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4-H Beyond Graduation Day

4-H Beyond Graduation Day

Graduation has come and gone for our newest 4-H Alumni who are beginning their journeys in college, technical school or the workforce.  Our 4-H Seniors have given so much to their county, district and state programs over their years of service.  Here are a few ways to make sure your Senior gets all he/she can from their Senior year in 4-H and beyond:

Final 4-H Event

4-H University –  July 30-August 2nd

http://4huniversity.com/

Florida 4-H University is a week-long overnight event for young adults held at the University of Florida. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in educational workshops led by University of Florida faculty, explore career opportunities, lead community service activities, interact with youth from all over the state, and have fun while developing critical life skills that will help them become productive and engaged citizens in their communities, their country, and their world.

To be considered eligible for participation in Florida 4-H University, participants must be between the ages of 14 – 18 by September 1st of the previous year and must not have graduated high school.  Late registration closes June 8th.

Camp Staff

Were you a 4-H camper?  Then consider coming back as staff next 4-H camp year.  Our 4-H residential camps are always looking for dedicated applicants with youth and youth program experience.

http://florida4h.org/camps_/jobs/summer-camp-staff-application/

Volunteer with 4-H

Now that you’ve made the transition from 4-H member to alumni, check with your 4-H Agent for opportunities to give back to the program that grew you into a #TrueLeader.  If you’ve moved away from your home county, find the 4-H agent where you are to see how you can volunteer.

Other Resources

Collegiate 4-H – http://florida4h.org/youth_/collegiate/  

Volunteer – http://florida4h.org/volunteers_/sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office

Alumni – https://4-h.org/4-h-alumni-community/4-h-alumni-resources/

Find a 4-H Agent – http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/

Reflections from Graduating Seniors: Jessica Wells

Jessica credits 4-H with helping her develop leadership and communication skills to help her transition into the workforce.

Super Woman has nothing on Washington County 4-H’er Jessica Wells.  During her 11 years as a 4-H member, she has logged over 500 4-H volunteer hours, started and led a horse project club,  facilitated agriculture judging at the county youth fair, led a highly successful community service project, served on 4-H Executive Board and the district teen retreat planning committee, been my right-hand woman at day camps, the county 4-H Tropicana public speaking contest and awards banquets…I could go on and on!

Through events such as 4-H University and executive board, 4-H involvement has broadened Jessica’s personal skill set.  She has learned about opportunities beyond the county level, stepped out of her comfort zone, looked inside herself to see where she needed to grow and developed teamwork skills that have benefitted her now and will continue to benefit her in the future.

Jessica also shared that “exploring career options has been one of the biggest benefits of my 4-H involvement.”

Jessica’s involvement in the 4-H horse program has led her to start a horse club in her community, so she can share her passion and expertise for the horse industry with other youth.  There had not been an active horse club in the county for several years, so Jessica was able to match her interest to serve a real need in the community.

With leadership development as the focus of her senior 4-H year, she says that 4-H University has been her favorite event that has allowed her to flex and grow her skills as a leader.  Jessica lives a heads, heart, hands and health life:  she has grown her personal skill set, she leads and serves with a giving and caring heart, her work ethic is tremendous and she has begun a club to serve an unmet need in the county.  Jessica has balanced her 4-H life while working at her grandfather’s blueberry farm, working with her horses (even rehabilitating a rescue horse), being an awesome big sister and daughter and serving at church. Jessica is the daughter of Rodney and Karen Wells and big sister to Sarah and Joshua.  She plans to attend Chipola College then transfer to either Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College or the University of Florida and major in agri-business.

Hear what Jessica has to say about what she has gained from her 4-H experience, and why she has remained in 4-H through her high school years:

UF/IFAS Extension Washington County congratulates Jessica on her high school graduation!  We look forward to seeing how you move and shake the world.  Love, Julie, Judy, Mark, Matt, Nikki & Cynthia

Judging Teams Grow Workforce Skills

Youth competing at the North Florida Fair Horticulture Judging Contest.  Photo credit: UF IFAS Leon County 4-H

Youth competing at the North Florida Fair Horticulture Judging Contest. Photo credit: UF IFAS Leon County 4-H

For parents who want their child to be prepared for the 21st century workforce, participating in a 4-H judging team may be the answer.  Several universities have recently published studies on the impacts 4-H judging teams have had on workforce readiness.  The University of Georgia surveyed over 1,300 4-H alumni who reported that judging programs helped them develop confidence and communication and decision making skills (McCann & McCann 1992).  A 2005 University of Idaho study found that 97% of alumni indicated that their 4-H judging experience positively influenced their personal success as adults (Nash & Sant, 2005).  Similar results were found in studies conducted by Rutgers and the University of Missouri.  The life skills attained through judging programs are not only sought-after by employers but are applicable to most professions.  In addition, these skills are not always taught in school or on the sports field but are intentionally integrated into the 4-H positive youth development program.

