Holiday Lights and a Dog Parade - Perfect for 4-H Families

If you are looking for an inexpensive, relaxing way to spend an evening, make plans to come out to the Holiday Lights at the Florida Botanical Gardens (Extension Office address). The garden areas are filled with beautiful lighted decorations. Check out the pink flamingos!
An evening stroll is just what you need to ease away the stress of mall shopping.
You can avoid mall shopping by visiting the Gift and Plant Sale December 11 from 10a.m. until 4 p.m. A variety of items will be for sale, including jewelry, candies, outdoor items, and clothing. Plants for sale include bromeliads, orchids, native plants, and citrus.
Add a new family tradition to your holidays by entering the Dog Parade December 31. The parade will take place at 2 p.m. that Saturday. Registration is $5 per dog per category, with six categories: best costumed, sit and stay on command, best trick, best smile, most handsome boys and prettiest girls.
Registration for the parade will take place that day.
The lights, sale and parade are sponsored by the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation. For more information go to:http://www.flbg.org/foundation.htm

Congratulations to 4-H Cook-Off Winners

On November 5, the Pinellas County Extension Office was filled with the delightful aroma of 20 plus apple and pecan dished prepared by 4-H members and volunteers. Awards were given to the highest scoring adult and youth as well as top winners in each category. Ribbons were awarded to all competitors. The winners are:

Top Adult
Heather Schoeppner – Caramel Pecan Crusted Apple Bake
Top Youth
Emily Vines – Fudge Brownies with Pecans
Category Winners
Youth Apple – Rebekah Briggs - Hare Raisin Homesteaders
Adult Apple – Cindy Peacock – Booker Creek Explorers
Youth Pecan -Amoni Green – JD Cooking Club
Adult Pecan- Heather Schoeppner –Hare Raisin Homesteaders
Family Pecan – Fahy Family – Ochs Garden

The recipes from all the entries will be available soon via e-mail and the 4-H web site.
The cook-off was part of the 4-H Open House and is open to the public as well as 4-H families.

4-H Open House This Saturday 10:00 - 2:00

This Saturday, November 5, is the 4-H Open House. The weather should be perfect for this annual event at the Pinellas County Extension Office. The purpose of this event is to highlight the achievements and opportunities of the local 4-H program.
Throughout the day four 4-H members will teach participants icebreakers, the difference between a visual aid and an exhibit, and how to use powerpoint in a presentation. The animal sciences will be represented in person by dairy goats and poultry courtesy of Conservatives 4-H and 4-H2O. The Hare Raisin' Homesteaders will also have information on horses and rabbits. Average Joe's 4-H will focus on technology in 4-H projects.
Along with the club exhibits led by 4-H members and leaders, partners and supporters of 4-H will also be there. The Pinellas County 4-H Foundation will be selling all the varieties of pecans at $10 a bag. The chocolate covered and glazed pecans make great gifts for the holidays. The Pinellas County Farm Bureau will have fun educational materials and information on the benefits of belonging to the Farm Bureau.
At approximately 1:00 p.m. the awards will be announced for the Apple/Pecan Cook-Off. After that, Open House attendees may sample the delicious entries. You don't want to miss this!
The final activity of the Open House is the launching of the "Rockets Away" rockets. Rocketeers bringing an empty 2-liter bottle will create a rocket and then take part in the air powered launching.
Come by the 4-H Open House and experience a little bit of everything the 4-H program has to offer.
The Pinellas County Extension Office is located at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.

Enter the 4-H Apple/Pecan Cook-Off Now!

The cook-off is open to all, so don't delay testing an old favorite recipe or trying something completely new. Think outside the apple pie box and share a unique (but tasty) way to use apples or pecans. There are categories for adults, youth, and families. By entering the Family category younger chefs are able to enter their creations with a little help from an adult.

Have a gluten free recipe? Try entering that recipe in the often neglected Healthy category.

4-H prizes will be awarded in each category.

