April 2007 Volume 2, No. 4

Story continued - page 3

Imagine that you were a kid again. You’re eight years old and just beginning to feel a

part of a group of friends. You’re starting 3rd grade and

you are able to have fun play dates. Then, just as summer begins, your parent’s military assignment is changed and you have to move away to a new town, new school and new friends.

This scenario happens to more than thou-sands children each year. Military families are a large portion of Florida’s diverse culture. Florida 4-H partners nationally and within the state with the Army and the Air Force to provide two unique programs targeted at military youth and their families - The 4-H Air Force Partnership and Operation Military Kids.

April is the month of the Military Child and it is important to recognize the superior work that is being done to provide stability in the lives of military youth and their families.

4-H/Air Force Partnership Currently across the US, there are more than 6,100 Air Force youth enrolled in 4-H in a variety of clubs. Each base is required to run three 4-H clubs with one of the club’s focus in the area of Healthy Lifestyles. The other clubs offer a variety of options including animal care, photography, wood-working and sewing!

In Florida, 4-H supports Patrick, MacDill, Tyndall, Eglin and Hurlburt Field Air Force

Bases. In addition, state and county Exten-sion staff support fifteen air bases overseas. Recently a Florida training team traveled across the ocean to London to teach 4-H 101 to 38 youth center and school age workers from Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) Mildenhall and R.A.F. Lakenheath.

Georgene Bender (Hillsborough County) and Jennifer Heady (Okaloosa County) headed up the training team which also included Dr. Kate Fogarty (4-H Youth De-velopment Specialist), Ms. Gwen Daniel (MacDill AFB Assistant Director of School Age Programs and 4-H Leader) Stefanie Duda (UF Graduate Student) and Tom Richardson (4-H Summer Camp Staff).

The training team was invited to England and was hosted by R.A. F. Lakenheath Lesley Smith, Flight Chief and her staff. Besides training 4-H 101, the team did specific station visits with R.A.F.

Florida 4-H Celebrates the Month of the Military Child All Year Long!

Upcoming Events

April

Apr 21 State 4-H & FFA Meat Judging Contest

June

June 1 All Portfolio for scholar- ships and trips due to State Events Office

Photo and Poster Contest Entries due to State PR Office

General Public Speaking Speeches due to State Events Office

State 4-H Dairy Posters due to Ron Schmidt, Food Science Building

Horse Public Speaking Speeches due to Ed Johnson

June 2 State Poultry BBQ Demonstration Contest

June 3-9 Citizenship Washington Focus

For more information on upcoming

events, visit our website at www.florida4h.org

R.A.F. Alconbury Staff with Gwen Daniel and Jennifer Heady

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Submitted by: Dr. Marilyn N. Norman

Goal 3 Summary

Each year, Florida county and state faculty plan and report back infor-mation about their Extension work. This information is tabulated and distributed. In March, Goal 3 and Focus Teams associated with Goal 3 met to review the aggregated reports of every faculty member reporting against our broad goal to develop responsible and productive youth through 4-H and other youth programs, and their findings are very interesting. The information below summarizes some of their findings and reflects

a partial report submitted to USDA.

Organizational Strategies and Learning Environments to Support Youth - The goal of this area is to support youth programs through developing a structure that effectively manages staff and volunteers. This includes managing financial and human resources, utilizing appropriate educational materials, creating opportunities for youth experiences, and communicating effectively with youth. • Florida 4-H faculty, staff, and volunteers have expended over

12,000 days in activities relating to program and curriculum development (4846), funding efforts (872), and groups teaching events (1383).

• 2,270 educational activities were conducted in 2006, including, but not limited to, developing partnerships and collaborations, marketing, needs assessments, and program and curriculum development.

• Volunteers devoted over 34,000 hours in developing learning environments to support youth.

• 50 of the 67 counties and the Seminole Tribe reported at least one program within organizational strategies and learning envi-ronments.

