Week of April 13, 2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for 4-H Achievement Night! It was incredible to see so many families and volunteers come together to celebrate the hard work and growth of our amazing youth, your energy made the evening truly special.

Missed an award? If your 4-H’er was slated for recognition but didn't receive their award during the event, please reach out and let us know right away! We want to ensure every achievement is properly honored and get those well-deserved accolades into your hands as soon as possible.

View a few highlights from the evening in the video above!

4-H Paper Clover Campaign: Support Pitt County Youth

Every year, Tractor Supply Co. partners with 4-H for the Paper Clover fundraiser. By purchasing a $1 paper clover at the register, customers provide critical funding for Pitt County 4-H members to attend summer camps, leadership conferences, and hands-on workshops.

Learn more

Coastal Plains Poultry Showmanship Practice

Attention Chicken Project Participants! The Mane Challengers 4-H Club will be offering two poultry showmanship practices this month! April 18th at 11am and April 26th at 2pm at the Pitt County Ag Center. All youth participating in the coastal plains show or who want to learn more about poultry showmanship are welcome to attend. Hens will be available to practice or youth many bring their own.

Your Child Has Something to Say. We Give Them the Power (and the Prizes) to Say It.

Is your child passionate about a hobby, a science project, or a cause? Don't let that spark stay at home. 4-H Presentations take that passion and turn it into a powerhouse skill set, and this year, the stakes are higher than ever.

Whether they are a seasoned pro or taking the stage for the first time, your child will master the art of "learning by doing." They won't just talk; they will teach, demonstrate, and lead.

What’s on the Line?

We believe big effort deserves big rewards. Participants aren't just competing for experience; they’re competing for:

Awards & Scholarships: Turn a great presentation into an investment in their future.

Trips: Top performers could earn the chance to travel, represent their county, and let their voice be heard.

Medals: Earn prestigious 4-H honors that stand out on college applications and resumes.

How It Works

A 4-H presentation is more than a speech, it’s a dynamic demonstration. Using a mix of speaking skills and visual aids, your child will:

1. Choose a Topic: Anything they love!
2. Show & Tell: Use props, posters, or digital slides to teach the audience.
3. County Practice: Must be done before May 12 with 4-H Staff
4. Attend District Activity Day: Will be held in Edgecombe County, June 26th, 2026
5. Win Big: 1st and 2nd place winners will advance to State Competition!

Learn more and sign up here

State 4-H Congress

July 20–24 | NC State University

Lights, Camera, Action. Registration is officially OPEN for the 2026 State 4-H Congress! This is the highlight of the year for North Carolina teens, featuring a week of dorm life at NC State, high-level leadership workshops, and the formal state gala.

How to Qualify: To represent Pitt County at Congress, teens must be active participants in our Teen Leadership Program and meet at least one of the following competitive criteria:

District Presentations: Compete at the district level to earn your spot in the state finals held during Congress.

AIRE Competition: Submit your Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay (AIRE) packet to be eligible for state and national awards.

Why Go? Beyond the competition, Congress is where you build a statewide network, run for State Office, and experience what it’s like to be on a college campus for a week.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities: Service Hours & Leadership

Culinary Explorers Club: Serve as a teen mentor for our junior chefs! Help lead global culinary workshops and manage kitchen safety.

NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ Plant Sale: Support our local horticulture program by assisting with plant transport and customer service. Great for those "strong-back" service hours!

Sign up online

For youth ages 5-12, don’t miss out on the 2026 Pitt County 4-H Summer Fun camps! Ensure your child is enrolled in 4-H Online so you can secure their spot via Eventbrite before sessions fill up. Registration is open now for a summer full of hands-on learning and adventure

Week of April 13, 2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for 4-H Achievement Night! It was incredible to see so many families and volunteers come together to celebrate the hard work and growth of our amazing youth, your energy made the evening truly special.

