Lee County Youth Council
November 2 & November 16 at NC Cooperative Extension Lee County Center. Both are 4:00-5:30
The Lee County Youth Council is hosting a listening forum for local stakeholders interested in one of their three potential project areas: health and wellbeing, arts and culture, or education. Our Lee County Youth Council is tasked with planning and implementing a project that positively impacts youth in our community. The council is recognized by the Lee County government and uses the 2022 Lee County Strategic Plan as a guide.
The next step is to plan one of these projects as a doable, needed activity for young people in Lee County. To move forward, Council members need to determine how each option will best meet community needs and have the greatest impact for community partner collaborators. The council has identified your organization as a potential supporter or recipient of one of these projects. Would you or a representative of your program attend our November 2nd meeting as a panelist to answer the council members' questions? We will begin promptly at 4:00 and spend up to 30 minutes discussing these projects so members can gather enough information to make an informed decision. Again, the goal of this meeting is to help Council members decide which project they want to pursue. This group of young people is passionate about community outreach and wants to make a positive impact.
The Lee County 4-H “Flavor Fighters” Team had a wonderful trip to Dallas, TX for the National 4-H Cooking Competition
On Tuesday, September 29th, the Lee County 4-H “Flavor Fighters” competed at the 4-H National Food Challenge in Dallas, Texas. Previously having taken home first place at the NC State Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge, hosted at the “Got to Be” NC Festival in Raleigh. Competing in the 14-18-year-old age group, the Flavor Fighters are tested on safe food preparation, food-group nutrition knowledge, food science, creativity, presentation, and public-speaking aptitude. This competition team has been competing and training since 2023.
The team consists of Paisley Kitchens, Emily Hanna, and Brayden Shuey. Ashley Szilvay, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, and Pam Kerley, 4-H Program Associate, serve as the team coaches.
The National Competition included preliminary and final rounds, in which each team received a surprise food item and dish category. Teams had just 40 minutes to create a recipe from scratch, prepare their dish, and present it to the judges. They came in 4th place. Congratulations team.
Lee County 4-H Flavor Fighters at the Texas State Fair, September 2026
Project Record Books in 2026 Will be Digital
Beginning with the 2026 program year, 4-H members may choose to complete their project record online through Kaleidoscope. This marks the first step in our transition to a fully digital project record system.
This initiative has been in the making for several years. During that time, the State 4-H team has redesigned the project record process for a digital environment. Kaleidoscope has been pilot-tested and refined based on feedback from 4-H members, volunteers, and Extension professionals to help ensure a smooth statewide implementation.
For the 2026 program year, members have two options for completing their project record:
- Complete the project record electronically through Kaleidoscope and print the final copy for submission.
- Complete the traditional paper project record using the forms available on the NC 4-H website.
Both options are acceptable for the 2026 program year. Members should select the format that best meets their needs and follows any guidance provided by their county 4-H program.
Regardless of which format is used, all completed project records must still be printed and submitted as a hard copy through the county 4-H program. Kaleidoscope allows members to create, save, and update their project record electronically throughout the year, while the final submission process remains the same unless your county provides different instructions.
To get started, you can go to the Kaleidoscope section of our website and click "Complete your Project Record via Kaleidoscope."
4-H FutureReady Workshop Series
Branding/Empowerment/Confidence | January 7, 2027 @ 5:00-6:30 pm | Register
This workshop series is a leadership development program for Lee County 4-H youth who want to build the skills they need to succeed in school, careers, and their communities. Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, participants will strengthen their abilities in citizenship, public speaking, confidence and self-empowerment, career development, financial responsibility, and leadership. FutureReady helps young people grow into capable, responsible, and confident leaders prepared to make a positive impact now and in the future. This series is presented by long-time 4-H volunteer and former Young Commissioner 4-H Club leader, Cindy Howenstein. Cindy is involved with the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce. She feels it is important to prepare our youth to be our future leaders. Are you an 8th- to 12th-grade student, A 4-H Club Officer, a 4-H Clover Council Member, a Lee County Youth Council Member, a 4-H member who wants to build leadership skills, or a Community Club Officer? Then this program is for you. Membership in 4-H is not required. These sessions are in person at 2420 Tramway Road, Sanford
NC Youth Institute mini-workshop in Lee County
Save the date January 14 @ 4:00
NCYI gives high school students the opportunity to explore global food and agriculture challenges, strengthen their research and communication skills, connect with NC State mentors, and learn more about college and career pathways in agriculture and STEM.