The Apple/Pecan Cook-Off takes place November 5 as part of the 4-H Open House. The event takes place at the Pinellas County Extension Service at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, 33774. All entries (the finished product) should be delivered by 10:00 a.m. Please include a copy of the recipe and a separate card with your name, phone number, recipe name, and category. Please see below for a link to the registration form:

http://pinellas.ifa.ufl.edu/blog_4H/halfsheetAppleCookOffPre-registration2011.pdf

Any questions? Contact cook-off coordinator Betty Lipe at blipe@tampabay.rr.com.

Good luck!

4-H Open House and Apple/Pecan Cook-Off November 5

Fall is officially here and 4-H'ers are beginning to think about their club booths for the 4-H Open House November 5. Every 4-H club is invited to set up a display to show off their club projects. Most clubs also have an activity to share or have items to sell to boost their club treasuries. So far we will have goats, chickens, Xtreme gingerhouse building, and the rocket creation and launch. The second half of the event is the Apple/Pecan Cook-Off. Bring in your finished product of a recipe that contains at least one apple or one cup of pecans. This event celebrates the success of the apple/pecan sale held each year by the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation.
Here is what you need to know:
To participate with a club display, leaders should contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org to register.
To hold a fundraiser, the club must submit a fundraising application. Sales need to be approved before the event.
To enter the cook-off, everyone must pre-register with Betty Lipe at blipe@tampabay.rr.com.
Forms and instructions will be e-mailed to club leaders or can be obtained from Betty Lipe.
The 4-H Open House and Apple/Pecan Cook-Off is open to the public. It takes place at the Pinellas County Extension Office at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Come and see what 4-H has to offer. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.

Last Two Weeks to Order 4-H Apples and Pecans and Support 4-H

Time is running out to order your apples and pecans. This fund raiser of the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation is a win-win business arrangement. The buyers of the delicious apples receive a nutritious product fresh from the tree. The pecan buyers receive a versatile nutritious product guaranteed to be this year's crop. Did you know that store pecans are sometimes stored from the year before?
Benefiting from the purchase of the apples and pecans are the 4-H members. Each year $6,000.00 is allocated to assist 4-H members to attend Camp Ocala, 4-H Congress, weekend leadership workshops, compete at regional and national level, and other educational opportunities. As one 4-H member wrote, "At camp I made the best new friends and learned how important communication and respect is. Without the scholarship, my parents couldn't afford to send me and I wouldn't have had these great friends or learned so much!"

There are two kinds of apples offered in full or half bushels. A bushel of apples, in case you've forgotten, is approximately 40-42 pounds.
EMPIRE - This is a cross between a Red Delicious and McIntosh. They are medium sized fruit with dark red skin with a sweet tangy flavor that resembles McIntosh though with better color, flavor and keeping ability.
CRISPIN/MUTSU- This apple is a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo made in 1930 in Japan and introduced in 1948. It was renamed Crispin in England, a name that still persists in the US. The large to extra-large fruit has a yellow green skin with flesh similar to Golden Delicious though, slightly coarser in texture and tarter in flavor. Excellent all-purpose apple (baking, freezing, making apple jelly/apple butter, fresh eating) that keeps well.
A full bushel of apples sells for $34.00 and half bushel for $20.00.

The plain Georgia pecans are sold in 16 ounce bags in halves or pieces. They sell for $10.00 a bag.
The chocolate covered, cinnamon glazed, and cluster pecans come in a decorative 12 ounce bag. They also sell for $10.00.
What better way to start your holiday shopping than to order plain pecans for holiday recipes and beautiful bags of covered pecans for gifts?

