Virginia Cooperative Extension- Pulaski County

If you are a caregiver of a child younger than 5 years old, please consider taking this survey. Data collected will be utilized to create educational resources for programming!

It's Time to register for 4-H Zootastic Cloverbud Camp, February 23-25, 2024, at the W. E. Skelton 4H Educational Conference Center at SML . Registration fills quickly.

Details and registration at: https://bit.ly/2024wintercloverbud

$25 Discount Code for Campers: Monkey

For our Pulaski County 4-H friends, Chris and Cynthia, are happy to answer any questions you may have. 540-980-7761.

And we both are on the leadership team planning the event, so we'll also be there in person.

It's coming...the registration for 4-H Zootastic Cloverbud Camp, for youth ages 5-8 years of age, K-3rd grade.

Check back next week for registration information.

Tis the season to give and Pulaski County 4-H, in collaboration with the Extension Office, would love to have you become a sponsor for our 3rd Annual 4-H Christmas Dinner Food Basket Service Project.

In the past two years, we've collectively, through community support provided a healthy, hearty Christmas meal to 70 families with children. Join us as we look to provide some Christmas Cheer to 30 families.

For more information and to coordinate drop off of your gift, please contact us at the Pulaski Extension Office at 540-980-7761.

Thank you in advance,
Chris Lichty and Cynthia Hurst, Pulaski County 4-H
Shannon Ainsley, Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce

On behalf of Pulaski County 4-H and the Extension Office, we would like to say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, to all of the businesses and community supporters of our Annual 4-H Thanksgiving Dinner Food Baskets.

With your support, we were able to serve 40 families this Thanksgiving. Wow is an understatement as we far exceeded our goal of serving 30 families.

2023 Sponsors

Ruritan Road Ruritan Club
First Bank & Trust – Fairlawn
Sally McCarthy
Farris Dairy LLC
Marie Farris
Susan Thompson
Susan Truelove
John & Sally Beahm
Thuja Jameson
Pulaski County 4-H Livestock Club
Pulaski County 4-H Teens In Action!
Virginia Cooperative Extension – Pulaski Office
Adam Hall
Sonya Jennings
Donny Riddle
Angela Price
Kathy Dunford & Family
Susan Dalrymple
Chuck & Susan Price
Brittney Price
Joe & Amy Horne
Kirsten Wallace
Lori King
Michael & Linda Boadwine
Pete and Pat Huber
Pulaski County Board of Supervisors
Becky Maddy
Sharon Crigger
Hodge Insurance
Lee Bowman

Now we will move into the spirit of getting ready for our Annual 4-H Christmas Dinner Food Baskets. Be on the look-out for information on becoming a sponsor. Our goal to serve 30 families.

Questions on how to become a sponsor, give Chris Lichty and Cynthia Hurst a call at 540-980-7761.

Pulaski County 4-H, in conjunction with the Extension Office, County Administration and Board of Supervisors, and the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, sponsored a very successful Return to Reality Store / Reality Day, an event that hasn't happened in person since 2019. And thank you to Pulaski County Public Schools for supporting us and giving our 8th graders the opportunity to participate.

Thank you to the countless businesses and community friends that came out in support this great 4-H event that gave our PCMS 8th Graders the opportunity to step into the shoes of an adult for the day to manage their monthly family responsibilities, doing everything from grocery shopping for their families to paying all their bills, even buying a car. And they had the wonderful opportunity to learn about County government visiting with County Administration and the Board of Supervisors. There were many 'Aha' and 'OMG' moments throughout the day.

Looking for a unique holiday gift? Have someone who is very hard to buy for? Wanting something to snack on while you watch the Hallmark Channel?

The Pulaski County 4-H Livestock Club is selling Virginia Peanuts!

We have a great assortment! Chocolate Covered, Chocolate Covered Brittle, Unsalted, Salted, Sea Salt, Garlic, Old Chesapeake Bay, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, Cajun, Jalapeno, Wasabi, Butter Toffee, and Dill Pickle.

Pricing as follows:
12 oz. $10;
22 oz. $16
40 oz. $22

Any of the candy Chocolate Covered, Brittle, Butter Toffee, are:
12 oz. $12,
22 oz. $18,
40 oz. $30

Call now to order yours...540-980-7761, ask for Cynthia or Chris. Or see any Pulaski County 4-H Livestock Club Member or Leader.

