Skip to main content

Leon County 4-H Programs

The Florida 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach paired with volunteers to help kids learn the life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens. Recent studies show that kids spending time in youth programs like 4-H are less likely to be involved in high risk behaviors, have higher grades and better work habits. 4-H stands for Head, Heart, Hands and Health and is a youth development program that is available for youth ages 5 to 18 that focuses on science, engineering, technology, healthy living and citizenship.” According to Leon County Extension Agent, Marcus Boston, Jr., 4-H is the “largest youth serving organization that exists and we're the only youth organization that is tied to the University systems where they provide the research information we use for the project books."
Malek Dennard got involved with 4-H at the age of 8. He now hopes to be a role model for other kids involved in the program. He says, "every summer I go to 4-H camp Cherry Lake which , I serve as a counselor for kids ages 8 to 18 usually where we do a week of different activities, hiking , canoeing, swimming, study a lot of sciences, healthy lifestyles."
Boston states that there are 3 delivery methods at 4-H starting with the community clubs. Volunteers are recruited to serve as club leaders to help get kids involved. He says "the second one is school enrichment and that's where we provide resource material to teachers and then they implement the information or implement the program in their classroom." the third method is known as "special interest" which could include a one time day camp which might focus on a variety of different topics such as nutrition, horticulture or cooking. One of the gardens at the Leon County Extension office is maintained by the 4-H Horticulture Club. All vegetables produced will be donated to the local food bank.
Thanks to 4-H, Malek has gained confidence in himself and is proud of his accomplishments through the program. He admits he plans “to go to college and major in veterinary science and I plan to definitely stay tuned to 4-H, not just for myself but for other people planning to join 4-H, or people involved in 4-H right now because I think it's a great program."
There is no cost to join 4-H and is year round. Caring adults who would be interested in sharing an area of expertise with youth are always needed. For more information on 4-H programs log on to http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu or call (850) 606-5204. Leon County 4-H Extension is located at 615 Paul Russell Road, Tallahassee, FL 32301.

via - http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Leon_County_4-H_Programs_158581005.html

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Florida 4-H and United Health Care Launch Partnership Promoting Healthy Living Through Fun, Creative Activities at North Florida Fair

Florida State 4-H representatives join UnitedHealthcare for a check presentation at the "Eat4-Health" partnership launch at the North Florida Fair. Florida 4-H received a $30,000 grant from UnitedHealthcare to promote healthy living. From L to R: Pete Vergott III, District Extension Director, University of Florida IFAS Extension; Heather Kent, 4-H Regional Specialized Agent; Marcus Boston Jr., Extension Agent, Leon County 4-H; Kelly Skidmore, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida; and UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound (Photo: Sam Holton/Holton Photography). Business Wire Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/12/3093682_p2/florida-4-h-and-unitedhealthcare.html#storylink=cpy Eat4-Health partnership includes 10 states, with 4-H youth as health ambassadors reaching other youth and families with messages to fight obesity United Health Care mascot Dr. Health E. Hound participates in 4-H Day at the North Florida Fair, leading hundred ...

MARILYN NORMAN INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME

Contact:   Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Chair, 609-827-0199, reakeywood@njaes.rutgers.edu                            MARILYN NORMAN INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME CHEVY CHASE, MD (October 11, 2019) – Dr. Marilyn Norman of Asbury, Iowa was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on October 11 for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the University of Florida/IFAS Extension and the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, Norman was one of 16 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council; the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) ; or 4-H National Headquarters/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), ...

It All Began With Agriculture

4-H has always taught life skills to youth, and it all began with agriculture. Florida 4-H began as a program to teach farming methods to rural youth and became a community-based program that taught millions of young Floridians how to “Learn By Doing”.  “Agriculture is firmly cemented in the foundation of Florida 4-H and thanks to the resources of the University of Florida IFAS Extension and a nationwide network of extension professionals, agriculture remains an important part of Florida 4-H programming.” Shaumond Scott, State 4-H Communications Coordinator. In 1909, UF Dean of Agriculture J.J. Vernon organized corn clubs for boys in Alachua, Bradford and Marion counties.   Clubs for girls followed in 1912.   After 1915, Florida A&M University directed a program for African American youth.   The clubs were part of a national movement that became known as 4-H and is now one of the largest youth organizations in the country.   4-H o...