VCE Loudoun 4-H

05/18/2023

VCE Loudoun 4-H & Loudoun County Public Schools have wrapped up this year’s 4-H Beginning of Life Embryology Program, a fun and engaging way for students to learn about biology and life sciences. 4-H staff worked with teachers across 66 LCPS schools to provide 2,428 fertilized eggs to 27,000+ students, giving kids the opportunity to watch chicks hatch and learn about the life cycle first-hand. Huge thanks to Dorothy Butler-Landes, who played a pivotal role in sourcing eggs when regional resources were scarce.

05/05/2023

Thanks to the VCE Loudoun 4-H Honor Council for coordinating this year’s 4-H Day of Service - and a huge THANK YOU to all the 4-H members who participated! 47 VCE Loudoun 4-H youth made blankets for Project Linus, dog toys for the Loudoun County Animal Services, and care packages for community members in need. Great work! 🍀

05/04/2023

The Loudoun County 4-H Honor Council will be hosting a Children’s Book Drive during the month of May to benefit the Loudoun Literacy Council! The Council’s goal is to provide starter libraries to underserved youth in our community. 📚

Books can be dropped off between Monday, May 8th and Friday, May 19th at VCE Loudon's Office (750 Miller Dr. SE, Suite F-3, Leesburg) during regular business hours (M-F; 8:30am-5:00pm). When you arrive, just let a staff member know you have a donation for the 4-H Book Drive.

Examples of Donations Needed
• Board Books (0-3 year olds)
• Story Books (4 and 5 year olds)
• Short Chapter Books/Series (6-10 year olds)
• Longer Chapter Books (11-18 year olds)

Donation Guidelines
• No ripped pages or bindings
• No writing on the pages of the books
• Books are clean
• No adult level or adult content books
• No textbooks or workbooks
• No political or religion-based books

Please ensure that books are in good condition – whether that’s gently used or brand new. We appreciate your support - thank you!

04/28/2023

Way to go, Mary Grace! What a wonderful leadership opportunity. 🍀

04/18/2023

The NE District 4-H contests were held on Saturday, April 15th in Spotsylvania County. Over 25 youth from across the district participated in a variety of competitions, including: Presentations, Public Speaking, Share the Fun, Fashion R***e, and Visual Arts.

Loudoun 4-H Participants/Awards:
- Sarah-Jane Corbett – Presentation: Blue Ribbon Winner
- Katie Negley – Presentation: Blue Ribbon Winner; Share the Fun: Blue Ribbon Winner & Purple Ribbon Winner (Overall STF)
- Oju Ramani – Presentation: Blue Ribbon Winner; Share the Fun: Blue Ribbon Winner

Additionally, a HUGE thank you to VCE Loudoun volunteer judges Dorothy Butler-Landes, Cindy Huddleston, and Heather Swart. We appreciate you!

04/13/2023

In partnership with Loudoun County Public Schools, VCE Loudoun 4-H kicked off our Embryology Program yesterday. 2,428 chicken eggs were distributed to 463 classrooms and will be incubated over the next few weeks. Teachers can use the embryology program to increase student engagement when teaching state learning objectives, such as the life cycle.

03/30/2023

Do you know a military teen that loves adventure and the outdoors? If so, share these awesome summer opportunities with them! We are partnering with Next Bend Adventures, LLC for some epic summer adventures.
🏕🧗🏼‍♀️🐎🛶
Registration is now OPEN! Link in the comments...

03/28/2023

We're blessed to have so many 4-Hers here in Loudoun who have a true passion for agriculture! 🐖🐑🐐🐄

Do you see some familiar faces below? 😉

03/27/2023

Come have fun and support the Loudoun County 4-H Canterlopes Club! 🍀

Looks like fun!!! Make sure to come on out...

