4-H Showcase at the Florida State Fair February 12

On Saturday February 12th from 10 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Florida 4-H is having its annual 4-H Showcase at the Florida State Fair. This year there are many fun hands on exhibits planned, as we promote our many activities from across the state. The Showcase takes place in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.

At the Pinellas County 4-H exhibits youth will have the opportunity to complete four make-and-take experiential activities as they become the scientist. These activities promote 4-H Science and teach youth the skills to apply science in every day life. The four experiments are:

Power of Electricity: Making a Simple Switch

Aerospace Adventures: Building a Milk Straw Rocket

Entomology: Bee Comb an Engineer

4-H Forestry: Trees and Me


In addition to the 4-H Science activities, 4-H camp staff, Operation Military Kids, 4-H District Council, and others will be there with more fun 4-H activities for all to enjoy.

On each Saturday of the Fair, 4-H members and leaders are given free admittance with their 4-H card or 4-H shirt. 4-H families should enter through Gate 3.

New Youth Program at Brooker Creek Preserve Starts January 22

What better way to start the new year than to explore one of Pinellas county's best wild places? Starting January 22 at 1:00, Brooker Creek and Pinellas 4-H will introduce the Brooker Creek Explorers Program. This program is geared towards 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who are interested in the natural world around us. You do not have to be a 4-H member to register; this program is open to the public. There will be three meetings; each will focus on a different way of learning about and appreciating our natural resources and Brooker Creek in particular. All sessions will meet 1:00 - 3:00.
January 22: Paper Pieces - Make your own paper and journal after learning about the ways paper is made and recycled. A digital or disposable camera will be helpful.
February 5: What Can You Find? - Increase your powers of observations through all your senses in a forestry scavenger hunt. Add to your journal.
February 19: Trees as Habitats - How big is an ecosystem? Explore the various habitats at Brooker Creek and decide for yourself.
All activities used are from Florida 4-H Forestry and Project Learning Tree. The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center is located at 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.
To register, go to https://pinellas.obsres.com/botanical/Info.aspx?EventID=4002
and scroll down to Brooker Creek Explorers. Registration is required, but it is free!
For more information on this program, please contact 4-H at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

Ready for 2011?

It is hard to believe that 2011 is here already. Why are we always so surprised? All 4-H families should be ready to sign up and sign on to all the great 4-H activities in store. Here is a list to help you get ready:

Important 4-H Dates for You to Remember 2011

January 3……………………………Deadline for Senior LAW registration to Pinellas 4-H Office
January 18………………………….4-H Advisory Meeting @ PCE 6:00 p.m.
January 14………………………….Deadline to register for State Fair booth
( http://florida4h.org/events/showcase.shtm)
January 14………………………….County Council Meeting @Ochs 6:30
January 21 – 23………………… Senior Leadership Adventure Weekend @ Camp Ocala
( http://florida4h.org/events/LAW.shtml)
January 31………………………….Deadline to register for Intermediate State to Pinellas Office
( http://florida4h.org/events/Int_State.shtml)
February 10 –21………………… Florida State Fair @ Tampa Fairgrounds
February 12……………………… 4-H Showcase @ Florida State Fair & 4-H Day at the Fair
February 18 – 20…………………Intermediate State @ Camp Ocala
February 19…………………………4-H Day at the Fair
March 2 ………………………………Deadline for Night of the Arts Registration
March 11 …………………………….Night of the Arts @ Northwest Church of Christ
March 18 – 20……………………. Third Executive Board @ Camp Cherry Lake
March 28…………………………… Deadline to register for Demonstration Day
April 9 ……………………………… .Demonstration Day @ PCE
April 16……………………………… .District Congress @ PCE (for Junior and Intermediate 4-H’ers)
April 19……………………………… 4-H Advisory Meeting @ PCE
April 27……………………………… 4-H Day @ the Capitol in Tallahassee
April 29-May 1…………………… .Area E @Florida Fairgrounds
May 8 ………………………………….District Events (Tentative – Pasco County hosts)
June 10……………………………… .Leader, Volunteer, Donor Banquet @ PCE
June 20 – 24…………………………4-H Legislature in Tallahassee
June 30…………………………………Club Level Project Judging Sheets Due
July 7-9…………………………………State Horse Show
July 11-15……………………………...Camp Ocala
July 19…………………………………...Projects Due for County Judging
July 19 ………………………………… .4-H Expansion & Review Meeting @ PCE
July 25 – 29……………………………4-H Congress in Gainesville
August 19……………………………….Awards & Recognition Banquet @ PCE

If you have any questions about these events, please contact me at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

2010 4-H State Marine Ecology Event

Last month, on November 6, 4-H members from around the state competed in the 4-H State Marine Ecology Event. Participants learned about marine plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, and ecosystems. There is also a marine and aquatic photography contest. This year 18 Pinellas 4-H'ers trained and competed at the event in Osceola County.
Here are the Pinellas County results:
Junior Team - Second: Danielle Moran, Eliza Fields, Marty Moran, and Hunter Monroe
Junior Individual -Second: Hunter Monroe
Intermediate Team - Third: Sabrina Brown, Katelyn Garner, Emily Plaisance, and Jozef Soja
Senior Team - Second: Matthew Garner, Jack McConnell, Matthew Galiano, and Chris Garner
Senior Individual - Third: Matthew Galiano
Photography- Aquatic Life - Honorable Mention: Eliza Fields

As you can see, the Pinellas delegation, trained and led by 4-H Leader Kevin Garner, did an excellent job representing us.

If you are interested in learning more about the 4-H Marine Science program, please contact me at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

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.

November Events

The first event is the 4-H Open House and Apple/Pecan Cook-Off at the Pinellas County Extension, starting at 10:00 a.m. The Open House features displays and activities hosted by
4-H clubs for the enjoyment of all families. This is a great time to:

• learn more about the 4-H program in Pinellas County
• learn about pet care
• build an Xtreme Gingerbread House
• build a rocket
• brush a goat
• learn about hexagons
• make a candle
• sign up for 4-H!

All cook-off entries must be brought to the Magnolia Room for check in by 10:00 a.m. The doors will be open at 9:00 a.m. for entry check in. Awards will be announced by 1:00 p.m. and sampling of entries will follow.

This event is free.

The second event is the Farm-City Day on November 20 at Heritage Village. The fun starts at9:00 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. For this event 4-H/Extension is partnering with several other groups to bring this national event to Pinellas County. There will be many make and takes as well as agricultural give aways.

Both of the events will take place along with the Market in the Park in Heritage Village.