Are you into 4-H ?
WELCOME TO 4-H IN JEFFERSON
COUNTY
Mr. John G. Lilly, Sr., 4-H Coordinator
4-H is the largest
youth organization in the world with a membership exceeding seven million
youth.
4-H is active in
all 50 US states and more that 80 countries around the world.
We invite you to
be part of it.
| The 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. |
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| The 4-H Motto | To Make the Best Better | |
| The 4-H Slogan | Learn by Doing | |
| The 4-H Emblem* | 4-H symbols express the spirit of 4-H. The emblem is the four leaf clover of green, with a white H on each leaf. The leaves of the clover represent the whole self: Head, Heart, Hands and Health. |  |
| The special meaning of the 4-H
emblem is:
HEAD - think, plan, reason; HEART- be kind, true, sympathetic; HANDS - to be useful, helpful, skillful; HEALTH - to enjoy life, efficiency in work and play. |
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| Click to go to sections: |
Enrollment Understanding your 4-H Club Jefferson County 4-H Rules and Policies Leaders Projects and Records Demonstrations Special Clubs and Classes County Events and Activities Camps District, State and National Events and Activities |
YOU ARE INVITED. . . . . .
HOW
TO ENROLL IN 4-H
You'll need to fill out an enrollment form at the 4-H at the Extension Office or with your club. The 4-H year runs from October through September with the National 4-H Week the first week of October. Members are re-enrolled then, with club activities generally following the school year.
When you join the Jefferson County 4-H, you'll ge a 4-H Membersip Handbook. It contains important information for you. It will help you to understand how you can be a part of the many learning opportunities 4-H offers.
Your 4-H club is a group of young people with adult leaders who want to get together to have fun and to learn. Clubs conduct their under the guidelines of the Florida 4-H program. Generally members meet once a month. They also participate in activities with other clubs from around the county and the state.
One of the main ways that 4-Her's have fun learning is by doing a "project" using a project book from the 4-H Office. After learning about the project and doing some activities, the 4-Her can give a "demonstration" to tell his club members and other about what he has learned. A club or Home Study member can make a display about a project. Sometimes project activities are also done in your club, and at other times at county-wide workshops or classes.
Each club is urged to participate in at least one community service activity each year. Community service is important in the 4-H program. It gives club members a chance to contribute something to our community. Through community service projects, you will learn about citizenship and what being a citizen really means.
JEFFERSON
COUNTY 4-H RULES AND POLICIES
To run smoothly and efficiently, any program needs a structure and some guidelines. 4-H is no different. Our philosophy regarding rules is that they should facilitate, not hinder or restrict, involvement of youth. The Jefferson County 4-H Membership Handbook provides 4-Hers, parents and volunteer leaders with our simple rules so the program can benefit kids and the community. A few of the important rules are:
To join 4-H, a youth completes an enrollment card and must enroll in at least one 4-H project.
Most club participation for 8-18 years of age, but some "Clover Buds" for younger. Clover Buds in grades K - 2 may enroll only in 4-H projects in which there is developmentally appropriate curricula available
Youth are eligible for membership when they enter kindergarten or have their 5th birthday, and remain eligible until August 31 of the year in which they graduate from high school or reach their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
Membership is open to all youth who meet the age guidelines, regardless of race, color, sex, disability, national origin, economic status or geographic location within Jefferson County. Persons who feel they have been discriminated against or treated unfairly due to any of the above, have the right to file a complaint with the County 4-H Coordinator or the County Extension Director.
There is no county membership fee or dues. No club or leader may charge membership fees or dues without the voted approval of a majority of club members.
There are no ownership requirements to belong to a club or participate in a 4-H project.
There is no official uniform and none is required for any event or camp. When representing 4-H at functions, meetings, etc., it is recommended to wear green and white and the 4-H emblem. When competing in 4-H events and contests it is also recommended to wear green and white and the 4-H emblem.
LEADERS
4-H relies on Volunteer Leaders to work with the extension staff. If your are interested in serving, contact us .