For more information on the apples and pecans, and to order, go to: http://www.pc4hfoundation.org/applepecan.html

4-H Ends the Year and Begins the New (with Apples)

September 1 is the official start of the new 4-H year - 2011/12. Before anymore time passes, we must recognize the two Clubs of the Year. Why two clubs? 4-H clubs come in all shapes and sizes, so we recognize the large and small clubs that have excelled.
The Crazy 4 Canines 4-H Club is the large Club of the Year. With over 20 members, they do everything in a big way. Individual members have excelled with their individual project work. As a club, they complete many community service hours and are terrific 4-H ambassadors at public events. They also conduct our only county 4-H dog show. The Crazy 4 Canines 4-H Club is led by Organizational Leader Liz Piquet.
The Hare Raisin' Homesteaders have the distinction of being a first year club and of winning small Club of the Year. They have all jumped into the 4-H program by completing multiple projects, attending 4-H Camp Ocala, Congress, and 4-H Legislature. The members compete at county, district, and state levels and have a terrific time with everything they do. This club is led by Organizational Leader Betty McNelis.

If it is September, it must be apple time. Once again the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation is holding its apple and pecan sale.

There are two kinds of apples that are sold in full or half bushels. A bushel is approximately 40-42 pounds).

EMPIRE - This apple is a cross between a Red Delicious and McIntosh made in 1945 by the New York Agriculture Experiment Station and named and introduced in 1966. They are medium sized fruit with dark red skin with a sweet tangy flavor that resembles McIntosh though with better color, flavor and keeping ability.

CRISPIN/MUTSU- This apple is a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo made in 1930 in Japan and introduced in 1948. It was renamed Crispin in England, a name that still persists in the US. The large to extra-large fruit has a yellow green skin with flesh similar to Golden Delicious though, slightly coarser in texture and tarter in flavor. Excellent all-purpose apple (baking, freezing, making apple jelly/apple butter, fresh eating) that keeps well.

Full bushel of either kind of apples sells for $34.00 and half bushel of either kind sells for $20.00.
This sale is the major fundraiser of the year. Much of the money raised goes to 4-H trip scholarships, such as to 4-H Camp Ocala, Congress.
For more information on the apples and pecans, and to order, go to: http://www.pc4hfoundation.org/applepecan.html

It Is Not Too Hot to Sign Up for 4-H Gardening

Are you looking for a program for your child or children that is educational, teaches how to garden, promotes a healthy lifestyle and is fun? If you are, you need to sign them up for the Ochs 4-H Garden Club. This 4-H program is open to children 5 through 18 (as of September 1, 2011).

The garden is located at 14644 113th Avenue North in Largo, with the entrance on Hamlin Blvd.

While the garden is may seem quiet during the summer, it is filled with memories of the past gardening season and its bountiful harvest of beans, cucumbers, squash, peppers, and potatoes.

The cost to join 4-H is $15 per child per year and covers the cost of the 4-H project book and group accident insurance. There is an additional cost of $10 per garden plot. All vegetable plants, seeds, fertilizer, and supplies your child needs to grow a vegetable garden are provided.

This garden is a 4-H project club and club and project book work is expected of all members.
Gardening hours will be on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Gardeners can pick one day or garden on both days.

You must pre-register your child or children by contacting Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org or 727-582-2597. Pre-registration is necessary as plots are limited and this program is very popular and is growing each year. Registration and orientation will be held August 25 at 6:30 p.m. Further details will be available upon pre-registration.

4-H and Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age,
disability, religion, or national origin.

State 4-H Horse Show Results

A few weeks ago, in the rainy summer weather, 4-H riders and their horses who had qualified at their Area Horse Shows, met in Tampa at the equestrian center to compete in the State 4-H Horse Show.
The results can be found at: http://animal.ufl.edu/youth/horse/Shows.shtml. Here you will find the Class Results and Overall Awards. Pinellas county did very well, so check out the Class Results. In the Overall Awards, Sara Poppleton came in 9th for Junior High Point and Kristen Venable (with We Gotta Star) received the High Point Paint Award.

Congratulations to Carol Nunez and Amanda Benedict for qualifying for the Regional 4-H Horse Show.

We are proud of all the riders and horses that competed this year.

