Why does 4-H need to raise money? 4-H develops life skills in youth through hands-on learning. Sewing classes, providing incubators and quail eggs to second grade classes, funding leadership training and all of our other programs require funding. The money for  4-H educational programs and awards is provided by contributions from individuals, businesses, and Kiwanis of Hendersonville. As participation in our programs, contests, and clubs grow, more funds are needed. Here are some easy ways to support 4-H:

• Buy plants! Each spring, Henderson County 4-H sells bare root plants (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and more) as a fundraiser. Because we join other counties with this fundraiser, we order large quantities, and can offer great prices. Email Hannah_Worrell@ncsu.edu if you’re interested in purchasing quality plants at reduced rates.
• Donate books to Books for Good in honor of Henderson County 4-H, and buy books there to benefit many local non-profits. Henderson County 4-H receives a portion of the profit made from the books donated in our name. The store, ​at 50 Heritage Park Drive, in Fletcher, NC can be difficult to find. Please click on the address underlined above to see a map and directions.Regular Store Hours are: Monday – Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They like for the books to be packed in cardboard milk cartons from Ingles. Books may also be delivered to N.C. Cooperative Extension, Henderson County Center, across from the ball fields in Jackson Park, during business hours, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., on weekdays.
• Contribute directly  by mailing a check to: Henderson County 4-H, 100 Jackson Park Road, Hendersonville, NC  28792. Specify if you would like your donation to help sponsor a specific event or award, including 4-H camp scholarships, or be added to the endowment funds.

4-H staff salaries are paid by county and state governments, so your contributions go entirely to 4-H programs.

• Contribute to a Henderson County 4-H endowment. Henderson County 4-H has three endowments with the Community Foundation of Henderson County, the Mike Bayne Memorial Fund, the Jewel Dixon, Dawn Dixon Martin and Don Dixon Memorial Fund, and the Henderson County 4-H and Youth Development Fund. Annual income from these endowments supports young people who participate in public speaking competition at the state level, 4-H Congress.

Mike Bayne was an outstanding 4-H’er, 4-H Honor Club member, 4-H Camp Counselor, and NC State student, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1980.

Jewell and Don Dixon were the well-loved 4-H leaders of Tracy Grove Community 4-H Club from 1962- 1977. The family of 6 children, Debra, Dawn, Diane, David Michael (Mike), Dwight and Donna, achieved many local, district, state and national 4-H honors. All the Dixon children will tell you that 4-H helped make them who they are today. The 4-H program taught all of them important life skills, like goal setting, public speaking and perseverance. 4-H also embedded in all of them confidence, responsibility and leadership. Most of all, 4-H instilled a sense of pride in all of them, pride not only in their accomplishments, but also in their family, their neighborhood, their community and their country. The Dixon children firmly believe in the 4-H motto, “To Make The Best Better!”

Henderson County and the 4-H program have been very influential in their lives. After the passing of their mother, Jewel Dixon, in 1986, they established the Jewel Dixon Memorial fund in order to help other deserving 4-Her’s with scholarships. With the passing of their sister, Dawn, in 2009 and their father, Don in 2013, it has grown into the Jewel Dixon, Dawn Dixon Martin and Don Dixon Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation of Henderson County. The Dixon children continue to fund this important program today.

• Click here to donate to the Henderson County 4-H Enhancement Fund with the NC 4-H Development Fund:  http://go.ncsu.edu/henderson4h. Income from the 4-H Enhancement Fund supports local 4-H programming. Fund raising for the Henderson County 4-H Program Enhancement fund operates under the auspices of The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax id 56-6049304. You will receive an official receipt for your donation.
• Henderson County 4-H also has an endowment with the NC 4-H Development Fund, the Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith 4-H Program Endowment. This fund was established in recognition of Mrs. Joyce Armstrong and Mr. Earl Smith, 4-H Agents who worked with countless youth from throughout the county during their careers. Mr. Smith began his career as a 4-H Agent in the late 1950’s and is fondly remembered for his passion for 4-H camp and for leadership and citizenship development of the youth in clubs. He retired in the late 1980’s with more than 30 years of service. Mrs. Armstrong began her career as a 4-H Agent in 1966 and later became Home Economics Agent. She is remembered for her belief in the 4-H demonstration/presentation program and project records; she helped many young people achieve state and national recognition. Both Mrs. Armstrong and Mr. Smith have always been strong 4-H supporters and were instrumental in creating the first community clubs in the 1960’s when 4-H moved from the schools to a community-based program.This fund will remain as a tribute forever, with  the interest from the endowment being used to support 4-H and youth programs offered in Henderson County.

