The 4-H Blog is Back!

After a hiatus of several months, the 4-H blog is back, bringing you 4-H news on what has happened and information on upcoming events. 
Let's look at some of the great activities 4-H'ers have been involved in these past few months.
Community Service - The following is an edited article written by Maxine of the Ochs 4-H Garden Club:

Pinellas 4-H clubs bring joy and cheer with toys and decorations.

At County Council on October 30, 2012 the Council decided to help kids in need and help homeless veterans so they would be happy for the holidays.  Officers at County Council reported back to the clubs and requested unopened toys and handmade decorations. The club members responded by bringing in toys and making decorations. During the toy drive, the box grew from three teddy bears to a huge overflowing box. Club members and volunteers wrapped the presents and gave them to Miss Jean who delivered them to the members of the GRAYDI Garden 4-H Club.  the Ochs Garden 4-H Club, The Mane Event, and Hare Raisin' Homesteaders, were among the clubs who created decorations, cards, and ornaments. Many thanks to Sandy Paws Veterinary Clinic for their generous donation of a gift card. 

Eventually Mr. Matt delivered three large boxes of joyful cheer. In the end, Miss Jean told 4-H members that the kids liked the presents and Mr. Matt brought us back candy and a Christmas card from the veterans.

P.S. the next week the veterans sent extra candy because the decorations made them so happy.

A Very Active New Club
There is a new 4-H club at Palm Harbor Middle School called the PHMS 4-H Club.  This club started late in the year , but has made a lot of progress.  They are an environmental education and community service club.  They are also partnering with Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and have been attending events as part of their club work.  PHMS 4-H Club has also been upgrading the butterfly garden on campus.  They also hosted a PEEP  workshop presented by Pinellas Couny Extension. 

If you are looking for something to do April 27-28, come on out to the Florida State Fairgrounds for the Area E 4-H Horse Show.  There will be approximately 100 riders with 31 from Pinellas.  If you come, you must enter from the Orient Road entrance.

Next blog will cover 4-H County Events results.

4-H at Brooker Creek Saturday October 13 at 1:00

October 13- OPEN HOUSE:  Join us for a special introduction to this Pinellas County 4-H series! Program includes: How Wood You Like That? – Get to know some of the common trees of Brooker Creek, and how wood is “made.” From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sample activities include:

Activity 1:  Leaf and Bark rubbing

Activity 2:  Identification of the leaf that was rubbed

Activity 3:  Age of several Tree Cookies

Activity 4:  Drawing Your Own Life as a Tree Cookie

Free registration for the Open House is available here.We look forward to seeing you there!

Come learn what the Florida 4-H Forestry program has to offer!  First there is the Brooker Creek Explorers 4-H Club.  Youth from ages 5 - 18 can join this club to learn about the natural Florida spaces we all enjoy.  Each member will receive a 4-H project book and attend meetings held twice a month. Come to the open house for more registration details and activities!

Florida Forest Ecology Event - In addition, 4-H members ages 8 - 18 can join the 4-H Forest Ecology Team and learn about Florida forests.  The topics cover forestry ecosystems, tree and plant I.D.,  wildlife, forestry pests, and orienteering.  There will be a statewide 4-H Florida Forest Ecology Event in Gainesville during the spring. See sample activities and resources at the open house!

If you are interested in joining either opportunity or both please contact Lara Miller at lmiller@pinellascounty.org. 

Annual 4-H Apple/Pecan Sale is Here!

Ready to bite into a fresh, crisp, and juicy apple?  How about some really fresh pecans for holiday baking or tossing into a salad?  The annual Extension 4-H apple and pecan sale sponsored by the Pinellas County 4-H Association is now in full swing.  This sale is the main fund raiser for the 4-H Association to raise money for the 4-H scholarship program. 

This year we are offering Yellow Delicious and Empire apples.  Both varieties are excellent for baking, cooking, or just eating.

The apples are offered in quantities of a bushel for $44.00 or a half-bushel for $24.00.  A bushel is approximately 40 pounds.  Orders must be placed by October 1.  Pick up will be at the Chester Ochs 4-H Educational Center October 25 – 28, 2012.  The address is 14644 113^th Avenue, N. Largo.

There are also pecans, halves or pieces, available in one pound bags. Specialty chocolate covered pecans, chocolate cluster pecans, and cinnamon glaze pecans are offered in 12 ounce decorative bags.  All bags are $11.00 each. 

It is very easy to place your order.  If you know of a 4-H club in your area, any 4-H member can take your prepaid order.  The 4-H Association web site at  http://pc4hassociation.org/ has more information on the apples and pecans, as well as downloadable forms to pay by check or credit card.  Credit card orders can also be placed online.

This is a win-win situation.  You can enjoy delicious, fresh, nutritious apples and pecans and at the same time support your county 4-H program. Each year the Pinellas County 4-H Association awards $6,000 in scholarships for 4-H camps and trips, 4-H Legislature, 4-H Congress, and now, college scholarships.

Questions? please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.  

Sign Up for 4-H Vegetable Garden Now!