Volunteer Development and Systems to Support Youth - Studies confirm the value of a significant other adult in the life of a child. The ability of 4-H Programs to provide safe and secure environments is de-pendent upon the management and quality of trained staff of volunteers. • Florida 4-H engaged 14,509 volunteers in providing supportive

learning environments for youth. Over 13,180 are adults and 1,389 are youth volunteers. Using the Independent Sector cal-culations of the value of volunteer time in 2006 ($18.77), and the UNIFAS documentation of 4-H volunteers (21,398 days),

these volunteers contributed over $3,213,124 to IFAS Coopera-tive Extension programs. If we use the USDA estimated annual number of hours an average 4-H volunteer provides (220 hours), the contribution would equal $59,913,464.

• Counties throughout Florida offered opportunities for 1,833 volunteers to plan learning events, serve on advisory committees or Foundation boards, or to provide indirect support to youth.

• Primary topics in volunteer development included: club manage-ment (64), evaluating youth learning (34), key projects (54), pro-gram safety and liability (68), understanding diversity (61), volun-teer management systems (60), and youth/adult partnerships (72).

Life Skills Development - 4-H utilizes a variety of project and subject matter skills to engage youth in areas of interest. Subject matter pro-grams and projects become the vehicle through which youth engage with other adults. They become self-directed learners, set goals, make independent choices and decisions and gain mastery from their accomplishments and experiences. • Over 6,140 activities were conducted, reaching an audience of

more than 824,000 people. Faculty, staff and volunteers expended 22,158 days through group teaching events.

• Over 22,000 days of direct group teaching to youth by faculty, teachers, staff and volunteers was reported. An additional 6,038 days were expended conducting county and district events, clinics or fairs to support youth life skill development.

• 6,142 activities represented 10 key subject areas for youth development. These were: • Individual, Family Resources and Healthy Lifestyle Choices (277) • Environmental ecology and natural resources (149) • Leadership (132) • Animal Sciences (113) • Citizenship (107) • Plant Sciences (101) • Agricultural Literacy (84) • Science and Technology (90) • Leisure Arts and Recreation (84)

Life skill outcomes were reported in 16 skill areas. The most fre-quently reported skill acquisition area evaluated for youth was com-munication where 9,410 surveyed participants reported a positive change in two of the three of the communication skill indicators. County faculty conducted 133 programs in communication skills enrolling 112,817 youth.

AT A GLANCE Organizational Strategies

Volunteer Development Life Skill Development Total for Goal 3

Total Counties/Units Offering Programs

117 56 194

Days Expended by Faculty, Staff and Volunteers

12,080 4,384 36,119 52,583

# Programs Conducted for Primary Audiences

2270 738 2011 5,019

Volunteer Days Reported 4,257 1,176 15,965 21,398

Group Attendance 580,148 22,799 824,079 1,427,026

Clientele Contacts 119,218 48,824 182,170 350,212

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Alconbury, R.A.F. Mildenhall and R.A.F. Lakenheath working with staff and youth. At R.A.F. Lakenheath, a 4-H Officer Training Session was held for the officers. Youth learned more about their roles, the importance of recreation and some traditional 4-H songs.

R.A.F. Alconbury has a 4-H program active in health, sewing and photogra-phy. R.A.F. Lakenheath currently has over 17 project groups and an exten-sive 4-H program complete with 4-H t-shirts, bulletin display and plans for a Spring Fair. Former SAP staff member Cathleen Tuck, a former 4-H'er from Missouri, worked with staff to develop a 4-H club. R.A.F. Mildenhall will add 4-H to their Torch Club this year and begin to use the 4-H curriculum in their lesson plans.

Florida staff work to enroll the clubs, support and train the staff and a FYCS Internship Program will begin to develop opportunities for graduate students to represent 4-H staff at various bases for additional program support.

Operation: Military Kids Operation: Military Kids (OMK) is an Army/4-H initiative to support mili-tary families right in our own backyard. When National Guard, Army Reserve and other military parents living in civilian communities are mobi-

lized, their children suddenly have different needs. Now they are “military kids” but they still “look the same” to teachers, friends and the rest of the community. However, their lives have been turned upside down. Through OMK, 4-H youth and military youth work side-by-side to build community support networks for their military families.

“Most of these youth often do not have to re-locate when a parent is mobilized or deployed, but their lives change dramatically during the parent’s absence,” said Dr. Joy Jordan, 4-H Youth Development Specialist and State 4-H Military Liaison. “They face new challenges and risks because they come from a civilian back-ground, have little or no experience dealing with the military and often live 50 to 100 miles from normal military support mechanisms.”

