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!

May 4-H Updates

Pinellas County 4-H had a spectacular day at District Events in Manatee County. Of the 34 4-H members competing, 24 came in first in their age/subject category. This is wonderful because we had so many Pinellas competitors and that so many came in first. The results are testament to the wide range of topics our 4-H'ers cover in their project work.
District Events is the advanced level for 4-H members who have already presented their demonstration at the county level. Youth from the six district counties compete for blue ribbons and District medallions. In Pinellas County Junior and Intermediate Medallion winners receive a scholarship to 4-H Camp Ocala. Senior winners receive a scholarship to 4-H State Congress. These scholarships are all funded by the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation.

Here is the breakdown by club of the Junior and Intermediate winners:

• 4-H2O - Anissa P., Annelise V. Michaela P. & Lexa A.


• Clever Clovers - Stefan M.


• Imagine That - Amanda P.


• Crazy4Canines - Shannon P., Nicole S. & Katie H.


• Seminole Riders - Elena D.


• Hare Raisin' Homesteaders - Lacey S.


• 4-H Youth Frontiers - Brandon P.


• Ochs Garden - Abby V.


• BBB - Matthew I.

The same for the Senior winners:

• Crazy4Canines - Danielle H., Allison S., Sarah H. & Savannah K.


• Hare Raisin' Homesteaders - Colleen M.


• All Things Equine - Amanda B.


• The Conservatives - Olivia C., Beverly S. & Teressa S.


• 4-H2O - Emily V.

Congratulations to all who presented their demonstrations and talent acts at County and District Events!

Many of you know Chrissy Willett, leader of the 4-H Average Joe's. Chrissy has been one of the most generous and hardworking 4-H leaders, often volunteering to help with committees and special events. Chrissy is also battling esophageal cancer. Her friends (there are many) have organized the To Chrissy With Love benefit to help with medical costs. It will take place this Saturday in downtown Palm Harbor. For more information please visit http://tochrissywithlove.weebly.com.

There will be music, a bake sale, gift baskets, and games. The benefit starts at 12:00 noon. It sounds like a lot of fun with some really good people. What better way to spend the afternoon?

4-H Area E Horse Show - Not Just Horsin' Around

The results this year at Area E were the best Pinellas County 4-H'ers have ever earned. Of the 30 exhibitors, 15 are advancing to the state show in July. It was not so long ago that Pinellas did not have 15 riders to send to the area show and now we are advancing 15! The top point earners were Jade Baranich, Sara Poppleton, and Amanda Benedict. Also advancing are Megan Jones, Emily Reiter, Olivia Toccalino, Kristen Venable, Eliza Cappello, Shelby Comerford, Jenna Kijowski, Carol Nunez, Lauren Tribiano, Deanna Van Riper, Morgan Wright, and Celine Frings.

These 4-H members represent 7 different clubs and show how strong the 4-H horse program is in Pinellas County. While these 4-H'ers worked hard for their success, they benefited from the strong support of their parents and 4-H leaders. 4-H horse leaders and volunteers spend an incredible amount of time and energy with their club members. They freely dispense their knowledge, wisdom, and expertise so a child can experience the benefits and joy of working with a horse.

Of course, there is more to the 4-H horse program than riding in a show.

According to Dr. Ed Johnson, "The purpose of the 4-H horse program is to provide young people an opportunity to participate in a series of activities designed to improve citizenship, sportsmanship, character, competitive spirit, discipline, and responsibility while creating an atmosphere for learning and awareness of the life about us."
(Taken from Florida 4-H Area & State Horse Shows Official Rules 2011).

As it is with any 4-H program, 4-H members learn citizenship, leadership, and life skills. Best of all, they learn these skills while learning about something they love.

If any Pinellas 4-H families have pictures to share from Area E, please send them or the link to jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org to be posted.