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1909 -2009 A Century of Youth Success

February 2009

Page

Today’s 4-H is more than just cows and cookin’ 5

Alumna Liz Piquet guides youth 14

Florida 4-H is helping tweens succeed 16

Jordan Morrow earns presidential award 18

Florida and the 4-H Million Tree Project 20

inside this edition

Winners in the 1950 Florida State 4-H Club Tractor Driving Contest are, from left to right, Buford Butts, Suwannee County, fi rst place, Homer Stewart, Escambia County, second place, and Errol Fielding, Columbia County, third place. The contest was held in conjunction with the 4-H Short Course at the University of Florida in Gainesville. UF’s Ben Hill Griffi n Stadium appears to be going up in the fi eld immediately behind the boys on their tractors.

2 Clover voiCe FEBRUARY 2009

State Leader’s Letter

The Florida 4-H Youth Development

Program celebrates its Centennial anniversary in 2009. As we move into the early days of this year, we are ask-ing you to help us cele-brate by engaging your alumni, friends, sup-porters, volunteers and youth in sharing stories, experiences, and pic-tures about 4-H in your

communities. Many counties are planning great events that will provide opportunities for people to gather and tell their stories.

When people tell us about their 4-H experiences, we hear so much about individual youth who are finding a personal voice, learning from a mentor, establishing a sense of identity and feeling posi-tive about themselves. Each of us has experiences that we can recall that were pivotal for us, and a Centennial celebration is about recalling and appre-ciating those individual milestones. It’s also a time to reflect upon the hard work that volunteers, fac-ulty, and community partners engaged in to make positive youth development possible. Their planning and determination have built the strong program that is present today.

We want people to know about the rich histories of Extension and 4-H in Florida. We would encourage advisory committees, peers, and community stake-holders to learn more about 4-H in your commu-nities and tell others your stories. We ask all part-ners to help celebrate with today’s 4-H’ers. Include a message about the county or state 4-H program in communications during meetings, through news-letters, or as a part of your publications.

Suggested key messages to share include:

• Florida 4-H is a strong youth development pro-gram, touching the lives of over 263,000 youth and 11,797 adult and youth volunteers.

• Florida 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Florida, IFAS and Extension.

• Florida 4-H has a rich heritage grounded in agri-culture. The program has broadened its scope to teach youth knowledge and skills about a variety of topics, including science, engineer-ing and technology, healthy life choices, and citizenship/leadership.

• Thousands of Florida 4-H volunteers, parents and professionals over the last 100 years have created supportive environments in which posi-tive youth development occurs.

The Centennial year also brings with it a challenge to gather history, share photographs, bring peo-ple together, and give greater visibility to former members, especially alumni. We encourage alumni or parents to write stories about their experiences, share information about where they were as a 4-H member, the type of activities they completed, what they did and learned, as well as recounting significant relationships developed with peers and adults.

Many youth and adults held offices, served as camp counselors, exhibited at fairs, or have record books that may serve as an excellent source of ideas. THAT’s MY 4-H STORY may be sent to the county Extension Offices or the Florida 4-H Office, 3103 McCarty Hall B, Gainesville, FL 32611-0225, or emailed to [email protected]. Shorter stories may also be submitted at the following website address: http://florida4h.org/about/contact_us2.shtml.

As we look across the Florida landscapes, we know that many of our current leaders were touched by positive youth development programs. We are proud that Florida 4-H has made a significant dif-ference in their lives.

Our focus in the next five years will be expand-ing positive youth development programs, engag-ing more adults as volunteers, and building strong, supportive communities. County and state 4-H pro-grams will continue to remain strong. As one of the premier youth development programs, 4-H seeks to develop the next generation of scientists, decision-makers, and community leaders.

We are certainly contributors to: A Century of Youth Success.

Marilyn

Nationwide, 4-H has over 9 million members, including 264,000 in Florida. Florida 4-H offers youth, ages 5 – 18, diverse project topics available in all 67 counties, and with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Founded in 1909, Florida 4-H is the youth development program of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (CES), headquartered in Gainesville within UF’s IFAS Extension. The CES is funded by a partnership between federal, state and county government agencies.

For more information about Florida 4-H, visit www.florida4h.org or contact your county Extension office. All programs are open to all persons regardless of race, color, age, sex, handicap or national origin.

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Clover Voice TeamPlease send your comments to: Lynnelle Mays, Public Relations Coordinator Florida 4-H Youth Development Program 3101 McCarty Hall B, Gainesville, FL 32611 [email protected]

Graphic Design by Tracy Bryant, IFAS Communication Services

Founded in 1902 nationally, 4-H is now the largest youth organization in the world.

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Florida 4-H State EventsThroughout the year, Florida 4-H supports a variety of events for youth to showcase their skills and gain new friends. For a complete list of state events, visit http://florida4h.org/events/calendar.shtml

March 2009

Camp Counselor TrainingFebruary 27 – March 1, 2009 at Camp Cherry Lake Contact: Contact: Neva Baltzell at: [email protected]

Camp Counselor TrainingMarch 6 – 8, 2009 at Camp Ocala Contact: Contact: Neva Baltzell at: [email protected]

Shooting SportsAir rifle, Small-bore Rifle and Muzzle loading March 7, 2009 at Levy County Extension Office Find more information at http://florida4h.org/events/shooting_sports.shtmlregistration deadline: February 25, 2009

4-H Tallahassee Reception and AuctionMarch 10, 2009 Auction with State Legislators Contact: Kristin Bird at [email protected]

State Hippology ContestMarch 14, 2009-02-13 Orlando, FL Contact: Wendy DeVito at [email protected]

Camp Counselor TrainingMarch 12-15, 2009 at Camp Cloverleaf Contact: Contact: Neva Baltzell at: [email protected]

Archery and HuntingMarch 14, 2009 at Camp Ocala Find more information at http://florida4h.org/events/shooting_sports.shtml

registration deadline: March 4, 2009

Executive Board Open to Senior 4-H’ers ages 14 to 18 (As of Sept. 1, 2008)

March 20-22, 2009 at Camp Cherry Lake Contact: Wendi Zimmerman at [email protected] registration deadline: March 4, 2009

ShotgunMarch 21, 2009 at Polk County Trap and Skeet Club Find more information at http://florida4h.org/events/shooting_sports.shtmlregistration deadline: March 11, 2009

State 4-H Land Judging ContestMarch 27, 2009 Alachua County Contact: Randy Brown at [email protected]

Dairy Quiz Bowl Breed ContestMarch 28, 2009 Hillsborough County Contact: Brent Broaddus at [email protected]

National 4-H ConferenceMarch 28 – April 2, 2009 Chevy Chase, MD Contact: State Events Office at [email protected]

April 2009

4-H Day at the Capital April 14, 2009 in Tallahassee, FL Contact: Wendi Zimmerman at [email protected]

4-H State Forest Ecology Judging Contest April 18, 2009 at Austin Carry Memorial Forest Learning Center, Gainesville, FL Contact: Martha Monroe at [email protected] registration deadline: March 18, 2009

Dairy Judging Workout April 18, 2009 at DRU in Gainesville, FL Contact: Brent Broaddus at [email protected]

Florida 4-H Volunteer Forum April 24 – 26, 2009 at Camp Ocala Contact: Bill Heltemes at [email protected] deadline: April 6, 2009

May 2009

4-H Invitational Dog Show May 9, 2009 Contact: Patty Martin at [email protected]

Dairy Judging Tryouts May 16, 2009 Contact: Brent Broaddus at [email protected]

Lifeguard Training May 17 – 22, 2009 at Camp Cherry Lake Contact: Neva Baltzell at [email protected]

For more information about local events, please visit contact your county Extension office.