The OMK Coordinators around the state help county faculty and local 4-H programs connect to military families, local National Guard or Army Reserve centers and provide training workshops on “Understanding Military Culture.” They train 4-H members, volunteers, educators and community groups in their geographic areas and around the state as needed. The program continues to grow and reach new people and places within the state each year.

Both programs are very important in supporting the lives of youth. This month’s newsletter will feature some of the military youth highlights from around the state as they follow the four H’s of what our program is all about – Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

...Continued from page 1

England military base participants thumb wrestle – an activity in our Recognition Model to discuss the merits and challenges of competition.

Santa Rosa County 4-H’ers make yellow ribbons to line streets and welcome troops home.

Florida 4-H began reaching out and connecting with military youth more than 20 years ago in Okaloosa County as the Eglin Sand and Spurs 4-H Horse Club was organized. Youth in this club meet at riding stables on the base and learn about horses, leadership, and public speaking. They have a variety of educational activities including presenta-tions about horses, riding clinics and workshops on leadership and public speaking. This base also has a Monofilament Recovery and Recycling project and a 4-H Money Adventure Camp. The camp provides youth with real life experiences such as, how to open a savings account, purchase a car, and budget for a family with monthly bills while teaching financial responsibility.

The Beginnings of the Florida Military Partnership

Give Me an H!

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The OMK program was presented to over 400 guidance counselors from Hillsborough and Pinellas County School Districts recently. One of the goals of the OMK program since the beginning has been to collaborate with schools to ensure that staff is attuned to the unique needs of military students.

During each presentation, OMK team members along with one of the OMK youth am-bassadors held open discussions about the unique issues facing military children with deployed parents. Sessions were held for elementary, middle and high school counsel-ors from both districts. At each session, over ninety percent of the attendees indicated that they encountered students affected by deployment at their school.

Each groups’ presentation was “tailored” to fit the age groups of the children the counselors serve. At the end of each ses-sion, counselors were given their own “resource kit” with reference tools to assist them in dealing with children of deployed soldiers. Among the kit items were OMK pens, note pads, story books, coloring books, deployment countdown calendars, Ready Set Go training materials, the Talk Listen Connect Sesame Street DVD, and Military One Source information. The kits also contained information on various 4-H programs within each county. Because of the success of this endeavor, the OMK presentation will become part of the ongoing “new counselor training” sessions.

Head Out and Educate About Life as a Military Child

Florida OMK has com-pleted many “Hero Pack” projects. Packs have been distributed to more than 500 children with a de-ployed parent. There are two types of age appropri-ate packs. School age packs are for youth ages 5-10 while teen packs are customized for ages 11 and up. All Hero Packs include things like: a dis-posable camera, OMK

dog tags, ruler, stationary and envelopes, and a hand-written letter to the youth and to the soldier. School-age packs also contain a book and puppet, 4-H hat and OMK bracelet. Packs may also contain a variety of other items provided by OMK’s many local part-ners. These “Hero Packs” are delivered directly to military youth by 4-H’ers with an invitation to join 4-H.

4-H’ers in Alachua County have shared their time and resources by ”adopting” military families they identify in their OMK outreach efforts. At the recent youth fair, one military mom’s comment after getting this warm embrace of 4-H support was a big hug and “Thank you so much, I didn’t think anyone else really cared!” reported Bill Heltemes, 4-H Agent.

Share Your Heart With Others Tampa Bay OMK team members, community supporters, and youth volunteers, joined forces to support military families for the holidays in 2006. The 2006 OMK holiday Project was designed to encom-pass military families in need, as well as support the families of wounded and injured soldiers. The project was divided into the following two categories to accomplish this mission.

• Providing the necessary funds to sponsor several monthly dinners at the James A. Haley VA Hospital for wounded soldiers and their families.

• 4-H OMK Adopt-A-Military Family Holiday Project. Through existing partnerships with Family Readiness Coor-dinators, MacDill Family Support, Tampa Military Entrance Processing Stations, VA Chaplains and the OMK advisory committee, military families of deployed, returning, and wounded soldiers were identified for the Adopt-A-Military-Family project.

As a result of this endeavor, 29 families were adopted. They in-cluded families of deployed, wounded, deceased, and returning soldiers. A total of 63 persons (youth and adults) were reached as a result of this portion of the project.

