Jackson County NC 4-H

08/10/2026

Come one come all to a college and career readiness workshop hosted by 4-H! Learn about 4-H scholarships (active 4-H members only), general and state level opportunities (for all!), online applications, where to look for job postings, why presentation matters, and so much more like:
✔️ Polishing your resume
✔️ Words application scanners and HR look for
✔️ Professional Dress
✔️ College Applications
✔️ How to navigate an online job board
✔️ Followup and email etiquette
✔️ Certification and practical experience courses
✔️ Finding College Scholarships
✔️ How to navigate a course catalogue
✔️ Professional Dress

Free to attend, come on in! Best suited for ages 15-18. Located 876 Skyland Dr, Sylva. All events will be 5:30-7:00, food provided.

Two dates for college readiness, 9/1/2026 & 10/5/2026, come to one or both!
🎓9/1: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1993931704403?aff=oddtdtcreator
🎓10/5: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1994149920092?aff=oddtdtcreator

Two dates for career readiness, 9/14/2026 & 10/20/2026, come to one or both!
💼9/14: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1994149987293?aff=oddtdtcreator
💼10/20: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1994150047473?aff=oddtdtcreator

Get the scoop on nailing college apps, interviews, and resumes in this chill 4-H workshop just for teens.

08/10/2026

This has been an odd year for our Gritty Triggers Shooting Sports Club here in Jackson County. Wonderful things are in the works, but meetings have been slow coming. Despite that, we had seven club members still decide they wanted to participate in regionals this past weekend, and they were AMAZING.

Our Seniors (Breyden M., Sawyer P., and Hunter W.), dominated in a very close shotgun tournament with less than half a point between 1st and 3rd place teams. They will be continuing on to State in October to compete in Shotgun as a team. As individuals, Sawyer qualified for Hunter/Sporter Compound Archery and Rifle, and Breyden in Small-Bore Pistol.

Our Juniors (Ellis B., Landon B., Trenton C., and Carson Q.) also competed in shotgun and rifle. With Landon advancing to State for Shotgun, and Ellis for Shotgun and Rifle. Another close round of scoring from the other West District counties that came out to compete.

Outside of the scores, all the families had a safe, fun, HOT time out in Columbus this weekend on the Polk County Gun Club range, hosted by the leaders of the West District shooting sports committee, went off without a hitch. I want to give a special thanks to all of the families of Gritty Triggers this year for their patience, the club’s perseverance and dedication, and to assure you that more is right around the corner.



Photo credits: Shannon Messer, Rebekah Davis

08/05/2026

Cooking Nights are back! Didn't get a chance to register for the spring session? Have no fear, the fall is here!

Come and see us:
24 August
28 September
26 October
23 November
All classes will be 5:30-7:00PM at 876 Skyland Dr, Sylva in the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office.

Open for ages 8-14. No prior skills are required, only interest in food, community, and learning new things! Parents are welcome to attend and enjoy dinner, too.

This series will cover 4 food groups (whole grains, dairy, fruit/veggies, and protein) across four 1.5hr sessions hosted and led by extension staff. Youth will learn kitchen skills, gain confidence, and learn about nutrition.

Every month, leave with new skills, new understanding of meal prep, budget planning, and healthy eating with seasonal, preserved, and handmade food.

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979526240272?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you registered for the spring session, DO NOT register for the fall session, they will be identical

Join us for a fun and tasty adventure exploring the world of cooking with the Jackson County 4-H Fall Cooking Series!

08/03/2026

August is here! With it comes back to school and a new host of activities from Jackson County 4-H!

8/1 - Did you see me at Back to School Bash this weekend?
8/6 - JCYLG Clinic
8/8 - Gritty Triggers will take a small group of youth to the West District Shooting Sports Competition in Polk County
8/12 - JCPS Begins!
8/18 - Baking Nights begin! Sign up for our 2 night event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995453943461?aff=oddtdtcreator
8/21 - Fair season opens in the west this month! Hop on over to the Swain County Fair on the 21st and 22nd.
8/24 - Cooking Nights Return! Didn't get a spot this spring, sign up for our fall sessions now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979526240272?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/14/2026

Jackson County - we want YOU to choose our newest "I Voted" sticker! We received nearly 40 entries from local K-8 students & the field has been narrowed to 10 - now you decide what sticker will be used at voting sites!

