EFNEP Article
EFNEP aka The Expanded Food and Nutrition Edition Program is for limited resources youth, families, and individuals. EFNEP is based on the lasted research in nutrition and physical activity.
Services that EFNEP offer
-A series of interactive nutrition education session that are based on needs assessment of current diet and physical activity behaviors, food resource management skills, food safety, practices, and food security.
-Includes food experiences, tastings, demonstrations, and hands-on activities to engage participants and increase skills. -Includes opportunities to practice simple physical activities
Participants learn to:
1) Save money at the grocery store
2) Eat more meals at home
3) Prepare healthy and tasty meals
4) Control portion sizes
5) Improve the diets of family members
6) Keep food safe, reducing waste and food-borne illness
7) Use leftovers
8) Move more every day
9) Replace sugary beverages with healthy options
EFNEP is successful! One of the best programs in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Empowers participants to make life changes for better health!
If interested or have any questions call Sarah Grinestaff at 688-4811 or email at sarah_grinestaff@ncsu.edu!
FCS Article
Do You Know Extension FCS?
1911
Home Demonstration agents were crucial in improving family living conditions. Later known as Home Economics agents, they worked with local clubs to educate families about the science of health, nutrition, child and family development, and household management.
2024
Today, this field is known as Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and it focuses on all aspects of human health. FCS agents help families and individuals develop skills and strategies to promote well-being, manage family resources, and create safe, nurturing environments.
*Availability of programs differs by county.
2025 4-HOnline Re-enrollment
It is that time of year again! Time to re-enroll as a 4-H member for 2025!
North Carolina 4-H utilizes an enrollment system for all new and existing 4-H members and volunteers. The online enrollment system is called 4-HOnline. If you created a new family profile in the 4-HOnline system during the 2024 program year – or – if you re-enrolled from a previous year –it is time to update that record for the new 2025 – 2026 programmatic year.
If you have never created a family profile in the 4-HOnline system and would like to participate in North Carolina 4-H this year, we ask you to take a few minutes and create your account. This letter guides the 4-HOnline enrollment / re-enrollment process (See the section below for Families who do not have an existing 4-HOnline account).
For families with an existing 4-HOnline account. Login to your family profile, review and update youth member/volunteer information as needed. The system will walk you through each of the required sections. Note: Some application sections must be completed annually, while others ask that you review areas for any needed changes. When you have updated all the information, click “Enroll for 2025-2026.” Your membership status will be updated and sent to your local 4-H office for approval. Youth profiles should take approximately 10 – 15 minutes to update and submit. Volunteer profiles will take 25 – 30 minutes, including the annual required training video. Click below to access the 4-HOnline system and a link to a “tip sheet” for the re-enrollment process.
NC 4-HOnline Enrollment System
Re-Enrollment Packet for Youth & Volunteers
For families who do NOT have an existing 4HOnline account. Please take a few minutes to create a family profile in the 4-HOnline system. Once the family profile is set up, you will add individual youth and/or volunteer members to your family account. Here’s the link to the 4-HOnline system and an easy-to-use “tip sheet” entitled – “Setting Up A NEW Family Profile in 4-HOnline,” which will walk you through the initial sets ofsetting up an account. Creating a new family profile should only take a few minutes. Youth profiles should take approximately 10 – 15 minutes. Volunteer profiles will take 25 -30 minutes, including the annual required training video. Click below to access the 4-HOnline system and a link to a “tip sheet” for the re-enrollment process.
NC 4-HOnline Enrollment System
**Note: If you start the enrollment process for the 1st time and the system gives you a notification that reads – “This email address is already in use,” – please stop and contact your 4-H agent.
If you receive the notice above – your 4-H record has been started in the system, and we ask that you contact your 4-H agent for your temporary password. When you have your temporary password, go to the4honline.com website, enter your email address and temporary password, leave the role as family, and click “Login.” Click the orange “Continue to Family” button. Log in to the family, review and update youth member/volunteer information, and click “Enroll for 2025-2026.” Your membership will be updated and sent to your local 4-H office for approval.
Important Information to Note:
All member and volunteer information must be entered into the 4-HOnline system for ACTIVE status to be
Families who do not have access to the Internet may use the paper enrollment forms. Please Note: The local 4-H program will manually add these paper enrollment forms directly into the 4-HOnline system (re: UniversityProtocol and Guidelines).
Spanish version paper enrollment forms are available online at nc4H.org.
Paper enrollment forms will not be official until entered the designated county program enters the enrollment into 4-HOnline.
You should only create one (1) family profile.
Be sure to write down the e-mail address and password and keep them secure.
If you have a youth member who participates in more than one county 4-H program (for example – a youth may participate in their local 4-H program and a neighboring county specialized program like livestock, etc.), please register your family profile in the county you deem Families can add a 2nd county to a profile by adding a club from that county during enrollment. Your 4-H agent can add a 2nd county to your profile if needed.
PLEASE – DO NOT SET UP MORE THAN 1 FAMILY PROFILE. If you need support with this process, please don’t hesitate to contact your local 4-H
North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program and 4-HOnline work closely to monitor and ensure the highest level of protection for information stored on the system. The 4-HOnline system was vetted by the UNC system and met all Information Safety Policy
CED/Horticulture
Mitchell County welcomes Brandon Pitman as our CED - Agriculture - Horticulture Agent. Brandon is married to Stephanie and has a son, Gabe. Brandon was raised in Mitchell County and has worked for the North Carolina Community College System for over 19 years, teaching Horticulture and Agriculture Business Management at Mayland Community College and Western Piedmont Community College. Brandon served on the North Carolina A&T State University Strategic Planning Council for 6 years. He also serves as pastor at Beaver Creek Baptist Church in Spruce Pine.
Livestock Article
With winter comes cold temperatures and damp weather, both being undesirable for small animals and poultry. Efforts need to be made to ensure the best possible care for outdoor small animals (rabbits) and poultry. Below are some easy methods of preventing sickness, frostbite, and other conditions that commonly accompany winter weather.
Shelter is essential for any animal, especially small animals and poultry. Without shelter, the animals are exposed to the elements and will have to utilize all their energy to stay warm and functional. Animals without shelter will become frostbite and sick. This can result in production loss or even death. The shelter needs to have at least three walls and a space where the animal can escape the wind and moisture. A shelter can be anything from a plastic container with a cut opening to a dog house.
Footing for small animals and poultry is important for health and production. Often small animals and poultry are housed on wire, which can cause injury or death when exposed to the elements and water. Provide each animal with a solid, non-metal surface to remove themselves from the wire at their leisure. This allows the animals to limit their exposure and limit the chance of injury. Solid surfaces such as a hardwood board, blanket, box with bedding, or plastic box top will work.
One of the five required nutrients for any animal is water. This is required for the animal to remain healthy. During winter, water can freeze, limiting the animal’s access and ability to consume adequate amounts. Ensure that all animals and poultry have access to water that is replenished daily and is clean and clear of ice. Heating methods are available and highly suggested. Heaters come in many forms and prevent freezing but can evaporate water quickly. To avoid a dry trough and freezing, provide animals and poultry with bulk waterers that have the ability to be heated safely.
Credits:
Created with images by spyrakot - "Winter Scene of a Brown Cow and Red Barn in a Snowy Field for Seasonal Farm Decor" • Lars Johansson - "Rural winter landscape with a farm"