Clover Council Corner
Save the Dates
- 2026 Awards Ceremony, Feb 22, 2027
- 2027 Winter Enrichment, Jan 16, 2027
- 2027 Teen Retreat, April 4, 2027
- County Lock in either Mar or May (more info to come)
- County Activity Day (public speaking program), May 4, 2027
- Community Service Opportunities, Aug 20-23 & Nov 13 (more info to come)
- NC 4-H Congress, July 19-23, 2027
The Clover Council is the group of 4-H members who inform what Lee County 4-H looks like. Many of our Lee County activities are driven by tradition and the availability of knowledgeable project leaders. But there are other opportunities for 4-Hers to work together as a county outside of club participation and duties. Participation in this council is at your discretion and that of your club leaders. Two members from each club are to attend meetings, but clubs may send more than two. Club leaders are not required to participate, but they are invited. If you are enrolled in 4-H but not associated with a club, you are invited to participate. We hold these meetings on the 3rd Thursday at 6:00 in Oct., Dec., Jan., March, April, and May each year. The council plans and hosts our awards program, county activity night, a county social activity, a county civic engagement activity, and every other year, the county blueberry bush club fundraiser. 2026 Clover Council OFFICERS: President: Sofia Macias, Vice President: Bantley Deal, Secretary: Katherine Ruiz-Chavez, Reporter: Allyson Macias, Member Engagement: Uriah Hulstedt
Lee County 4-H Club Updates
Making the best better, one opportunity at a time!
Lee County Barn Busters 4-H Club meets on Wednesday, October 14, from 6:00–7:00 PM at Mare Meadows Farms! We’re excited to get out of the classroom and onto the farm! Students ages 5-18 are welcome to join. Come learn, connect, and see what opportunities may be ahead. We hope to see you there! ~ Leanna & Lyndy
Crazy Quilters 4-H Club will finish our club quilt and start our pencil-pouch service project. The pencil pouches will be part of a bigger service project from a local church. Crazy Quilters meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 9:00 in the sewing lab at NC Cooperative Extension. ~ Sally, Jenny, & Sandy
West Lee 4-H Livestock Club was proud to participate in the 2026 Lee Regional Fair through its educational booth exhibit and by hosting Lee County’s Inaugural All Breeds Dairy Goat Show! Through the educational booth, they shared the value of 4-H, promoted agricultural education, and highlighted the importance of livestock production and youth development. Hosting Lee County’s first All Breeds Dairy Goat Show was an exciting milestone that brought together exhibitors and dairy goat enthusiasts to celebrate the diversity, quality, and dedication of the dairy goat community. Students worked hard learning the parts of a dairy goat, the different breeds, and how to show goats in showmanship, the open show for Jr. Does, and the Open show for Wethers. We are incredibly proud of our 4-H members, volunteers, families, and supporters who helped make these experiences possible. Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Lee Regional Fair a memorable celebration of agriculture, education, and community.
Magetsi 4-H Latin Dance Club will celebrate the Day of the Dead at the Sanford Farmers' Market, the REVISTA LATINA DAY OF THE DEAD festival. They are also planning a Friendsgiving event for club members. ~ Myrna
4-H and Library STEAM Club meets each 4th Tuesday. Participants get to explore different science, technology, engineering, arts, and math projects. In November, we will host a physics and engineering makerspace to explore the science behind Archimedes Screw.
The Flavor Lab 4-H Cooking Club has met twice a month for 6 sessions with a full roster. Are you interested in participating in this cooking club for ages 10-14? They will begin recruiting soon for the next sessions. This club follows a set program and meets twice a month. Our state champion cooking team, the 4-H Flavor Fighters, is now volunteering with this club. ~Jennifer, Veronica, Markia +4-H Flavor Fighter Team
The Wicker Whiskers 4-H Cooking Club kicks off club meetings at WB Wicker Elementary School. ~Janice, Sherry
South Central 4-H Volunteers Training
November 7, 2026 | 9am-3pm | Rowan County
We’re excited to invite you to the South Central District 4-H Volunteer Training on Saturday, November 7, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension Office.