Thank you, thank you to everyone that became a sponsor to our annual Pulaski County 4-H Thanksgiving Dinner Food Baskets Service Project.

We are so excited to announce that 40 families with children will benefit from the generosity of the Pulaski County community. Pulaski County is.....Community.

And thanks also extended to our group of 12 4-H Adult Volunteer Leaders and 4-H’ers who worked behind the scenes to make it all happen. Can we give them a big 4-H please!?!

Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club practicing Novemer 13 in the Sitting position, one of the four positions in the BB Gun Discipline of the 4-H Shooting Education Program.

The other positions are Prone, Kneeling and Standing. In competition 4-H’ers shot all four positions with 10 shots each, 100 points maximum per position, with a combined total of 400 for a perfect score.

The Pulaski 4-H Livestock Club working through an Agriculture Puzzle Challenge! Livestock Breed ID, basic Livestock terminology, Livestock Feed ID, Meat Cut Identification and more! This group has such a great time learning together!

AND thanks to all of our amazing volunteers- AKA ~ moms and dads!

Thanks to Lindsey and the Radford University S***t and Trap Club for hosting our Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club on Monday, November 6, as they helped introduce the club to the Shotgun Discipline of the 4-H Shooting Education Program.

Thanks also extended to Allen, Donny and Sonya, three of our 4-H Shooting Education Club Leaders, for being there to instruct our 4-H’ers and every Monday for practice.

Interested in joining the Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club? Give Chris Lichty, Pulaski County 4-H Extension Agent a call at the Extension Office, 540-980-7761.

Hello 4-H, Extension and Community Friends,

We are hopeful you might have an interest in serving as a role model as a Station Advisor to our 8th Graders at the 14th Annual Reality Store/Day on Monday, November 20, 2023, at Central Gym, 7:45AM – 3:00PM.

The “Reality Store” is a real-world money management simulation activity designed specifically by the Virginia Cooperative Extension for teens. In this 1– 1½ hour simulation activity, teens fast forward to age 26 and are introduced to concepts such as making wise financial decisions, considering costs and benefits, using mathematical applications in real life situations, balancing a budget and a bank account, exploring career choices and education, and understanding how lifestyle decisions affect an individual's finances. The purpose of this activity is to help teens become more aware of the financial demands they will encounter in the "real" world.

This 4-H Extension program is highly dependent upon community volunteers who are interested in investing in our teens to help them gain a greater understanding of the world of personal finance and decision making. Part of our commitment to this program is the recruitment and training of the volunteers. With that said, we need a minimum of 40 volunteers to make this event a success. Please click on the link below to record your attendance by Monday, November 13, 2023, or until we reach 40 volunteers. This will allow the Extension Office enough time to work with the Chamber of Commerce to assign roles, send out Pre-Reality Store Information to everyone and plan accordingly.

2023 Reality Store Volunteer Sign-Ups https://tinyurl.com/ywrrfu8d

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at the Extension Office, as we’re happy to answer.

Respectfully,
Christopher M. Lichty Cynthia S. Hurst
Senior Extension Agent Program Assistant
4-H Youth Development 4-H Youth Development

Ahoy there, future scientists and tech wizards!

We're excited to unveil the ultimate STEM adventure: Kids' Tech University (KTU)! 🚀 KTU, brought to you by the Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech and Virginia 4-H, is your passport to a world of scientific wonder and exploration.

📚 Here's the scoop:
KTU Website: https://ktu.fralinlifesci.vt.edu

Mark your calendars for this in-person extravaganza on January 27, February 24, March 16, and April 6, 2024. The stage for this epic journey? The vibrant Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA!

Who's invited? Up to 160 young adventurers, aged 9-12 by September 30, 2023, and their enthusiastic parents.

Prepare to be dazzled:
- 🔬 Meet brilliant scientists and engineers who'll unveil the mysteries of STEM.
- 🤩 Dive into interactive sessions that'll ignite your curiosity.
- 👨‍🔬👩‍🔬 Get hands-on with mind-blowing activities led by VT faculty, staff, and talented undergrads.
- 🌟 Discover the magic of STEM as it relates to everyday life.

