by pmdavis | Apr 6, 2017
April is the Month of The Military Child! When we think of honoring our military, we often think of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Did you know there is also a time identified to honor our youngest heroes, military children? Since 1986, April has been designated Month of the Military Child. This allows us to honor military children and their families for their commitment and sacrifice. In Florida, we have over 94K active and reserve military members whose families worry that they are in harm’s way when they deploy. Most people think of the color green when they think of 4-H, but on April 21st, 4-H youth and volunteers in Florida and Nationally will be sporting the color purple to show support for our military families.
Here locally we want you to join us in showing your support and to celebrate our young heroes! Participate in the 7th annual Purple Up! For Military Kids. Wear purple on Friday, April 21st, as a visible way to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Why purple? Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue.
The goal is for our military youth to see the support of their community. Please join us in honoring these young heroes as we Purple Up! For Military Kids on April 21st! Be creative….the goal is for military youth to see the support in their school, youth groups, and the community! If you don’t have or own a purple shirt wear a purple ribbon, tie, headband etc. Just show your support and let our youth know we care about them! Can’t make the 21st ? Then do something another day in April. We would like to encourage you to take pictures of your group wearing purple and share them on social media using #fl4h, #purpleup.
by Julie Pigott Dillard | Feb 15, 2017
4-H Leader and Librarian, Renae Roundtree, found a way to teach not only STEM, but help youth develop a life-long passion for reading.
Books, DVD’s, audio books, magazines and…LEGO’s? Yes, all of these can be found at the Washington County Public Library along with enthusiastic 4-H Club Leader, Renae Rountree. Renae, Director of the WCPL, partnered with Washington County 4-H three years ago to “LEGO My Library” and start the Brick Bratz 4-H Club that meets twice a month at the library.
The secret to this club’s success (that always has a waiting list) is Renae’s commitment to providing a fun, educational experience where kids are free to explore, question, succeed, fail and try again. Using the LEGO StoryStarter program, youth listen to a task that gets them and their partner started on an adventure of writing a comic-style story.
The StoryStarter kit includes LEGO pieces with five small panels and a computer based program. Working with a partner, youth illustrate their story with LEGOs, panel by panel, then take pictures of each panel and upload them to their laptop. They add dialogue and background scenes to finish their story. It’s so much fun, the kids don’t even realize they’re practicing skills like communication, teamwork, decision making and conflict resolution.
Rebecca Lee, a Brick Bratz 4-H Club member for three years, said “I like Lego club because it’s very fun to create our own stories and make the Legos move. Ms. Renae makes us laugh too!” Rebecca and her brother, Sam, “…always look forward to club days and are excited to share their creations with me and their father,” says their mom, Terri.
Youth practice creativity while building sets that serve as the backdrop for their robots to act out scenes from their favorite books.
Why does Renae volunteer her time with 4-H? She wants to give kids access to new and exciting ways to learn and grow that appeal to their sense of curiosity. Her enthusiasm for learning and sharing is infectious, and her club members are thriving with her guidance and direction!
Thanks to volunteers like Renae Rountree, 4-H is growing in Washington County! If you would like to provide the spark to ignite a youth’s interest in a field or hobby that you are passionate about, consider becoming involved in your local 4-H program. 4-H offers a variety of roles to fit your schedule and interests. If you’d like more information on how to get involved as a 4-H volunteer, contact your local 4-H agent or visit http://florida4h.org.
by Niki Crawson | Jan 19, 2017
4-H Alumnus Jerrett Kandzer with his agent, Niki Crawson.
As a 4-H Agent, one remembers many of their “firsts” on the job, i.e., their first day, their first fair, their first 4-H club meetings, etc. For me in Holmes County 4-H, I was hired in the midst of a reorganization phase within the program. I clearly remember meeting Jerrett Kandzer one of my first days on the job in 2007, a reserved yet quick-to-smile farm boy who seemed to be doing a good job of holding in the excitement of asking me 101 questions as his new 4-H Agent. He, along with his sister and parents, met with me to discuss re-establishing a 4-H archery club in our county. Excited to have volunteers and youth interested in starting an archery club again, I couldn’t wait to get started. That very next week, we all set a date for our first club meeting. Jerrett and I still laugh today about the day of our first club meeting when we had to count me, the 4-H Agent, as the fifth member in attendance so that we did not have to cancel our first club meeting! However, thanks to Jerrett’s perseverance and leadership as a youth nine years ago when starting the Dead Centers 4-H Archery Club in Holmes County, we now have over 65 4-H members in our archery program alone! So, when getting ready to ask Jerrett how he believes 4-H has impacted him, I hesitate. Thinking back over the past nine years, I am finding it difficult to think whether Jerrett has been impacted more so by 4-H or if 4-H has been impacted more so because of Jerrett. For a 4-H Agent to have the pleasure to ponder such a wonderful conundrum means that 4-H is truly growing inspiring leaders!
