From the Extension: Visit Tractor Supply this weekend to support 4-H – Daily Commercial

National 4-H week was Oct. 6-12, and the Lake County 4-H group was honored to have National 4-H Week recognized by the Lake County Commissioners on Oct. 8.

Since its inception over 100 years ago, 4-H has become the largest youth development organization in the nation. The mission of Florida 4-H is the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible, productive citizens. The mission is accomplished by creating safe and inclusive learning environments, involving caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and the nationwide land grant university system.

4-H serves youth in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state reaching nearly six million participants in the United States. In 4-H youth gain life skills by completing record/project books. Youth participate in areas such as health, science, animal science, horticulture, environmental education, and civic engagement. Youth are reached through programs such as school enrichment, community/after school clubs, and 4-H camps.

In Lake County 4-H, over 5,600 youth were reached last year through school enrichment. School enrichment programs include the 4-H/Tropicana Speaking Contest. This program is a partnership between Lake County 4-H, Tropicana and the Lake County School Board. Youth in the program learn how to write and deliver a speech in the classroom with winners moving onto the school competition and winners at the school level move onto the county competition which is held at the Lake County Extension Office. The winning youth at the county competition earn a full scholarship to 4-H camp. Other school enrichment programs include Embryology, Water Conservation and Bees are the Buzz. Youth involved in school enrichment programs develop communication skills, environmental awareness, and scientific procedures.

The community and after school clubs are the foundation of the 4-H program. Each 4-H club has two screened organizational leaders who manage the club. In Lake County 4-H there are over 450 youth members who participated in a community or after school club. Youth in the club setting participate in a variety of project areas, participate in community service projects, complete demonstrations, and participate in the Lake County Fair through livestock projects or exhibits. Youth involved in a community club develop skills such as problem solving, keeping records, setting goals, cooperation, communication, empathy, responsibility and so much more.

The 4-H camping program supplements the county 4-H program. Campers can participate in outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, archery, boating and swimming. Campers are also able to participate in arts and crafts, recreational games, and campfires. 4-H campers are provided the opportunity to improve themselves through mastery, independence, generosity, and belonging. Through participation in the camping program, campers can think about what they have learned and apply it to real-life situations. The program provides youth with a sense of resiliency and purpose to make improvements in their lives and well as the lives of others. Youth involved in the camping program develop independence, decision making, sharing, teamwork, personal safety, and social skills.

Every aspect of the 4-H program develops youth into contributing, productive members of society. If you are interested in supporting the 4-H program, visit your local Tractor Supply Saturday and Sunday. Tractor Supply has an official partnership with the National 4-H Council and helps fund 4-H project supplies. Lake County 4-H clubs will be represented at Tractor Supply to increase programmatic funds.

Dallas Daniels is the 4-H agent for the Uf/IFAS Lake County Extension. Email hendersond@ufl.edu.

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From the Extension: Visit Tractor Supply this weekend to support 4-H - Daily Commercial