Thursday, September 25, 2008

The Kick Off Report

The kick off was a huge success. The community got to visit with 4-H club leaders and volunteers about the various clubs that we have this year. (Air Rifle, 2 horse Clubs, Environmental Adventures, Model Horse Project, Cloverleaf Cloggers, Livestock Club, Community Club doing drama, Cloverbud club, and Art Club. Ms. Barbara talked with kids about joining Horse Judging this year. Ms. Renee' our agent set up several tables on projects that would be hosted in the county this year, Archery, Dog Training, Photography. There was a booth about county events demonstrations and the county fair opportunities. Families enjoyed hot dogs, chips, cookies and drink sponsored by the Extension Service, Winn Dixie and Food Lion.

Over 135 families visited the open house. Ms. Renee received 99 enrollments that night and a dozen or so more the week following the kick off. Baker County now has 180 4-H members signed up this year.

All the families that signed up for 4-H will be receiving a welcome letter and the children's 4-H I.D. Cards. The families that have not signed up will receive a welcome letter and another invitation to join with a club and project flyer.

It was a great kick off for the new 4-H Year!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Baker County Florida Fall 4-H Kick Off Open House

Come on down to the Baker County Extension Office at 1025 W Macclenny Ave., Macclenny, FL to the Fall 4-H Kick Off. It is an open house and you may come and go as you please between the hours of 6pm and 8pm.

Leaders will have set up club tables to meet with you and talk about their activites. Ms. Renee Gore the agent will have several information booths set up about different events and activities that are available this year.

Enjoy a picnic style hot dog dinner with us and get all your questions answered. You can even sign up for 4-H that night before you leave

We hope to see you there.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's???

4-H FAQs1



Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan2
This document is best viewed as a PDF. See edis.ifas.ufl.edu 4-H FAQs search for original document



Q: What is 4-H?
A: 4-H is a non-formal, practical educational program for youth. It is the youth development program of Florida Cooperative Extension, a part of the University of Florida IFAS. 4-H is where there's fun in learning and learning in fun!


Q: What is the mission of 4-H?
A: The Florida Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development program uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to become competent, caring, and contributing citizens of the world. This mission is accomplished by using the knowledge and resources of the land grant university system, along with the involvement of caring adults.


Q: Isn't 4-H just for kids who live on farms?
A: No! 4-H is for all youth, wherever they live - on farms, in suburbs, in cities. 4-H serves youth from all backgrounds and interests. It reaches both boys and girls through 4-H clubs, special-interest groups and short-term projects, school-age child care, individual & family learning & mentoring, camping, and school enrichment. Most 4-H members are from towns and cities and they participate in contemporary projects such as bicycle care and safety, consumer education, aerospace and model rocketry, public speaking, and animal sciences. 4-H offers membership without regard to race, color,national origin, religion, gender, disability, or handicap.


Q: What is a 4-H club?
A: Clubs are the foundation of the 4-H program. A 4-H club is a group of five or more youngsters guided by one or more adult volunteer leaders. A club can be any size--from a small group of kids from one neighborhood to a larger club consisting of youth from all over the county.


Q: What happens in a 4-H club?
A: A 4-H Club usually concentrates on one or more projects (such as gardening, woodworking, small animals, food and nutrition, livestock, photography, etc.) based on youth interests. 4-H members have many opportunities: building leadership by electing officers, conducting their own business meetings, working together on community service activities; meeting new friends; and most important, having lots of fun.


Q: What age must you be to join 4-H?
A: Youth, ages 5-18 or in grades K-12, can be 4-H club members and enroll in many different 4-H projects. Youth, grades K-2, can be 4-H Cloverbud members. 4-H Cloverbuds is a noncompetitive learning experience. Usually, Cloverbud members are in separate clubs where they sample a variety of 4-H projects. Older 4-H members also have special opportunities, such as serving on a countywide 4-H teen council.


Q: How did 4-H originate?
A: 4-H clubs were first known as corn clubs for boys and canning clubs for girls, organized early in this century by public school educators who wanted
to broaden the knowledge and experience of their students. 4-H in Florida began in 1909 in several counties in north Florida. 4-H became an official part of the Cooperative Extension Service, along with agriculture and home economics, at about the time Cooperative Extension was officially established by the US Congress in 1914. The term "4-H Club" first appeared in a federal document in 1918, and by the mid- 1920s, 4-H was well on its way to becoming a significant national program for youth. 4-H is an American idea that has spread around the world. Throughout its long history, 4-H has constantly adapted to the ever-changing needs and interests of youth.


