4-H Million Trees Project

What better way to celebrate the Florida 4-H Centennial than to "Make the Best Better"? Florida 4-H members have a unique way to celebrate Florida 4-H's birthday by being part of a national initiative - The 4-H Million Trees Project. This project was started by a Pacifica, California 4-H'er who wanted to do something big to help combat climate change. The goal is to mobilize the approximately 7 million 4-H members in North America to participate by planting 1 million trees. These trees will then play a part in reducing atmospheric CO2.

It is estimated that there are 90,000 4-H clubs and units in the U.S. and Canada. If each club or unit planted twelve trees, this goal would be reached. The good news is that 4-H will be continuing this project for the next few years, until the goal is reached. This is a great idea for a club community service project and one that will last and continue to serve the community.

Here are some points and tips if you are interested in knowing more:

• Clubs interested should register at both the national (4hmilliontrees.org) and Florida ( sfrc.edu/plt/4H_Million_Trees) websites. Building the network is critical.
• The Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org/4h) is partnering with 4-H, but you may find other partners.
• Joining the Arbor Day Foundation allows you to buy twelve trees for a dollar each annually for four years.
• All trees planted must be native. They provide food and shelter for our native wildlife and thrive in our climate.
• Plant the right tree in the right place. Large trees need large spaces.
• Ask at your church, school, or community park for possible planting areas.
• Planting is just the first step; please plan on follow up care. Newly planted trees need water daily.
• Participating in this project teaches a 4-H member that they can personally change the world.

In 4-H we teach life skills. The 4-H Million Trees Project will contribute to empowering the next generation of leaders who will know they can make a difference individually and as a group.

For more information please check the websites listed above or call Jean Rogalsky at (727) 582-2597 or email jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

District IX Holiday Party and Potluck Dinner

Pinellas County 4-H is part of 4-H District IX, along with Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, and Sarasota Counties. Each year 4-H members from throughout the district come together for a variety of reasons. District counties may camp together or hold district-wide competitions. Some of these events are hosted by our District Council, a group of teens from our district counties. District Council is best known for their fabulous 4-H District Congress, a day of workshops and activities open to 4-H juniors and intermediates.

A new tradition began last year with the Annual District IX Holiday Party and Potluck Dinner, held at the Pinellas County Extension Office. This year's event is December 12, beginning at 6:00 P.M. Each person attending is required to bring in one toy for admission. As part of our Florida Centennial Initiative, participants will be wrapping these toys at the party. These toys will later be delivered to needy families. The goal is to collect 100 toys to honor 100 years of 4-H in Florida.

Participants of the Holiday Party will take part in exciting activities and meet 4-H members from across the District. One of the activites will be to tour the beautiful holiday lights in the Florida Botanical Gardens. As this is a potluck dinner, each family is asked to bring two dishes to share.

To register your family for this event, please contact Sean Russell, president if District IX Council at sdscience@verizon.net.

4-H Operation Military Kids Essay Contest

4-H Operation Military Kids has teamed up with the American Legion Auxiliary to offer the “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: How American Veterans Have Shaped the World” essay contest open to all students in 10, 11, and 12th grades. The essay winner can receive an all-expense paid tripe to the Auxiliary’s Americanism Youth Conference March 5-9, 2009 at Valley Forge, PA. The application deadline is December 1, 2008.

Please contact Georgene Bender at gmbender@ufl.edu or Cliff Lewis at sgmlewis@ufl.edu for more information. The Student winner will be notified by January 14, 2009.

4-H Open House and Apple Cook-Off on November 1

The date of the annual 4-H Open House and Apple Cook-Off is rapidly approaching. All 4-H clubs are invited to promote their clubs, sell items to raise funds, share 4-H activities and experiences, and enjoy the day with the Pinellas County community. As of this writing, we have the following activities lined up:

• Ambassadors 4-H is hosting the Extreme Gingerbread House Contest
• Crazy 4 Canines is selling pet treats
• Ochs 4-H Garden Club is sharing news of the vegetable garden and making apple chips
• Pony Pals 4-H is hosting an activity, perhaps horse related
• 4-H Horse Program display
• Tasting of Apple Cook-Off entries
• Rocketry
• All Things Equine 4-H is selling personalized brushes
• Consumer Choices Skill-a-thon
• District Council

There are more displays planned. If your club is interested in being part of the 4-H Open House, there is still time to reserve a table. Please contact Jean Rogalsky at (727) 582-2597 or jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

A big part of this day is the Apple Cook-Off. Pre-Registration forms are available on the 4-H website, or from the 4-H Office. The deadline has been extended, but is limited to the first twenty entries. The recipes can be sweet or savory. Apples can be used in a variety of ways, so be creative! And don't forget that 4-H pecans go very well with apples.