4-H Camp Ocala - The Camp, the Myth, the Legend

This year the theme for 4-H camp was mythology, and this year proved to be a camp experience that was indeed legendary. Perhaps it was the full moon, or the shooting stars, but this week was one of the smoothest and most fun weeks ever. From the adult perspective, the camp week was a success because there were no major problems and no one had to be brought to the hospital.
Camp Counselor Keri said camp was the best experience of the summer because she was able to meet all new types of people and enjoyed the marshmallow paint war. Keri enjoyed the cell phone free week and thought it encouraged campers to be friendly and make new friends.
Camp Counselor Emily felt the week was a great way to practice leadership skills. The fifteen campers in her cabin proved a challenge, but she was able to meet the challenge and still have happy rested campers in the cabin.
Every year the adults and Sr. Counselors vote on which campers best represent the four H's of Head, Heart, Hands, Health, and Spirit. Here are the results:

Junior
Head Lacey Steele Pinellas
Heart Bowen Fisher Polk
Hands Jirah Whitehouse Polk
Health Sarah Moultrie Pinellas
Spirit Michael Mitchell Pinellas
Senior
Head Rebecca Whitehouse Polk
Heart Walter Whitehouse Polk
Hands David Squitieri Hillsborough
Health Savannah Prine Polk
Spirit Evan Julian Pinellas


This is the second year in a row Evan has won this reward.

Camping is one of the 4-H delivery methods. While on the surface it looks like all fun, children also learn to think for themselves, be more independent, and make new friends that will last a lifetime. For more information on the 4-H camping program, please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

4-H County Council Election Results

On June 10, at the Summer Bash, Pinellas County 4-H Council Officers were elected for the 2011/2012 4-H year. The officers elect are:

• President........................Emily Vines (4-H2O)


• Vice President................Matthew Galiano (Average Joe's)


• Secretary.......................J.D. Willett (Average Joe's)


• Treasurer......................Keri Hannukainen (At Large)


• Parliamentarian............Michaela Polmann (4-H2O)


• Historian/Reporter.......Jamie Hannukainen (At Large)


• Sargent at Arms .........Olivia Cook (Conservatives)

4-H County Council is a group of 4-H members from a variety of clubs who learn leadership skills while serving the county 4-H program. Ideally, every 4-H club in the county is represented on the County Council with a voting member. Members plan community service projects and assist with county activities such as the recent dinner for 4-H volunteers and partners. Other events that benefit from the county Council are the 4-H Open House, Night of the Arts, the apple/pecan fundraiser, and of course, the Summer Bash.

County Council members are encouraged to attend District Council meetings and promote 4-H activities originating from the District and State Councils. They have the opportunity to represent their district at statewide meetings and help plan State Events such as Congress and Legislature. By participating in the County Council, 4-H members have the opportunity to make a difference at the county, district, and state levels. At the same time they are learning life skills and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.

Attention all Pinellas County 4-H’ers:
Help us celebrate the end of the school year with a summer bash at Walsingham Park. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, and veggie burgers will be served. We do, however, request that you bring a side dish.

At this event we will recognize the graduated seniors and wish them success as they move on in life.
Socialize with your fellow Pinellas County 4-H’ers and participate in the exciting process of electing the board of 4-H County Council. Nominate yourself or a 4-H'er you know to become a candidate for County Council.

With food, games, and your fellow 4-H’ers, there’s no better place to be.
When: June 10th from 6:00 – Dark
Where: Walsingham Park, Largo
Cost: Free

Please R.S.V.P to jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org
so that we know how much food to supply

plus we will tell you the shelter number!

May 4-H Updates

Pinellas County 4-H had a spectacular day at District Events in Manatee County. Of the 34 4-H members competing, 24 came in first in their age/subject category. This is wonderful because we had so many Pinellas competitors and that so many came in first. The results are testament to the wide range of topics our 4-H'ers cover in their project work.
District Events is the advanced level for 4-H members who have already presented their demonstration at the county level. Youth from the six district counties compete for blue ribbons and District medallions. In Pinellas County Junior and Intermediate Medallion winners receive a scholarship to 4-H Camp Ocala. Senior winners receive a scholarship to 4-H State Congress. These scholarships are all funded by the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation.

Here is the breakdown by club of the Junior and Intermediate winners:

• 4-H2O - Anissa P., Annelise V. Michaela P. & Lexa A.