📢 Registration is open! But wait, there's more! We believe in making STEM accessible to all. So, while there's a $120 registration fee per child, don't forget to check out our need-based scholarships right here: https://ktu.fralinlifesci.vt.edu/sign-up.html .

Get ready to embark on an extraordinary STEM journey that'll spark your imagination and fuel your passion for science, tech, engineering, and math. This is your chance to explore, discover, and dream big with KTU!

Adventure is out there,

Kristy M. Collins, Ph.D.
Director, Education and Outreach
Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech
1015 Life Science Circle (mail code 0477; Steger Hall)
Phone- 540-231-1389

Pulaski County 4-H spent another fantastic weekend at the Skelton 4-H Center, November 10-12, 2023, this time as 4-H Teens In Action! returned for their Annual Fall Leadership Retreat.

The weekend began Friday night with the club shopping at Kroger for their groceries as they were divided in teams to cook all of their meals. For many this was the highlight of the trip, learning new skills throughout each meal.

Saturday the club was met with beautiful morning weather for the start of their service project, trail maintenance on the Shoreline Trail. The afternoon was spent with team building, including many games of Gaga Ball, which continued through the evening with Uno Attack and many a game of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Oh the fun they had...and asking when can we go back again.

Thank you to the awesome group of 4-H leaders, Donny, Josh, Judie, Sonya and our very own Chris Lichty, for being there to support this of bunch of 11 fantabulous 4-H Teen Leaders that attended.

UPDATE: We are looking for more sponsors for our Annual 4-H Thanksgiving Dinner Food Baskets Service Project.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this much needed project, please reach out to us.

Although the deadline says today, Wednesday, November 15, we'll take as many sponsors as we can get through this week to try to reach a new goal of helping 40 families, as there is a definite need.

If we can answer any questions, please give Chris and Cynthia a call at the Extension Office. 540-980-7761

A new study reveals many differences in the leaves of poison ivy, which can cause difficulty in identifying the plant.

Think you know how to spot poison ivy? New study reveals shape of leaves varies widely Even as temperatures cool, poison ivy can still cause allergic reactions. A new study reveals the shape of the leaves can be incredibly varied, and therefore difficult to correctly identify.

Come to out Sharkey's Radford on Thursday, November 9, for lunch or dinner, dining on behalf of Pulaski County 4-H in support of 4-H Teens In Action!, our 4-H teen leadership and service club, as they raise funds to support their programming efforts.

It's getting colder, and that means stink bugs...everywhere! Learn how to get rid of them ➡️ https://bit.ly/stinkbugscals 🧐

Thank You to our very own Cynthia Hurst, as she is at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center, supporting 14 Pulaski County 4-H'ers attending Magical Muggles Camp, this weekend, November 3-5, 2023.

Pulaski County 4-H gives our sincere 'Thank You' to four of our 4-H Adult Volunteer Leaders, Allen Meek (Archery, Outdoor Skills, Riflery, Shotgun), Sonya Jennings (Riflery), Donny Riddle (Riflery) and Judie Willis (Archery), all finishing up re-certifying this year to support our Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club.

Shooting Sports is the second most popular international sport behind track and field. It is nearly unique in being a lifetime sport. Shooting Sports attracts new audiences to 4-H and creates adult-youth bonds.

4-H Shooting Club meets every Monday, 4-530pm, at the Extension Office. Membership is limited and open to youth ages 9-18, 4th - 12th grade.

For more information, http://pulaski4h.blogspot.com/p/pulaski-county-4-h-shooting-education.html and contact Chris Lichty, Pulaski 4-H Extension Agent at the Extension Office at 540-980-7761 or [email protected].

Pulaski County 4-H had a great day at Dublin Elementary School with 4th Grade 4-H In-School Club's learning about Ecosystems and Food Chains.

We need your help please.

Please take a few minutes to help the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Pulaski Office learn about local issues that are important to you.

VCE is conducting a community needs assessment that will help guide future Extension educational programs and we’d like to know what’s important to Pulaski County residents.

The Pulaski County Extension Office shares knowledge, supports businesses, and provides educational programs that advance the well-being of our residents through 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Family & Consumer Sciences – Food, Nutrition and Health.

https://tinyurl.com/2023VCEpulaski

Questions or concerns can be directed to Chris Lichty, Pulaski 4-H Extension Agent, [email protected], and Morgan Paulette, Pulaski Agriculture & Natural Resource Extension Agent, [email protected], or 540-980-7761.

