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

Last week, we entered a bold new era of exploration and discovery as NASA launched the Orion spacecraft, a major step testing the possibility of going to Mars. As NASA contemplates sending human missions to Mars, one question we must answer is: what will the astronauts eat and what foods will assist future missions? NASA and USDA are working together to develop plants that can grow, thrive, and produce in new environments – signaling opportunities for fresh, nutrition-rich food for astronauts on long duration space flights. In conjunction with the Orion launch, I toured the Kennedy Space Center’s Space Life Science Center with local 4-Hers. Together, we marveled at the research, technology, and biotechnology found in NASA’s labs. We saw dwarf plums that USDA and NASA developed together, designed to fit in small spaces and produce fruit continually – not seasonally. We saw plants growing without soil and plants growing with minimal water. We saw some of the science that NASA is u

Florida 4-H Alumnus, former state officer, and this year's 4-H Leader of the Legacy Award recipient, Chandler Ash continues to serve as an anti-tobacco advocate. video platform video management video solutions video player This video originally appeared on WJXT4 Jacksonville http://www.news4jax.com/news/kids-and-tobacco/30176990

Highland’s County’s new 4-H agent Katie Whidden just wrapped up the program’s annual banquet last week. It was a big event, with about 200 kids, parents and leaders in attendance. There were fresh flower centerpieces on the table, rows of medals on the stage and even strobe lights. It was the first of many firsts for the extension office’s new hire “I’m pretty happy,” said Whidden after the event, which was a little daunting for the agent who stepped into the job, her very first professional job, only a month ago. Whidden graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in agricultural education and communication this past spring. “I graduated on Sunday, had interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Friday I got a verbal offer for the job,” said Whidden. She said when she got the position she was “on cloud nine.” Read More Originally published on 7/8/14 at http://highlandstoday.com/list/highlands-agri-leader-news/local-agriculture-runs-deep-in-new-4-h-agent-2014070

  It is with great pleasure that we announce that Ali Baker has accepted the State 4-H Resource Development Coordinator position.  She will begin her duties on June 6, 2014.  In this role, Ali will work with the Florida 4-H Foundation Board of Directors, help manage tax status, and coordinate efforts with 4-H alumni.  Ali previously held the position in the State 4-H Headquarters as Office Assistant.  Please welcome Ali to this new role in Florida 4-H.  She may be contacted at a.baker17@ufl.edu .