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.

4-H District Events

On May 5 the six counties of 4-H District Nine gathered in Pasco County for District Events.  Nearly 100 4-H members were registered for this day of competitive events and District Council elections and meetings.
Congratulations to newly elected 2012/2013 District President Emily Vines!
Close to 30 Pinellas County 4-H'ers competed with demonstrations, public speaking, and Share the Fun.  Many received blue ribbons and all represented their counties well.
High point winners are recognized with a medallion.  Pinellas Junior and Intermediate winners are awarded with a camp scholarship and Senior winners receive a scholarship to Congress week.
Here are our Pinellas high point winners:
Matthew Galiano with Basics of GPS; Annelise Vieira with How to Organize a Binder for Success;
Michaela Polmann/Lexa Armstrong  with Making a Good First Impression; Alexis Carter/Alexus Oehler with Duct Tape Art; Shannon Piquet  with Whelping Puppies; Sarah Head with One Must Suffer to Be Beautiful; Amanda Benedict with If the Shoe Fits; Jared McNelis with Vermicompost; Stefan Mason with Scratch; Emily Vines with Intro to Herbal Medicine; Savannah Kutz/Samantha Richards with Animal Testing; Abby Vines with Soldier with a Tail; Elizabeth Briggs/Cheyenne Schoeppner with Who Says?; and Abby Lang/John Roe with Cha Cha/Mambo.
Once again Pinellas County had a great showing at a district-wide events.  Congratulations to all who participated!

Area E 4-H Horse Show

The 4-H Horse Program is growing and thriving in Pinellas County.  Last weekend 34 Pinellas riders and their horses joined 100 more from eight area counties for the Area E 4-H Horse Show at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa.  What a full weekend it was!  The excitement started on Friday when the competitors arrived with their families and friends for registration.  At registration Coggins test results are checked, bits and helmets inspected,  ponies are measured, and show packets handed out.  Then it is time to move into the stalls or practice, practice, practice.
Saturday classes begin at 8:00 a.m.  Last weekend the weather forecast was fairly threatening, so we all had our fingers crossed. Saturday is mainly English classes with the notable exception of the Speed Events and Trail which took place in the Charlie Lykes Arena.  The weather held until the afternoon and the very competent grounds crew was able to moved the jump class course to the covered pavilion before the storm hit.  In spite of the rain and wind, we were able to complete all the scheduled classes in good time.
Western classes are featured on Sunday with the recent additions of Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail.  Sunday's exceptions were the very elegant Dressage and the demonstration classes for miniatures. All classes missed the Sunday morning shower.
Of the 134 entries, 60% qualify to advance to the State 4-H Horse Show, also taking place at the State Fairgrounds.  Eighteen of the Pinellas competitors qualified for the state show on July 12-14.  The show is free, parking is free, so please come out and watch the best of the Florida 4-H Horse Program compete. 
Showing a horse involves a lot more than grooming and riding a horse.  Members are enrolled in a 4-H horse project,learn how to take care of a horse, learn to be organized and how to focus on a goal.
In the words of Dr. Ed Johnson, the horse program is designed to" improve citizenship, sportsmanship, horsemanship, character, competitive spirit, discipline, and responsibility..." (Florida 4-H Area & State Horse Shows Official Rules 2012).

For more information on the Florida 4-H Horse Program, go to Florida 4-H Horse Program