Florida 4-H Alumna (and national poultry and meats judging champion) Stacey Warden shared:  “I would not be the person I am today if I had not joined 4-H.  4-H [judging teams] helped me learn how to speak in front of others, build confidence and gave me so many opportunities I would not have had otherwise.”  One Missouri 4-H alumna shared: “I have had the chance to meet some of the greatest people in the world, visit many different states, and gain ever so vital experiences in public speaking.  Giving oral reasons has helped me sharpen my speaking abilities.  In today’s society, communication is the key to success (Sheppard 2005).”

Florida 4-H offers many opportunities for youth to be involved in a judging team.  While livestock judging may be the most recognized, we also offer judging programs in forestry,

Leon County Master Gardeners help youth practice for the Horticulture Judging Contest.

Leon County Master Gardeners help youth practice for the Horticulture Judging Contest.

poultry, land/soils, meats, horticulture, consumer choices, horse, dairy goat and marine ecology.  Mastering the subject matter content is only one aspect of the program.  Youth work as a team to correctly identify animals, plants, or parts.  They also have to learn to make close observations and think on their feet to evaluate the quality of an animal, plant, or product.  They master communication and presentation skills by defending their choices in front of a judge (this is called giving oral reasons).  The real goal of these programs is to help youth develop confidence, communication and decision making skills that will help them be successful adults in work and personal life later on.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will feature different judging opportunities that will be available this fall at the North Florida Fair.  This week, our feature is on the 4-H Horticulture Judging Program.  Do you know the difference between opposite, alternate, whorled and palmate leaves?  Can you tell the difference between poison ivy and Virginia creeper?  Do you know what to look for when purchasing shrubs for your landscape?  Youth involved in the 4-H Horticulture judging team do!  Horticulture judging is a great way to learn how to correctly identify plants and learn about Florida’s horticulture industry, which is ranked second in the nation and is a billion dollar industry for our state!

Getting started is easy!  First, download a copy of the rules and glossary.  Begin to familiarize yourself with plant terms so that you can become proficient at plant identification and use of keys.   Next, take a look at the online tutorial.  There are four modules:

Last but not least, quiz yourself- visit a local grocery store or nursery and see how many fruits, vegetables and plants you can correctly identify!  The next opportunity to participate in a horticulture judging contest will be Saturday, November 12th at the North Florida Fair.  The state contest is usually held in Gainesville in July in conjunction with 4-H University,

If you have a passion for plants or the horticulture industry, consider coaching or participating in a 4-H horticultural judging team.  Together, let’s grow 4-H to help the next generation develop 21st century workforce skills for Florida!  Contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office to sign up as a volunteer or member, or visit http://florida4h.org. Next week, we will feature our consumer choices judging contest.

References:

McCann, J. S., & McCann, M. A. (1992). Judging team members’ reflection on the value of livestock, horse, meats, and wool judging programs. The Professional Animal Scientist8, 7–13.

Nash, S. A., & Sant, S. L. (2005). Life-skill development found in 4-H animal judging. Journal of Extension [Online], 43(2) Article 2RIB5. Available at:http://www.joe.org/joe/2005april/rb5.php

Sheppard, L. (2005). Where would I be without 4-H? Missouri Ruralist, October 2005.

4-H Day at Gator Football

Just a few more days until College Football season kicks off!  The Gator Ticket Office is proud to announce a special ticket offer for all 4-H members, employees, alumni, as well as their family and friends for the Gator Football game on Saturday, September, 3rd against the UMASS Minutemen! Take advantage of this opportunity to purchase game tickets at a special rate of ONLY $20 per ticket!

Here’s the official invitation from head coach Jim McElwain.  

 

Currently, the Florida Panhandle is in 2nd place for the highest number of tickets sold.  The northeast district is in first place by a few dozen tickets. We are close to our goal of selling 500 tickets and if we are able to meet our goal, one 4-Her will have an exclusive on the field opportunity at halftime!  It’s not too late to order your tickets- use this link.