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!