To commemorate the 100th anniversary of florida 4-h, we are proud to announce the publication of Florida 4-H: A Century of Youth Success.

Florida 4-H: A Century of Youth Success is a stunning 8.5” x 11” hard-cover volume, that celebrates the people and our history from the past 100 years. relive those precious memories through-out 208 pages of photographs and written stories sharing the lives of former 4-h’ers, county agents and many volunteers.

a special edition leather bound version is also

available. a portion of the proceeds will fund a

florida 4-h sc holarship endowment. The history

book is available to purchase online using PayPal at:

www.florida4h.org/historybook.shtml

for more information about other methods of ordering Florida 4-H: A Century of Youth Success, contact Julie Wilson at [email protected] or call (352) 846-0996 ext. 244.

florida4h.org 5

The pay wasn’t good. Especially not in 1952 when Isaac Chandler was hired to work with African American children as the 4-H negro county

agent in Jasper, Florida.

The inequality in compensation between blacks and whites wouldn’t be addressed until after the state 4-H program integrated its boys’, girls’ and black divisions in 1964, but pay wasn’t all that mattered to Chandler. The World War II veteran had earned a degree in agri-cultural education from Florida A&M University, and he wanted to help kids. So he took the job, and began recruiting black children into the 4-H program, helping them learn how to plant corn, raise pigs and gain lead-ership skills.

“The kids I worked with were underprivileged,” says Chandler, now 86. “I have had a lot of adults come up to me and tell me because of the 4-H club, they were exposed to things they wouldn’t have been exposed to. I think that was part of my pay, when people tell me I had a positive influence on their lives.”

In Florida, 4-H began in 1909 when the University of Florida College of Agriculture established “corn clubs” to teach boys how to plant corn and report on how they fared. The clubs were based on similar programs springing up across the country. A few years later, “tomato clubs” were started for girls.

One hundred years have passed since then, and in that time, Florida 4-H has become one of the biggest youth groups in the state, with more than 264,000 members in 2008. And though 4-H’s roots remain

agricultural — the program is still headquartered in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science — Florida 4-H now gets kids involved in everything from learning about sustainable energy to a week-long mock Legislature that happens at the state Capitol.

As the group’s leaders like to say, 4-H isn’t just cows and cooking anymore.

“4-H has an agricultural history, and we are very proud of that,” says Marilyn N. Norman, a UF associate pro-fessor and associate dean for the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program. “But we have moved away from an agrarian society. Kids’ interests have forced us to move in a lot of different directions.”

But the core tenets of the program are the same as they were when Chandler was an agent. The four H’s still stand for the same things — head, heart, hands and health — and the program is still focused on teaching kids the importance doing things themselves and helping other people. And it seems to work.

“4-H kids are more likely to go to college, less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to be civ-ically engaged,” Norman says. “That’s what studies have shown.”

Head When Chandler started out as a 4-H agent in 1952, he recruited most of his 4-H kids from schools. Today, some of 4-H’s most active participants are home-schoolers, a population of kids that has grown steadily

Today’s 4-H is more than just cows and cookin’

By April Frawley Birdwell

Reba Fisher, a member of the Dover 4-H Club in Hillsborough County, does a lot of sewing in 1947.

Osceola County Corn Club contest in 1915.


over the past 10 years, according to the Florida Department of Education.

That’s how Candice Drake, 16, found 4-H. In the eight years since she joined 4-H, Drake has participated in the pilot program of the WINGS project, which allows kids to gather research about butterflies and share it with UF researchers. She has taughts kids older than herself about finances, and she gave a speech at a national competition.

“That was my first time ever giving a speech,” says Drake, now a state officer and a chair of the state 4-H Congress, a competition and conference held each year for teen 4-H’ers.“I didn’t even know there was category that I could go to nationals. I was like ‘Pinch me, is this a dream?’”

The reason kids like Drake have flocked to 4-H is partly obvious. The program gets children involved with other kids and gives them opportunities to do hands-on activities. The other reason is the connec-tion that defines 4-H and distinguishes it from other youth groups — the program’s tie to land-grant uni-versities. 4-H leaders collaborate with researchers and educators at universities to devise the curricula kids use.

Art Teixeira, chair of UF’s department of agricultural and biological engineering, didn’t know much about 4-H before last summer when he helped organize a three-day program for 4-H kids at UF during the annual Florida 4-H Congress. The kids learned how to grow plants on Mars, how to make biodiesel and used handheld GPS technology. It was a hit.

The subject matter fits with 4-H’s focus on helping educate the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. Now, Teixeira hopes to devise a program focused spe-cifically on sustainable energy that could be used not just at UF but also in 4-H groups across the country.

“Too many of our youngsters seem to develop no or little interest in pursuing studies in these directions,”

Teixeira says. “Where will our scientists come from? We’re already importing them from China, from India from Latin America, because of this dearth of interest in our youth. I think that is a very valuable mission that 4-H can accomplish and it has always been a part of their mission and I applaud them for it. I would just like to help them do it as best as possible.”

HeartPaging through the history book compiled for Florida 4-H’s 100th anniversary, one thing is clear: 4-H may be based at UF, but it’s a different animal in each county. While one 4-H club in Orlando builds robots, other counties are more focused on traditional 4-H projects, such as raising and showing livestock.

“Every county is totally different,” Norman says. About 9,000 kids are in 4-H in Miami, where Kathie Roberts is a program leader. There are only three agents — this is actually a lot for a 4-H county office — so they spend a lot of time recruiting volunteers to help work with kids. That’s easier said than done, especially in poorer areas of the city. But Roberts has still managed to acquire a few 4-H success stories in her 12 years as an agent.

She has trained homeschoolers to help her teach a personal finance program in inner-city schools. And funding may be tight but Roberts says her group was able to acquire a grant to hire a leader for a group of Haitian girls who wanted to start a 4-H club.

“With the grant she was able to take them to the fair to see the projects,” Roberts says. “She invited folks from colleges to speak to them. At the end of the year, seven of them said they had no idea they ever would

Youth learn about bees during a workshop at Congress in 2008.

Isaac Chandler Jr. is a 2002 Florida 4-H Hall of Fame inductee. Chandler had a major impact on thousands of youth and commu-nity members in Hamilton County throughout his 35-year tenures as a 4-H agent.

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be able to go college. They were all enrolled the next year.

“Some days you’re tired. It’s hard to spread yourself so thin. But (stories like these) make it all worth it.”