Volunteer leaders have responsibility for the functions of your club. However, it takes the active involvement of club members and parents to have an active and fun club with a variety of interesting learning experiences. Parents can help out by leading projects and activities. Some of the rules for leaders from the Handbook are:
Club organizational leaders must have the approval of the 4-H Coordinator.
Club leaders are approved for one year appointments and may be continued upon approval of the leader, the club and the County 4-H Coordinator.
All certified adults providing leadership in Jefferson County 4-H are considered volunteer staff of the University of Florida's Cooperative Extension Service with liability and workers compensation protection through the University. This is to protect volunteers from the danger of lawsuits or of injury related to their responsibilities as a 4-H volunteer.
YOUR
4-H PROJECT AND RECORD BOOK
The 4-H Project is the subject or topic you want to learn about. Selecting a project is an important decision. The project may be worked on for several months, a whole year, and sometimes even longer. Some projects continue for several years.
For each project in which you are enrolled you will receive a project record sheet(s). When completed, these records will show what you have learned and accomplished in the project. They should be used when you first began work on a project to help you plan your goals for the project. You have not completed the project until you have completed the project record. The 4-H awards program is based on project participation and on records.
WHEN
YOU CHOOSE A PROJECT...
Units or levels in a project refer to the sequence in which you should complete them. Check the suggested age guidelines for each project and project unit.
You can do most of the 4-H projects on your own and at your own speed. In some of the projects we will have county project workshops or classes. These are announced in 4-H Happenings newsletter. Help can also be obtained from adult project advisors in your 4-H Club - check with your club leaders as to who this might be.
When you receive your project books, read through them and write down some goals...some things you want to do or learn about. Then make a project plan on how and when you are going to do it.
You can take livestock and horse projects even if you don't own an animal, or if you live in town.
Knowledge is a powerful possession, but the ability to pass it on to others so that they can benefit is by far a finer thing. It is through demonstrations that a 4-H member can share with other club members what he has learned through work in his 4-H project. Every 4-H member should plan to give a minimum of one demonstration at both the club and county levels during their 4-H career.
Plan to give your demonstration at the annual County 4-H Demonstration Day held each February.
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COUNTY
4-H EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
In addition to projects and club activities, there are lots more ways 4-H members can have fun learning. There are county, state, national and even international 4-H programs you can participate in. Read your monthly 4-H Happenings and you won't miss out on any of them.
COUNTY DEMONSTRATION DAY
This is a county-wide activity held on a Saturday in February. 4-H'ers
from all the clubs, and home study members, can participate by presenting
a 4 - 12 minute demonstration or a speech. Ribbons are awarded to all presenters.
Winners have the chance to advance to the District Events Program. Learning
by Doing is the basic 4-H concept, and there is no better way to do this
than by giving a demonstration or speech at demonstration day. Every member
should participate at least once.
COUNTY FASHION REVUE
Any 4-H member can model a garment they have made in this county-wide
activity, which is held in April. Ribbons are awarded to all participants.
First place winner in the Junior division completes at the District Fashion
Revue and the Senior division winner competes at the State Fashion Revue.
Modeling practice is held before the Revue, so anyone can model!
4-H TALENT CONTESTS
If you can sing, dance, rap, play an instrument, or tell crazy jokes,
4-H will give you a chance to present your Talent. The Share-the -Fun show
is held during the spring, and winners go on to District. A Talent Contest
is held in the fall at the North Florida Fair. Both are open to all individual
and group members, ages 8 - 18. One junior and one senior act (individual
or group) may enter per county as selected. Junior and Senior Classes will
be judged separately.
COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL
This is the formal organized county-wide association of your adult
and junior leaders and club council delegates from all 4-H clubs. The purpose
of the Council is to assist the University of Florida and Florida A &
M University Cooperative Extension Services, and the Jefferson County 4-H
Extension Agents in promoting 4-H activities, encouraging and assisting
in the educational phases of the program, and in promoting the general
welfare of our community. The Council meets each month at the County Extension
Office. The Council plans and conducts county-wide activities, has fund-raisers
that help all the clubs, and advises the 4-H agents on the needs and interests
of 4-H members.
