August 2023 4-H Newsletter

August 29, 2023

Summer has flown by, and I finally have a moment to update you on all that Fluvanna 4-H members have been up to.  We've finished a school garden program which extended into the summer, attended 4-H Congress and 4-H Camp, hosted a livestock show at the fair and more. We have school programs already planned, and are looking forward to the new 4-H club year October 1. Read on for all of the details, and make sure to scroll to the end for more information about upcoming events that your child may be interested in participating in!

Yours in 4-H,

Kim

p.s. We'd love to visit with you at the upcoming Fork Union Day on September 16. Hope to see you there.

Gardening with Youth

In honor of Luck Companies 100th Anniversary, each employee was given the opportunity to support a local organization in the amount of $1,000. Local Luck Stone employees Robbie Hall and Jeremy Hasher each designated Fluvanna 4-H as the recipient of the  grant, and as a result, every 3rd grade student at Carysbrook Elementary School was sent home with a growing bag, a bag of potting soil, and either a cucumber or tomato plant. This allowed youth to practice their new gardening skills at home. Our Fluvanna Master Gardeners assisted with the spring garden program and helped assemble the take-home kits for students. Thank you Luck Companies and Robbie Hall and Jeremy Hasher for allowing us to extend our school program into our community.

Students also had the opportunity to garden this summer at both Carysbrook Elementary and at the Community Garden at Pleasant Grove. Youth harvested peas, collards, and radishes, and then planted green beans, corn, and sunflowers.

Teen Leaders Update:

In June, Fluvanna 4-H teens joined teen leaders from Greene and Albemarle/Charlottesville for a final training before 4-H Camp. Teens hiked the Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton, and then visited Mint Springs Valley park for team building exercises and campfire planning.

Virginia 4-H Congress 2023

On the campus of Virginia Tech, 4-H Teens from across the state worked to improve citizenship, leadership, and life skills at the annual Virginia 4-H Congress. Teens Lidija Westfall and Brayden Jones attended, and both were elected as ambassadors representing the Northwest District on the Virginia 4-H Cabinet. Lidija also competed in the Food Science category of the presentations contest, earning a blue danish and 1st place overall.  On Thursday afternoon, Von Hill, Jr. a Fluvanna Volunteer Leader who served as a chaperone during the week, and Brayden Jones, a Horse 'N Around club member were welcomed into the Virginia Chapter of 4-H All Stars. This is the highest honor a Virginia 4-H member can received.  Congratulations to Von, Brayden, and Lidija.

4-H Camp 2023  

On July 10, almost 100 Fluvanna 4-H campers, CITs, Teen Leaders, and Adult Volunteers ventured to Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center in Appomattox, VA for a week of fun at 4-H Camp. You can view a full gallery of 4-H camp photos here. While we had a great week at camp, we are already making plans for 2024. Teen leader applications will be available November 1, and will be due in early January.  We will find out our 2024 camp date in late September. Stay tuned.

Fluvanna County Fair-2023

Did we see you at the Fair? We hope you were able to stop by and visit with 4-H Volunteers, learn more about our livestock projects, and watch our Fluvanna 4-H Livestock members show. Members exhibited everything from rabbits and chickens to cattle, goats, sheep, and swine, and a market animal sale was held on Saturday after the costume and skillathon contests. Elias Velasquez was the winner of this year's VCE-Fluvanna Chopped Challenge.

Tell us Why You Love 4-H-

VA 4-H is looking for short video clips of 4-H’ers, 4-H families, and friends of 4-H telling why you love 4-H. In your video clip, please finish the statement: “I love 4-H because  _________.” That’s it; it’s that simple! Please shoot your video vertically or in portrait format.  Send the clip to kmayo@vt.edu first, and we'll send directions on how to upload. Clips must be uploaded by September 5.

Equine Art and Photography Contest

New this year- Digital Art entries will be accepted! The contest is sponsored by the Virginia Horse Council, and open to any enrolled 4-H member. See contest details below. Entries are due at the state 4-H Horse Show by 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 7. If you need someone to transport your photograph or art entry to the show, please contact Kim Mayo by September 5.

• Art Rules
• Photography Rules

Upcoming Events:

State 4-H Horse Show- September 7-10, 2023. Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA. Visit the show to cheer on Fluvanna members competing in a variety of disciplines from hunters and jumpers to ranch horse. The show also hosts several raffles and a large silent auction that closes on Saturday, September 9 at 3:00 pm.  Don't forget to check out the equine art and photography contest information above. Contact Kim Mayo for more information.

4-H Colts and Fillies Club Meeting-  October 17, 2023. Calling all horse-crazy youth ages 9-19 who are interested in learning more about horses!  No horse ownership or experience required. Contact leaders Colleen Marshall (vahomesandfarms@gmail.com) or Chris Russ (inretrospect7@yahoo.com) for more information about the club. In order to participate, members must enroll in 4-H. Please contact Kim Mayo for more information on enrollment.

4-H Magical Muggles Camp- November 3-5, 2023 Skelton 4-H Educational Center, Smith Mountain Lake.

Camp Winter in the Woods- December 2-3, 2023 Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, Appomattox.