Thinking back about his own success stories, Chandler remembers the first time one of his members was able to participate in 4-H’s state tractor driving com-petition. It was the first year the black children were allowed to compete against white children. The boy from one of Chandler’s clubs won the competition that year, and American Oil sponsored them to fly to a regional competition.

“That was my first time flying,” Chandler says. “We flew first class too.”

HandsIn 1947, when Cordella LaRoe was 10, most of the kids she knew in Lake County were involved in 4-H. The clubs were still separate then. The girls sewed and baked. The boys raised cattle and drove tractors.

“I was already in Girl Scouts and my mother told me I was biting off more than I could chew by joining both of them,” Cordella remembers. “(But) I liked the competition.”

The decision to stick with 4-H would change her life, too. When she was a teenager, Cordella met a girl through the county club who thought she would be perfect for her brother. The girl was right. Cordella and Gene LaRoe dated through high school and mar-ried a year after they graduated.

Now, the LaRoes are among the most precious of enti-ties in 4-H — volunteers. Gene, who was once a 4-H agent in Brevard and Manatee counties, helps a shoot-ing sports club and Cordella works with a group of girls on sewing projects a few times a week.

To the couple, the hours spent volunteering are just a way to give back to an organization that helped them and their children.

“Our oldest boy credits his public speaking to 4-H,” LaRoe says. “It lets the kids do what they want to do. It lets them excel in areas that are important to them. When I was 10 years old, I got a ribbon and it was about the best thing in the world.”

Wendy Austin found a more circuitous route to becoming a 4-H volunteer. Her son is involved in a high school engineering competition called FIRST that challenges groups of kids to build robots out of box of supplies during an annual competition. “4-H does not have a curriculum for what we do,” says Austin, who established the Exploding Bacon 4-H club two years ago for kids interested in engineering.

The Exploding Bacon kids got to visit UF’s bioengi-neering labs last year. Austin says, “The kids were just enthralled, pretty much the whole day there.

“When we were in the lab, this poor grad student was demonstrating a robotic arm. He very slowly picked up a piece of fruit and brought it down. The professor said ‘Let one of the kids drive it.’ The grad student’s face … he was probably so worried. (But) my son drove it, and it zipped up and picked the fruit and zipped back down. That’s what they do. They drive robots.”

HealthAside from the struggle to find and keep adult volun-teers, Florida 4-H also faces a shrinking budget, like any other state-funded program. They haven’t had to lay off any staff so far, but the program has had to dip into its fund-raising reserves, something Norman doesn’t like to do.

But the challenges of the current financial crisis pale in comparison to the challenges that faced 4-H in 1964, the year everything changed. Up until that point, only the program for white boys was housed at UF.

Gene and Cordella LaRoe, a husband and wife team that have volunteered for Lake County 4-H since 1970, were inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame in 2007.

Florida 4-H Legislature at the Capitol in 2006.


The girls program had been based at Florida State University and the program for black children was at FAMU. In 1964, in the midst of the Civil Rights move-ment, they joined forces.

“Our first office (at UF) was right by the old dairy science building. I don’t know what it’s used for now,” says Ruth Milton, who was one of the women’s 4-H leaders at the time. “We planned together. That’s the secret, planning together. We had individual things, but we had to mesh them together so it would be a state program.”

At the same time, the state changed how 4-H works, Norman says. Before 1964, programs were always based in schools. After the Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964, it was no longer fair to have pro-grams available to kids in some schools and not available to other kids, so the program became com-munity based.

“They had to do a lot of training,” Norman says. “They had to integrate program and change the

delivery system. They did a lot in one year. They totally revolutionalized the delivery system of 4-H.”

Chandler’s job changed, too. Instead of just working with black children, he began working with all the children in the county. It wasn’t an easy process, though.

“Everybody didn’t fall in line right away,” he says. “In the end, when I retired, I had as many Caucasians involved as African-Americans.”

And during that time in the years after integration, Florida 4-H developed one of its most popular program, its Legislature, or as 4-H’ers call it, “Leg.” The program sends students to the State House of Representatives and Senate each year for a week, where they basically run their own government for a week. Milton, who helped start the program, remembers 4-H lead-ers coming from across the country to see how the program worked and figure out how to start their own.

“They sit in those chairs and they argue just like legislators would,” Norman says. “They get so passionate about it, and they often times find a really clear voice they didn’t know they had.”

Of course as much as 4-H has evolved, the ‘cows and cooking’ label has had surprising resiliency. It’s a misperception Drake, who is part of the Miami-Dade 4-H program, tries to change when she talks to kids her age.

“It’s not all about cows and farms, I promise,” Drake says. “Me and my friends always had this joke that we must know a lot about cows, and we don’t.”

Drake says the program does leave an impress, “Once you get into 4-H, you’re hooked.”

Although he has been retired for more than 20 years, Chandler still hears about what’s going on with 4-H in Jasper.

“If kids are involved in something constructive it helps them,” Chandler says. “It follows them all the way through life.”

Monty Haight, from Volusia County’s Deland 4-H Club, is demonstrating citrus. In the background is a large drawing of what 4-H Camp Cloverleaf would look like and encourages the public to raise funds so the camp can be built.

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Melanie Baggs named national 4-H volunteer of the year

Florida 4-H Youth Development is proud to recognize Melanie Baggs

of Delona, FL, for her impact on youth across Florida.

Baggs was named as the 2008 National Volunteer of the Year by the 2008 4-H Salute to Excellence Award Selection Committee, due to her exceptional contributions as a volunteer with the Volusia County 4-H program.

Throughout her eight years with Florida 4-H, Baggs constantly encouraged volunteerism and community service within her 4-H clubs, leading various 4-H projects focusing on horticulture, cooking, game boards, talent shows, and leadership development.

Also a Florida 4-H alumna, Baggs says her main goal is to encourage

youth, espe-cially those who may not have fam-ily support. “Growing up, I learned early that if I wanted to be involved in anything, I had to make it happen myself. So now, if I have youth who want to participate in an activity I try to make sure they have the resources and knowledge to complete their projects.”

One of her projects, in which she

organized 4-H youth to bring small animals to community retirement homes to share with residents, earned her respect among young 4-H’ers, who enjoyed interacting and sharing their knowledge of animals with the residents.

“Melanie knew how to balance work and fun, and to make sure that the ‘boring, educational stuff’ was actually exciting,” said Laura Cash, 4-H Extension Agent, Volusia County, Florida. “She is a valuable resource within Extension and is well respected by other 4-H volunteers.”

Baggs served as a significant adult mentor for many 4-H members. On many occasions she invited youth to her house to keep them company until their parents got

home from work. She credits 4-H with keeping her out of trouble as a youth, and uses 4-H programs and activities to help today’s youth make smart choices and build goals for a positive future.

“Melanie understands the value of life skills education and the impor-tance of being physically and emo-tionally safe. She is an advocate and voice for all youth—I can-not imagine 4-H without her,” said Cash.

Baggs was recognized as the 2008 Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year at the 4-H Hall of Fame event on October 10, 2008, at National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD.

