Save the Date: 2020 4-H Day at the State Capitol

On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, Middle and High School aged Pulaski County 4-H’ers have the wonderful and educational opportunity to join hundreds of 4-H’ers from across the state to be part of 2^4th Annual 4-H Day at the State Capitol. 

4-H Day at the State Capitol provides opportunities for 4-H’ers to learn more about state government, meet local legislators, encourage civic engagement and sit in on a House/Senate Session.  4-H Day at the State Capitol will allow 4-H’ers across the state to thank their Delegates and Senators for their 4-H support.  It's also a good way for 4-H’ers to personally tell their State Legislators how much 4-H means to them. 

Pulaski County 4-H’ers plan to meet with our Delegates and Senators, take a State Capitol and Governors' Mansion tour, and sit in on a House and/or Senate session.

More information to come later.

Day 3: 4-H Livestock Club Summer Agriculture Tour of Virginia

The travels of the Pulaski County 4-H Livestock Club continued on through the state of Virginia. Having been to Harrisonburg and Winchester (Day 1), and Hamilton, Aldie and Leesburg (Day 2), It was time to head south to Charles City.

Day 3:

Our first stop after leaving Leesburg was in Charles City at Renwood Farms, a seed business started in 1937. David, John and Jeff Hula are the third generation to work the farm that was founded by their grandfather and continue to build on the family’s long-standing tradition of producing top quality seed. The brothers operate the 4,000-acre farm — much of which is rented — that stretches from Richmond to Williamsburg. And most of the land is along the James River, a stretch of land that carries a lot of responsibility where the health of the Chesapeake Bay is concerned. 

4-H Livestock Club members at Renwood farms looking at some of their equipment

“Seed production is our business, so we focus as much on the quality and health of the crop we produce as we do on pushing yields,” stated Jeff Hula.

Another tradition that stretches deep into their history is no-till. The Hula’s grandfather and father started no-tilling corn into soybean stubble in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1987 they began doing the same thing with their wheat, no-tilling it into their corn acres. The operation produces 1,000 acres of small grains and 2,000 acres each of corn and soybeans. Most of the soybeans and small grain are intended to be sold as seed for planting the next season.

While we were there, the Hula’s were harvesting over 60 acres of cucumbers that they were growing for the first time. These cucumbers were sold and shipped to Mt. Olive, North Carolina. After watching this process, we ventured in to a museum they have on the property that was started by the brothers’ father, Stanley. Renwood Fields Farm Museum houses hundreds of antique signs, tractors and farm equipment each of which has been collected by Stanley and his wife. Stanley Hula pursues his passion for collecting things every bit as doggedly as his sons pursue top yielding, competitive grain crops. 

Livestock Club members picking cucumbers at Renwood Farms

From there we traveled next door to Riverside Turf Farm. Riverside Farm was founded in the early 1900’s by John Ludwig Hula, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia. For nearly 100 years, John and his son and grandsons raised beef cattle and grain on their 2,000-acre farm just minutes from Virginia’s capital city, Richmond.

In 2000, fourth-generation Wells Hula enrolled in Virginia Tech’s Turf Management Program. He learned the latest techniques and best management practices for growing Turfgrass from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable leaders. Wells decided to integrate his newfound passion and understanding of turfgrass production into the family farm. He grows several different varieties of grass to include Fescue, Bluegrass, Bermuda, just to name a few. Wells plants his grasses in the Fall and will begin harvest in late Spring. The fields of grass are beautifully maintained and are mowed every 3 days. 

Wells Hula (green shirt) explaining the process of turf farming

Wells demonstrated for the group how the turf was harvested. His machine cuts each piece of turf, lays it on conveyors, rolls it and places it on a pallet. Each pallet weighs 2,500-3,000 pounds and covers 67 square yards. The pallets are shipped within hours of being cut as soon as an order is filled. 

A pallet of turf just harvested at Riverside Turf Farm

We then boarded the bus and headed towards Hampton, VA where we would spend the night. After a fresh seafood supper at Graham & Rollins, a historic seafood market in Hampton, the group was ready to call it a day. Coming up……Day 4! 

4-H members at the Hampton Marina Hotel enjoying the evening by the water.

The kids in the pool at the Hampton Marina Hotel with their beach balls that say "Pulaski County Is...........Awaiting You"

Official Pulaski 4-H Page and Remind.com

I’d encourage and welcome each of you to follow us on our official Pulaski County 4-H Page. Here you’ll find information about all of our Pulaski County 4-H programs and links to documents, fundraisers, registrations along with daily updates.    Subscribe and Follow us at Pulaski 4-H Blogspot.  Scroll down on the right, look for “Follow Pulaski County 4-H by Email.”  Type in your email and then check your Inbox to verify.  Need help, give me a call.

And soon we’ll post information on our 4-H page about joining us on Remind.com for text specifics reminders and notifications for 4-H Camp, Shooting Club, Cloverbud Club, Livestock Club, Teens In Action! and general Pulaski County 4-H news.  Join your specific club group and others to keep informed.    

Hope you’ll be following us soon.

Thanks,

Chris

Fall Tractor Supply Company 4-H Clover Campaign

Save the Date for Fall Tractor Supply Company 4-H Clover Campaign

When:

October 9 – October 20, 2019

Where:

Pulaski Tractor Supply Company Store, 1050 E. Main St, Pulaski

What:

100% of funds raised by purchasing a 4-H Paper Clover benefit 4-H. 90% funds State level Pulaski scholarships to 4-H camps and leadership experiences and 10% supports National 4-H Council for administration.

Why:

Pulaski County 4-H programs are 100% community funded so we rely on events of such to help offset costs to our local youth.  In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. We are America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

How:

Come into to our local Pulaski Tractor Supply Company Store and purchase a 4-H Paper Clovers, two, three, four or more.

Who Can Help?

Glad you asked. 

Every 4-H supporter is encouraged to participate from members greeting customers with a friendly smile during the event, and to parents to 4-H Leaders to Extension Staff providing leadership to members during the event.  4-H All Stars, 4-H Alumni and Extension Leadership Council are also encouraged to be cheerleaders for the event.  Our Pulaski Tractor Supply Company, under Heather Steele’s leadership, has always been a great host of the event and has provide countless life-skills and workforce-oriented service projects at the store for our local 4-H’ers during the event.  

Want to join and/or support Pulaski County 4-H? 

Give us a call at 980-7761 and ask for Chris Lichty, 4-H Extension Agent, and Cynthia Hurst, 4-H Program Assistant.