Location:
Rowan County Cooperative Extension Office
1959 Jake Alexander Blvd W, Suite 1400
Salisbury, NC 28147
The training will include a mix of informational and hands-on sessions, including:
- Stress Management
- Accommodating Special Needs in 4-H Clubs
- Using AI to Your Advantage
- Creative Horticulture for Clubs
- Games, networking, and door prizes
This training is focused solely on volunteer learning, networking, and professional development. No VLA business will be discussed at this training.
Registration deadline: Friday, October 23
Payment deadline: Friday, October 30
Please use the registration link below to register:
https://forms.gle/qh5eyeyEoR7iRMFW7
We hope you’ll join us for a fun and useful day of learning and connecting with other 4-H volunteers across the district!
SCD 4-H Council Officers
Kavya Saxena Cabarrus President
Sarayu Kondeti Mecklenburg Vice President
Ty Kovar Cabarrus Secretary-Treasurer
Savanna Abrams Hoke Member Engagement
Abigail Wood Rowan Reporter
2027 Volunteer Leaders Conference in Greensboro
February 5-7 at the Greensboro/High Point Marriott - Airport!
We'll share the schedule and other event information once registration opens in a few weeks!
We would love to have those interested in sharing their time and talent apply to serve as an NC 4-H VLC workshop presenter. Our workshop proposal system gives you the flexibility to choose when and how to offer a workshop. Regardless of format, we want sessions that provide training and education volunteers and professionals can quickly implement in their clubs and county programs to support other volunteers.
Committees will review proposals based on applicability, volunteer development, and overall conference needs. Submissions may be selected on a rolling basis, meaning some sessions may be confirmed before others.
Information on Submitting a Proposal
- Submit proposals ONLINE via Google Forms. The proposal submission priority review deadline is October 30, 2026, at Noon.
- Anyone interested in submitting a proposal may do so using the link below.
- The proposal submission link: 2027 VLC Workshop Proposal Submission Form
- The proposal guide link: 2027 VLC Workshop Proposal Guide
- Proposals do not need to be submitted through a county 4-H office.
- We will begin reviewing proposals as we receive them and will notify presenters as sessions are accepted.
- We will notify presenters by November 13, 2026.
You can always find more information for VLA and VLC on the NC 4-H Website. Please let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving outstanding proposals for our 2027 VLC in Greensboro!
Making the Best Better, Daniel & Harriett
4-H AI Boot Camp
We are partnering with the Mark Cuban Foundation to host a first-ever 4-H AI Bootcamp for high school students. We will hold it at the Harnett County office in Lillington, NC.
It will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 31, November 7, and November 14, free of charge, and will include lunch.
Youth will learn about AI tools and create a final project at the end. Afterward, they will be invited to join the MCF AI Alumni network, which could lead to other connections and opportunities.
Registration is open from now until Sept. 30. Visit markcubanai.org/apply
NC Youth Institute
North Carolina Youth Institute (NCYI) and the opening of our Fall Research Cohort!
NCYI gives high school students the opportunity to explore global food and agriculture challenges, strengthen their research and communication skills, connect with NC State mentors, and learn more about college and career pathways in agriculture and STEM.
The Fall Research Cohort provides additional support for students as they develop their Global Challenge research paper and prepare to participate in NCYI.
We would greatly appreciate you sharing the announcement below with 4-H members, families, schools, clubs, and other youth-serving partners in your community who may know students interested in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, or STEM.
This is a program that crosses all areas; livestock, poultry science, horticulture, agronomy, soils, entomology, forestry, wildlife, nutrition, policy, and more. This is a program of NC 4-H and the Plant Sciences Initiative and love to tell you more! ALSO, bring your 4-H Clubs to PSI for a field trip too, talk to Sarah for more info.
Clovernews photo of the Lee County Youth Council at the City of Sanford Board Meeting.