Gene and Sharon Swachkamer, from Manatee County, estab-lished the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Fund to emphasize the impor-tant work of 4-H volunteers across America. The awards, made possible through the fund and Monsanto Company, recog-nize 4-H volunteers who demon-strate exemplary service to 4-H while promoting service through volunteerism as both an oppor-tunity and a privilege. Volunteers are awarded in two categories: Lifetime Volunteer, for more than 10 years of service to 4-H, and Volunteer of the Year, for less than 10 years of service.

Monsanto Company is a lead-ing global provider of technol-ogy-based solutions and agricul-tural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For additional information, please visit www.monsanto.com.


True Heroes

Military kids see some of what their parents do

By Laura Jervis Reprinted with permission from the Ocala Star-Banner

The children cheered extra loudly for the heli-copter. When the Black Hawk took off in front of them, swooping above their heads, it was the

culmination of their camp experience.

The 8- to 13-year-olds watched the flight demon-stration over the past summer as part of the first Operation: Military Kids camp run by Florida 4-H in the Ocala National Forest.

Operation: Military Kids is an organization that pro-motes the interests of children with family in the mil-itary. This is the first time it has hosted a week-long overnight camp in partnership with Florida 4-H, although the groups have worked together for four years.

The camp hosted 88 children from all over the nation. Each camper has a parent in a branch of the armed forces, so they had an opportunity to make friends with other kids who are in similar situations. The five-day program was sponsored in part through scholar-ships to active duty and guard youth.

Peggy Hearlson, an official with the American Legion Auxiliary, said her organization raised almost $6,000 for the camp by sending letters to district presidents. She is a member of Post 284 in Belleview.

“All I had to do was ask,” she said. “It was absolutely wonderful to see all those kids out there.”

Organizers devoted most of the week to activities like crafts, canoeing and archery, but Wednesday was dif-ferent. It was True Hero Day, a chance for the children to interact with military personnel and gain a better understanding of what their parents do by learning drill commands, practicing navigation, and handling the controls of an Avenger air defense artillery.

Lou Dougherty, the Florida National Guard youth coordinator, said he wanted to “take some of the mys-tery out” of deployment. On True Hero Day, he ran a station where the children tried military rations and took a blind taste test.

“They’ve got some very interesting names for the foods,” he said.

Planners left time each day for counselors to talk about things from bullying to dealing with a parent’s deployment, said Georgene M. Bender, [Florida 4-H project director for Operation: Military Kids].

She and the [State OMK Advisory Team] first brain-stormed the camp idea in March, and plan to make it an annual event.

florida4h.org 11

The biggest benefit for the children was seeing what life is like for their parents in the armed services, said state Sen. Carey Baker, who made an appearance because he is on the 4-H Foundation in Lake County and is a first sergeant of the Florida National Guard.

“We can’t take our kids to work,” he said.

Many of the children want to follow their parents into a branch of the armed services.

Xavier Kennedy, 11, of Melbourne, has a father who is retired from the Air Force, and hopes to enlist himself one day. Although he liked the archery and the swim-ming, he liked True Hero Day more.

“It makes me feel even more like I want to be in the military,” he said.

Dougherty said most children experience separation anxiety when their parent is deployed. By familiarizing them with some aspects of the military and by letting them share their experiences, they can usually grow more comfortable with the idea.

Terry Pittman, 11, lives in Jacksonville, but his dad is frequently away training soldiers who are about to go abroad. He said seeing what his dad does gave him a greater respect for his work, and talking about his father’s job openly felt good.

“You see things from a different point of view here,” he said.


4-H Science, Engineering and Technology initiative responds to the need for future scientific leaders By Jennifer Martin

Working toward 1 million new youth participating in science, engineering and technology activities by 2013

In today’s global economy, it is more important than ever to develop a workforce strong in

science, engineering and technol-ogy. However, only 32 percent of current U.S. college graduates are earning degrees in these fields, compared to 66 percent in Japan and 59 percent in China. The 4-H Youth Development Program offers a solution to address the need for future scientists.

4-H’s Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) initiative reaches more than 5 million youth with hands-on learning

experiences to encourage young minds and to fill the pipeline of young leaders proficient in sci-ence. Today, 4-H out-of-school opportunities focus on agricultural science, electricity, mechanics, natural sciences, rocketry, robot-ics, biofuels, renewable energy and computer science.

Last year, 43 percent (or about 139,000) of all project work com-pleted by Florida 4-H’ers were through 4-H SET programs. Although the majority of these youth participated in more tra-ditional SET programs, such as

entomology, embryology, plant, animal and marine sciences,

more non-traditional 4-H SET programs that are

gaining popularity in Florida include GPS/

GIS, robotics, and renewable energy.

“Youth will have the opportunity to learn about renewable energy through Florida 4-H Congress this July,” said Heather Kent, Northwest 4-H regional specialized agent. “Congress workshop top-ics will include wind energy, solar energy, and biodiesel and ethanol production.”

“With the Cooperative Extension System’s direct connection to the cutting-edge research and resources of the nation’s 106 land-grant universities and colleges, 4-H is strategically positioned to strengthen the United States’ global competitiveness and lead-ership in science, engineering and technology,” said Dan Kugler, USDA-CSREES deputy adminis-trator. “The combination of con-tent and context inherent in 4-H clubs, camps and 4-H afterschool programs is proven to have a pos-itive effect on youth, resulting in young adults who are prepared to contribute, excel and lead in their communities and workplaces.”

National 4-H Headquarters, along with its private partner National 4-H Council, has set the goal of preparing one million new young people to excel in science, engi-neering and technology by 2013.

National 4-H Headquarters seeks to promote positive youth devel-opment, facilitate learning and engage youth in the work of the land-grant universities and USDA to enhance their quality of life. Nearly 7 million youth, ages 5-19, participate in 4-H youth develop-ment experiences in all 50 states, territories and military installations worldwide. More information is available at www.national4-hheadquarters.gov.

reaches more than 5 million youth with hands-on learning

youth participated in more tra-ditional SET programs, such as

entomology, embryology, plant, animal and marine sciences,

more non-traditional 4-H SET programs that are

gaining popularity in Florida include GPS/

GIS, robotics, and renewable energy.

florida4h.org 13

It was a 4-H experiment in hydroponics that sparked the imagination of ayoung boy, that became a passion for science, that created breakthroughs ingenomics and increased grain production to feed millions of hungry people.

Companies and universities around the country are embracing the 4-Hcommitment of fostering one million young scientists and engineers

over the next five years. With their help, 4-H is growingthe nextgeneration of great thinkers.

To learn more about America's largest youth developmentorganization, visit www.4-H.org.

One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas.TM

4HFP7x10Science:Layout 1 10/1/08 9:00 AM Page 1


Florida 4-H alumna Liz Piquet guides youth in showing dogs By Lynnelle Mays

Liz Piquet is a volunteer 4-H club leader. She lives in Pinellas Park with her husband Kevin, daughter Shannon, and their puppy Hu-bert. Liz works as a counselor for before and after school programs for private schools in the area and also works with the family’s screen printing business.