Orientation for the 2012 Ochs Garden 4-H Club is September 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pinellas County Extension Service.  Families will learn about the 4-H program, what vegetables they can grow, and all the benefits of belonging to the Pinellas County 4-H Program.  Attendees will have first choice in selecting their garden plot and their garden neighbors along with a variety of 4-H project books.  This program is open to youth ages 5 (as of 9/1/2012) to 18.
 If interested in this award winning program, please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org or call 727-582-2597.
Don't miss out on all the delicious fresh veggies you can eat!

Grow Your Vegetables and Eat Them Too!

Where? Why at the Ochs Garden 4-H Club, of course!  Members of this 4-H club not only learn to grow vegetables, but to appreciate and eat them as well. Vegetable gardening is very popular and it is no wonder.  Gardening gets the family outside and away from the screens.  The benefits include physical activity, the joys of watching the garden grow, and the best tasting vegetables around!
Want more information?  Here's what you need to know:

• Each 4-H member receives a project book, a 10' x 12' plot, starter plants and seeds.
• Garden tools are provided.  
• Membership open to children ages 5 - 18. 
• Instruction is provided by Master Gardeners
• Cost is $15 for 4-H membership and $10 per plot for the year.
• Garden is open Wednesdays 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays 9-11 a.m.
• Club meetings are on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.
• The garden is located at 14644 113th Avenue North, Largo.
• 4-H'ers keep all the produce they grow.

Interested? Everyone must pre-register by contacting Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org . Or call 727-582-2597. There will be an orientation at Pinellas County Extension September 6 at 6:00 p.m. for those who have pre-registered.  At orientation there will be an opportunity to register, select a plot, meet the other gardeners, and learn about this award winning 4-H program.  Let's get growing!

Camp Ocala 2012: A Counselor’s Perspective

Camp Ocala: A Counselor’s Perspective

Keri Hannukainen

                4-H Camp Ocala was an absolute success this year. As campers, we were able to experience all of the joy of being a 4-H’er at camp. As counselors, we were able to take on leadership roles and help our campers to enjoy camp to the fullest. Despite some unique problems at camp this year, Camp Ocala was able to once again provide the opportunity to 4-H youth to enjoy life, make new friends, and learn new things—both about ourselves and about the world.

                As Ms. Jean was unable to attend camp, the O.C.A.L.A class was canceled this year.  While there were many complaints as this is many campers’ favorite class, the camp class list seemed more diverse than ever. Many of the classes this year were more on the science side, but were still just as fun. While walking across camp, you could see the Science with a Twist class making ice cream, the Aquatic Wonders class getting wet, and the Rocketry class building and firing rockets that raced to the sky. The standard camp staff classes were great, but my favorite class would have to be the PPPH Media Class. What is better than taking pictures of your experiences at camp and putting them in a slide show?

                Pinellas County claimed 5 of the 10 spirit awards given at the end of camp. The results are listed below.

·         Junior Head—Jared McNelis

·         Junior Health—Andrew Woolley

·         Senior Head—Adison Julian

·         Senior Health—Matthew Galiano

·         Senior Spirit—Evan Julian

The last activity at camp is the Friendship Circle. Before the Friendship Circle began, the camp staff surprised everyone with a new type of award. This award would be presented to those whom the camp staff believed to best embody the Camp Ocala spirit and who the staff hoped would later join them as camp staff. Colleen McNelis and Evan Julian were selected and were presented with “Property of Camp Ocala” t-shirts.

The Friendship Circle concluded the exhausting, but unforgettable, experience that is 4-H Camp Ocala. While I will not be returning next year as I have graduated, I will always remember camp and the friends that I have made there fondly. I sincerely hope that all of you return to Camp Ocala next year and treasure every moment as your time at camp will pass all too quickly.

4-H Summer Bash

      This year’s 4-H Summer Bash on June 1, 2012 was a success! Over 40 people attended the event, making this year’s bash the most successful and popular yet. 4-H’ers enjoyed delicious hamburgers, hotdogs, and other side dishes, kicking off the beginning of summer with a pot-luck picnic. 

     4-H’ers from Average Joe’s, County Council, Hare Raisin’ Homesteaders, J.D. Cooking Club, Ochs Garden Club, and other clubs attended the bash. Colleen McNelis and Keri Hannukainen, both graduating seniors, gave their farewell speeches during the County Council elections. Jared McNelis led Minute to Win It, which created a fun and light-hearted atmosphere. A curious alligator even showed up during the bash along the edge of the lake shore to help us celebrate.

     The County Council elections were held during the bash and are:

·         President: Lacey Steele (Hare Raisin’ Homesteaders)

·         Vice-President: Emily Vines (Hare Raisin’ Homesteaders)

·         Reporter: Abby Vines (Ochs Garden Club)

·         Historian: Cheyenne Schoeppner (Hare Raisin’ Homesteaders)

·         Sergeant of Arms: Jared McNelis (Hare Raisin’ Homesteaders)

The elections for secretary and treasurer will be held soon.

     Congratulations to Jessica Freed for winning a blue ribbon at the State Horse Competition in Gainesville.