03/21/2023

This past Saturday, 31 Loudoun County 4-H youth competed in our 4-H County Contest Day! We had entries in Presentations, Share the Fun, Table Setting, and Fashion R***e. From that, over 20 members qualified to move on to the district level competitions next month. Congratulations to ALL of our participants - you did a phenomenal job! 🍀🎉

A big thanks to our volunteer judges - Cindy Huddleston, Heather Swart, Karen Frank, Camryn Monroe, Dorothy Butler-Landes, and Claire Griffith!

03/20/2023

So extremely proud of our Loudoun 4-Hers - Aditi, Pranav, and Eleni for representing Virginia at the National 4-H Ignite Youth Summit earlier this month! 🍀✨

03/20/2023

The Virginia 4-H Horse Ambassadors are hosting an Intro to Driving Clinic next month! For more information or to get registered, please visit www.ne4hhorse.org. 🍀🐴

03/20/2023

VCE Loudoun is offering reduced cost water testing for wells, cisterns, and springs. For $65, you can have the peace of mind of knowing what's in your water. We test 14 water-quality parameters, including iron, lead, pH, hardness, and total coliform bacteria & E. coli bacteria. Learn more at http://bit.ly/3JeC4EN, and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/VCE-Loudoun-VAHWQP

03/14/2023

UPDATE (March 14th): Loudoun has only 1 boy and 7 girl camper spots left before we have to start a wait-list.

If you'd like to send your kiddos to 4-H camp, make sure to complete their registration(s) ASAP at the link below!

bit.ly/4-HJuniorCamp2023 🍀☀️🚣

Join us for the best week of the summer! VCE Loudoun 4-H is opening registration for Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp this Wednesday, March 8 at 6pm. Learn more and register at bit.ly/4-HJuniorCamp2023.

Any questions? Contact Kim Monroe at [email protected].

03/13/2023

Virginia 4-H is still looking for host families for Summer 2023. Follow the link below to apply! 🌍🇯🇵🍀

UPDATE - Dates of inbound exchange for VA are 7/24-8/19.

Please check your calendars, talk to your families and get excited to host. We need you. We are looking for at least 16 families to host young people another 1-2 to host an adult chaperone.

Host families should apply directly at this link:https://www.states4hexchange.org/host-family/application

03/08/2023

Get hyped - registration for Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp opens tonight at 6pm! Learn more and register at bit.ly/4-HJuniorCamp2023. 🏊🤸‍♀️🎨🍀

Join us for the best week of the summer! VCE Loudoun 4-H is opening registration for Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp this Wednesday, March 8 at 6pm. Learn more and register at bit.ly/4-HJuniorCamp2023.

Any questions? Contact Kim Monroe at [email protected].

03/07/2023

Check out the NOVA Teen Leadership Council's first ever Clover Hike at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center on March 19th! Get your online RSVP in before this Sunday the 12th to guarantee yourself some s'mores! 🍀

We are very excited to bring you the Clover Hike at the NOVA 4-H center in Front Royal! Please use the link to RSVP. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIPD-eplZYtfWUpNMzuMRRs-oQIuhV50h1a0ddhvSMTMqhCg/viewform

03/06/2023

Join us for the best week of the summer! VCE Loudoun 4-H is opening registration for Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp this Wednesday, March 8 at 6pm. Learn more and register at bit.ly/4-HJuniorCamp2023.

Any questions? Contact Kim Monroe at [email protected].

03/03/2023

On Sunday the 19th our favorite Cloverbuds participated in a two-hour hands-on "fun camp" where they learned about the 4-H Pledge and what all of the "H's" represent.

A huge thank you to our 4-H Honor Council teens for putting this event together and leading our stations and activities! 🍀💚

02/28/2023

A blast of a weekend, indeed! Over sixty teens from the Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H camping cluster participated in this fun and engaging leadership training at the NOVA 4-H Center.

Thanks to all of the center staff & summer staff for putting on such a wonderful event! 🍀⛺️

02/23/2023

Here's a great opportunity for any of our 4-H livestock members interested in judging contests!

