$ 2 , 5 0 0D E S O T O C O U N T Y 4 - H A W A R D E D

F R O M C A R O L Y N N E E R G A A R D F A M I L Y

Hernando, Mississippi (November 6, 2018) –  County farmer

Carolyn Neergaard directed $2,500 to DeSoto County 4-HClubs as part of the America’s Farmers Grow Communities

program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropicarm of Bayer. As part of their mission DeSoto County 4-H Clubs used thefunds to purchase a classroom set of ten iPads to use within

local 4-H programs like the robotics project group. “We

want to thank  Mrs. Neergaard for the support towards

positive youth development and change. The impact will befelt here locally within our community helping us to growand develop life skills that benefit young people in DeSoto

County and foster leadership and volunteerism in 4-Hers

and adults” said Lara Angel, Mississippi State University,Extension Agent II.  “We’re excited to be given these fundsto help us further extend knowledge and change lives ofthe youth locally in DeSoto County,” said Dr. Joy Anderson,DeSoto County Coordinator. Since the program began in 2010, the Grow Communities

program has partnered with farmers to support nonprofitorganizations important to them in their local communities.The program has given more than $29 million to farming

communities since its inception, including more than $3million in 2018. Each year, farmers enter for a chance todirect a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit they care about in 

their community. The organizations reflect the makeup andcharacter of rural America, including emergency responseorganizations, schools, youth agriculture programs, foodbanks and many others. “Farmers play a pivotal role in rural communities, andthrough their commitment to the Grow Communities

program, we are able to provide the monetary support thesenonprofit organizations need to make an impact,” said AlMitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “We’re proud to play apart in helping these rural communities grow and thrive.” To see if a nonprofit in your local community is a 2018America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipient, visithttps://www.americasfarmers.com/grow-communities/. Youcan also learn more about the Grow Communities programby checking out Facebook.com/AmericasFarmers. About America’s Farmers: The America’s Farmers campaign

highlights the importance of modern U.S. Agriculturethrough communications and community outreachprograms that partner with farmers to impact rural America.To learn more, visit America’s Farmers atwww.AmericasFarmers.com. About the Monsanto Fund: The Monsanto Fund, thephilanthropic arm of Bayer, is a nonprofit organizationdedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers

and Bayer Company employees live and work. Visit theMonsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

DESOTO COUNTY  4-H   NEWS AND

MOREUpdates , events , and more . Start your year wel l- informed.

December// January 2019 Volume 5

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color,ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any otherstatus protected by applicable law is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of

Compliance and Integrity 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. Box 6044 Mississippi State, MS 39762, P: (662) 325-5839

3260 Hwy 51 S Hernando, MS 38632 662-469-8480

Sincerely your MSU Extension Agents,

Joy AndersonLara Angel

Dan Haire

4-H EXPERIENCES FROM VETERAN VOLUNTEER

R E G I N A L D B O Y C E

What advice would you tell new 4-H volunteers? My first advice is to become a 4-H volunteer. Second, don’t have any preconceived notions on how it is going to go. Every group is different. Every year is different. Every child and every parent is different. Act accordingly. The reward is 10Xs more than what you give. You are creating future leaders and you will see the impact. Have your 4-H’ers taught you anything you did not know? If so what? One thing I’ve learned, the younger kids are like human sponges. Cloverbuds are taking in everything. I tell parents this, you might think they aren’t paying attention but they are taking everything in. Whatever level the kids come in at, you need to be able to work with them at that level whether homeschool, public school, or private school. I’ve found that if you take the time to work with 4-H`ers they will grow, they just need a little one on one attention. I have no wisdom but experiences. 

How long have you been a 4-H volunteer? 15 plus years Why do you volunteer?  One of main reasons I volunteer is because I was a 4-H`er as a child. It is because someone took the time with me and helped me to become a 4-H`er. I was shy and through 4-H I learned to express my opinions in general and publically in front of others through my 4-H experiences. So that inspired me to go out and deal with people one on one and start a 4-H club. In general most kids are shy when they join 4-H and I want to help them come out of their shell. By the time 4-H`ers leave and graduate you can’t shut them up! I volunteer because of the youth! What is your most memorable 4-H experience? I think my most memorable experience was when one of my 4-H’ers got a full college scholarship based on their 4-H experiences and 4-H activities. They went to Northwest, then when they were ready to move on they had three offers to go to three different places to finish their degree. They are now getting their master’s degree from Ole Miss. At the time they couldn’t afford college but through their experiences in 4-H they are going to college now and getting a master’s degree.

