Stanly County 4-H

06/01/2026

Announcement! Registration now open for Stop and Sew program!
🍀Date: Friday, June 26
🍀Time: 1pm to 3pm
🍀Location: Stanly County Agri-Civic Center
🍀Age: Rising 3rd grade & up
🍀Maximum class size: 10
🍀Instructor: Vickie Morton

Participants will learn fundamentals of sewing such as threading a machine and make their very own keychain to take home. Snack will be provided.

🍀Please register at 4HOnline.com by June 23rd

Please Contact: Mandy Smith-Thompson, [email protected], or 704-983-3987 if you have any questions

We look forward to seeing you there!

05/29/2026

📸Youth & adult photographers, get ready! It's time for the Dr. Kim Ingold Photography contest!
💚This contest is special to Stanly County because it was named in memory of Dr. Kim Ingold, a Stanly County 4-H'er, NC 4-H Honor Club member and photographer who remained involved with county, district and state 4-H events into adulthood.
🥰We can't wait to see the all the entries from Stanly County 4-H'ers and grownups!

📸 Get your cameras ready! Entries for the 2026 Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photography Contest are now open!

This annual competition encourages NC 4-H youth and adult photographers to showcase their creativity, practice photography skills and capture meaningful moments through the camera lens.

Participants can enter photos in the following categories:
🍀 4-H in Action
🌄 Nature’s Beauty
🐾 Animals
⚫ Black and White

All entries must be submitted by August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Participants should review the contest rules, category requirements, judging information and submission guidelines before entering.

Learn more: nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth/4-h-photo-contest

05/28/2026

Stitched with smiles! 🧵✨
Over the course of two fun-filled days, youth in Stanly County 4-H learned all about sewing machines and created their very own pillowcases during our Ready, Set, Sew! program! A special thank you to our amazing volunteer, Ms. Vickie, for sharing her time, talents, and love of sewing with our participants. 💚
Want to join the fun? Be sure to sign up for upcoming 4-H programs at www.4honline.com — from sewing to seeds and so much more, there’s something for everyone. Look for “STANLY COUNTY” in the program title to ensure you are registering for programs in our county.

05/22/2026

We’re rooting for a great growing season! 🍠🌱
🍀4-H Extension Agent Mandy Smith-Thompson and Intern Lily Pope recently visited the NC State Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) to pick up sweetpotato slips for local youth gardening projects. While there, we toured the facility and got to see a 3D printed aeroponics system growing strawberries and herbs. See the link below for more on that.

🍀The following day, our team packaged and delivered the slips to schools and 4-H clubs across the county so Stanly youth can grow their own sweet potatoes this season.

🍀We’re excited to see these gardens take root and to watch young people learn hands-on about agriculture, science, teamwork, and where their food comes from. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible and for helping us continue to grow opportunities for youth in our community! 🌿

👉 https://stem.plantsforhumanhealth.ncsu.edu/tower-garden/

05/21/2026

📰 The May issue of the Stanly 4-H Newsletter is here!
🍀Visit the link below to read this and past issues and even subscribe to our mailing list to have the newsletter delivered right to your inbox!
👉https://stanly.ces.ncsu.edu/stanly-4-h-newsletters/

05/20/2026

😎Stanly Co. kids 5-18, mark your calendars for the Nature Navigators 4-H club meeting this THURSDAY, 6PM.
🍀Give their page a follow! 👉 4-H Nature Navigators

05/19/2026

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Stanly County has a big opportunity this summer, and WE NEED YOUR HELP to make it a success! For the first time in approximately 19 years, Stanly will host for the NC 4-H South Central District Activity Day (DAD). It's the culmination of county 4-H presentation competitions, where high-performing 4-H'ers from our district advance to compete at the next level.

We need 45 volunteers to join us (for all or part of the day) in supporting these talented young leaders. No prior 4-H experience is needed!

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Location: South Stanly Middle School (12492 Cottonville Rd, Norwood, NC)
Training: Volunteers will meet the day before (June 16 at 1PM) at the school for a walk-through and a short training session.

Why We Need You:
With hundreds of 4-H’ers and their families visiting Stanly County, volunteers keep the day running smoothly.

Responsibilities primarily include:
Parking Assistance: Helping guests find their way as they arrive.
Door Hosting: This is our most critical role. Volunteers will be stationed at classrooms to ensure presenters are not interrupted. You’ll make sure the door stays closed during presentations and help presenters sign in as they arrive.
By volunteering, you aren't just helping with logistics—you are making a statement that Stanly County supports and invests in the hard work of our youth.

How to Sign Up:
If you are ready to help us "make the best better," please reply to this email or contact the Stanly County Extension office at 704-983-3987.
Thank you for your continued support of Stanly County 4-H. We can’t wait to show the rest of the district what our community can do!

05/18/2026

05/11/2026

We are excited to welcome our 2026 Summer Intern, Lily Pope, to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Stanly County team for the next 10 weeks! 🍀
🐺Lily is an Albemarle native and a graduate of Stanly Early College. She is currently a student at NC State University majoring in Animal Science, where she recently earned a spot on the Dean’s List.
🐄This summer, Lily will be developing and assisting with youth education programs, providing administrative support, creating content, visiting local farms and more. With her background in animal care and her experience as a student leader, she is ready to help grow the next generation of Stanly leaders.
🥳Welcome, Lily!!

05/11/2026

111 years ago, President Woodrow Wilson changed the face of rural America signing the Smith-Lever Act. Today, his impact is felt in every community in every state and territory. Happy Birthday, Extension!