Here in the Florida Panhandle, we recognize what an important asset our volunteers are. Volunteers extend the reach of 4-H, but more importantly, they are an essential part of the positive youth development process. While our programs are led by Extension faculty, our volunteers create communities were youth can learn and develop emotional and workforce skills to help them grow up to be caring citizens and productive members of society and the workforce. This week happens to be National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and there’s no better way to kick off our volunteer celebration than to start by affirming our volunteer philosophy.
4-H in the Panhandle encourages the teamwork of faculty, staff, and volunteers so that we can offer Florida youth and families the best services possible. Volunteers contribute their unique talents, skills, and knowledge of our communities to provide personalized attention to youth, enable faculty and staff to focus on achieving the overall educational outcomes of the total 4-H program, and educate the public about 4-H and its impact.
Volunteers really are the heart of 4-H. All week, we will be highlighting some of the amazing volunteers who are working with us to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of young people in Florida. Videos with the highest numbers of “likes” and “shares” on the 4-H in the Panhandle FaceBook Page will win 4-H swag bags for the volunteers featured. The contest will be open through the end of April 2021.
If you can’t Purple Up on the 15th Choose another day!
Not all heroes wear capes. How many times have we heard this phrase over the last year referring to healthcare workers, first responders, and essential personnel? What about kids – specifically kids with one or both parents serving in the military?
According to Webster, a hero is “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Upon reflection, we thought about what we see in military kids. The kids of military families have make many sacrifices, they move often, lose time with family members serving, and often don’t get to celebrate events with deployed family members. Military-connected kids experience many challenges that make them resilient, but they also take their toll. We are civilians serving military youth using 4-H as the vehicle to help make them more resilient. In fact, UF/IFAS Extension and 4-H are proud to be a part of the military family working with youth centers across the nation to have some consistency for youth in these situations.
Jen also lives in a neighborhood full of active duty military members and their families. She sat down and chatted with a teen and his dad who is active duty Navy and one of her neighbors. Their conversation was so enlightening and inspiring about being a military kid that we had to share it with you!
The conversation started with me asking the teen to tell me what he thought a hero was. His response? Someone who does for the greater good; a person who possess courage, honesty, integrity, and kindness. I followed up by asking if he thought of himself as a hero. Immediately, he said, “no, I’m just a military kid. It is nothing special, just a title.” His answer really resonated with me. Adults who sign up for military life know what they are signing up for, military kids are just handed the cards they are dealt. The kids of military families have no say in the sacrifices of time, family, and opportunities as well as the uncertainty that comes along with the job of one or both parents serving in the military. How could this teen not see how special he is? I could not believe that his perception was that military kid just a title!
As we continued our conversation, we discussed how his role changes when his dad is gone for 7 to 14 months on deployment. He has to step up as the “man of the house” to help his mom with household duties and help with his younger brother. Then when dad comes back his role to changes again. These role changes can be challenging, but he consistently steps up without complaint. This young man has also experienced a big move that involved making all new friends, adjusting to life in the south. His parents report that he has also kept a positive attitude. When ask about this his response was “that is just what you do.”
Purple up for military Kids
Military kids experience change frequently – some little and some big- starting early in their lives. Their ability to adapt and overcome is admirable. This teen was so nonchalant about his abilities and skills as a military kid that I had to stop and remind him that what he possesses is something truly special. To put it into perspective, on top of everything that comes with being a military kid, he has dealt with a big move relocating to Florida, the devastating effects of Hurricane Michael, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioned to virtual school. Compared to his peers, and many adults, he has handled the change with grace and confidence. By the end of our conversation, I asked again, “Do you think of yourself as a hero?” This time his answer was much different than when we started our conversation, “yes, I guess I am.” I thanked him for his service, which supports his dad to carry out his duties to protect our country every day. He replied thank you for caring!
Now we need your help! Being a military kid is so much more than a title. Please join us in celebrating the Month of the Military Child throughout April and Purple Up! for Military Kids on April 15. This is one way to recognize these youth and show them we care! It’s simple, wear purple and take photos to share on social media using #fl4h, #purpleup, #virtualMOMC, #4heverywhere
I encourage you to visit our website (https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-military-partnership-4-h-m/home) and follow us on Facebook (@bayifas) to learn about how you can join the celebration and support Extension programs like these. Next time you see a military member out with their family, I urge you to not just thank the service member for their service, but also thank their kids as they serve, too. For more information on Purple Up; contact your local county 4-H Agent. 4-H is one of the nation’s most diverse organizations and includes people from all economic, racial, social, political, and geographic categories. There are no barriers to participation by any young person. Participants are given the opportunity to engage in activities that hold their personal interest, while being guided by adult volunteers.