🎨Pick your favorite design @ the link below by 7/31 (1 vote/person)
🎨 Winners will be announced in early Aug. & the top 3 receive prizes!

https://forms.gle/K8GZ3fHen8cr3nNSA

07/06/2026

Come into Jackson County 4-H for a STEM night!
Practice your easy coding (no coding language experience necessary!)
See some robots (and maybe drive a couple too!)
Hear about the amazing world of STEM, opportunities, and have 2 nights of fun and brain power!

Tuesday and Thursday July 21st & 23rd from 5:30-7:00 PM at 876 Skyland Dr, Sylva.

Coding practice, intro to robotics, and fun!

06/30/2026

Whether you've painted it, baked it, quilted it, canned it, photographed it, or grown it, we want to see your best work! Youth and adult exhibitors are invited to enter their handmade and homegrown creations for a chance to earn ribbons, recognition, and community bragging rights.

Entry categories include:
🍰 Baked Goods & Preserved Foods
🎨 Arts & Crafts
🧵 Quilts
🥕 Garden Vegetables, Fruits, Eggs & Flowers
🍯 Honey

There are divisions for youth and adults, with non-competitive opportunities for younger children and special needs exhibitors, making it fun for everyone to participate.

📋 Learn more about categories, entry rules, and how to enter here: https://www.swainfair.org/youth--adult-entries.html

Create It. Bake It. Quilt It. Grow It. SHOW IT! We can't wait to celebrate the talents of our community at the 2026 Swain County Agricultural Fair! 🌟

06/30/2026

🎨🍀 HEY LOCAL YOUTH—SHOW OFF YOUR TALENT AT THE FAIR! 🍀🎨

Have you been painting, sewing, woodworking, crafting, taking photos, or creating something amazing this year? Now's your chance to put it on display at the 2026 Swain County Agricultural Fair!

🏅 Youth exhibitors can enter:
🎨 Art
🧵 Clothing & Sewing
🪵 Crafts & Woodworking
📸 Photography
🪨 Collections & More!

Your project will be proudly displayed during the fair, and you'll have the opportunity to earn ribbons and recognition for your hard work.

📅 Youth Arts & Crafts Check-In: Monday, August 10, 2026
🕘 Drop-Off: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Swain County Cooperative Extension Center

Whether you're a first-time exhibitor or a seasoned 4-H'er, we'd love to see what you've created. Start planning your entries today!

06/29/2026

The 2026 EGG-cellent egg contest is open!

Do you think your chickens lay the best eggs? Do you want to win a prize to prove it? Check out this state wide competition!

What even is it??
The EGG-cellent Egg Contest is a state wide competition open to 4-H youth who have their own laying hens. Over the course of the summer, they will attend 2 ZOOMs, learn what the judges are looking for, fill out some papers and project info and then select their winning eggs! The eggs will be judged in Raleigh in September and then winners will be announced!

🥚Important Dates: 🥚
July 31- Registration Closes
August 4 - Contest orientation via Zoom at 6:00 pm
August 18 - Egg-citing, In-Depth Egg Training via Zoom at 6:00 pm
August 19 - Registration fee is due to the Jackson County Office
September 14 - Egg Submission deadline to your county extension office. Supplemental sections must be submitted on this day too.
September 29 - Winners announced via Zoom at 6:00 pm
*All Dates are Subject to Change.

Interested? Reach out to me or register using this link! https://go.ncsu.edu/2026eggcontestregistration

06/18/2026

BJP Continues to impress (like every year) with wildlife!

Have a nature lover? Consider Betsy Jeff Penn for a camp experience next year! Where your kids (like these guys!) can get to see all sorts of wildlife! Birds, deer, lizards, bugs, and even beavers and otters! And you know, catch a s'more or two 😉