Missed an award? If your 4-H’er was slated for recognition but didn't receive their award during the event, please reach out and let us know right away! We want to ensure every achievement is properly honored and get those well-deserved accolades into your hands as soon as possible.

View a few highlights from the evening in the video above!

4-H Paper Clover Campaign: Support Pitt County Youth

Every year, Tractor Supply Co. partners with 4-H for the Paper Clover fundraiser. By purchasing a $1 paper clover at the register, customers provide critical funding for Pitt County 4-H members to attend summer camps, leadership conferences, and hands-on workshops.

Learn more

Coastal Plains Poultry Showmanship Practice

Attention Chicken Project Participants! The Mane Challengers 4-H Club will be offering two poultry showmanship practices this month! April 18th at 11am and April 26th at 2pm at the Pitt County Ag Center. All youth participating in the coastal plains show or who want to learn more about poultry showmanship are welcome to attend. Hens will be available to practice or youth many bring their own.

Your Child Has Something to Say. We Give Them the Power (and the Prizes) to Say It.

Is your child passionate about a hobby, a science project, or a cause? Don't let that spark stay at home. 4-H Presentations take that passion and turn it into a powerhouse skill set, and this year, the stakes are higher than ever.

Whether they are a seasoned pro or taking the stage for the first time, your child will master the art of "learning by doing." They won't just talk; they will teach, demonstrate, and lead.

What’s on the Line?

We believe big effort deserves big rewards. Participants aren't just competing for experience; they’re competing for:

Awards & Scholarships: Turn a great presentation into an investment in their future.

Trips: Top performers could earn the chance to travel, represent their county, and let their voice be heard.

Medals: Earn prestigious 4-H honors that stand out on college applications and resumes.

How It Works

A 4-H presentation is more than a speech, it’s a dynamic demonstration. Using a mix of speaking skills and visual aids, your child will:

1. Choose a Topic: Anything they love!
2. Show & Tell: Use props, posters, or digital slides to teach the audience.
3. County Practice: Must be done before May 12 with 4-H Staff
4. Attend District Activity Day: Will be held in Edgecombe County, June 26th, 2026
5. Win Big: 1st and 2nd place winners will advance to State Competition!

Learn more and sign up here

State 4-H Congress

July 20–24 | NC State University

Lights, Camera, Action. Registration is officially OPEN for the 2026 State 4-H Congress! This is the highlight of the year for North Carolina teens, featuring a week of dorm life at NC State, high-level leadership workshops, and the formal state gala.

How to Qualify: To represent Pitt County at Congress, teens must be active participants in our Teen Leadership Program and meet at least one of the following competitive criteria:

District Presentations: Compete at the district level to earn your spot in the state finals held during Congress.

AIRE Competition: Submit your Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay (AIRE) packet to be eligible for state and national awards.

Why Go? Beyond the competition, Congress is where you build a statewide network, run for State Office, and experience what it’s like to be on a college campus for a week.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities: Service Hours & Leadership

Culinary Explorers Club: Serve as a teen mentor for our junior chefs! Help lead global culinary workshops and manage kitchen safety.

NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ Plant Sale: Support our local horticulture program by assisting with plant transport and customer service. Great for those "strong-back" service hours!

Sign up online

For youth ages 5-12, don’t miss out on the 2026 Pitt County 4-H Summer Fun camps! Ensure your child is enrolled in 4-H Online so you can secure their spot via Eventbrite before sessions fill up. Registration is open now for a summer full of hands-on learning and adventure

Save the Date: Achievement Night & Talent Show 2026

Our biggest celebration of the year is approaching! Join us as we recognize the incredible accomplishments of our youth and volunteers.

When: April 9th, 2026 @ 6:00 PM

Where: Pitt County Ag Center

Highlights: Project record awards, volunteer recognition, and our annual 4-H Talent Show! Come cheer on your fellow 4-H’ers as they showcase their skills.