How did you first become intro-duced to Florida 4-H? My parents purchased a horse for me and they wanted me to learn how to take care of it. They found out about 4-H and took me to my first meeting. They ended up being very involved volunteers. That’s how I got involved in 4-H.

What do you remember about your 4-H club? I joined Florida 4-H in 1985 and remained in the Seminole Riders Horse 4-H Club all throughout high school. My group leader was Mary Urquhart, who is still a 4-H horse club leader in Pinellas County.

I currently own horses and I credit the foundation in barn management (the day to day maintenance of horses) and horse training skills to my 4-H club experiences.

How were your public speaking skills developed through 4-H?I was in the 7th grade when I joined 4-H. My former leader encouraged us to do demonstrations. In fact, if we were going to participate in the horse activities, we had to do demonstrations.

I was a pretty shy kid. The only reason I did the dem-onstration was because I wanted to show my horse in Area E. I think it went horribly. I gave my first speech in tears. My club leader was very supportive. She prac-ticed with me, and it helped. In time, I ended up being

the representative for my county at district events and Congress.

The reinforced public speaking skills helped me in the long run. All four years in high school, I attended Congress. All those public speaking opportunities provided me with money for college. Scholarships like Bright Futures didn’t exist in my day. But with my public speaking skills I gained in 4-H, I was able to attend St. Petersburg College on a public speaking scholarship. While I was in col-lege, I was on the speech and debate team. After graduating from the University of South Florida, I worked in radio for 10 years.

What 4-H event influenced you the most? Going to Congress was a great experience for me. I came from a small school in St. Petersburg. The social aspects of events like Congress were really good for me. I met people outside of my small school environment and became comfortable deal-ing with people in larger groups.

Was your club active in community service projects? We had about 10 – 15 youth in my Seminole Riders Horse 4-H Club. We spent a lot of time in activities outside of club meetings. Our group leader had us involved in a program for people with handicaps.

The program gave people with disabilities the opportunity to ride horses on the weekend. We worked as side walkers and leaders for the hand-icapped. Certified instructors and physical thera-pists lead the riders through exercises. It took about 3 – 5 youth to assist each person with a disability.

But, our work didn’t stop there. The 4-H kids in my club use to clean the stalls and take care of the horses during the week.

How did you return to 4-H as a vol-unteer leader? I’m a member of the Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg. As a group we were discussing the diminishing number of youth who show dogs. We were concerned about the future of our sport and the dwindling number of youth involved.

Our club president at the time had been an adult volunteer for New York 4-H. She encouraged us to start a dog program for 4-H youth. I became a group leader five years ago in 2005. My club,

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Crazy 4 Canines, had to cap enrollment at 25 this year because so many youth are showing an interest in dog projects.

Is it difficult to engage that many youth in your club?We try to reach out to all of the kids in my 4-H club. That includes kids who may be having issues at home or in school. We have active parents who pitch in to help. We will coordinate picking up members and making sure they are at events. That way, we work together as a group.

My role in all of this is to fit the right parent with the right job. I may have a parent who is a great hostess but who is not comfortable soliciting donations. That parent can run our hospitality room at our show while another parent may be better suited to help us find sponsors. Finding the right job for the parent helps them to be involved to the level they want. They’re able to participate with their child in the group. For example, we have one big event each year, a dog show that includes junior showmanship, obedience, agility and rally. I have some parents that commit only one day each year to volunteer, but when they show up they stay the whole day and work hard. I have to be flexible because there are several parents who have kids in more than one 4-H club or activity.

How has incorporating volunteers with professional expertise had an impact on your program?I have people who are not on-going 4-H volunteers but they help us with specific training areas, like our 4-H sponsors, the Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg. The youth train at their facility. They set aside time just for the 4-H club. What they donate to us in dollars by allowing us to use the facility would normally cost thousands each year.

They also have a fairly large membership. When I have a child with specific training issues, I have a really great base of people who willingly help. I have a child who joined our group with a poodle. Poodles need a very specific style of grooming. We have a member at the club who is investing her personal time to teach the youth how to groom the poodle herself. Typically, you would spend $50 or more per month to properly groom a poodle for showing so this is a valuable skill for the child to learn.

We have other adults who practice junior sportsman-ship with the youth. I have one man who has helped build agility equipment. Again, if the families had to purchase it, it would cost hundreds of dollars. Then the learning about dog training would not be an option for my kids.

Have you seen youth grow in your 4-H club?

I’ve seen my club members build their self-confidence and improve as dog handlers. In the first year, they are only involved in the dog project. Once they complete the dog project, in the second year, they can do addi-tional projects if they choose.

Watching them grow as a dog trainer is a joy. When kids join our club, they are using the family dog. The characteristics that make a good family pet are not usually the same characteristics that make a good show dog.

I have one youth who started by dragging the family pet, who was picked up from a shelter and who could not walk on a leash, move to where the dog is now certified as a therapy dog. These are teams of dogs that work in a hospital environment and visit patients. The benefit comes through the social interaction. For people who have been hospitalized or in a nurs-ing home for a long time, the contact with the dogs reduces stress.

The more advanced club members may end up choosing a second dog to show. They are selecting a second dog specifically with the idea of training it for competition.

Managing a career and a family at the same time is demanding. Why do you volunteer your time with 4-H? I don’t think there is any other youth development program that can do what 4-H does. It had such an impact on me that I want to share that experience with other youth.

Every month volunteers in Pinellas County are sent an email message asking how many hours did we volun-teer. In a slow month, I average 40 hours. In January we had a dog show, so in December, I logged 100 hours. That’s not unusual for me. But I don’t do all the work myself. Our club accomplishes so much because of the help from our volunteer parents.

Do you volunteer your time with any other organization outside of Florida 4-H?I also volunteer for Suncoast Basset Hound Rescue. We rescue and offer a foster home for wayward bas-sets. It’s a network of volunteers who take the dogs into their home.

What’s the best way to reach you or find out more about dog projects in Florida 4-H?The website for the Florida 4-H dog project is at www.fl4-h-dog.com. If folks have more questions about dog projects, they can reach me directly at [email protected].


Helping tween youth succeed in Florida 4-HBy Kate Fogarty, Florida 4-H/Family, Youth, & Community Sciences

Raising up the next generation of senior Florida 4-H’ers to stay involved in the program is a con-tinuing challenge. Participation trends in 4-H programs in Florida - and across the nation — show a drop in numbers of youth when they reach the 8th and 9th grades.

For the past two years Florida 4-H has implemented Intermediate State (or Leadership Adventure Weekend). Intermediate State is designed for Florida’s 11-13 year-olds to learn about future lead-ership opportunities in 4-H from their senior-level peers , ages 14 to 18, including: Executive Board and State Council, National and Scholarship Opportunities, Career Choices, and Healthy Lifestyles.

Intermediate State took place at Camp Cloverleaf in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, it was held

at Camp Ocala. Camp manag-ers, Steve and Judy Cooper, and Shawn Baltzell, took great care of everyone, providing theme meals and great accommodations. The weather in all three years was fan-tastic, as was the sense of camara-derie and fun!