According to Jerrett, he joined 4-H as a means to find extracurricular activities that fit not only his after school schedule around his farm life but also to find an outlet that fit him personally. As he put it, “I was looking for somewhere I fit in. I wasn’t an athlete in school. I was raised on a farm. So, I thought 4-H was cool.” After joining 2007, Jerrett began to help rebuild and cultivate a sense of belonging for the next seven years in Holmes County 4-H. With his giving spirit, contagious enthusiasm, and natural sense of urgency to make actions count, he truly inspired everyone he met to get involved and make the best better.
Jerrett’s passion for learning, leadership, and youth continues as he is applying his 4-H-acquired life skills in his life journey. Currently, he is a junior at the University of Florida in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, with a graduation date of Spring 2018. He attributes his good leadership and time management skills to his deep involvement with 4-H. Always wanting to do much more than time allows, Jerrett said 4-H taught him to prioritize and schedule his time efficiently. In fact, In between college classes, studying, squeezing in fast visits back home, and working with CRU on campus, Jerrett still devotes time to 4-H as a volunteer with Alachua County 4-H. When asked why he felt compelled to volunteer at this time in his life, Jerrett replied with his easy grin,
“Ms. Niki, there are not many ways to serve your community as a poor college kid. Overall, I’d say being a 4-H volunteer is an easy and safe way to give back to kids and the community.”
When asked about what he enjoys the most about 4-H, Jerrett immediately replied, “Working with kids. Helping youth learn by doing through hands on experiences is a good vessel for them to mature with positive adult role models around to assist them. 4-H is not about winning like other youth programs are about. It’s about growing through maturity, not competition.”
Jerrett is a Holmes County 4-H alumni, a true 4-H leader. He is a present day 4-H example of the definition John Quincy Adams once gave a leader, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” So it’s little surprise that this 4-H alumni has no intentions of ending his green journey after college. Jerrett’s career plans include putting his 4-H life skills, farm experience, and University of Florida education to perfect use as a future UF/IFAS Extension Agriculture Agent. We look forward to Jerrett’s return to the Extension Service one day soon.
Are you a 4-H Alumni interested in “paying it forward” to inspire the next generation? We would love to talk to you about the different ways you can help us grow 4-H in your community! Contact your local UF IFAS Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org for more information.
by Heather Kent | Jul 29, 2016
Mrs. Ruth Ann Scurry, 2016 Florida 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Ruth Ann Scurry, Jefferson County 4-H Club Leader and Volunteer, on being inducted into the 2016 University of Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. Mrs. Scurry was one of only five individuals inducted this year, and the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award for Florida 4-H volunteers, alumni, and professionals.
Mrs. Scurry was accompanied by one of her sons and three of her grandchildren, representing 3 generations of 4-H!
Inductees are selected by the Florida 4-H Foundation Board. Mrs. Scurry was nominated by Jefferson County Extension Director Mr. John Lilly and Regional Specialized 4-H Agent Heather Kent. Read Mrs. Scurry’s inspirational 4-H Story, featured in last year’s Volunteer Appreciation Week Celebration. Thank you Mrs. Scurry for your leadership and dedication to the 4-H Program!
by Jena Gilmore | May 6, 2016
“First you are a part of it, then it becomes a part of you.”
What better way to describe that inside “IT” factor that drives our 4-H Alumni to continue supporting our programming in order “To Make the Best Better.” In the case of the Walton County Cherokee Riders Horse Club, they are doubly blessed with two club leaders who are 4-H Alumni of that exact club!
Rebecca & Ashly as 4-H’ers in Cherokee Riders .
Rebecca Morales and Ashly Rogers became involved in 4-H at ages 13 and 11 after their mother discovered a homeschool club in the community. Soon after joining they were addicted and became actively involved in other clubs involving horses, livestock, gardening, and county and district events. It has been a goal of both club leaders to have their club involved in as much community service and county events as possible. When asked what they enjoy most about their role, they stated “We enjoy giving back to our county 4-H. All of our 4-H leaders and agents spent their precious time pouring their knowledge into us kids. We hope to do the same for others. And we want our kids to experience 4-H the way we did.”