Donate to the Armstrong Smith Endowment

Memories of Joyce and Earl

Doug Moon, Executive Director, Opportunity House:

Young people yesterday and today seek out role models. From my football coach I learned how to run a post pattern, from my basketball coach I learned to drop step and from my baseball coach, how to keep my back elbow up to hit a pitch. As I have grown I found these tips, while appreciated have not served me well into life.

Earl Smith and Joyce Armstrong were my county 4H leaders who shared with me life skills that I use every day of my life. Earl, the Head, with his deep voice, taught me how to conduct a meeting by setting an agenda. Joyce, the Heart, with her loving laugh, taught me how to involve all ages, all people in an activity by sharing of myself. While I don’t have a need to run a post pattern, drop step on the court or hit a hanging curve, Earl and Joyce taught me life skills that continue the pattern of sharing to be a role model to young people.

Stan Duncan, Henderson County Assessor:

Earl Smith and Joyce Armstrong were Mr. and Mrs. 4-H!

Club members might come and go, but the one constant was in knowing that Mr. Smith and Mrs. Armstrong were always there, always available, and always looking out for our best interests. Sometimes they prodded us into action, sometimes they were forced to chide us towards a more appropriate choice, but no matter what, they always encouraged us to do our best.

What we didn’t necessarily realize at the time, but now with each passing year must acknowledge; they were great role models!

Janet Gover, 4-H Volunteer, Clinical Nursing Instructor and 4-H Honor Club Member:

Often seen driving around in his Scout, Earl loved working in the community with his 4-H’ers. There is probably no way of knowing how many miles he has traveled, but he did so for his love of working with the Henderson County youth.”

“Year after year Joyce sat through many presentations and helped develop the public speaking talents of multiple youth. She was always available to assist with home economic questions including food preservation and clothing construction.

Judy Drake Gossett:

My years spent as a member of the Henderson County 4-H Club were some of the most memorable and happy times of my youth. As an adult, I can now look back at all the fun and enjoyment I was having, and realize that at the same time, I was learning valuable lessons and principles that would influence me later in life.

Mr. Earl Smith, Henderson County 4-H Leader. helped me to successfully compete at the District and State Competitions. There were many successes, but when we did lose, we knew Mr. Smith was still proud of us.

What a positive influence Mr. Smith and 4-H have been on so many people!

Jean Miller, 4-H Secretary:

“They’re wonderful people to work with. There’s nobody quite like them.”

Karen Eve (Bayne) Pfotzer
1974 4-H Honor Club

I’ve been fortunate to have a very varied and wide professional career. I’ve been all around the world as a project manager, park ranger, international business executive and even the General Manager of The London Philharmonic Orchestra. Now as a local trainer, facilitator, speaker and storyteller, I have settled back in Henderson County. Many times, I have been asked how did a young girl from rural NC learn the skills that helped me succeed. The answer is many pronged: inspirational teachers & preachers, fine parents, Star Trek, and 4-H. Specifically, 4-H is all about leadership development. With the help of people like Joyce Armstrong and Earl Smith, I learned about project management, goal and key performance indicators, marketing and especially about public speaking. I learned how to give presentations, answer questions, manage long term projects and how to work with PR and marketing groups. As a 4-Her I learned by doing and by teaching. 4-H offers wonderful skills to the youth in our county and state. That’s why once I returned to the area, I decided to serve on the County Council.