• Clever Clovers - Stefan M.


• Imagine That - Amanda P.


• Crazy4Canines - Shannon P., Nicole S. & Katie H.


• Seminole Riders - Elena D.


• Hare Raisin' Homesteaders - Lacey S.


• 4-H Youth Frontiers - Brandon P.


• Ochs Garden - Abby V.


• BBB - Matthew I.

The same for the Senior winners:

• Crazy4Canines - Danielle H., Allison S., Sarah H. & Savannah K.


• Hare Raisin' Homesteaders - Colleen M.


• All Things Equine - Amanda B.


• The Conservatives - Olivia C., Beverly S. & Teressa S.


• 4-H2O - Emily V.

Congratulations to all who presented their demonstrations and talent acts at County and District Events!

Many of you know Chrissy Willett, leader of the 4-H Average Joe's. Chrissy has been one of the most generous and hardworking 4-H leaders, often volunteering to help with committees and special events. Chrissy is also battling esophageal cancer. Her friends (there are many) have organized the To Chrissy With Love benefit to help with medical costs. It will take place this Saturday in downtown Palm Harbor. For more information please visit http://tochrissywithlove.weebly.com.

There will be music, a bake sale, gift baskets, and games. The benefit starts at 12:00 noon. It sounds like a lot of fun with some really good people. What better way to spend the afternoon?

4-H Area E Horse Show - Not Just Horsin' Around

The results this year at Area E were the best Pinellas County 4-H'ers have ever earned. Of the 30 exhibitors, 15 are advancing to the state show in July. It was not so long ago that Pinellas did not have 15 riders to send to the area show and now we are advancing 15! The top point earners were Jade Baranich, Sara Poppleton, and Amanda Benedict. Also advancing are Megan Jones, Emily Reiter, Olivia Toccalino, Kristen Venable, Eliza Cappello, Shelby Comerford, Jenna Kijowski, Carol Nunez, Lauren Tribiano, Deanna Van Riper, Morgan Wright, and Celine Frings.

These 4-H members represent 7 different clubs and show how strong the 4-H horse program is in Pinellas County. While these 4-H'ers worked hard for their success, they benefited from the strong support of their parents and 4-H leaders. 4-H horse leaders and volunteers spend an incredible amount of time and energy with their club members. They freely dispense their knowledge, wisdom, and expertise so a child can experience the benefits and joy of working with a horse.

Of course, there is more to the 4-H horse program than riding in a show.

According to Dr. Ed Johnson, "The purpose of the 4-H horse program is to provide young people an opportunity to participate in a series of activities designed to improve citizenship, sportsmanship, character, competitive spirit, discipline, and responsibility while creating an atmosphere for learning and awareness of the life about us."
(Taken from Florida 4-H Area & State Horse Shows Official Rules 2011).

As it is with any 4-H program, 4-H members learn citizenship, leadership, and life skills. Best of all, they learn these skills while learning about something they love.

If any Pinellas 4-H families have pictures to share from Area E, please send them or the link to jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org to be posted.

What will You be doing 10 years from Now?

A planning process that will shape Extension programs in Florida for the next decade has begun.

This is a joint effort between the University of Florida (UF) and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) that will allow us to have a clear path of action as an educational organization. Our goal is to create a strategic plan that will support Florida's economy, environment, and people. We want it to be relevant today and flexible enough to meet the needs of Florida's communities as they change.
Listening is at the core of Extension's long range planning effort. One way we can hear your ideas is by having you take a survey.

So please spend your next 10 minutes completing this survey. When you are done, take a minute more and share this blog with others who may be interested in contributing ideas about the future of Extension.

Mary Campbell
County Extension Director
UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension

What Counts to You in Pinellas County's Budget?

Join the eTownHall tonight and let the Commissioners know.

eTownHall will be held on Wednesday April 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This on-line meeting will enable the public to send questions from their computers via a blog.


The blog opened at 9 a.m. Monday April 4, for citizens to send questions in advance of the meeting and will continue to be open until the end of the event, at 8 p.m. Today.