4-H HAPPENINGS NEWSLETTER
This is the monthly newsletter sent to all 4-H members and their families.
It contains information on upcoming events, provides instructions on how
to participate in 4-H activities, has information about each club, has
registration forms for different activities, has project information, and
lots more. Every 4-H family should receive a copy at about the beginning
of each month. If you do not receive yours, call the 4-H Office. If you
have a change of address, be sure to let the 4-H Office know, as the newsletters
are not forwarded by the post office. 4-H members are invited to write
special articles that can be printed in 4-H Newsletter. Just send them
to the 4-H Office. Be sure you read your copy each monthly and keep informed.
I-CAN-WE-CAN
Do your want to do something FUN? Something out of the ORDINARY?
Do you want to feel GOOD about yourself? Live with a great sense
of WORTH? Then I-CAN-WE-CAN is the experience for you! At I-CAN-WE-CAN,
you will learn compassing, experience canoeing, challenge your fears, realize
your strengths, enjoy a positive supportive non-threatening experience,
strengthen your self-trust, set goals and rejoice at the success of reaching
them. To participate in I-Can-We-Can you must be 13 years of age or older.
NORTH FLORIDA FAIR
The North Florida Fair is held each year to provide 4-H'ers an opportunity
to participate in an exhibition fair and to receive public recognition
of their talents. Each project you exhibit will be judged at the fair and
will receive a blue, red, or white ribbon and monetary premimums. Clubs
from Jefferson County are selected to put in a club booth in the 4-H Pavillion.
The Fair pays a money premium to your club for the display.
ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
Each year, the County Council hosts a banquet to recognize the acheivements
of the past year and to kick off the new 4-H year. The banquet is for members,
their families, leaders and for the community. Awards for acomplishments
are made then. The banquet is usually held on a Saturday evening in late
September or early October at Howard Middle School.
Every summer several 4-H camps are conducted across the state to allow 4-H'ers the opportunity to receive in depth training in specific areas as well as to be come more self-sufficient and grow as an individual person.
Jefferson County Summer CampA one week camp for 4-H members in grades 3 - 8 (at time of camp) to participate in swimming, canoeing, fishing, recreation and a variety of other outdoor activities. Youth stay in cabins at beautiful 4-H Camp Cherry Lake. 4-H members of high school age may participate as teen counselors.
Florida 4-H Horsemanship Camp A one week intensive schooling in all forms of horse riding, horse care and safety. Each participant brings their own horse and experiences a fantastic education in either English or Western horsemanship. Youth must be able to saddle and care for their own horse without any help to be able to attend this camp.
Florida 4-H Horticulture Camp This one week camp is devoted to learning about the horticultural industry of Florida. The area of instruction rotates between citrus, ornamental horticulture and vegetables. Each topic is covered in depth every three years. This camp is held at 4-H Camp Cloverleaf. It is open to 4-H'ers 13 and older.
Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Camp A one week camp designed to teach teens how to be a camp counselor for summer 4-H camps. This is a leadership development camp where teens learn how to be group leaders and teachers. Teens will also spend a day at Camp Cherry Lake to be trained with camp staff during the week. You must be a high school student to attend.
DISTRICT,
STATE and NATIONAL 4-H ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
JUDGING TEAMS
Members learn about a specific commodity or resource (livestock, poultry, horticulture, etc.) And use this information to evaluate and/or rank number of the specific commodity. It usually requires the member to explain orally why he placed the classes in a given order. Being on a judging team teaches public speaking, decision making and the specific subject matter or the commodity or resource being judged. All 4-H'ers are eligible to participate on these judging teams. A team usually consists of 3 - 4 members. Teams compete with teams from other counties in district, state and national contests. Below is a list of the different judging teams, with recent Jefferson County teams in green.
