As they calmed down in the line of gunfire, nervous excitement grew in Henderson County 4-Hers. Listening to Range Safety Officers’ commands, “Ready on the right, ready on the left, line safe, get started!” The first day of the 4-H Shooting Sport National Citizens’ Competition has started.
Six contestants and two volunteer coaches from Young Natural 4-H Club in Henderson County were among the many 4-H competitors competing in the 4-H national shooter competition. After district and state competitions, national experiments and months of practice, North Carolina had 31 4-H competitors representing the state, six of them from the Young Natural 4-H Club in Henderson County!
Emma Wilkey, Dessie McCarthy, Kali McColl, Maggie Macl – AC Air Rifle Team; Ezra Presley – NC Frequent Arrow Team; Caleb McCarson – ACC Air Rifle Team
The week is filled with laughter, friendship, community, focus, competition and winning. Henderson County 4-H is proud of each of our competitors and is grateful to all of their coaches who have trained hard, raised money and worked to bring it to the national level! We are proud to be part of the second most beautiful state in North Carolina! 4-H Shooting Sports The nationalities have three different days of competition in which each competitor competes. Prizes will be awarded after each day of competition and overall results on the fourth day.
Awards to Henderson County contestants
1st day results Ezra Presley, 3rd place team, 12th overall
Results of 2nd day Ezra Presley, 3rd place team, 11th person, Caleb McCarson, 4th place team
3rd day results Ezra Presley, 2nd Class Team, 7th Person, Emma Wilkey, 2nd Class Individual
General results Ezra Presley, 2nd Class NC Repeated Arrow Fighting Team, Emma Wilkey, 4th Class AC Individual, Air Rifle
4-H Agricultural Day Camp
“What are the four stages of growth of insects?” In the final game of the 4-H Farm Day camp, eager hands were fired into the air. This year was Henderson County 4-H 5th Annual Agricultural Day Camp Week. Traditionally, young people visit local farms, producers, learn cooking skills, and learn skills in hospitality, crafts, and games. In the same way, but twisting, this year’s agricultural day camp brought the local farming to the youth!
Each day of Ag Day Camp focuses on a different agricultural theme: horticulture, agriculture, ecology, farm life and animal husbandry. Young participants learned to “do” by interacting with the speakers and completing many handicrafts and educational activities. When practicing agriculture, many young people saw for the first time the vast impact of agriculture on their own community.
“What makes cows such a great recycling?” “Because of the living microbes in their rumen!” When asked about another game, he quickly answered in the neighborhood.
Students explore the beneficial properties of soil (guided by Henderson County soil and water conservation), planting seeds in a perishable egg basket, healthy plant-based snacks (prepared by 4-H Alumnus), and discovering the benefits of tasting microwaves (led by a local farmer) .
One day in the life of an anthropologist and a veterinarian on an agricultural day, it was interesting to all. As an entomologist, students completed bio-billiards, explored biodiversity, and protected insects for scientific observation. As a veterinarian, young people learned about the amazing resilience of cows, how extension agents can help veterinarians and the various career opportunities in veterinary science.
On Ecology Day, young people “tremble” happily as they work on their own underground ecosystems for biotech and biological reasons. Students saw the work of various honey bees in the beehive and learned about the role of honey and butterflies in agriculture as pollen (led by local beekeepers and farmers). Participants experiment with insect knowledge by creating their own insects with objects collected in nature.
Caring for farm animals during the day-to-day life shows daily responsibilities. Students interact with animals and learn how to invest in farming for more sustainable work (led by a local farmer). Students have witnessed the practice of cooking safety practices (led by a 4-H family), made their own goat seeds and homemade butter, and discovered secrets to raising a nationally recognized, healthy goat herd (leader at Park Ranger from Karl Sandberg House).
Students explored the use of many animal products by making their own ice cream and goat’s milk soap on Animal Farm Day. The students also observed good veterinary practices (guided by veterinarians and farmers) by practicing preventive health by applying fly control to cattle. Cam Camp is the culmination of a week-long (high-demand) game that tests students’ guest speakers and curriculum knowledge. The camps proved their mettle in the day camp and saw how much they learned from the camp.
At the Agricultural Day Camp, we would not have been able to do so with the support of community organizations, county staff, extension workers, and local agricultural experts. In addition, to expand the audience, the 4-H program was partnered with a local Latino non-profit organization to reach out to unaccompanied minors. Participants developed not only knowledge but also the value of civic engagement by developing agricultural and life skills. The success of the Agricultural Day Camp demonstrates the impact and mission of the extension on the enrichment of the local community.
Hannah Warrell is a 4-H agent and Courtney Clemans is an assistant to Henderson County’s 4-H 4-H program. 4-H Youth Development Program is a provider of NC Cooperative Extension and Equal Opportunity. For information about 4-H clubs, programs or donations, please call AC Cooperative Extension, Henderson County Center at 100 Jackson Park Road, Hendersonville, 28792: (828) 697-4891 or email hannah_worrell@ncsu.edu.