In addition, 13 youths (separate from the above families) received gift cards in $25.00 increments (attached to a stuffed animal). These youth are children of divorced (or separated) soldiers who are currently deployed. Each youth also received an encouraging note or holiday card from OMK youth volunteers and 4-H’ers.

To date, three of the monthly VA dinners for wounded and injured soldiers (and family members) who are recovering at a local VA hospital have been sponsored by OMK.

OMK Provides Hands of Service

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OMK and Operation Purple Camps have become a way to help military youth in the state cope with deploy-ment. These camps provide children and teens of various ages a chance for fun, support and time to learn to deal with the stresses deployments contribute to their and their family’s life.

Off they went into the wild purple yonder. Approximately 60 children “deployed” from Tyndall’s Youth Center in support of Opera-tion Purple at Camp Cherry Lake in Madison, Fla. “I think both the youth and their parents have benefited from this camping trip,” said Alma Hooks, Youth Center director. “The youth experienced similar things their parents go through during deployment like waiting in the processing line, long traveling, non-standard housing and facilities. The parents got a feel of being left behind while their sons/daughters went off to camp.”

With orders requesting that children “report” to duty, Korri Reese felt like she was really heading overseas. “I understand how my parents feel now, but I didn’t get to fly on an airplane to get there,” she said.

Teamwork was essential for every activity. “You have to use teamwork to survive,” said Kaila Kinchen. And when a rule

wasn’t followed, the whole team was punished.

Starting the day with flag raising, and ending the day with a campfire combined the ideals of patriotism and camaraderie. Youth learned about both in storytelling lessons that addressed war and respecting diversity. The counselors conducted a flag retirement ceremony for campers at the final campfire.

The 4-H organization’s goal set for military children is giving these children an opportunity to connect with others in similar situations. Military children are identified as children living in unique family environment where mom or dad or guardian could be called to serve miles away for up to a year at a time. With a support structure on the move, military children need to discover a back-up plan and find healthy ways to cope. “We hope children will feel reassured that things are taken care of at home when their parent deploys,” said Dr. Davis. In the end, everyone was happy to be home but also willing to go back to camp another time. “I felt happy to be home,” said Madison Clifton about seeing her family with “welcome home” signs, an American flag and her dog at the Youth Center when the bus arrived Sunday night.

OMK includes outreach strategies and youth programs that focus on building youth-adult partnerships to Speak Out for Military Kids. SOMK provides any 4-H’er or other youth in the community the opportunity to be an ambassador and member of a local speakers’ bureau through the 4-H OMK program. “This is a great way for young people to gain additional public speaking skills, opportunities to practice those skills at various community and civic groups as well as be a partner with local faculty in trainings and public functions,” said Georgene Bender, Hillsborough County 4-H Agent.

Youth are able to hone their skills and make real-life presentations. For example, Hillsbor-ough and Pinellas County youth were able to present to area school guidance counselors about the SOMK program. Over 300 counselors attended these events and received training from the teens.

"I'm not a military youth, but was interested in learning how I could help with 4-H Operation Military Kids." said Nathan Schreffler, 4-H Ambassador from Hillsborough County and Speak Out for Military Kids member. "Our 'citizen soldier' has left family behind that didn't sign up to be military. Connecting these youth with others like them through various events and activities have made a big difference to the soldier and youth. Commanders of units deployed from Florida in Afghanistan and Iraq have sent us cards of thanks for the pro-grams and activities we have done with their children. It is such a great feeling to know you are making a difference in some way to these families."

Because of the success of the training provided by these youth, the school districts in these counties asked for an annual training ses-sion with updates and information. This is a significant accomplishment for these OMK youth!

Speak Out and Speak Well!

Youth-adult teams learn about military culture, OMK and SOMK.

Health and Well Being Through Operation Purple Camps

OMK Zeroes In on 4-H Message!

Tyndall Air Force Base has had great success in their partnership with the Bay County community 4-H clubs. Teens from Tyndall collaborated recently with other teens in the district to hold a Junior Congress and Leadership Adventure Day. The teens planned and prepared the agenda which included workshops on healthy lifestyles, public speaking and what it is like to be a military child. Youth also participated in a mock legislative session about school uniforms. The majority of the youth rated healthy lifestyle, public forums, team building, other 4-H opportunities and the mock legislative session as excellent! All stated they had fun and would recommend junior congress to a friend.