Aly is a 4-H Livestock Agent in Escambia County, Florida.
Aly Schortinghouse is the 4-H/Livestock Agent in Escambia County, Florida. Aly grew up in Georgia 4-H and was heavily involved in the horse and livestock programs. From horse quiz bowl and equestrian drill team to showing heifers and steers, Aly was able to travel the nation with 4-H doing what she loved showing horses and cows. Though her heart was buried in the horse and livestock program, 4-H led to new experiences such as the speaking program and leadership roles in her clubs. Aly largely attributes the 4-H program with developing her life skills and her passion for life long learning.
Aly working on halter breaking a Jersey dairy cow.
Aly studied Animal Science at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. While completing her undergraduate degree Aly worked at the Berry College dairy and as a research assistant. After completing her undergraduate degree, Aly jumped back into the 4-H world when she joined the Escambia County 4-H family in January of 2017. Aly was once again enveloped in the 4-H family, though this time in the role as one of the 4-H agents. In this role, Aly works with the families, faculty, and community of Escambia County to build a strong and enduring 4-H program with programs and clubs which enable youth to dive into their passions all the while building the essential life skills which will aid them in becoming productive citizens.
Aly helps a youth get “show ready”.
Aly’s passion for 4-H lies in what the program means to so many and the opportunities it provides youth. “Seeing the youth set goals to strive for, then growing through their experiences is one of my favorite parts of the job.” Aly recently completed her Master of Science, and is looking forward to continuing to grow the Escambia County 4-H program.
Holidays can be stressful under normal circumstances, but 2020 has been far from normal! Mindfulness can help you improve your focus, manage stress, develop a positive outlook, and resolve conflict. Together, these all help you do a better job regulating emotions. Developing a mindfulness practice could be a great new year’s resolution as we look forward to 2021! Last month’s Virtual Volunteer Leadership Academy webinar focused on helping volunteers develop a mindfulness practice.
There are three key features of mindfulness:
Purpose- intentionally directing your attention rather than letting it wander
Presence- being fully engaged and attentive at the present moment
Acceptance- being nonjudgmental about whatever arises in the moment. In other words, not fretting over what you should be doing or what you should have done, rather focusing on what you can do in the present.
To learn specific strategies for developing a mindfulness practice around these features, watch our webinar below, or check out some of the resources linked below.
Brian is part of the Escambia County UF IFAS Extension Team
Brian Estevez is a 4-H Extension Agent in Escambia County, Florida. He grew up in Archer, Florida and went to school in Williston. While Brian was not a 4-H member as a youth, he did participate in Williston FFA and won the state meat judging contest in 2000. His involvement with the meat judging program propelled him to study meat science at the University of Florida. As a college student, Brian worked at the UF meat lab. After graduation, Brian met Dr. Nick Place who introduced him to the UF master’s program in Agricultural Leadership.
Brian didn’t realize that a career with Extension was possible, even though he had graduated from UF’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. After graduating with his Master’s degree, he volunteered with his youth group at church and found that he really enjoyed working with young people. Brian wanted to purse a job with college student development, but had not been successful in securing a position. He decided to apply for the Alachua agriculture extension position. While he did not get that position, he was encouraged to apply for some open 4-H extension agent positions. He applied for and was offered the 4-H agent position in Suwannee county. Initially, Brian viewed his 4-H position as a “stepping stone” to help him get the student development job he really wanted. However, after more than 12 years with 4-H, it is a career that he loves!
One of Brian’s favorite 4-H programs is the meats judging contest
While a 4-H agent in Suwannee County, Brian used his expertise in meat science to work with UF/IFAS Extension Animal Science specialist Chad Carr to create, develop, and deliver the Florida 4-H Tailgating Contest. This contest teaches youth to safely grill in an outdoor setting, while incorporating food and fire safety with public speaking opportunities. In all, 348 youth from 39 different Florida counties have participated in this annual program which includes four district competitions culminating in a state contest in Gainesville. Scholarships from corporate sponsors are awarded to district and state winners, with over $86,000 being awarded to youth winners since 2016. Estevez has also coached 4-H meat judging teams, where youth learn meat retail identification, quality factors, and cooking methods. He has coached 14 state winning 4-H meat judging teams and has led five teams to national 4-H contests. His 2020 team placed second in the nation, with one team member being recognized as the national high individual. His team members learn communication, decision making, and critical thinking skills and have gone on to participate in collegiate judging teams.