RSVP by March 31st at 5:00pm

4-H Paper Clover Campaign: Support Pitt County Youth

Every year, Tractor Supply Co. partners with 4-H for the Paper Clover fundraiser. By purchasing a $1 paper clover at the register, customers provide critical funding for Pitt County 4-H members to attend summer camps, leadership conferences, and hands-on workshops.

90% of all funds raised stay right here in North Carolina to support our local students, while 10% supports national 4-H programming. It’s more than just a donation—it’s an investment in the next generation of leaders, scientists, and farmers in our community.Dates for the 2026 Paper Clover campaigns are:
Spring: April 17 - May 3, 2026
Winter: November 27 - December 13, 2026

Learn more here

Explore Our New Website

We’ve revamped the Pitt County Cooperative Extension Website to be your ultimate resource. From club meeting details to award applications, everything is now just a click away.

• Easy Enrollment: Step-by-step guides on how to join through 4-H Online.
• Club Directory: Find the perfect fit, whether it’s livestock, shooting sports, leadership club.
• Awards & Incentives: Learn how to get recognized for your hard work throughout the year.

🔗 Visit us at: pitt.ces.ncsu.edu/pitt-county-4-h-clubs/ to check out our new website!

Registration Links:4-H Achievement Night 20264-H AIRE Project Registration4-H Presentation RegistrationTeen Leadership Program and 4-H CongressTeen Volunteer Opportunities Sign UpAgent Tip:

The first 30 seconds of your presentation are the most important. To grab the judges' attention immediately: The Hook: Start with a surprising statistic, a bold question, or a 5-second personal story. Avoid starting with "My name is..."—save the basics for after you’ve hooked them! The Look: Pick three "anchor" spots in the room (left, center, right) and rotate your eye contact. If you’re nervous, look at the judges' foreheads—they won’t know the difference, and you’ll look like a pro

Teen Retreat Recap:

We are so proud of our 5 incredible youth delegates who joined over 120 peers from across the Northeast District for an unforgettable weekend of growth and connection.

The Weekend at a Glance:

• Leading the Way: Our youth stepped into the arena of District Elections, witnessing firsthand how leadership shapes our 4-H community.
• Action-Packed Learning: From high-energy workshops and a competitive scavenger hunt to a legendary Saturday night dance, there wasn't a dull moment.
• Heart for Service: It wasn't all play, our teens rolled up their sleeves for hands-on community service projects, proving that leadership starts with giving back.
• New Connections: Five Pitt County teens walked in, but they walked out with 120+ new friends from across the district.We’ve posted the best highlights, dance moves, and candid moments on our social media. Head over to Facebook to see what you missed!

Want to Get your teen Involved?

• Join the County Teen Council: It’s the best way to have a voice in what we do.
• State & National Trips: Programs like 4-H Congress and AIRE (details below!) are your ticket to traveling across the state and country to meet other 4-H'ers.
• Mentorship: Use your skills to lead, whether it's teaching a 10-year-old how to sauté in Culinary Explorers or helping a Cloverbud with their first presentation.
• Click Here to learn more about our Teen Leadership Program.

Achievement Night 2026

Achievement Night: Save the date for April 9th at 6:00 PM.We will recognize our 4-H youth and volunteers for all of their hard work in the year 2025. 

• RSVP Here

Competitive Events: Show Your Skills

It’s time to polish those posters and sharpen your resumes!

4-H Presentations

Whether you’re a pro at public speaking or just starting out, Presentations are the best way to share what you love.

A 4-H presentation is a method of "learning by doing" where a person teaches others about a specific topic. It is a structured way to share information, demonstrate a skill, or express an opinion using a combination of speaking and visual aids.

Eligibility & Age

• Ages: Open to youth ages 8–18 (age as of January 1).
• Cloverbuds (5–7): Can participate for experience but are non-competitive.
• Registration: Must be fully enrolled and approved in 4-HOnline to compete.
• Limits: Members may compete in only one presentation program per year (excluding the "4-H Entertains" talent showcase).
• Participation: Can be done as an individual or a team of two.
• Mixed Ages: If team members are in different age divisions, they must compete in the older division.
• Style: Presentations can be a Demonstration (showing how), an Illustrated Talk (using visuals), or a Formal Speech (no props).

