September 1st marks the new 4-H year in Florida, and many families are enrolling their kids this week. There are several different ways that youth can participate in 4-H. The most traditional delivery mode is community clubs, but youth can also participate through their school or afterschool program, military youth center, camp, or even as a short-term special interest member.
Last year, Florida 4-H introduced a membership fee for community club members ages 8-18 of $20.00. Many parents have asked me, “Why is Florida 4-H charging community clubs? Many club kids are enrolled in projects where parents have already invested money into animals or equipment (shooting sports, robotics, sewing machines).” I am one of those parents- my own children are enrolled in the poultry project and would like to advance to a rabbit, pig or steer. As a parent who has paid the fee, I see it as an investment, and here’s why:
Photo credit: Paula Davis, UF IFAS Bay County
Although every 4-H delivery mode incorporates positive youth development strategies, research shows that the club delivery mode has the greatest benefit to youth. A few years ago, Tufts University did a groundbreaking study on Positive Youth Development. They studied youth engaged in a variety of youth programs (including 4-H) and they tracked the youth from 5th grade until graduation. Florida participated in this study and the results were exciting for 4-H! You can read the full report here. Based on this research, compared to youth in other youth programs, youth engaged in 4-H clubs are:
Four times more likely to contribute to their communities
Two times more likely to be civically active
Two times more likely to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities during out-of-school time
Two times more likely to make healthier choices
4-H girls are two times more likely to take part in science programs compare to girls in other youth program
So as a parent, I see the club membership fee as an investment. Twenty dollars is way less than what I pay so that my kids can play soccer for a couple of months each year (and depending on the coach- my kids may or may not learn sportsmanship and teambuilding). There isn’t anything on the list above that I don’t want for my children. But these outcomes are all tied to long term involvement with a 4-H club. Clubs are the most effective delivery mode for positive youth development because they focus on three very important areas:
Positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults
Activities that build important life skills
Opportunities for youth to use these skills as participants and leaders in valued community activities
Photo credit: Julie Dillard, UF IFAS Washington County
So if 4-H sounds like a good investment to you, here’s how to enroll (if you are a member of more than one club, you pay the membership only one time per year):
Each youth must have a club and project (select from the drop-down menu).
You will receive an email with a link to pay the Florida 4-H Membership Fee after enrolling.
Pay the Florida 4-H Membership Fee. If you don’t want to pay online, you can drop off cash, check or money order at your local UF IFAS County Extension Office using this form.
Membership will be set to active after fee is paid. Until
membership fee is paid, youth cannot attend 4-H club meetings, events or activities.
Update contact, medical, club and project information for each member.
Each youth must have a club and project (select from the drop down menu).
You will receive an email with a link to pay the Florida 4-H Membership Fee after enrolling.
Pay the Florida 4-H Membership Fee. If you don’t want to pay online, you can drop off cash, check or money order at your local UF IFAS County Extension Office using this form.
Membership will be set to active after fee is paid. Until membership fee is paid, youth cannot attend 4-H club meetings, events or activities.
Many counties are planning 4-H kickoffs this time of year, and those events are a great way to learn about the different clubs available in your community. If the fee is a hardship for your family, contact the 4-H agent for possible scholarships. For more information about 4-H, contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org.
Ms. Jean Bodiford McMillan was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame August 2nd. She has helped 5 generations of youth in Gulf County learn leadership and life skills through the 4-H Horse Project. In 1970, she became the club leader for the Big River Riders 4-H Club. Mr. Roy Carter, a former Gulf County Extension Director, says “The Big River Riders 4-H Club holds the county record for the longest running 4-H club [in Gulf County] and Jean is one of the strongest leaders we have ever had the pleasure to work with. She has been the backbone of our horse program and is always willing to help in any capacity.”
In addition to serving at the county level, Mrs. McMillian also serves on the Area A 4-H Horse Advisory Committee. This committee of volunteers provides direction and leadership for 4-H Horse programs across the Florida Panhandle (Northwest District). The purpose of the committee is to make sure that 4-H horse events are educational in nature and adhere to the philosophies and goals of 4-H positive youth development. This committee has the authority and responsibility to manage the direction and resources of the Area A 4-H Horse Program. Examples of programs include schooling shows, showmanship and judging clinics, camps, and competitive shows.
Ms. Jean Bodiford McMillan being inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame during the 4-H University Awards Banquet in August.
Jean has served on the Area A Horse Committee for over 30 years and has held a variety of positions on the committee. Through her involvement in the committee, she has watched her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in the Florida 4-H Horse Program. She is always willing to help with anything that needs to be done from checking bits and helmets to calculating points. She has chaired the Western and Speed Divisions for a number of years at the district level and also pitches in to help with whatever is needed at the State 4-H Horse Show every July.
Her work in customer service has helped her as a volunteer to resolve conflict and solve problems. She began her professional career with FairPoint Communications, Inc. (Port St. Joe office) in 1960 in the customer service department and held various jobs over the years. She is also an active member of the Honeyville United Methodist Church in Honeyville located right outside of Wewahitchka. She retired from the integration and reports department of FairPoint in 2009.
When asked why she has stayed involved with 4-H for so many years, she said:
“We have a very good group of Extension directors, agents, volunteers and members within our Area A Horse Program and I am so thankful to be a part of the group in any capacity. I was a 4-H’er growing up, worked as a volunteer for 5 generations over 45 years and there are so many rewarding pleasures when you see the young people do their best and strive to improve in all areas. When all your heart is given and they continue to give more is the greatest reward of all. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this astronomical foundation.”