Tonight next to the blog, there will be a live broadcast of the eTownHall meeting showing the County Commissioners responding to the questions posed by citizens.

4-H County Events Are Here

In Pinellas County County Events are divided into two separate events. The first is Night of the Arts which can include Share the Fun (talent show), the poster and photo exhibits, and Fashion Review. The second event is Demonstration Day where 4-H members try out their public speaking skills with demonstrations, illustrated talks, and persuasive speeches. In both of these events, top scorers move on to District Events to compete with 4-H members from the five other counties in District 9.
On March 11, Night of the Arts took place with 15 4-H members competing in a variety of acts. Here are the top scorers who have the options to continue on to District Events in Manatee County May 7.

Junior:
Lana'e Hernandez with Grandma's House (Monologue)
Eleni Lambrianos with We Will Rock You (Tap)

Intermediate:
Allison Iacono with a Dance
Matthew Iacono with Hip Hop

Senior:
Evan & Adison Julian with an original song The Sun is Here to Stay
Sonali Wijesiriwardena with Jai Ho (Indian Cultural Dance)

Congratulations to all who competed and shared the fun!
See you all on Demonstration Day April 9 at the Pinellas County Extension Office.

4-H Results from the Florida State Fair

While most people know 4-H members can earn premiums and ribbons at the fair, many may not realize how much work goes into winning those ribbons.
Last month five of our 4-H members excelled in the State Fair and Champion Youth Program.

Savannah Kutz won Senior Champion Youth Dog and Katie Hendrix won Intermediate Champion Youth Dog.
Olivia Cook won second place in Senior Champion Youth Poultry.
Beverly Strautmann won Grand Champion with her goat "Southern Star" and Teressa Strautmann won Reserve Champion with her goat "Southern Gem.

These competitions involve not only preparing and showing the animal, but also keeping an accurate record book and possibly participating in a skill-a-thon, creating posters, answering questions at the Ask Me booth and speaking in front of a community group.

All this hard work and discipline results in not only blue ribbon animals, but also blue ribbon youth. Congratulations to all the 4-H'ers, parents, and volunteers who participated in and contributed to the successes at the Florida State Fair.

4-H Revolution of Responsibility

Most of you probably know that 4-H is about more than winning blue ribbons and showing animals at the State Fair. In addition, 4-H is more than the ever growing list of projects in science and technology. What remains the same in 4-H are the outcomes or the results: Youth who grow up in 4-H grow to become responsible, contributing adults.
One of the challenges in 4-H is showcasing or illustrating the successes in the program. How can we best show that the 4-H youth raising dairy goats and the 4-H youth developing a robot program are both learning the same life skills needed to be a successful adult?
One of the best ways may be through the new 4-H Revolution of Responsibility. Through the 4-H Revolution of Responsibility, 4-H members, volunteers, and staff are invited to write about the positive changes that have been brought about through 4-H.

4-H youth are a living, breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles, and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live.

You may have read about Lindsay, a 4-H member who was able to buy a house at age 18 with her hog earnings. She started raising hogs as a young 4-H'er and saved her winnings. In addition to her skills in hog rearing and showing, she also learned to be fiscally responsible and to persevere.
Other 4-H members are improving their communities through 4-H community service projects.
Are you part of the 4-H Revolution of Responsibility? There are many examples here in Pinellas County where 4-H members are making a positive change. Let everyone know how you started a Revolution of Responsibility. Check out the website at:
http://www.4-h.org/about/revolution/ and share your story.

4-H Showcase at the Florida State Fair February 12

On Saturday February 12th from 10 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Florida 4-H is having its annual 4-H Showcase at the Florida State Fair. This year there are many fun hands on exhibits planned, as we promote our many activities from across the state. The Showcase takes place in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.

At the Pinellas County 4-H exhibits youth will have the opportunity to complete four make-and-take experiential activities as they become the scientist. These activities promote 4-H Science and teach youth the skills to apply science in every day life. The four experiments are:

Power of Electricity: Making a Simple Switch

Aerospace Adventures: Building a Milk Straw Rocket

Entomology: Bee Comb an Engineer

4-H Forestry: Trees and Me


In addition to the 4-H Science activities, 4-H camp staff, Operation Military Kids, 4-H District Council, and others will be there with more fun 4-H activities for all to enjoy.