PLANT TO PLATE CLUB!

We are starting a new 4-H Club focusing on growing

your own vegetables and fruits in your backyard.

Come to learn the basics of harvesting, cooking, and

preserving backyard produce this club year! This is a

family oriented activity for the entire family.

Donut you know?!?!

WE WoulD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN

DATE

Organizational 4-H Club MeetingSUBJECT

January 7, 2019 @ 3:30 p.m. 

28

4-H AWARDS

RSVP TO 662-469-8480

th

OF

JANUARY

PROGRAM

JOIN US ON THE

Let's Celebrate Your Successes!

Southaven Public Library

6PM

We are catering a meal so it is a MUST that you RSVP by January 22nd so we can make plans. If you do not let us know

you are coming, then we will not prepare food or awards for you! We hope you understand. We will be mailing those who

RSVP a "ticket" to the event and those who have "tickets" get food at the event.

SEE YOU THERE!

KICKOFF JANUARY 24, 2019 4:00 P.M.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 662-469-8480

DON 'T MISS THE 4-H ROBOTICS STATEWIDE KICKOFF  

4-H ROBOTICS

Hay! Kid whoselooking at you

Do I look Moo-velous?

Having an oinkinggood time!

Baaaaa!

Moo, Oink, Baa, Naa! Come out and join us to hear the sounds of the barn!

Think you might be interested in showing animals in 4-H? Come join us at an upcoming livestock show to see what a Moo-velous time it is!

For more information, you can contact our office at 662-469-8480

Tate County Dairy & Livestock Show Jan. 11-12, 2019

District Livestock Show in Batesville Jan. 18-19, 2019

Dixie National Jr. Roundup  Feb 1-7, 2019

TO BECOME    A   4-H

VOLUNTEER!

P O P O N O V E R

We are looking for indiv iduals who want to

become cert i f ied volunteers and give back to

youth within our community .

Contact our DeSoto County Extension Off ice

at 662-469-8480.   

Just POPPING in to say no one

is BUTTER than YOU! 

Desoto County 4-H Newsletter

M E E T 4 - H E R

J A R R E T T D A V I S !

What is your favorite 4-H memory?  We (mewith lots of help from my family)  jumpedinto Chicken Chain knowing nothing at allabout showing/competing through 4-H. Two days before going to the State Fair, mymother sat me down and told me not toexpect to place at all, but to expect towatch and learn so we'll know what to do inthe future.  That was my attitude as thenames were being called for those who hadplaced.  I told myself, "It's okay. I've learnedalot."  I was shocked when I heard my namecalled!  It was only fourth place, but it wassuper exciting.   What advice would you give a new 4-Her?

 Have Fun!  Get outside your comfort zoneand try something new.  Go to the meetingsand practices and meet people.  4-H peopleare great! What grade are you in?  I am homeschooled and am in the 9th grade.  Myfamily and I are members of Not YourAverage Co-op  (nyaccoop.com) in OliveBranch, MS. I love my classes there,especially my Biology class with Mrs. DebraGill. 

What 4-H event or activity challenged youon your 4-H journey the most?  I loveShooting Sports and have learned so muchpracticing and competing in 4-H ShootingSports, but participating in the ChickenChain Program was a big challenge for me.  Ihad never even touched a chicken beforethis.  I had to learn quickly how to care forthem and had to be the one to care for themseveral times a day. The biggest challenge forme, though, was when my parents made mespend time sitting in the run with them,talking to them, and petting them so theywould get to know me and trust me so Icould care for them better and show them. Like I said, I've never been around chickensbefore and never thought about pettingthem and talking to them.   Who has influenced you on your 4-H journeythe most? Why? The men that regularlyvolunteer with Shooting Sports!  Mr. RonMartin, Mr. Greg Tutor, and Mr. Tom Buslerare the best!  I am impressed by them givingup their time to help us. I plan to volunteer,like they do, when I grow up.  Mr. Tom hasbeen patient with me and has encouragedme and taught me well.  I've placed wellenough, in both district competitions thatI've been in, to qualify for the statecompetition if I were old enough to competeat the state level.  That is a pretty big dealconsidering I knew nothing about shootingcorrectly when I first started.  

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