Despite retiring from the professional world, she has never retired from her 4-H volunteer work. Her dependability and compassion for youth has earned her the respect and admiration of fellow volunteers as well as Extension faculty. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and skills to inspire the next generation, contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office to find out more about becoming a volunteer. We offer a wide variety of roles to fit your interests and schedule.
Youth had only 2 hours to design a bridge that would support a semi load of vegetables.
When you hear the word agriculture, it probably evokes words like “farming, livestock or dirt” and maybe even the smell of manure. For people who work in the agriculture industry, it reminds them of words like “hard work, long days, sweat” and the smell of money. But did you know that science and technology- especially engineering- play an ever increasing role in supplying our nation (and world) with a safe and affordable food supply?
Thanks to generous support from HughesNet, 4-Hers across Florida have been learning just how much the agriculture industry needs technology. This week, 4-Hers from Jackson, Liberty, Gadsden and Leon counties participated in an engineering day camp. Each day, they learned how civil engineers design the infrastructure needed for farmers to get their food from the farm to tables across the state and nation. The program concluded with an engineering challenge at the North Florida Fairgrounds in Tallahassee.
Youth were judged on their innovation, creativity and teamwork- all essential skills for engineers who solve today’s problems!
Youth had two hours to design, build and test a bridge that would hold a large semi-truck of produce. The results were inspiring! Teams were judged on their creative use of materials, innovative design, teamwork and communication skills. They also completed a skill-a-thon to showcase their knowledge of bridge design. This challenge was practice for the contest that will be held in November during 4-H Day at the North Florida Fair. To find out more information about other 4-H programs like this, contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org.
HughesNet and Florida 4-H have teamed up to help youth learn how to use science and technology to solve problems!
Most people think of camp as a break from the fast-paced technological world, but that’s not always the case. With a $10,000 grant from HughesNet, Florida 4-H is introducing technology in a meaningful way across our state this summer! As a result of the sponsorship, 340 youth will learn about the engineering design process, and how to use technology and engineering to solve real world issues such as energy, water and conservation.
“We are grateful for the partnership with a technology leader like HughesNet to get more kids interested in how STEM affects our lives and offers great career paths,” said Michael Gutter, UF/IFAS associate dean for Extension and state program leader for 4-H youth development, families and communities. “Camp is a fun way to learn about STEM and a great way for youth to spend part of their summer.”
During one camp, youth learned how civil engineers design safe bridges to transport people, food and medical supplies. STEM in action!
STEM at Camp is part of a national effort by HughesNet and National 4-H Council to spark youth interest in STEM topics. Florida was one of four states selected to receive a Summer Camp STEM grant. The other states include Illinois, Maine and Virginia. This is the third consecutive year that HughesNet has supported STEM at Camp programs and the first year that Florida has been a recipient of this funding.
Next week, Florida Panhandle youth have two camps to choose from: Bots by the Bay at 4-H Camp Timpoochee and Wildlife Camp in Monticello, Florida. During Bots by the Bay camp, youth will learn how to program 3-dimensional printers to print, build and test robots and cars. During Wildlife Camp, youth will learn how technology is used to protect natural resources and grow our agricultural industry. Our goal is to spark an interest in using technology to solve real world problems that affect our food safety and supply, as well as our overall quality of life.
National 4-H Council and HughesNet are dedicated to sparking youth interest in STEM topics through hands-on, community-based STEM learning. In addition to STEM at Camp, HughesNet works with National 4-H Council to support STEM programs such as the 4-H Youth In Action STEM Pillar award, National Engineering Week and National Youth Science Day – the world’s largest youth-led STEM challenge. This year’s experiment, Incredible Wearables, helps youth explore the world of wearable technology as the design, built and test a fitness monitor. If you have a passion for technology, or simply like to help kids learn, consider becoming a 4-H volunteer. For more information about 4-H, visit our website or contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office.
It happens to me all the time…the stranger standing next to me in line at the post office or grocery store sees the 4-H emblem on my shirt or name tag, and say “I’ve always wondered what the four “H’s” in 4-H stand for.” Many people would be surprised to find out that originally, there were only three “H’s.” O. H. Benson designed the first emblem in 1907 as a three-leaf clover with three “H’s” signifying head, heart, and hands. A four-leaf clover design with H’s appeared informally around 1908 with the fourth “H” standing for “Hustle.” In 1911, during a club leader meeting in Washington, DC, leaders voted to adopt the fourth “H,” Health. This emblem was patented in 1924, and in 1939 Congress passed a law protecting the use of the 4-H name and emblem. This emblem continues to be highly valued and recognized on our country today, and because of that it became a federally protected mark, more valuable than a trademark or copyright. Similarly valued emblems include the Olympic and Presidential Seals. The “18 USC 707” that is written below the stem of the emblem outlines the United States Code that protects the emblem.
The best way to remember what the “H’s” stand for is by learning our pledge:
Today’s emblem, protected by Congress.
My Head to clearer thinking (life skill development through informal education)
My Heart to greater loyalty (emotional development and positive relationships with screened, trained and caring adults)
My Hands to larger service (growing compassion and civic responsibility through service to others)
And my Health to better living (learning how to make better choices)
For my club, my community, my country and my world.
Watch celebrity Aubrey Plaza explain what the four “H’s” mean by reciting the 4-H Pledge on national television.
Nostalgic about 4-H and want to introduce the next generation of youth to the program? Consider becoming a 4-H volunteer! Florida 4-H offers a wide variety of roles to fit both your interests and schedule. Contact your local UF IFAS Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org for more information.
