Florida 4-H News Room: 4-H News from Around the State

Top Manatee County 4-H’ers were recently recognized at the 56th Annual 4-H Awards Program held at the Manatee Civic Center, attended by more than 250 people. Awards were presented for Outstanding Overall 4-H Member, Horseman of the Year, Conservationist of the Year, Spring Gardening, Outstanding Record Book, Outstanding Project Study, and Lamp of Knowledge.Receiving the Outstanding Overall 4-H Member Awards: Chloe Bunyak (Junior - ages 8-10 years); Casey Wingate (Intermediate - ages 11-13 years); and Samuel Byers and Zachary Quattlebaum (Senior - ages 14-18 years). These awards were sponsored by Clements Surveying Inc., of Palmetto, and the local 4-H Foundation.Horseman of the Year awards went to Lonnie Weis (Junior/Intermediate Division) and Tabetha Lex (Senior Division). The Horseman of the Year award is presented each year to an outstanding equestrian who has the highest number of participation points. Criteria included participation in club meeting, clinics, shows, and doing commun...

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-...

WASHINGTON, March 24-29, 2012 – A delegation of four Florida 4-H youth and one adult chaperone joined 200 4-H members from across the country that came to the nation's capital to make their voice heard as part of the 2012 National 4-H Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Florida’s youth delegation included Christy Connell from Santa Rosa County, Amanda Holmes from Marion County, Victoria Banner of Alachua County, Joel Weaver from Duval County and adult mentor Geralyn Sachs, St. Johns County 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent. Guest speakers throughout the week included Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Aaron Davis, former University of Nebraska football player. Dr. Biden, a longtime educator, spoke to conference participants about Joining Forces, the initiative she started with First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage all Americans to s...

More than 600 Florida 4-H youth and adults from as far south as Collier County and as far northwest as Escambia County arrived in Tallahassee for their Day at the Capitol.  4-H day at the capitol, an annual state event, took place February 28th.  Participants were adorned in "4-H green" shirts with the bold words on them "I Am the Revolution of Responsibility".  "I Am the Revolution of Responsibility" addresses the misconception that youth are not informed of what's going on in their communities and promotes the findings that youth are making a real impact every day.  Throughout the day participants met with lawmakers and other elected officials including Governor Rick Scott.  During one of the rallies in the Capitol Courtyard, Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is also a 4-H alum, joined Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll to recognize the youth leadership opportunities 4-H brings to our state.

The Gilchrist County 4-H SWAT Club (Students Working Against Tobacco) learned about the dangers of candy flavored tobacco and how tobacco companies use it to get kids addicted to tobacco products.  Together the 4-H'ers and their club leader approached the Board of County Commissioners about this and helped get an ordinance passed in Gilchrist County that all candy flavored tobacco sold in the county has to be kept behind the counter so children and teens don't have easy access to it.

The story of "The Fire House the 4-H'ers Built" began in 1982 as a community service project of the Mighty 4-H'ers of Duette who petitioned the Division of Forestry for a brush truck for Duette.  On May 19, 2011 the department's humble beginnings and the Mighty 4-H'ers of Duette noble efforts were publicly acknowledged as the department moved into a modern fire house.  The Duette fire badge still contains a cloverleaf to commemorate the club's importance in the departments founding. 

The Clay County 4-H'ers learned that limited income seniors at local meal sites were taking food home to share with pets because of their inability to purchase pet food.  As a result the seniors were not recieving nutrition provided in the meals.  Together with the Clay County Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels, and Halo Pet Food Company, they created the "Paws Program" and distributed over 1400 cases of canned pet food to over 87 seniors enrolled in the program.