Q: Does it cost money to join 4-H?
A: In some counties/clubs there may be a fee to cover curriculum materials. Uniforms are not required. Most 4-H project information, activities, and events are available at cost, which is usually minimal. Each club chooses whether to charge dues.


Q: Where does 4-H get its funding?
A: Florida Cooperative Extension, of which 4-H is a part, receives funds from a cooperative partnership of three levels of government: federal (via the Science and Education Administration of the US Department of Agriculture), state (via the University of Florida), and county (through the county Board of Commissioners). 4-H also receives support from private sources.


Q: Who "runs" the 4-H program?
A: Volunteers are the key to providing 4-H programs for youth. Capable, interested adult volunteers are always needed to lead clubs and to assist with 4-H activities. Orientation and training is provided, so no previous experience is necessary. 4-H volunteers are supported by a professional staff, including a county 4-H agent who is a faculty member of the University of Florida. The county 4-H agent is responsible for the countywide 4-H program and may also have state and national responsibilities. There are various county 4-H support and advisory groups made up of interested adult volunteers. State and national 4-H personnel assist county 4-H professionals.


Q: What do the four 'H's on the 4-H emblem stand for?
A: The 4-H emblem is a green four-leaf clover with a white 'H' on each leaflet, symbolizing Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. The 4-H emblem was protected by an Act of Congress in 1924.


Q: What is the 4-H Pledge?
A: At 4-H club meetings and other 4-H events, 4-H members recite the Pledge of Allegiance and this 4-H Pledge:
I pledge
my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service, and
my Health to better living, for my club,
my community, my country, and my world.


Q: What is the 4-H motto?
A: "To Make the Best Better."


Q: What is the 4-H slogan?
A: "Learn by Doing."


Q: Where are 4-H programs found?
A: 4-H programs are conducted in 3,150 counties of the United States, and also in the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and The Virgin Islands. In addition, more than 80 countries around the world have youth programs similar to 4-H, with an overall enrollment of about 10 million young people. 4-H is also conducted and available to youth at all the U.S. Army and Air Force Installations around the world.


Q: Is 4-H in my county?
A: Yes! 4-H is in every county in the state. In Florida, thousands of members are in hundreds of local 4-H clubs. Thousands more are involved in 4-H through school enrichment, short-term programs, and camping. In addition, thousands of adults volunteer their time to assist with the 4-H program. Families and individuals can become part of 4-H by contacting the county 4-H office.


Q: How can I find out more about 4-H in my county?
A: Contact the 4-H staff in the Florida Extension office in the county of your residence. Baker County 4-H is available on the web at http://baker.ifas.ufl.edu/ or by email to Renee L. Gore Agent at jrgore@ufl.edu or by phone to 904-259-3520



Florida Cooperative Extension (or 4-H) may be listed in the white pages of your phone book, or may appear under "County Government." If not, check the yellow pages under "Clubs" and "Youth Organizations and Centers." Also visit the UF 4-H Website at http://www.florida4H.org, or call the State 4-H Office at UF IFAS (352-846-0996) to obtain the phone number and address of the county 4-H office.



Footnotes1. This document is 4HS FS101.11, one of a series of the 4-H Youth Development Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date January 1, 2006. Revised September 21, 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
2. Marilyn N. Norman, Associate Professor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and State 4-H Program Leader, and Joy C. Jordan, Associate Professor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.

Copyright InformationThis document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.

Welcome to the Baker County 4-H Program

I extend a welcome to you and your children to join the Baker County 4-H program if you are a resident of Baker County Florida.



Baker County 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Florida, IFAS Extension in cooperation with Baker County Board of County Commissioners. A grass roots organization of trained and background screened volunteers lead various community and project clubs where youth can learn citizenship, leadership and life skills as they participate in a variety of project experiences designed to allow them to pursue their hobbies and interests.



So if you are into photography, computers, horses, sewing, crafting, environmental education and a host of other hobbies give us a try!



see us on the web at http://baker.ifas.ufl.edu/ or contact Ms. Renee by email at jrgore@ufl.edu Our office is located at 1025 W. Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, FL 32063 and we can be reached by phone at 904-259-3520



I look forward to meeting you soon!