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

Project Runway  designers, it looks like you may have some competition! Last night, high school students from all over the country came and competed in an intense fashion and talent show hosted by 4-H. Held in the Grand Ballroom of the Reitz Union at the University of Florida, the show, “Share the Fun and Fashion Review” showcased the talented and creative work of  25 to 30 high school students who designed and created outfits from scratch and with a budget. There were two categories of the fashion show: shopping on a budget (students had only $100 or less to create an outfit head to toe and were encouraged to find pieces from thrift stores) and construction (students had to design and create their outfits from scratch). Before the talent show, students had to learn skills that would help them for the competition, says Shaumond Scott, Florida 4-H communications coordinator. “Students had to learn how to sew, how to use patterns and durability,” says Scott. ...

By Joey Flechas Sweat dripped from Quentin Carter's brow as he laid down chunks of pine straw over a piece of cardboard on the ground to stymie weeds. "I love to help people," Carter said. Almost 300 teens gathered at the University of Florida this week for the annual Florida 4-H Congress, which wrapped up Wednesday with a day of service. About 35 volunteers were at Wilmot Gardens, with some mulching and some hammering at slabs of granite to smooth out the surface of a soon-to-be park bench. Linda Luecking, project coordinator for the gardens, said the project marked the third year in a row that 4-H volunteers have worked at the gardens. "The great thing about getting 4-H students is that they are used to working," Luecking said. Another group worked at the Ronald McDonald House, organizing the food pantry, weeding and steam-cleaning the floors. Theresa Drew, house manager, said the volunteers were eager to work and attentive. "...

4-H youth joined the University of Florida/St. Johns County Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and learned all about local agriculture last month. The Farm to Table camp was described as both a success and wonderful learning opportunity regarding the entire food production from St. Johns County farms to the community supermarket. With growing popularity of residents wanting to learn more about local agriculture, the youth experienced hands-on farm living by being a farmer for a day. Johns Sykes, Sykes and Cooper Farm, gave a tour of the farm including machinery used, the storage facility and actual harvest production. The youth also got the opportunity to shuck their own wide acre peas. While in Hastings, agriculture agent Steve Lands, gave a tour of the UF/IFAS Partnership for Water, Agriculture and Community Sustainability facility. Youth learned about edible landscaping, alternative agriculture and agricultural sustainability. Lands provided the youth with ...

Ten sewing camp participants from Manatee County recently presented residents of the Life Care Center of Sarasota with clothing protectors they had sewn earlier. The clothing protectors were a community service project completed during a 4-H sewing camp. At that time, 20 participants made 20 items in three hours in an assembly line-type production with the assistance of American Sewing Guild Sarasota Chapter members. “The clothing protectors are very welcomed and they will be used by residents during meal and craft times,” said Denise Tarutis, activity director of Life Care Center. Also during their visit to the center, 4-H sewing camp participant Maegan Betts shared a speech titled “The Lost Art of Sewing” with the group.  Afterwards, everyone joined in singing songs, “Grand Ole’ Flag,” “Yogi Bear,” and “Make New Friends.” “Wow! What a great community service project, allowing youth and adults to work together and to help others at the same time,” said Dr. Diana L. Smith...

Just one week after trees at 4-H Camp Cloverleaf were toppled by a tornado spun from Tropical Storm Debby, the tree replanting has begun. As the camp reopened after a one-week shut down, two bus-loads of campers from Manatee County arrived. Full of excitement, some 88 youth and 14 adults scurried around the camp in an orderly manner throughout the week as cleanup continued. Then, on July 4, the group welcomed longtime 4-H leader Betty Glassburn as she arrived with a 12-foot live oak tree donated by SMR Farms of Manatee County. The live oak, selected for its canopy, is a stately-looking tree. “We are certainly fortunate to have not sustained more damage and welcome this tree replacement,” said Cloverleaf’s Manager Steve Cooper. Earlier, Cooper had pointed out several trees that were planted by Manatee County 4-H’ers through the years. Fortunately, they all survived. "Manatee County 4-H has camped at Camp Cloverleaf since 1954 and we feel some ownership for this camp. Seeing...

The Extension Assistant Scientist/State 4-H Educational Design Specialist has posted to GatorJobs. The position number is 00002691. The direct link to the GatorJobs posting is http://jobs.ufl.edu/postings/31205

Florida 4-H is proud to announce this year’s Top 5 recipients of the Community Pride Award! Top 5 Award Winners Callahan Country Kids 4-H Club This Nassau County 4-H club decided they wanted to reach out to more people in need. With the community in mind as well as fallen veterans, the project enti­tled caring hearts doing their part” helped to support the elderly, fallen veterans, and people in need of food. District XIII Council District XIII’s main objective was to reach their com­munity to help overcome poverty and to teach others how to help. They wanted to make an impact in the lives of impoverished people. Throughout the year, they took on different projects that impacted the lives of the impoverished in the community and beyond. Juss Horsin’ Around 4-H Club This Nassau County 4-H club addressed the many needs and concerns of their community. They strived to cre­ate a positive impact through military appreciation, environmental impact, the elderly and ...