On each Saturday of the Fair, 4-H members and leaders are given free admittance with their 4-H card or 4-H shirt. 4-H families should enter through Gate 3.

New Youth Program at Brooker Creek Preserve Starts January 22

What better way to start the new year than to explore one of Pinellas county's best wild places? Starting January 22 at 1:00, Brooker Creek and Pinellas 4-H will introduce the Brooker Creek Explorers Program. This program is geared towards 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who are interested in the natural world around us. You do not have to be a 4-H member to register; this program is open to the public. There will be three meetings; each will focus on a different way of learning about and appreciating our natural resources and Brooker Creek in particular. All sessions will meet 1:00 - 3:00.
January 22: Paper Pieces - Make your own paper and journal after learning about the ways paper is made and recycled. A digital or disposable camera will be helpful.
February 5: What Can You Find? - Increase your powers of observations through all your senses in a forestry scavenger hunt. Add to your journal.
February 19: Trees as Habitats - How big is an ecosystem? Explore the various habitats at Brooker Creek and decide for yourself.
All activities used are from Florida 4-H Forestry and Project Learning Tree. The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center is located at 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.
To register, go to https://pinellas.obsres.com/botanical/Info.aspx?EventID=4002
and scroll down to Brooker Creek Explorers. Registration is required, but it is free!
For more information on this program, please contact 4-H at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

Ready for 2011?

It is hard to believe that 2011 is here already. Why are we always so surprised? All 4-H families should be ready to sign up and sign on to all the great 4-H activities in store. Here is a list to help you get ready:

Important 4-H Dates for You to Remember 2011

January 3……………………………Deadline for Senior LAW registration to Pinellas 4-H Office
January 18………………………….4-H Advisory Meeting @ PCE 6:00 p.m.
January 14………………………….Deadline to register for State Fair booth
( http://florida4h.org/events/showcase.shtm)
January 14………………………….County Council Meeting @Ochs 6:30
January 21 – 23………………… Senior Leadership Adventure Weekend @ Camp Ocala
( http://florida4h.org/events/LAW.shtml)
January 31………………………….Deadline to register for Intermediate State to Pinellas Office
( http://florida4h.org/events/Int_State.shtml)
February 10 –21………………… Florida State Fair @ Tampa Fairgrounds
February 12……………………… 4-H Showcase @ Florida State Fair & 4-H Day at the Fair
February 18 – 20…………………Intermediate State @ Camp Ocala
February 19…………………………4-H Day at the Fair
March 2 ………………………………Deadline for Night of the Arts Registration
March 11 …………………………….Night of the Arts @ Northwest Church of Christ
March 18 – 20……………………. Third Executive Board @ Camp Cherry Lake
March 28…………………………… Deadline to register for Demonstration Day
April 9 ……………………………… .Demonstration Day @ PCE
April 16……………………………… .District Congress @ PCE (for Junior and Intermediate 4-H’ers)
April 19……………………………… 4-H Advisory Meeting @ PCE
April 27……………………………… 4-H Day @ the Capitol in Tallahassee
April 29-May 1…………………… .Area E @Florida Fairgrounds
May 8 ………………………………….District Events (Tentative – Pasco County hosts)
June 10……………………………… .Leader, Volunteer, Donor Banquet @ PCE
June 20 – 24…………………………4-H Legislature in Tallahassee
June 30…………………………………Club Level Project Judging Sheets Due
July 7-9…………………………………State Horse Show
July 11-15……………………………...Camp Ocala
July 19…………………………………...Projects Due for County Judging
July 19 ………………………………… .4-H Expansion & Review Meeting @ PCE
July 25 – 29……………………………4-H Congress in Gainesville
August 19……………………………….Awards & Recognition Banquet @ PCE

If you have any questions about these events, please contact me at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.