Ready to sign up? Please register here: 4-H Presentations

AIRE Competition (Application, Interview, Resume, Essay)

Ready to take 4-H to the next level? The AIRE program is how we select delegates for National 4-H Congress and National Conference.

• Who: Teens ages 14–18.
• Due Date: Resumes and packets must be submitted by May 1st.
• Upon registration 4-H'ers will be given access to the 4-H AIRE Club google site for reference information.
• Register Here!

Teen Leadership Program

We are looking for the next generation of mentors! If you want to help plan county events, lead service projects, or serve as a Camp Counselor, now is the time to apply.

• General Volunteer Track: Earn service hours by leading younger campers this summer.
• Congress Track: Earn service hours that will count towards a scholarship for this years State 4-H Congress.
• Learn more here!

State 4-H Congress

July 20–24 | NC State University

Registration is officially OPEN for the 2026 State 4-H Congress! This is the highlight of the year for North Carolina teens, featuring a week of dorm life at NC State, high-level leadership workshops, and the formal state gala.

How to Qualify: To represent Pitt County at Congress, teens must be active participants in our Teen Leadership Program and meet at least one of the following competitive criteria:

• District Presentations: Compete at the district level to earn your spot in the state finals held during Congress.
• AIRE Competition: Submit your Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay (AIRE) packet to be eligible℠ for state and national awards.

Why Go? Beyond the competition, Congress is where you build a statewide network, run for State Office, and experience what it’s like to be on a college campus for a week.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities: Service Hours & Leadership

• Culinary Explorers Club: Serve as a teen mentor for our junior chefs! Help lead global culinary workshops and manage kitchen safety.
• NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ Plant Sale: Support our local horticulture program by assisting with plant transport and customer service. Great for those "strong-back" service hours!
• Sign up online

Week of March 2 – March 8, 2026Happy Monday, 4-H families! March is here, and with it comes a flurry of planning and preparation. Please review these updates closely to ensure you are ready for the busy weeks ahead.

• 4-H Bucks: Invoices Sent

"View Only" invoices for your current 4-H Bucks balance have been sent to your email.

• Teen Retreat Payment Deadline

A friendly reminder to all registered participants: Payment for the NED Teen Retreat is due this Friday, March 6th. Please settle your balance to confirm your spot for the upcoming weekend in Columbia, NC.

• Sewing Club: Next meeting is this Thursday, March 5th.
• Culinary Explorers Club: Kicks off Tuesday, March 10th for all registered attendees.
• Teen Council Planning Meeting: Tuesday, March 10th, from 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM.
• We need your input for Achievement Night and the 4-H Talent Show!
• Action: Both youth and adults should attend.
• Register Here: Click here to register via Zoom

Registration for our 2026 Summer Fun Series is ongoing, but don't forget our specialized Teen Leadership Program!If you are a teen looking to gain experience as a camp counselor or assistant, you must register for the specific leadership track that matches your interests.

• Achievement Night: Save the date for April 9th at 6:00 PM.We will recognize our 4-H youth and volunteers for all of their hard work in the year 2025.
• RSVP Here
• March 28th Open House: Please note that the Open House previously scheduled for March 28th will NOT be held; it will be rescheduled for a future date.
• Youth Market Turkey Show: Prepare for this exciting poultry project! Review the program guidelines here: NC State Poultry 4-H Youth Page.
• Coastal Plains Chicken Project resources

Summer Fun 2026 Registration for the 2026 Summer Fun Series went live last week! Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and several are already nearing capacity. How to Register: You must be fully enrolled in 4-H Online to attend day camps! Featured Camps:

• 4-H L.E.A.D.S Teen Camp (Ages 12-18): June 15–19
• Goat & Lamb Camp 30th Anniversary (Ages 8-12): July 13–17
• Lego Robotics & Coding (Ages 6-12): August 3–7

Residential Camp at the 4-H Eastern Center: Female camp space is currently full. 2 male camp tickets are available!

