Let’s Go Back Outside!
Many youth today are suffering from a serious, preventable disorder that is the result of early age experiences and if not properly diagnosed or treated, may cause severe mental health issues up through adulthood. This disorder I’m referring to is called...
4-H Volunteers Reporting on Child Abuse and Neglect
As members of a youth serving organization it is important that adults are aware of their responsibility for child safety. Our hope is that all children will live in a safe environment, but we know that children are exposed to neglect and abuse. We have a...
All Reasonable Efforts: What does it mean to me?
Federal affirmative action guidelines require that a 4-H club’s membership reflect that of the community which it serves. So, if your club serves the whole county, and your county is 54% white 36% black, 6% Hispanic, and 3% other, then your club membership...
From the Heart
February has long been associated with heart related events. Of course, there is Valentine’s Day, a day of love. Additionally, the full month is devoted to a focus on heart health. Continuing on this heart related theme, I want to focus on generosity. Generosity...
Recognition, With or Without an Award
Recognition is a very important part of life! People of all ages thrive on recognition of any kind. It makes them feel good about themselves and helps build self esteem. This doesn’t mean that every time someone does something GREAT that we throw a party and...
Staying Healthy While Exercising in Cold Weather
Although we live in the Sunshine State, we still have to deal with a few days of cold weather. When it’s cold out, it can be hard for youth and their parents to get the 60 minutes of daily physical activity recommended by health officials. If families do venture out...
4-H Club Meeting Ideas
Here are activities to help members get to know each other, break up cliques, and decrease disruptions during meetings. Birthday Line-up Have members line up in a straight line by their birth date without talking to each other. Depending on the age of the club members...
Seasonal 4-H Science: Poinsetta pH Paper
You may have made your own pH indicator out of red cabbage in science class, but did you know that you can make pH paper out of poinsettias? Many plants contain pigments (special colored cells) that are responsive to changes in pH. You can extract the pigment from...
4-H Celebrates Agriculture by Baking Bread for National Bread Month in November
When most of us go to the pantry to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, we don’t think about where the ingredients come from. We all know that peanuts go into the peanut butter and grapes and sugar make the jelly, but what about the bread itself? There are four...
Explore the Outdoors!
As we roll from fall into winter, many of us begin pulling out the warm clothes and preparing for some time indoors. We have such beautiful weather along the gulf coast that most of us usually dread the end of summer. However, this time of year doesn’t have to be the...