Plan to join us for our M C Livestock Stockman’s Challenge Judging Contest! We are thankful to be supported by such premier breeders. We take pride in having quality Livestock for the contest. Get your entries in by March 5th! Entry link below:

https://forms.gle/19hY7fZd4R4hqPpCA

02/21/2023

Way to go Aditi and Pranav! 🎉 They were invited to share their Posture Monitor project at Microsoft's TechSpark program. Their project alerts users to correct their posture when slouching.

02/15/2023

It's officially VT Giving Day! Want to support tomorrow's leaders? You can give to Virginia 4-H or directly to VCE Loudoun to support our local 4-H programming!

Visit: give.vt.edu/supportvce

P.S. - Do you recognize a few of these folks? 😉🍀

01/27/2023

Photos from Virginia Youth Livestock Program's post

01/27/2023

Earlier this month, 15 VCE Loudoun 4-H-er's traveled to Richmond, VA for 4-H Day at the Capitol, where they participated in a Town Hall, took part in the State 4-H Rally, and learned about civic engagement! Along the way, they got to hear from state leaders, including First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin, Secretary of Agriculture Matt Lohr, Director of Virginia Cooperative Extension Mike Gutter, and State 4-H Leader Jeremy Johnson. Read more about their experiences: https://bit.ly/VCE230118

01/27/2023

A GREAT day indeed! Fifteen Loudoun County 4-Hers attended this state-wide event. Do you see any Loudoun folks you recognize? 😉🍀

01/20/2023

Our Counselor and CIT application deadline is THIS MONDAY, January 23rd! Make sure to get yours submitted this weekend. 🍀⛺️

Attention teens: VCE Loudoun 4-H is accepting applications for Camp Counselors & Counselors-in-Training. You can help make Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp a fun and memorable experience! This is your chance to develop leadership skills, support youth ages 9-13, and have fun! Learn more at bit.ly/4-HCounselor23.

01/13/2023

NE District State 4-H Cabinet Mentor Eleni Kasianides spent the evening in Richmond sharing her 4-H story with legislators alongside other Virginia 4-Hers. 🍀

12/30/2022

Attention teens: VCE Loudoun 4-H is accepting applications for Camp Counselors & Counselors-in-Training. You can help make Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp a fun and memorable experience! This is your chance to develop leadership skills, support youth ages 9-13, and have fun! Learn more at bit.ly/4-HCounselor23.

12/01/2022

VCE Loudoun is accepting applications for Camp Counselors & Counselors-in-Training! The Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp will be held June 11-15, 2023 at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal, VA. Learn more and apply at: bit.ly/2023Counselor-CIT-app

11/22/2022

Yesterday, three of our Loudoun County 4-Hers got the incredible opportunity to attend the White House Turkey Pardoning. While there, they met Chocolate and Chip, and also listened to President Joe Biden's remarks. Virginia 4-H even got a shout-out!

In attendance were Abby Landes, Poultry Club President, Stella Pettit, Poultry Club Vice President, and Jacob Gugliotta, Poultry Club Treasurer. Kim Monroe, 4-H Program Technician, was also there to lend support and join in on the fun!

Special thanks to our friends at National 4-H Council for extending the invitation and to UME Maryland 4-H for joining us in the celebration. 🍀

What a cool way to kick off the holiday week! Happy Thanksgiving to all! 🦃

11/17/2022

VCE Loudoun is taking our Embryology Program full circle! This year, we piloted a Poultry Production Program, raising and processing 25 chicks for donation to a local non-profit. Read more about our efforts at: https://bit.ly/VCE221117

VCE Loudoun 4-H is thankful to the Tillett Charitable Foundation for their charitable lease of the former Tillett Auction Barn, where we raised the chickens. The Val and Bill Tillett Foundation also provided financial support that enabled VCE Loudoun 4-H to raise these chickens and expand our programming efforts. A $100,000 endowment will fund 4-H programming, and a $100,000 grant will fund agricultural programming, including the Poultry Production Program.