“Junior Congress turned out great because as a military kid it was fun to work with non-military kids and see the similarities and differences in how we approach things. Because we have different life experiences we could work together and have a stronger program. It really was great to have a mix of military and non military youth at the event.” Said Etole Hoppe, Bay County Teen Club President.

Air Force 4-H Teens Take the Lead to Share 4-H Experiences

Upcoming Military Event

Six Hurlburt Field youth participated in an Extension sponsored Piggy Bank decorating contest as part of America Saves Week. Eglin Federal Credit Union provided an educational program on saving money and recognized youth for decorating their Piggy Banks. Larissa Price won a $100 Savings Bond in the county wide Piggy Bank Decorating Contest held by Okaloosa Saves in the Santa Rosa Mall on March 3, 2007. The youth had a lot of fun decorating their Piggy Banks and learning about the importance of saving money. Each youth received some change in their piggy banks for a little start on their savings.

Hurlburt Field 4-H’ers Decorate Piggy Banks

Youth at Hurlburt Field learn about savings accounts and the importance of saving money.

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Submitted by: Jennifer Heady, Okaloosa County Who: Miami-Dade County When: June 2, 2007, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Where: Oleta River State Park

Miami-Dade County is Helping to Organize a Family Readi-ness Day for 3 Army Reserve Units living in the tri-county area. The vision for this event is to give soldiers and their families great memories to hold on to during the difficult year ahead, and if possible, register some of the students in 4-H clubs so that they can continue to be supported.

Events include fair-style set ups including several educational and /community stations. 4-H students and volunteers will be teaching a variety of fun and educational stations that will include how to choose and make healthy snacks, "Seeds: What they do and How they Move", some of the YEAH les-sons, Pet Care, Face Painting, a craft station, a photo spot where students can dress up like their soldier parents, sit in a real military vehicle!, and several more.

Families will also be able to enjoy the amenities of the park; a white sand beach, bike trails, canoeing/kayaking and an Eco/history tour of the park. Finally, the Miami-Dade County Sport Fishing Club will be hosting a fishing clinic and taking the students fishing at Oleta's Fishing Pier. Students who wish to join the fishing club or start one of their own will re-ceive a free fishing pole. (There will be a limited number of free fishing poles).

“What S. Florida Means To Me” Youth Art Contest Submitted by: Joe Metellus, Broward County

Staples, Inc., the world’s largest office products company, announced the grand prize win-ners of its "What South Florida Means to Me" art contest for local youths. Staples represen-tatives and community leaders unveiled the ten contest finalists at the Young at Art Chil-dren's Museum in Davie. The ten finalists' artwork, including the grand prize winners from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, were on display for visitors in the museum's gallery.

Broward County 4-H’er, Valentina Ramirez, was one of the finalists and was able to have her work displayed. This past summer, Staples challenged the youths of its partner non-profit or-ganizations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties to create art pieces symbolizing what South Florida represents to them. More than 60 youth submitted artwork of South Flor-ida icons, such as a two-foot flamingo, colorful fish paintings and 3-D beach scenes, for the chance to win a $1,500 savings bond toward their education and a new laptop computer.

Staples remains committed to making it "EASY" for South Florida. One of the ways Staples is delivering on that promise is to invest in grassroots local community organizations in proximity to its stores. Since its first local store opening, Staples has donated $180,000 to

educational non-profit organizations in the area. Each South Florida store location has adopted a local non-profit partner by contributing funds or support, such as office product donations.

Valentina Ramirez was a finalist in the Staples-sponsored art contest.