After registering for the contest, be prepared to bring the finished product to the Extension Office by 10:00 A.M. November 1.

Another big event on November 1 is the opening of Market in the Park and the grand opening of the Children's Trail.

These events take place at Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The Open House runs from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. Come join us for a great day!

4-H Marine and Aquatic Photography Contest

Do you like to take pictures out of doors? If so, the 4-H Marine Ecology program would like to see your pictures of saltwater (marine) or freshwater (aquatic) habitats.

The Marine Ecology Photography Contest is open to 4-H youth, including Cloverbuds. Each 4-H member can enter three photographs in the contest, in any category. Although photographs submitted by Cloverbuds can’t be officially judged in the competition, they will be on display at the event. All photos entered must have been taken in Florida within the last year.

All photographs for the photo contest must be received by the Pinellas County 4-H office by October 17th. All photographs received will be on display at the Marine Ecology Event at the Osceola County Extension Office in Kissimmee on Saturday November 15. Youth do not need to be present at the November 15 event in order to receive a ribbon.

There are 5 categories in which to enter and youth may enter single print photos in any category. All photos must be related to habitat with water and can include photos of animals found in both marine and freshwater environments. The categories are :
· Marine Habitats where the focus in on the habitat not an individual animal or plant.
· Marine Life where the focus is on the animals and/or plants or grouping of marine life
forms (no freshwater).
· People and the Marine/Aquatic world showing how people use and impact both salt and
freshwater world.
· Aquatic Habitat, showing freshwater lakes, ponds, wetlands, swamps or rivers.
· Aquatic life showing specific plants/animals that can be found in freshwater or along the shore.

For questions or further information contact Betty Lipe at blipe@pinellascounty.org or 582-2528, or you can visit this website: marine photo contest rules

4-H Open House and Apple Cook-Off - November 1

Most of you have probably heard about the upcoming 4-H Open House and Apple Cook-Off. If not, each 4-H club is invited to participate by reserving a table to promote your club, hold a fund raiser, or host an activity. Last year nine 4-H clubs showed off their clubs' activities and accomplishments. What would your club like to do?

In addition to the activities, workshops, and exhibits, we will be hosting the 2008 Apple Cook-Off. This year we are adding the savory category. This category will include those recipes that are not dessert-like, or sweet. The savory category will be divided the same as the sweet with Youth, Adult, Family, and Healthy divisions. Interested? Here's what you need to know:

• All recipes must include at least one apple.
• Finished product must be checked in by 10:00 a.m. (November 1).
• A card or printout with the recipe and a card with the entrant's name, category, and phone number must accompany the entry.
• All entries must be pre-registered. Pre-registration forms are available at www.pinellascounty.org/4h (underneath the list of Cloverleaf newsletters), by e-mailing jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org, or by calling the 4-H Office.
• Ribbons and certificates will be awarded. Prizes will be awarded to the top winners in each category.
• After judging, all entries will be offered for sampling.

Mark your calendars for November 1, 10:00 - 3:00, at the Extension Office for the 4-H Open House and Apple Cook-Off. Invite your friends and neighbors to come out and see what 4-H is all about. This is also the opening of Market in the Park, so plan on parking at the EMS parking lot.

4-H Apple and Pecan Sale

Sell, sell, sell, apples and pecans is the motto for September! Each club leader should have received their apple and pecan order forms for their members. This fundraiser is not only important to raise needed funds for your club, but it is also the largest fundraiser of the year for the 4-H Foundation. The foundation needs money because they support all of your scholarships to camps, Congress, Legislature, and many other great 4-H activities and events.

The following are some sale tips to get you going:

• Deliver a letter/flyer to neighbors telling them about the sale. Leave an order form with the letter/flyer so they have time to look over what you are selling. Follow a couple days later to close the sale.
• If there is a special event in your area, ask if you can set up a table to sell and promote your club at the same time.
• Spread the word. Ask friends and family to help you sell by asking people they know to buy apples and pecans.
• Sell to the parents on your sports teams or other youth organization you belong to.
• Sell to family and friends (Grandma is always good.)
• Ask your parents to sell at their work (maybe the boss will buy a bushel of apples to share with all his/her employees.
• Make a pitch or come up with a gimmick to let people know how good the apples taste.
• Sell to former northerners or snow birds who know just how yummy apples from up north can be.
• Offer to sell 1/4 bushels (you would have to handle this one yourself) and turn in 1/2 and full bushel orders to the 4-H office.
• Ask a local supermarket if you can sell outside their store.
• Ask organizations or churches that you belong to if your information on the sale can be included in their newsletter (timing would have to be just right for this one).