• Sew Much Fun 4-H Club meeting for members ages 8+. Registered members only.
• Project Record Books are due to the 4-H office: Monday, February 23rd.
• Teen Retreat Registration: Due Feb 23rd.
• March 13-15
• Eastern 4-H Center
• $80.00
• Build leadership skills, give back through community service, and connect with 4-H’ers from across the district.

Save The Date

• 4-H Achievement Night and Talent Show: Let's celebrate our 2025 Achievements!
• Thursday, April 9th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Please RSVP
• 4-H Open House: TBA. Since the snow storm we have had some calendar changes and our previous date will have to be postponed. We are looking forward to having an open house later this spring or at the end of summer!

Livestock & Animal Science

• Poultry Science Summer Immersion Program- Applications Due April 3rd, 2026
• Join the NC 4-H Youth Livestock Program email list. Once you’re on the list, you’ll receive information about upcoming youth livestock programs. Follow these simple steps:

1. Send an email to nc4hlivestock+subscribe@lists.ncsu.edu with no text or subject
2. You will get a reply
3. Click the blue button in that email that says “Join Group”
4. You’re in!

• Teen Council Zoom: Our next virtual meeting is next Tuesday, March 10th, from 6:30–7:15 p.m. This is a requirement for those aiming for State 4-H Congress!
• Volunteer Hours: Check our volunteer signup page to grab slots for spring and summer events.
• Teen Retreat: March 13-15
• State 4-H Congress: July 20-24

Tip of the Week: When re-enrolling in 4-H Online for summer camp, make sure to select "Pitt Member at Large" as your club if you aren't currently in a community club, and "Camping" as your project.

Week of February 16, 2026

Summer Fun 2026 Registration for the 2026 Summer Fun Series went live last week! Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and several are already nearing capacity. How to Register: You must be fully enrolled in 4-H Online to attend day camps! Featured Camps:

• 4-H L.E.A.D.S Teen Camp (Ages 12-18): June 15–19
• Goat & Lamb Camp 30th Anniversary (Ages 8-12): July 13–17
• Lego Robotics & Coding (Ages 6-12): August 3–7
• Sew Much Fun 4-H Club meeting for members ages 8+. Registered members only.
• Project Record Books are due to the 4-H office: Monday, February 23rd.
• Teen Retreat Registration: Due Feb 23rd.
• March 13-15
• Eastern 4-H Center
• $80.00
• Build leadership skills, give back through community service, and connect with 4-H’ers from across the district.

Save The Date

• 4-H Achievement Night and Talent Show: Let's celebrate our 2025 Achievements!
• Thursday, April 9th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Please RSVP Here!
• 4-H Open House: TBA. Since the snow storm we have had some calendar changes and our previous date will have to be postponed. We are looking forward to having an open house later this spring or at the end of summer!

Livestock & Animal Science

• Poultry Science Summer Immersion Program- Applications Due April 3rd, 2026
• Join the N.C. 4-H Youth Livestock Program email list. Once you’re on the list, you’ll receive information about upcoming youth livestock programs. Follow these simple steps:

1. Send an email to nc4hlivestock+subscribe@lists.ncsu.edu with no text or subject
2. You will get a reply
3. Click the blue button in that email that says “Join Group”
4. You’re in!

• Teen Council Zoom: Our next virtual meeting is next Tuesday, March 10th, from 6:30–7:15 p.m. This is a requirement for those aiming for State 4-H Congress!
• Volunteer Hours: Check volunteersignup.org/Pittcounty4h to grab slots for spring and summer events.
• Teen Retreat: March 13-15
• State 4-H Congress: July 20-24