Harnett County 4-H earned the top honor in the 4-H County Sweepstakes Competition at the 2025 North Carolina State Fair.

4-H is a national youth development program that empowers young people to gain leadership, citizenship, and life skills through hands-on learning experiences in areas such as science, agriculture, arts, and community service.

Members representing the Explorers 4-H Club, Trailblazers 4-H Club, Curiosity 4-H Club, and D.I.R.T. 4-H Club entered more than 100 items in the fair’s 4-H exhibits. This year, 29 Harnett County 4-H members received ribbons for their entries, many of which were created during the organization’s 4-H Summer Fun workshops. Among those awards, 20 members earned blue ribbons, 13 received red ribbons, and 11 earned white ribbons: totaling 44 ribbons overall.

Harnett County 4-H accumulated 190 points, securing the County Sweepstakes title.

The Curiosity 4-H Club also represented Harnett County in the annual 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Contest, placing fourth and adding to the county’s impressive achievements.

“We are incredibly proud of our 4-H members, club leaders, volunteers, and parents for their hard work and dedication,” said Jackie Helton, Harnett County 4-H Agent. “This award is a testament to the teamwork, creativity, and commitment that define our 4-H family.”

Special recognition was given to Toni Swaim, leader of the Explorers and D.I.R.T. 4-H Clubs, for encouraging youth participation in the NC State Fair and coordinating opportunities for members to showcase their projects. Her leadership in the Farm City Week Ag Day 4-H Arts & Crafts Program helped the county improve from a fourth-place Sweepstakes finish in 2024 to first place in 2025.

Additional thanks were extended to Michelle Ritchie and Andi Clark, leaders of the Curiosity 4-H Club, for organizing their club’s creative hay bale entry, and to 4-H Summer Intern Danielle Helton, whose sewing and quilting workshops helped several members earn ribbons.

Harnett County 4-H will receive $150 for winning the 4-H County Sweepstakes and $100 for placing 4th in the Hay Bale Decorating Competition. These funds will be used to purchase supplies and materials to support 4-H clubs and programs throughout the county.

Harnett County 4-H extends sincere appreciation to all who contributed to this achievement and looks forward to continuing to empower local youth through learning, leadership, and community involvement.

About Harnett County 4-H

Harnett County 4-H is part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, a partnership between North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Harnett County Government. 4-H provides youth ages 5–18 with opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills through hands-on learning, community service, and project-based education in areas such as science, agriculture, arts, and healthy living.

Through clubs, school enrichment, and summer programs, Harnett County 4-H helps young people become confident leaders who make a positive difference in their communities.

For more information about joining or supporting Harnett County 4-H, visit the Harnett County Cooperative Extension Office website https://harnett.ces.ncsu.edu