area.

Denette Lilly of the Seagrove area has taken on a young club in Seagrove geared for ages 5-12. This club named themselves the Seagrove Buccaneers 4-H Club, well named for all the exciting adventures they have planned.

Ronnie Beal, Kim Newsome and Amy Ward have taken the lead to answer the call for a shooting sports club in Randolph County. The Super Sharp Shooting Stars meet as a club monthly as well as a shooting experience. Geared for ages 9 and up, this club has already competed in a shooting event. The Randolph County 4-H Teen Leadership Club was also formed this year. TLC is open to Randolph County youth ages 12-19 who are interested in exploring community service opportunities while developing stronger leadership skills.

Some terrific 4-H clubs in Randolph County that you have been hearing about for years are still doing fantastic things as well. The Happy Heifer Dairy Club, longest running club in Randolph County, meets monthly in Asheboro as a traditional 4-H club with members ranging in ages from 9-19.

Kirsten Fraizer, Gail Allred and Sig McCain do a great job sharing their extensive 4-H backgrounds to lead this club.

The Country Kids 4-H Livestock Club is a strong club for ages 5-19 that stays busy with all types of livestock competitions, shows and field trips. They also meet every other month at Clapp’s Nursing Facility to share fun and games with residents. Jason and Heather Wright have the energy to keep this club moving forward.

Amy Ward uses her creativity to lead the Lucky Country 4-H Clovers in the Grays Chapel area. This traditional 4-H club meets monthly with members ranging in ages from 6-13 years to learn about topics chosen by the club members. Our homeschoolers S.H.A.R.E. 4-H Club, led by Kathryn Simpson and Michelle Uhl, are a civic-minded group ages 7-17 who have great ideas and the get up and go to deliver.

The Young Riders 4-H Horse Club meets monthly for an invigorating ride and fellowship in selected locations throughout the county. Jackie Daughton shares her love for horses and 4-H with club members.

If any of the existing clubs I have mentioned have caught your attention or perhaps lit the fire for you to start a new club, contact me at the Extension office. It is always great to connect youth and families with clubs that fit their needs and expectations.

With a new year comes fresh ideas and the chance to improve upon ourselves. This is an exciting time to consider the 4-H motto and deliver on it, “To make the best better!” With that in mind, I hope 2010 will be a year filled with positive opportunities for youth and families across Randolph County.



Jody Terry is the 4-H program assistant for Randolph County 4-H, part of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Asheboro. She can be reached at (336) 318-6000 or by e-mail at jody_terry@ncsu.edu