Inspiration is pivotal in volunteer retention within your program. Resources can be extreme or minimal but if there is inspiration within and for your volunteers then they will make miracles happen. When asked what inspires Rebecca and Ashly to continue their service as Club Leader they stated, “Partly because of the great example we had when we were young. Our 4-H Program Assistant Jamie spent so much time and effort making sure we had a well-rounded 4-H experience, and partly because we have a great 4-H agent who is so supportive and always brings her A game.” Jamie is a 4-H Alumni as well (featured here https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/4hn/2016/04/11/4-h-grown-raised/ ) and I have had the opportunity as the 4-H Agent to see how she has positively influenced Rebecca and Ashly in their club management, program development, and community involvement.
Rebecca & Ashly with Cherokee Riders in Christmas parade.
As with paying jobs, the most frustrating task can be time management. This hurdle is no less stressful for the 4-H Volunteer who not only works their own job and has their own families but also has their “4-H family” to support as well. Rebecca and Ashly state that, “We do not think people understand how much 4-H volunteers give. We give up a lot of our free time, [but] even through all the hard times, in the end it is worth it. If we have made a difference in one kid’s life, it is worth every second.”
4-H has obviously influenced Rebecca and Ashly in many ways throughout their childhood which gave them the life skills needed to make healthy decisions as adults. In regards to what they believe 4-H has done for them, their club, and the community they stated,
“When you are in 4-H you really do learn so many life skills [such as] how to overcome difficult situations, how to work together with so many different personalities, public speaking, how to show and care for all livestock, and how to present yourself in a professional way. There are too many things that we could list, 4-H is just that great!”
It is an absolute privilege to have a group of talented alumni who are dedicated to give back to your program and your community. Alumni can be instrumental in broadening your capacity to reach all corners of your county! If you are an alumni interested in connecting to your 4-H family contqact your local UF IFAS Extension Office or visit these sites for more information:
Florida 4-H Alumni homepage: http://florida4h.org/alumni/
Florida 4-H Connections: http://florida4h.org/alumni1/FL4-HConnection.pdf
by pmdavis | Apr 29, 2016
The month of April provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of our youngest heroes, military children. Since 1986, April has been designated Month of the Military Child. This allows us to acknowledge the significant role military youth play in our communities and honor them for their commitment and sacrifice. They are resilient and take pride in their service to our Country. They deserve our appreciation and support.
I am so excited to introduce you to one of our 4-H grown military youth, Michael. He began as a Bay County 4-H member as a summer camper three years ago. Michael then became involved with the 4-H club programs on base through the 4-H Torch Leadership Club. He serves as a peer mentor to other military youth in the base school age program. His work with younger youth includes helping them design, plant, and maintain a garden at their youth center. Assisting with homework and school struggles. Michael also participates in the 4-H Archery Program. In February, he was nominated as “Teen of the Month”. At camp this year, he is looking forward to serving as a counselor-in-training. Michael has adopted a quarterly service project using cooking skills he acquired from the 4-H foods and nutrition project to prepare and serve food to the single military members. He and his club are currently perfecting their entrepreneurial skills while working on a service project to support local veterans. He is also on the school track team. Michael is a phenomenal youth with a heart of gold and passion for helping others. He is a well-rounded young man that is very involved in 4-H. He exemplifies the 4 H’s – Head, Hands, Heart and Health. One of his club leaders, Ms. Heather said he really shows an interest in the younger youth and takes his role as a peer mentor seriously. She relayed a story of Michael taking extra time from his schedule to help a youth he was
mentoring prepare for an upcoming test. His mentee was struggling to understand the material that was going to be tested on the next day, so extra time was needed reviewing the material.
When I ask Michael what he felt he was getting out of being a 4-H member at the youth center and at camp, he responded “I feel that for the last few years since I have been in 4-H, I have become more outgoing, confident and experienced in so many ways. If not for 4-H, I might still be sitting in my room all day playing video games. I especially like helping others whenever I can whether it’s at the Youth Center or at Summer Camp. So to me, 4-H is an amazing program that has been a positive influence in my life and in 
making me the person I am today.”
If you are a teen and want to learn more about how you can volunteer in your own county, please contact your local extension agent. Volunteering is a time investment that will pay you back exponentially through the growth you see in the youth and program you’re affiliated with. Volunteers come in all forms from peer mentors, camp counselors, to committee members. Follow the links below to see how you can help 4-H expand our capacity to reach more youth, more families, and more communities through utilizing your skills, your knowledge, and your story! #trueleaders #4hgrows
April is the Month of The Military Child! When we think of honoring our military, we often think of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Did you know there is also a time identified to honor our youngest heroes, military children? Since 1986, April has been designated Month of the Military Child. This allows us to honor military children and their families for their commitment and sacrifice. In Florida, we have over 94K active and reserve military members whose families worry that they are in harm’s way when they deploy. Most people think of the color green when they think of 4-H, but on April 21st, 4-H youth and volunteers in Florida and Nationally will be sporting the color purple to show support for our military families.