2007 State 4-H Poultry Judging Contest The State 4-H Poultry Judging Contest will be held in Gainesville on Monday, June 11, 2007. Registration will begin at 9:15 AM and the event will start at 10:00 AM. If your county plans to participate, please return the Registration Form by May 30. Contact Ben Mather, Extension Poultry Specialist Emeritus at mather@animal.ufl.edu for a free Poultry Judging CD. A fact sheet on Guidelines for the Florida 4-H Poultry Judging Contest is at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS011

A 4-H Poultry Judging CD has recently been developed by Dr. Jacquie Jacobs at the University of Minnesota. Previously, Jacquie developed the University of Florida 4-H Poultry Judging CD. The new interactive CD has over 1200 photographs and more than 200 brief movies to facilitate the instructional and practice aspects of the CD. The cost of the CD is $20.00 (includes shipping). For more information see: http://www.ansci.umn.edu/poultry/CD/index.html

The Contest will be conducted in the Meats Lab and classrooms of the Animal Sciences Building (# 459) on Shealy Drive, as done last year. The National Poultry Judging Manual was revised in 1999 (blue cover) and slight changes were made in 2002 (green cover); these will be used as the official manual. Copies of the new manual (4-H 460) can be obtained at $4.50 each plus shipping from: CIT Distribution Warehouse #2, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0700; phone, (402) 472-9712; FAX, (402) 472-0542. The National Poultry Judging Contest is described on the following web site: http://national4hpoultryandegg.psu.edu/

As in the past, counties can have individual contestants participate in the Contest (even if the county does not have a team) and the counties are encouraged to do so. There is no limit to the number of Senior Division or Junior Division contestants that a county can have participate in the Contest, as individuals. All contestants (team members plus individuals) will participate in the Contest at the same time and will compete for the various individual awards. Only the teams will compete for the team awards.

The first place Senior Team will receive a grant for partial support of travel to Louisville, KY in November where they will represent Florida at the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest. There is no contest beyond State for the first place Junior Team. However, the top-ranked Senior Division contestant (other than members of the first place Senior Team) will be eligible to compete in the National Contest, as an individual. Thus, Florida may take a Senior Team and a Senior Individual to the National Contest.

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Submitted by: Ben Mather, Extension Poultry Specialist Emeritus , Gainesville

Gearing Up for 2007 Florida 4-H Congress: Inspire LIFE Around the World

Submitted by: Daniel Meyers, State Events Office

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Four hundred 4-H youth from across the state will make their way to the University of Florida campus for Florida 4-H Congress the last week of July. Throughout the week youth will participate in competitive events, leadership programs, community service activities, healthy lifestyle programs, and other educational workshops. The week will kick off with a BBQ sponsored by the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The opening ceremony will feature Michael DeBock, past Florida 4-H President and professional speaker, who will give an inspiring message of his life journey serving in the armed forces, making the transition back to corporate America and how 4-H has shaped his journey. State Competitive Events The best of the best have the opportunity to showcase their skills in state level competitive events during the week. Participating youth have qualified for the contests through county or district competitions. Some of the competitions tak-ing place include Fashion Revue, Horticulture ID and Judging,

Automobile Driving, Public Speaking, Share-the-Fun, and project area Demonstration and Illustrated Talks. Participants will be recognized Wednesday evening after the Share-the-Fun contest for their hard work and accomplishments. Youth will also be vying for over $13,000 in Florida 4-H Scholarships and award trips to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga., and National 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Md. The selection process is a real-world experience that in-volves submitting a Florida 4-H Portfolio and interviewing at Congress. Leadership Program Tuesday morning of Congress will be dedicated to leadership programs for youth who are not competing in other areas. Entitled Strengthening Your Web of Leadership, participants will receive the tools needed to enhance their teamwork skills. They will participate in group challenges, recognize teamwork principles, and learn how to conduct the same activities in their home web of leadership.

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State Council Florida 4-H Council will be coming together at Congress again to campaign and elect officers for the 2007-2008 4-H year. Counties are encouraged to send two voting delegates to give the county a voice as a new team is elected to help shape the future of Florida 4-H. Community Service Community service will be taken to a Global Level this year as the Around the World theme is followed. Participants will learn how they can make a difference in their community, country, and world. Then, they will move into various community service projects using their hands to make a difference. Healthy Lifestyles As Florida 4-H continues the Healthy Lifestyles initiative, Congress will be providing activities that teach youth to live and promote healthy lifestyles. The day begins with physical fitness activities that get the youth up and moving. Then, the day will finish up with workshops from different health areas including food safety and community awareness. First time Congress participants will participate in a track giving the basic concepts and purpose of the healthy lifestyles initiative as repeat participants expand into new areas. Educational Tracks The week winds down with educational tracks in the different 4-H program areas. Over 25 workshops will cover topic areas from livestock management, to communication techniques, to biotechnology. An exciting new partnership with the University of Florida Department of Theater and Dance is allowing us to provide tracks in different areas of acting and theater. A complete version of workshop descriptions is available at www.florida4h.org/congress.shtml. End of the Year Banquet The annual awards banquet concludes the week where scholarship winners, national award trip winners, and outstanding Florida 4-H volunteers and partners will be recog-nized. The banquet also kicks off the upcoming year as the new State Council Officer Team is inducted. For more information on this exciting event visit www.florida4h.org/congess.shtml or con-tact your county 4-H agent.