Additionally, VCE Loudoun 4-H extends gratitude to the people who volunteered their time, supplies, and expertise to help care for and process the chickens. Special thanks goes to Dorothy Butler-Landes, Kirk Landes, Abby Landes, De Mustakas, Mike Wright, Rodney Monroe, and Claire Griffith.

11/09/2022

It’s just a week until Ag-Tech Field Day! Interested in getting connected with folks in the local agricultural scene? Want to check out the latest digital technologies to improve your operations? On Wednesday, November 16th, join Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun at the Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center for Ag-Tech Field Day. Join us any time between 10am – 3pm. Learn more at: bit.ly/AgTechVA2022

Registration is not required, but to stay connected with event updates, sign up at loudoun.gov/agtechfieldday.

It’s just a week until Ag-Tech Field Day! Interested in getting connected with folks in the local agricultural scene? Want to check out the latest digital technologies to improve your operations? On Wednesday, November 16th, join VCE Loudoun at the Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center for Ag-Tech Field Day. Join us any time between 10am – 3pm. Learn more at: bit.ly/AgTechVA2022

Registration is not required, but to stay connected with event updates, sign up at loudoun.gov/agtechfieldday.

11/08/2022

Congratulations to our very own Alexis Musselman on a stellar showing at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-up! Virginia 4-H represented so well!

Proud of these amazing teens!

Congratulations VA Delegation Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-Up!!
- Reserve Champion Hippology Team
- 3rd Overall Horse Judging Team
- 4th Overall Communications Team

Hippology
- 5th Team Exam
- Josie, 7th Judging Individual
- 6th Team Judging
- Alexis, 10th Stations
- 2nd Team Stations
- 1st Team Problem
- Reserve Champ Team Overall: Josie, Alexis, Kaylee, Lauren

Public Speaking
- Emily, 3rd

Individual Presentation
- Lacy, 6th

Team Presentation
- Dakota and Trinity, 7th

Horse Judging
- 4th Team Halter
- Mattie, 5th Performance
- 3rd Team Performance
- Mattie, 9th Reasons
- Madison, 10th Reasons
- 3rd Team Reasons
- Mattie, 9th Overall
- 3rd Overall Team: Mattie, Madison, Carrie, Willow

11/03/2022

Look at what VCE Loudoun 4-H has been up to! We tried something new by initiating a pilot poultry production program in addition to our annual embryology program. A generous donation from the Val & Bill Tillett Foundation enabled VCE Loudoun 4-H to raise and harvest some of the chickens, which we later donated to Tree of Life to address food insecurity in our region.

Huge thanks to the Val & Bill Tillett Foundation! Without their support, we could not have made this pilot program happen.

Additionally, VCE Loudoun 4-H extends gratitude to the people who volunteered their time, supplies, and expertise to help care for and process the chickens. Special thanks go to Dorothy Butler-Landes, Kirk Landes, Abby Landes, De Mustakas, Mike Wright, Rodney Monroe, and Claire Griffith.

Our Leesburg Food Pantry had a unexpected donation yesterday! Kim Monroe, 4-H Program Specialist Loudoun, and Carly Wright, 4-H Extension Agent, stopped in to donate 21 whole chickens! There's a wonderful community story behind this generous donation:

VCE Loudoun 4-H works with Loudoun County Public Schools each year to conduct the Embryology Life Cycle program. They secure the eggs for the classrooms and provide educational materials for teachers to use with their students. They study the development of the chick and experience the incubation and hatching process. Once the chicks hatch, teachers return them to the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office who in turn distribute to local farmers. With a very generous donation from the Bill & Val Tillett Foundation this year, it allowed the Extension office to keep some of the chicks to raise and harvest to help meet some food insecurity needs locally. Kim reached out to Tree of Life knowing that we accept locally harvested chickens and serve the communities that most need resources. Thank you Kim and Carly for blessing Tree of Life and those we serve!