Brian transitioned to Escambia county three years ago and is Brian is passionate about making 4-H available to all youth. In three short years, the program has grown to engaged more than 25% of the school age population in Escambia. The quality of his programs have been recognized and awarded at the National level, including the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Excellence in Animal Science 4-H Programming Award and the NAE4-HA Communicator Promotional Piece Award, both in 2011, the Achievement in Service Award in 2014, and most recently, the NAE4-HA Military Partnership Award in 2019. He was also elected by his peers to serve Florida Association of Extension 4-H Agents in 2014, serving in statewide leadership positions including president. Another aspect of his scholarship is his commitment to mentoring early career colleagues by sharing his work through district, state and national conferences.
(Pre-COVID photo) Brian worked with UF specialists to develop the Florida 4-H Tailgate Contest to teach youth about meat science and food safety.
Brian lives in Cantonment with his bride Mindy and sweet baby boy Eli Thomas. They teach the 1 and 2 year old class at their church, have season tickets to Gator football games, and like spending time at Pensacola Beach.
Empowering youth to succeed is what Brian finds most fulfilling about his job as a 4-H Agent.
In our “new normal” of social distancing, it can be difficult to find ways to give back to your community or provide service to organizations in the traditional methods we’re all accustomed to. However, the partnership between Tractor Supply and 4-H allows you to do just that, pick your Clover! Each year in Fall and Spring, you can volunteer your time, efforts and money to help fundraise during the Paper Clover Campaign which benefits your local 4-H program and the National 4-H program as well. You simply visit your local Tractor Supply store, pick your paper clover, sign your name to it, provide your donation at checkout and then you’ve officially helped us #InspireKidsToDo with 4-H!
Tractor Supply has proudly partnered with 4-H since 2010 with the Paper Clover Campaign. This campaign happens twice a year, Fall and Spring, right in a store near you (and online)! Through this annual fundraiser, Tractor Supply has helped raise over $14 million dollars which have impacted over 69,000 students. 100% of the funds raised during the Fall and Spring Paper Clover fundraisers directly benefit local 4-H programs with 90% going directly to 4-H youth in Florida and 10% supporting the National 4-H program which our youth may participate in throughout the year.
Furthermore, funds from these Paper Clover Campaigns have directly assisted your local programs in sending youth to activities and events such as Camp Timpoochee, Camp Cherry Lake, Executive Boards,Leadership Adventure Weekend (LAW),4-H University, and much more. Each of these experiences have given our youth the opportunities to develop life skills alongside there peers and 4-H mentors, volunteers, and 4-H Agents. The life skills gained during a youth’s experiences in a local 4-H program can be transferable to “real life” and helps prepare our 4-H members to be caring, competent citizens that we hope return as 4-H volunteers one day to give back to their program!
Now, how can you get involved? Tractor Supply stores across the Panhandle are very generous in providing space and time for your 4-H Club to fundraise in various ways. You may fill out an online request form here under their 4-H Fundraising page, or you can contact the store manager directly and ask about their upcoming events or days available for your program to set up a table to fundraise and educate clientele on the benefits of 4-H!
Ideas to get involved (request permission first):
Set up an educational livestock clinic in the parking lot
Club meetings or field trip or skill-a-thon on location
Fundraisers during the holidays
October- pumpkin carving
November- helpful haulers (load/unload)
December- gift wrapping
February- sell Valentine’s Day Cards made by members
Locate your Tractor Supply Store and introduce 4-H to the manager:
Blountstown- 19962 Central Ave W
Marianna- 280 Highway 71
Chipley- 1610 Main Street
Milton- 6531 Carline Street
Crawfordville- 2408 Crawfordville Hwy
Panama City- 6450 E Highway 22
Crestview- 320 W James Lee Blvd
Pensacola- 3 W Nine Mile Road Suite 16
Defuniak Springs- 931 US Hwy 331 S
Southport- 6922 Highway 77
Ft. Walton Beach- 653 Beal Pkwy N
Tallahassee- 5743 W Tennessee St
The Fall Paper Clover Campaign is going on NOW, October 7-18 so go grab your 4-H Clover today. For more information on becoming a 4-H member, volunteer, starting a club, or to get involved in all of our virtual and traditional programs, contact your local 4-H program and a 4-H Agent will reach out to help you join our 4-H family!