The idea to have a state event for our 11 – 13-year-olds was not meant to replace the diversity of activities available to 11-13 year-olds in their local 4-H program, such as dis-trict Junior Congress. Instead, the goal is to enhance local 4-H pro-grams by giving younger youth a chance to get involved at the state level and get to know their older, highly active peers in state 4-H programs.

Senior 4-H’ers said they enjoyed working with the intermediate 4-H’ers very much and wished

all the youth audiences they teach could be so enthusiastic . Intermediate 4-Her’s found the workshops to be fun even when they didn’t expect them to be, like science with bottle rockets, and the health profession (respiratory therapy and nursing), and clearly admired their peer leaders.

4-H aims to keep our intermedi-ate youth involved and not lose their involvement before they have the chance to enjoy the benefits of becoming seniors. Ultimately, giv-ing 4-H’ers in the “tween” years the support they need locally at home and in their 4-H county programs will get them ready to join the variety of fun state and national activities 4-H has to offer.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. joins with Florida 4-H for a second year as a Signature Sponsor of the 17th Annual Florida 4-H Golf Classic.

Pictured to the left (left to right) are: Jim Handley, Executive Director, Florida Cattlemen’s Association; Dr. Larry Arrington, IFAS Interim Senior Vice President; Richard Bowers, Jr., President, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.; Michael Waldron, President, Florida 4-H Foundation, Inc.; Todd Parrish, Past-President, Florida 4-H Foundation; Dr. Marilyn Norman, Associate Dean and State 4-H Program Leader; Michael C. Kenney, 2008 Golf Classic Committee Chairman.

The 17th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc./Florida 4-H Golf Classic was held at the lake Buena Vista Golf Club near Orlando. The tournament raised funds directly benefiting the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program.

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Learn good citizenship at Citizenship Washington Focus by Sean Russell, Sarasota County 4-H’er

What do you get when you take 4-H youth from across the country, send them to Washington, D.C. for a week, and teach

them leadership, citizenship, and life skills through an exciting “Learn by doing” approach? Well, you get one incredible 4-H experience, better known as Citizenship Washington Focus!

CWF is a once in a lifetime event focused on train-ing the leaders of tomorrow. Every summer, senior 4-H members from across the country meet at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md., to immerse themselves in an in-depth look at citizenship.

Participants are given the chance to reflect on the past history of our country by visiting historic sites, such as Mount Vernon, the home of our first president. They are also able to look back on the people and events that helped shape our country by visiting the presidential and war memorials.

Youth are teamed with college-age program assis-tants, who act as educators and tour guides during the week. These program assistants coordinate the excursions throughout Washington, D.C. and chal-lenge CWF participants to become engaged in the past, present, and future of our country.

During their time in D.C., 4-H members are able to participate in many exciting activities and events. One such activity is the Night View of Washington, D.C. This tour is a trip around Washington as the sun goes down. Through this tour, 4-H’ers are able to visit some of our nation’s most prominent landmarks and monu-ments, and see them illuminated at night.

Another highlight of the week in Washington is Capitol Hill Day, which gives 4-H youth the chance to see

first-hand how our nation’s govern-ment works. Throughout the day, 4-H’ers have the opportunity to tour the Capitol building and meet with their state representatives and sen-ators. This day also provides par-ticipants with the opportunity to visit sites such as the Library of Congress, the United States Botanic Gardens, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

CWF participants are given the opportunity to explore the wonders of Washington on Delegation Day, which is a time for youth from each state to spend a day making their

own schedule. At this time 4-H’ers have the chance to experience incredible things in the many Smithsonian museums, look back on terrible events of the past in the Holocaust Museum, or see the documents that founded our nation in the National Archives.

Throughout the week of CWF, youth participate in classes focused on being a good citizen and mak-ing a difference in the world. These workshops help participants become a part of and understand polit-ical issues that are currently facing our country and world — and how they can be actively involved in our nation’s government.

Another exciting aspect of CWF is the chance it gives participants to put into action their newly learned cit-izenship skills by working with youth from their state on Community Action Plans. These plans are designed to truly embody the definition of a good citizen by making a difference in the participants’ communities.

Attending Citizenship Washington Focus will truly change the way you look at your country, and world. It will allow you to reflect on the past ideals that helped to shape the nation we live in today. It will allow you to learn new ideas and become a part of the living his-tory happening every day in Washington, D.C. It allows you to come together with 4-H youth from across the country who share a common goal of making a differ-ence. Finally, attending Citizenship Washington Focus will empower you with a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a good citizen, and will leave you with a renewed commitment to “Making the Best, Better” in your clubs, communities, country, and world!


Jordan Morrow earns presidential award for volunteering By Rebekah Sellers

On September 18, 2008 while most high school-ers were sitting in class or

playing capture the flag in gym, Jordan Morrow, of Palm Beach Gardens, was waiting for then-Vice President Dick Cheney at the airport.

Morrow is 18 years old and the most recent recipient of the Youth Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Morrow has been a mem-ber of the Diamondbacks 4-H club for 10 years and started volunteer-ing her time at age seven.

Morrow logged more than 1,000 service hours by developing and starting a reading and literacy program in conjunction with the Palm Beach Health Department and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Clinics in which she recruited youth volunteers to read to children while they wait for appointments. Also she col-lected books to give to children so they could read at home and improve their language skills. She collected ink cartridges as well as cell phones to send in care pack-ages for the US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Recently, Morrow volunteered with the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Project 18 Mentoring Group. The group works with teens who are about to age-out

of the foster care system. It pairs the youth with a mentor who helps them prepare for the life outside of the foster system.

“ I learned so much through this organization,” Morrow said. “It gave me an insight into the chal-lenges foster care youth face.”

Morrow also said 4-H was the main driving force for her wanting to volunteer her time.

When asked about what it was like to meet the vice president of the United States, Morrow felt over-whelmed and that it was a privi-lege to meet him.

“ When I saw him walking down the plane’s steps, it hit me, I was about to meet our nation’s vice president,” Morrow said.

Morrow was congratulated and thanked for her service by Vice President Chaney, on President Bush’s behalf who was unable to attend. She presented the vice president with an engraved paper-weight that had the Palm Beach County 4-H emblem on it.

This honorary award is not Morrow’s first. She has also been the recipient of the Outstanding Senior 4-H award from Palm Beach County 4-H and the Outstanding Ambassador Award at the state level.

Martha Webster, Palm Beach county 4-H agent, says Morrow is a committed 4-H’er, “Jordan has been a dedicated member of 4-H through all of her years of membership.”

“ Since here in Palm Beach County she has stepped up to leadership positions from county to state. She has been energetic in research-ing the community needs and has taken the initiative to develop and deliver a needed literacy program for youth whose parents attend WIC programs,” Webster con-tinues. “She is winding down the

senior year, but 4-H knows that she is just beginning a successful life that will always be reaching out to others.”

Morrow has held many leadership positions while in 4-H as well. She has served as the State Council Treasurer, District 13 Secretary and Parliamentarian. She was the Palm Beach County president and Collier County secretary.