Winners in the junior and senior division from County Demonstration Day can participate in District Events. This usually takes place the second or third Saturday in May. This is an excellent chance for 4-H'ers to meet other members from other counties and to take part in further competition in their project areas. Any senior winner at District Events is then entitled to advance on to state 4-H Congress. (In some projects county senior winners automatically advance to State Congress without the need to compete at the District level.)
DISTRICT III 4-H CHRISTMAS "SKATING PARTY"
All counties in District III participate in the skating party. If you love to skate and have a lot of fun then you should make your presence felt at the party. All ages can attend the party. There will also be refreshments and lots of door prizes given away to the lucky 4-H'ers. The skating party will be in December. Contact the 4-H Office for more information.
DISTRICT III 4-H JUNIOR RALLY DAY
This will be a fun learning experience for all junior 4-H'ers ages 8 - 13 (older 4-H'ers may attend if they want to). At Junior Rally Day you will learn more about 4-H and different projects and activities you can participate in as a 4-H member. All the sessions will be taught by Senior 4-H'ers.
DISTRICT III 4-H RETREAT
This is a excellent opportunity for teen 4-H'ers to meet other teen 4-H'ers from other counties in District III. There you will have an opportunity to improve upon leadership skills, participate in recreational activities, but most of all we have a lot of fun. These activities will take place at beautiful Camp Cherry Lake.
FLORIDA 4-H CONGRESS
Each summer senior winners from District Events attend Florida 4-H Congress at the University of Florida. During this week long activity, Florida 4-H'ers present their demonstrations and speeches and have a fun time. Florida 4-H Congress is an exciting time, full of interesting programs, tours, and social activities. 4-H'ers stay in the University dormitories, eat at the student cafeteria, and experience campus life. In addition to demonstration and speech winners, each county can also send additional delegates, plus two Council delegates.
FLORIDA 4-H LEGISLATURE
A four day learning experience designed to teach youth exactly how our state government operates. 4-H members stay in dormitories at the Florida State University Campus in Tallahassee and spend most of their time in the Florida State House of Representatives Chambers, role playing Florida lawmakers or lobbyists. Youth get to work closely with current Florida lawmakers and government officials in a mock legislative session. Florida 4-H Legislature is held in July. Jefferson County participants also take part in local government projects and learn about local government under the guidance of county adult advisors.
CITIZENSHIP: WASHINGTON FOCUS
A ten day program, including a bus ride from Florida to Washington D.C., with about 50 other 4-H teens from Florida. Teens tour our nation's capital, meet with Florida congressmen, and examine the workings of our democratic form of government. Participants stay at the National 4-H Center in Chevychase, MD where they become involved in leadership seminars, tours, workshops, and social activities with teens from all over the United States. The trip is held each June and is conducted by the State 4-H Office.
NATIONAL 4-H CONGRESS
National 4-H Congress is the ultimate honor for any 4-H member. This event is held annually in Memphis. 4-H'ers from across the U.S. meet to share ideas and to participate in activities related to the project they are representing. Participants in National Congress are selected at the state level on the basis of their written 4-H record books. All costs of this program are covered through state and national donors.
MEDICAL
INSURANCE RECOMMENDATION
The 4-H office recommends that each club take out an annual medical insurance policy covering club members and adult leaders. The 4-H office can provide information and application forms for a low cost insurance policy that will provide basic coverage for $1 per member. Horse and livestock clubs in particular should have a medical insurance policy due to the greater physical risks inherent in large animal activities.
HEALTH FORMS AND STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
Whenever 4-H members travel out of county on a 4-H program, a notarized health form and statement of understanding is required.
* The 4-H club name and copyrighted emblem are public property held in trust by the Secretary of Agriculture and may be used by employees of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Land-Grant University and the Cooperative Extension Service, for serving the educational needs and interests of boys and girls enrolled. It may be used only by clubs or groups approved by the Extension Service.
Jefferson County Cooperative Extension is putting Florida First as the local office of UF/IFAS
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