10/25/2022

Virginia Grain Producers Association :: VGPA Scholarship

Scholarship opportunity for any of our 4-H alumni who are undergraduate or graduate students at Virginia institutions!

The Virginia Grain Producers Association is proud to honor Wayne Kirby by naming our annual scholarships after him as a way to commemorate his lifetime of hard work and dedication to Virginia agriculture and education by offering two $1,000.00 scholarships to current or future full-time students (as...

10/17/2022

Our Canterlopes Horse Club members had a stellar showing at the State 4-H Horse Show last month in Lexington. Congratulations to all of our hard-working 4-Hers and their four-legged friends! 🍀🐎

Brinn M. & Socks
Reserve Champion Jr. Hunter Pleasure Small Horse
2nd Hunter Sidesaddle
1st Jr. Equitation Small Horse
4th Equitation Horse Classic
4th Pleasure Horse Classic
1st & 4th Jr. Hunter Pleasure Small Horse
2nd Junior Hunter Showmanship

Zoe S. & Alley
4th Jr. Pony Cloverleaf Barrel
5th Jr. Pony Pole Bending
5th Jr. Pony Stakes Race

Mikayla S. & Doc
9th Jr. Large Pony Pleasure

Alisa H. & Aya
2nd Sr. Dressage Showmanship

Morgan K. & Moonkat
6th Sr. Pony Cloverleaf Barrel
5th Sr. Pony Pole Bending

Morgan K. & Poppy
8th Equitation Large Pony Sr.
8th & 9th Large Pony Hunter Pleasure
7th Sr. Hunter Showmanship

Alexis M. & Sunny D
Reserve Champion Ranch Sr.
1st Ranch Horse Classic
2nd Sr. Ranch Ground Handling
5th Sr. Ranch Horsemanship
2nd Sr. Ranch Riding
1st Sr. Ranch Reining
1st Sr. Ranch Trail
1st Sr. Ranch Roping
4th Dressage Training T1 Sr.

Aby F. & Scarlet
1st Jumpers
2nd Equitation Large Pony Sr.
2nd, 3rd, & 8th Large Pony Hunter
3rd & 3rd Large Pony Hunter Pleasure

Volunteer 4-Her Extraordinaire - Sam M.

Hippology
Senior 4-Hers:
1st Morgan K.
2nd Alexis M.
3rd Alisa H.

Junior 4-Hers:
5th Brinn M.

Horse Judging
Senior 4-Hers:
4th Morgan K.
6th Alexis M.

10/05/2022

Here's a wonderful volunteer opportunity for teen girls! Ketterman's Jewelers and the Ketterman Family have been huge supporters of Loudoun County 4-H for many, many years! 🍀💚

See below for more information.

Charm girl season is here! Interviews happening now through October 8th ♥️

Be blessed, always…

09/29/2022

Sending positive vibes to our 10 Loudoun 4-Hers that are headed down to compete in the State Fair livestock shows! 🐖🐐🐑🐂🍀🎡

Safe travels to all of our Virginia Youth Livestock families as they make last minute preparations for the 2022 Sate Fair of Virginia - 360 amazing kids, too many parents and supporters to count, nearly 1200 head of livestock, and a team of Agents, Ag Teachers, and volunteers that are second to none!

As we gather for our biggest event of the year - choose kindness, find grace, give the gift of patience, make a new friend, and stop to help someone who needs your expertise or knowledge. You may be competitors for these few days, but you can be friends for a lifetime.

See everyone soon!

09/29/2022

The new 4-H year kicks off on October 1st! Check out VCE Loudoun 4-H Clubs at loudoun4h.weebly.com.

The new 4-H year kicks off on October 1st! If you’re interested in learning more about joining a VCE Loudoun 4-H Club, visit our website at loudoun4h.weebly.com, or contact 4-H Extension Agent Carly Wright at [email protected].