Morrow believes that youth can have an impact in Florida’s com-munities by utilizing their passions and becoming involved with orga-nizations who are already making a difference.

Morrow hopes to pursue a career in the medical field because she has a passion for helping others. Morrow plans to continue volun-teering while she attends college.

“ Volunteering is a large part of my life and is more than just a require-ment for high school graduation or for 4-H, it is something that I truly enjoy,” Morrow said.

She currently is a home schooled senior and attends Palm Beach Community College.

Morrow wants to become an obstetrician and gynecologist . She would like to work in China part-time as a medical missionary.

Morrow is currently volunteering at her church’s health clinic, and she reads to the youth at the commu-nity health center in Palm Beach.

“In 4-H we learn the importance of community service and the only thing we hope to gain from the experience is the satisfaction of knowing we are making a differ-ence,” said Morrow.

“ I was never volunteering for an award,” Morrow said.

Jordan Morrow is just one of many 4-H’ers who are making the best better in her club, community, country and soon the world.

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Nassau County schools partner with 4-H to turn kids into budding executivesBy Amy Johnson

When it comes to business, fourth, fifth and sixth graders know how to run one, with the help of Florida 4-H that is.

Youth are participating in one of the school enrich-ment programs offered by Florida 4-H, called BizWorld, an entrepreneurship program that teaches the students the basics of running a company includ-ing developing a business plan, products and develop-ing a marketing campaign.

The Amelia Island Montessori School and Sonshine Christian Academy of Nassau County are two of the schools who participated in the program with the help of Amanda Thien, Nassau County 4-H program leader.

Thien, who works closely with the public and private schools in her county, says, “I strive to provide pro-grams where youth have the opportunity to learn more about real world experiences. School enrich-ment programs such as Bizworld and 4-H/Tropicana public speaking contest engage students in meaning-ful learning that they really can get excited about.”

The teachers who implemented the BizWorld school enrichment program as a part of their curriculum report they were happy with the results.

The Montessori philosophy includes giving students the chance to identify their abilities and the 4-H pro-gram contributes to that philosophy, according to Charlie Weisenborn, teacher at the Amelia Island Montessori School.

“Florida 4-H gives us opportunities to experience hands-on learning,” said Weisenborn. She also said that when the students have a responsibility, like in the

BizWorld curriculum, they will value themselves as a person.

Lisa Harris, sixth grade teacher at Sonshine Christian Academy, was so impressed with the BizWorld school enrichment program that she and other teachers at Sonshine Christian Academy have decided to include it into their curriculum again this school year.

She said the school enrichment programs teach “life skills that you can’t really teach from a book.” Harris also mentioned how Thien has scheduled local busi-ness owners to come in and share their personal expe-riences with the students.

One of the first assignments of the curriculum in Harris’ class was for the students to get to know one another better and learn to work as a team. The stu-dents had to fill out applications to apply for cer-tain jobs within the “company,” which sold friendship bracelets. “The kids hone in on their skills and work with each other as a small team,” Harris said.

She said a few students really got involved with the program. The president of the company was absent 2 weeks in a row, and when he came back their com-pany was “in the hole.” Under his leadership, the com-pany had to decide how they were going to get out of debt, and if they would have to borrow from the bank or sell more of their stock.

Both Harris and Weisenborn admire Nassau County 4-H agent Amanda Thien for her ability to work with and relate to the students. “As a teacher, the way she treated the stu-dents made an impact on me,” Harris said.

The fourth grade students pictured above and to the right are complet-ing the manu-facturing phase and are learning how to price and promote their products through advertising.


Florida and the 4-H Million Trees ProjectBy Dominique Meyer, State Council Reporter

Take a deep breath. Feel the air pass through your nose, fill your lungs, and revitalize your body. That’s oxygen you’re breathing. Where

does it come from? Take a step outside and look around you. Those impressive, towering plants we call trees are good for more than just providing shade and supporting your favorite clubhouse.

Aside from being a vital source of life, trees pro-vide many resources for humans and are essential to our society. That’s why 4-H provides youth with the opportunity to learn about trees and other plants through it’s forestry and horticultural projects, such as the Citrus Tree Project and Competition. But this year, Florida 4-H is taking its celebration of trees one step further, by adopting the National 4-H Million Trees Project as an example of a community service project to celebrate Florida 4-H’s centennial anniversary.

The project was conceived by California 4-H’ers after learning about the global climate change crisis. According to their website,“the goal of this project is to mobilize the approximately seven million 4-H youth across the U.S. and Canada to participate in this proj-ect to plant 1,000,000 trees to help reduce atmospheric CO

2 (www.4hmilliontrees.org).”

On Florida Arbor Day in January, 4-H’ers across the state planted trees in their communities. The event took place with support of the Florida Division of Forestry and county 4-H programs. More than 1,100 people attended and 1,600 trees were given away or planted that day.

The project has since expanded to be an international community ser-vice project, and has spread to State 4-H Programs across the U.S. by fil-tering down to individual County and Club 4-H organizations.

The 2008-2009 State Council has elected to participate in the Million Trees Project in conjunction with their 2009 Centennial Celebration.

“Last year Dr. Marilyn Norman, Associate Dean for Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, spoke with the State Council about the 4-H Million Trees Project and explained the National goal of planting one million new trees,” said Victoria Hygema, State Council Secretary and Chairman of the State Project Committee.

“I personally hold an interest in Forestry, having stud-ied three levels of the subject in school,” Hygema con-tinues. “Trees are so valuable to our environment and economy, especially here in Florida where tree pro-duction is one of the top three industries. This proj-ect is quite appropriate for Florida 4-Her’s to get involved.”

According to the USDA Forestry Service, trees don’t only benefit humans through the reduction of CO

2.

Planting trees means improving water quality, which results in less runoff and erosion and recharges the ground water supply. “The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day,” states litera-ture from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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So how can you contribute? The State Council Project Committee is asking each County 4-H Program to plant two trees within the 4-H year. With the 67 coun-ties in Florida, that’s 134 trees! Two trees per county is a lot less intimidating than 1,000,000, isn’t it?

“A certain number of community service hours are required by most schools, and youth often see that number and think that it’s an unmanageable amount,” says Hygema. “But in reality, when you break it down

to every hour that you complete it’s really not a big task. Similarly, planting one million trees seems like a huge and unrealistic project, but when broken down by state and county is quite doable. Asking for 134 trees is not a lot, but it will help us to achieve one mil-lion trees across the continent,” says Hygema.

4-H clubs and counties can obtain free tree saplings by joining the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org. It is also important to check with your County IFAS Cooperative Extension Office to make sure that the trees you select will thrive in your area.

Other ways to get involved are by getting your hands dirty by participating in your County’s Master Gardener Program, Citrus Tree Program, or by stud-ding Forestry as your 4-H Project.

“The Million Trees project is a great way for 4-H’ers to get involved in their community.” Says Andrew Cheng, Florida 4-H President. “Trees are a symbol of life and growth, and by cultivating them you are bettering not only your club and community, but the country and our world.”