Become a sponsor and be part of this wonderful, much-needed, 4-H Service Project, sponsored by Pulaski County 4-H.

Last year alone, we served 39 families, with children. Help us to match or exceed that this year.

Having a great day with Riverlawn Elementary School and got to see some Red Ribbon Week Coloring Sheets in Mrs. Duncan's Classroom.

Please talk with your kiddos and Take the Pledge to Live Drug Free.

Thanks Pulaski Community Partners Coalition (PCPC) and New River Valley Community Services for sponsoring and thanks for including Pulaski County 4-H in promoting the week.

2 days away!! Let us know if you plan to attend. 540-980-7761 or [email protected]

Pulaski County 4-H, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension - Pulaski Office, in partnership with the Pulaski Community Partners Coalition, is excited to support Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31.

Talk to your children and take the Pledge to Live Drug Free.

Here is an awesome opportunity to be a part of a research study at Virginia Tech!

Less than a week left till this event!

Pulaski County 4-H Clubs in association with the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Pulaski Office, will be putting together Thanksgiving Dinner Food Baskets for families in Pulaski County again this year and need your help.

Over the past 14 years, working through New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) Social Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Pulaski County 4-H Clubs have created over 148 baskets. This year we would like to create 30 baskets for families with children identified by NRVCS, Social Services, Department of Juvenile Justice and the T.G. Howard Center.

As we’ve done the past several years, we are asking for monetary gifts instead of asking for items to be purchased and dropped at the Extension Office. Working with Kroger – Fairlawn, we’ll purchase all the items in bulk and pick up at the same time to then be sorted into family food baskets.

To support this great 4-H service project, mail or bring your monetary gift to the Pulaski Extension Office, located at 143 Third Street, NW, Suite 3, Pulaski, VA 24301, no later than Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

Checks made payable to ‘Treasurer of Virginia Tech,’ Memo: 4-H Thanksgiving Food Baskets. Any gift is greatly appreciated as each Thanksgiving Food Basket costs $95 to create, based on today’s prices.

For more information and to coordinate drop off of your gift, please contact us at the Pulaski Extension Office at 540-980-7761.

And please share as you are able.

Thank you in advance,
Chris Lichty and Cynthia Hurst, Pulaski County 4-H
Shannon Ainsley, Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce

4-H Teens In Action! had a great time last night, Monday, October 9, for their first official meeting of the new 4-H year.

Dinner was Let's Make: Gourmet Grilled Cheese, as part of our monthly cooking series. The group has a varied palette with their cheese choices: American, Provolone, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Swiss and even Muenster.

We elected a new president, Ginny Rudisill, and secretary, Makenna Stuart. Congrats to these two.

Afterwards, we planned our annual Fall 4-H Teens In Action! Leadership Retreat.

Our evening ended with some crazy excitement playing our 4-H version of Gaga.

Great night with these great upcoming 4-H Teen Leaders.

And we are always looking for new members to join. Interested? https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_09hsCgQXXlEyMLA

Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club will be hosting an Information Meeting, on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Central Gym, from 4:00-5:30pm. Our Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club has been recognized in the Top 4 in the state, the past several years, and we are now looking for the next bunch of 4-H’ers to continue with the same reputation.

This meeting will allow youth, ages 9-18 (4th-12th), and parents to see what the Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club is about. We'll chat a little about program expectations ending with an opportunity to shoot our 4H BB guns, maybe even an air rifle for middle and high schoolers. All equipment, eye protection and ammunition will be provided. Please note that closed toed shoes and long pants are required.

If you and your child are interested in joining us, please let us know through the link below before Monday, October 2, so we can prepare accordingly. Parents / Guardians are required to stay for the duration of the meeting.

https://forms.gle/rnSCyPUcq5MeLHem9

If I can answer any questions before, I'd welcome the opportunity to chat. 540-9807761 and [email protected]

Thanks,
Chris Lichty, Pulaski County 4-H Extension Agent and on behalf of the Pulaski County 4-H Shooting Education Club Leaders

Join the New River Valley Master Gardeners in learning how to winterize your garden with a free workshop on October 3, 2023, at the Pulaski County Library in Pulaski!

If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Silverman, Master Gardener Coordinator at the Montgomery County Extension Office at 540-382-5790.