The Marion County 4-H livestock judging team won the Florida 4-H livestock judging contest on Saturday, March 31st in Gainesville. Pictured with their awards are, team members Mary Dauss, Chelsey Newbern, Kyle Friemuth and Andrew Upton.

Kyle Friemuth was the high individual for the contest, Mary Dauss was the third high individual and Andrew Upton was the sixth high individual. The team was first in swine, carcass evaluations, oral reasons and the questions divisions. They placed second in the beef cattle division.

The team was taught by Robert Strong (4-H Extension Agent) and Danette Philpot (North Marion High FFA teacher). The team will represent Florida 4-H at the National 4-H livestock judging contest during the North American Livestock Expo in Louisville, Kentucky this fall.

Marion County Livestock Judging Team Makes the Grade for Nationals

Thank you to our contributors: State office: Albert Gay, Dr. Joy Jordan, Ben Mather (Dept of Animal Science, UF), Daniel Meyers, Dr. Marilyn Norman County offices: Georgene Bender (Hillsborough County), Paula Davis (Bay County), Jennifer Heady (Okaloosa County), Floresa Hervey (Pinellas County), Joe Metellus (Broward County), Terri Shroeder (Miami-Dade County), Robert Strong (Marion County)

Design and Layout Laura Lok, Public Relations Coordinator

Editors Dr. Joy Jordan, State 4-H Curriculum Specialist;

Dr. Marilyn N. Norman, State 4-H Leader; Daniel Meyers, State 4-H Events Coordinator

4-H Quick Hits

Do you have an idea or story you’d like to share? E-mail Laura Lok at lclok@ufl.edu and let your voice be heard!

4-H youth from around the state came to Tallahassee on March 14 to celebrate 4-H Day at the Capitol. Youth were able to hear from a number of important figures including 4-H Student Council President, Mylo Cheng; State 4-H Leader, Dr. Marilyn Norman, Associate Dean for Extension, Dr. Millie Ferrer, Department of Agriculture’s Darica Hewitt and Arlette Roberge and a last minute speaker of the day, Gary S. Roberts, a lobbyist and President of GSR and Associates. Some of the youth even had the opportunity to meet Governor Char-lie Crist. Lake County youth enjoyed meeting him as he was kind enough to personally speak with each one and shake everyone's hand. Several of the youth said it was one of the best days of their lives! Patricia Sullivan, a volunteer from Lake County said, “The younger 4-Hers can't wait to attend Leg and are excited about "Mock Leg" experiences that the Seniors in our District are scheduling for them.” Plans are already underway for next year’s day at the Capitol tentatively scheduled for March 2008.

4-H Day at the Capitol - Educational and Fun for Florida Youth

Although final figures were not available at press time, the 2007 Tallahassee Event raised a record amount of sponsorships and donations totaling over $45,000. Plans are already underway for the next Event tentatively scheduled for March 2008.

Tallahassee Auction a Success! Submitted by: Albert Gay, State Office

Lake County youth had the opportunity to meet and speak with Governor Charlie Crist on March 14.

Nominate That Special Someone to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame!

The Florida 4-H Hall of Fame was created in 2002, as a 4-H Centen-nial project, to recognize and cele-brate those people who have made a significant impact on 4-H and its millions of members over more than 100 years. The Florida 4-H Foun-dation and the Florida 4-H Pro-gram are pleased to announce that nominations for the class of 2007 will be accepted until June 1, 2007. This year’s ceremony is tentatively scheduled for July 26th, 2007, at the Florida 4-H Congress (Reitz Union). Visit http://florida4h.org to download a nomination form, and view photos, biographies and other interesting information from recent classes.