For More information regarding the 4-H Million Trees Project, please visit http://www.4hmilliontrees.org/ or contact State Project Chairman Victoria Hygema at [email protected]


Florida 4-H Camps By Rebekah Sellers and Kim Gumbiner

Great places for a weekend vacation

Ever think you’d like to go camping, or just get away from the city, but are not too

sure of where to go? We have the right places for you. Florida 4-H Camping has four camps located throughout the state of Florida that are available to be rented out for family reunions, wedding receptions, business retreats and much more.

Camp Cherry Lake is located north of Madison and offers a vari-ety of attributes fitting for most occasions. Fourteen rustic cabins are nestled in the large oaks, and along with the four cottages that sleep around 150 people in all. A large dining hall with full meal ser-vice, an auditorium fully equipped with a stage and sound system, a large open pavilion, a lakefront perfect for swimming, canoeing or

fishing and a large ball field make this a perfect setting for your weekend getaway. Recreational equipment can be provided upon request and reservations can be made for the use of a pontoon boat for a scenic tour of the beau-tiful Cherry Lake.

Camp Cloverleaf, located north of Lake Placid, offers overnight accommodations for up to 150 people in air-conditioned cabins. A large dining hall with full meal ser-vice, an auditorium fully equipped with a stage and sound system, a craft building for smaller meet-ing space fully equipped with a smaller kitchen, a beautiful water-front for canoeing, swimming or fishing and a large recreational field. Recreational equipment can be provided upon request and res-ervations can be made for the use

of a pontoon boat for a scenic tour of the beautiful Lake Francis.

Camp Ocala, located just north of Altoona, sits on Sellers Lake right in the middle of the Ocala National Forest. Air conditioned cabins sleep up to 250 people. A large dining hall with full meal ser-vice, two outdoor pavilions and several break out classrooms for meeting space are sure to make your next business meeting a big hit away from the hustle of city life. Swimming, canoeing or fishing is available at the waterfront. There is plenty of outdoor space on this camp for your recreational activ-ities. Recreational equipment can be provided upon request and res-ervations can be made for the use of a pontoon boat for a scenic tour of the beautiful Sellers Lake. Camp Ocala is also conveniently located to Juniper and Alexander Springs for an added offsite adventure.

Camp Timpoochee, located in Niceville, is located directly on the Choctawhatchee Bay across from the Emerald Gulfcoast beaches of Destin. This camp can sleep up to 150 people. Timpoochee offers a large dining hall with full meal ser-vice, an auditorium fully equipped with a stage and sound system, a craft room for smaller meeting space, a marine lab, a waterfront for canoeing, swimming or fish-ing and a large recreational field. Recreational equipment can be provided upon request and reser-vations can be made for the use of a pontoon boat for a scenic tour of the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay. It now offers two beautiful cabins that can be rented separately from the camp that are located directly on the water and can sleep up to 16 people in each. Each of these new cabins has a kitchen and din-ing/living space along with four bedrooms and two baths.

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Camp Ocala

Camp Timpoochee

Camp Cherrylake

Camp Cloverleaf

While all the camps are unique in their own way, they all offer large camp fire circles, good food ser-vices, and secluded areas. All are perfect for your RELAXING, GET AWAY CONNECTION to the OUTDOORS!

For more information on reserv-ing one of the camps, please visit our web site Florida4-H.org. The site has pictures of the camps and all the contact information needed in reserving a camp for your next family or business event.

Camp Cherry Lake3861 NE Cherry Lake Cr Madison, FL 32340 (850) 929-4429 [email protected] Neva Baltzell, Camp Director/State Camping Program Coordinator

Camp Cloverleaf 126 Cloverleaf Rd Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 465-4885 [email protected] Cooper, Camp Director

Camp Ocala18533 NFS 535 Altoona, FL 32702 (352) 759-2288 [email protected] Baltzell, Camp Director

Camp Timpoochee 4750 Timpoochee Lane Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 897-2224 [email protected] Williams, Camp Director/Program Coordinator

State 4-H Camping Office PO Box 110225 3120A McCarty Hall B Gainesville, FL 32611-0225 (352)846-0996 ext 249 [email protected] Gumbiner, Business Manager 4-H Camps

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florida 4-h Youth development We’re in every county, including yours!

Alachua County(352) 955-2402

Baker County(904) 259-3520

Bay County(850) 784-6105

Bradford County(904) 966-6224

Brevard County

Cocoa Office(321) 633-1702

Palm Bay Office(321) 952-4537

Broward County(954) 370-3725

Calhoun County(850) 674-8353

Charlotte County(941) 764-4340

Citrus County(352) 527-5712

Clay County(904) 284-6355

Collier County(239) 353-4244

Columbia County(386) 752-5384

DeSoto County(863) 993-4846

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Escambia County(850) 475-5230

Flagler County(386) 437-7464

Franklin County(850) 653-9337

Gadsden County(850) 875-7261

Gilchrist County(352) 463-3174

Glades County(863) 946-0244

Gulf County(850) 639-3200

Hamilton County(386) 792-1276

Hardee County(863) 773-2164

Hendry County(863) 674-4092

Hernando County(352) 754-4433

Highlands County(863) 402-6540

Hillsborough County(813) 744-5519

Holmes County(850) 547-1108

Indian River County(772) 770-5030

Jackson County(850) 482-9620

Jefferson County(850) 342-0187

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Lake County(352) 343-4101

Lee County(239) 461-7500

Leon County(850) 606-5204

Levy County(352) 486-5131

Liberty County(850) 643-2229

Madison County(850) 973-4138

Manatee County(941) 722-4524

Marion County(352) 671-8400

Martin County(772) 288-5654

Miami-Dade County

Miami International Mall (305) 592-8044

Blanche-Morton Center, City of Hialeah(305) 888-5010

Monroe County(305) 292-4501

Nassau County(904) 879-1019

Okaloosa County(850) 689-5850

Okeechobee County(863) 763-6469

Orange County(407) 254-9200

Osceola County(321) 697-3000

Palm Beach County(561) 233-1731

Pasco County(352) 521-4288

Pinellas County(727) 582-2100

Polk County(863) 519-8677

Putnam County(386) 329-0318

Santa Rosa County(850) 623-3868

Sarasota County(941) 861-9800

Seminole County(407) 665-5553

Seminole Tribe of Florida (863) 763-5020

St. Johns County(904) 209-0430

St. Lucie County(772) 462-1660

Sumter County(352) 793-2728

Suwannee County(386) 362-2771

Taylor County(850) 838-3508

Union County(386) 496-2321

Volusia County(386) 822-5778

Wakulla County(850) 926-3931

Walton County(850) 892-8172

Washington County(850) 638-6180

Florida 4-H Camps

Camp Cherry Lake3861 NE Cherry Lake CrMadison, FL 32340(850) 929-4429

Camp Cloverleaf126 Cloverleaf RdLake Placid, FL 33852(863) 465-4885

Camp Ocala18533 NFS 535Altoona, FL 32702(352) 759-2288

Camp Timpoochee4750 Timpoochee LaneNiceville, FL 32578(850) 897-2224

Contact your local 4-H agent or visit us at FLORIDA4H.ORG

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