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.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

This is a reminder just in case some of you are feeling stressed and think that your task list has gotten too long and the number of days left on the calendar too short. Remember that holidays are times of enjoyment and appreciating the best in our lives. Perhaps today is the day to cross a couple unfinished tasks off the list. Use that time to relax or spend with an old friend or your own family. It is ironic that those who fret about the lack of time often fail to realize that time is one of the best gifts of all to receive.
I know many of the 4-H families are busy right now with holiday preparations and purchases. Did you know that this time of year produces 25% more trash than the rest of the year? While you reduce stress this holiday, also adopt some of these greener practices from Pinellas County Utilities: http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/holidays/tips.htm. You may find that going green and reducing stress go hand in hand.

4-H Thanksgiving

Many families practice the Thanksgiving ritual of going around the table and having each member say what they are most thankful for. This is probably also happening at many 4-H clubs as they have their last meeting before Thanksgiving. Answers can range from the roast turkey on the table to friends and family. I think it is beneficial for everyone to stop and think about what it is that they appreciate the most in their lives. In that spirit, today I am sharing what I think our Pinellas County 4-H Family (including me) should be thankful for.

• Pinellas County has a varied program. Projects range from horses and dogs to vegetable gardening and robotics. There is a project of interest for everybody.
• The 4-H program is open to everyone. These hard economic times have added stresses on money, time, and patience. Still, children can join 4-H for very little money, in a community club or afterschool club.
• Pinellas County has a dedicated group of volunteers. Volunteers have continued to take on extra responsibilities as budget constraints continue. Some of the recent events would have been cancelled had it not been for the volunteers.
• The Pinellas County 4-H Foundation is there to support us. The Foundation funds many 4-H programs. The scholarships many 4-H members receive to attend out of county trips would not exist without the Foundation.
• Pinellas County clubs give back to the program. In November, 14 clubs participated in the 4-H Open House and two turned right around and participated in Farm-City Day two weeks later. Both events were bigger and had larger attendance than the year before.
• We have a 4-H Family here that is ready to support its members, both the youth and adults. 4-H members are ready to help other members with their projects or to attend activities. At the monthly volunteer meetings I often see club leaders reaching out to new leaders or to leaders having difficulty with their club. So many club leaders are ready to lend a hand.

Simply put, everything above states that we have a large group of 4-H adults and youth who believe in the 4-H program and all that 4-H stands for. When you consider all that the four H's stand for, that is something we can all be thankful for.

4-H Apple-Pecan Sale!

Now is the time to order your juicy, crisp, fresh apples and crunchy pecans. The annual Apple-Pecan Sale is one of the major fundraisers which the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation sponsors each year. The sale runs from September 1, 2009 through October 1, 2009. All orders should be in by October 1. The apples will arrive the last week of October.
Apples may be ordered through your local 4-H club or individuals may order on their own.
If you are new to this fundraiser, you should know that the apples are picked and delivered to us within days. They are much fresher than the apples you buy in the stores. The pecans are this year's crop and come in several different varieties. The plain halves and pieces are in one pound bags. The chocolate covered and glazed varieties come in decorative 12 ounce bags. These bags make great gifts for all the upcoming holidays.
For more information about the sale and to download order forms, please go to: http://www.pc4hfoundation.org/ .

The Pinellas County 4-H Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving Pinellas County 4-H Youth Development Program by receiving, managing and administering private funds. It was incorporated in 1972 and is chartered by the State of Florida. The Foundation is governed by an all volunteer board of directors composed of 4-H friends, 4-H alumni, donors and individuals. Membership to the Foundation is open to anyone in the community interested in working for the benefit of youth.
Each year the 4-H Foundation provides $6,000 in scholarships so that 4-H youth and volunteers can attend state, regional, and national events. These events include trainings, 4-H competitions, and 4-H camps.
What better way to support Pinellas County youth than through the 4-H Foundation fundraiser?
Enjoy your apples and pecans!

Happy 100th Birthday Florida 4-H

The year 2009 marks the Florida 4-H Centennial. Counties and Districts across the state are planning a number of Centennial events. Here are a sampling of events happening:

• The official start of the celebration starts at the Florida State Fair. Come see the 4-H exhibits and play 4-H putt putt golf at the Ag Hall of Fame building. The Floida State Fair runs from February 5-16.
• District IX Council is hosting a Florida 4-H Centennial Celebration on January 31st from 10:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., at Selby Public Library in Sarasota County . This event will have an open house format, featuring interactive booths and displays designed to highlight a variety of 4-H program areas. There will also be hands-on activities, crafts, games, face painting, a marine science touch tank, and more! At this event, attendees can take part in our Centennial Community Service Initiative by making cards to be sent to deployed military personnel. The goal to make at least 100 cards!
• The Pinellas County 4-H Foundation is planning a Centennial Banquet Friday, March 13, 2009. The banquet will take place at Banquet Masters in Pinellas Park. Tickets for adults will be $50.00 and will include dinner, entertainment, and a guest speaker.
• Across the state, 4-H members are planning tree planting activities with the goal of planting 100 trees per county. Local clubs will be working with their families, schools, and municipalities to achieve this goal.

For more information on the Florida 4-H Centennial or for volunteer opportunities, go to http://www.florida4h.org/events/centennial.shtml or call the Pinellas County 4-H Office at (727) 582-2215.

Welcome to the Pinellas 4-H Blog:

Your new home for the latest news and information on what is going on in 4-H! Here you will be notified of event results like Area E, Demonstration Day, and Night of the Arts. We will also keep you informed on events like Camp Ocala, Congress, and what's happening with Operation Military Kids. This is where you will hear the latest on 4-H in the Classroom and 4-H Afterschool. Finally, we will post opportunities for youth and adult volunteers and community service. We know that checking a website every day for new information is hard to do, so we have made subscribing to the blog easy.

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