Project Clubs Article

Are 4-H Project Clubs for You?

Submitted by
Judy Butterfield, Central District
Regional Specialized 4-H Agent III

Although General 4-H clubs are the most commonly known type of delivery mode, 4-H reaches youth in other ways – one of those being a project club. This delivery mode serves a different purpose but is equally important. Project clubs may differ in regard to duration and intensity, but always involve the “learn by doing” concept. Project clubs should be developed and started based on the needs of the youth involved, the availability of volunteers with special knowledge in the project area, and research-based curriculum should be available to support the specific project whether it be computers, gardening, woodworking, bee-keeping, llamas, etc. In Florida, Shooting Sports is probably one of the best known subject areas using project clubs as its delivery mode.

Because they may have fewer members than a General Club, project clubs provide the needed quality time for youth to form a caring relationship with adults, as well as promoting a sense of belonging. It is also wise to keep in mind that 4-H Project clubs usually have a beginning start date and a specific ending date – it could be a swine club specifically geared for raising an animal for the fair, or a sewing club where the items being made are being donated for a specific use such as a neonatal unit or hospice. As previously mentioned these clubs usually have a specific duration and purpose.

Project clubs are a wonderful way to get more youth involved in true youth development programs and activities. They also allow volunteers to become more involved and use their individual skills; therefore having more ownership in the program.

Source: California 4-H Leader Digest, (2006), and Dr. Todd Tarifa, LSU 4-H Extension.

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February County Council Report

Greetings, 4-H Members! Our last County Council meeting was held on
February 19th, and we discussed some exciting upcoming events.

The Alachua County 4-H Youth Fair is coming up! Get your exhibits
ready to be judged on March 15th at the County Extension Office. The
fair itself will be held March 28th - April 1st at the Alachua County
Fairgrounds. You should have received your Fair packet with all
pertinent information in the mail. Please be sure to look it over and
submit your fair form. Come join us at the Fair!

You may have heard that there is going to be a new 4-H T-Shirt
available through County Council as a fundraiser. One shirt costs
approximately $10.00, and may be pre-ordered by calling the Extension
Office. We recently had a design contest to determine what would be put
on the shirts. Congratulations to the McIntosh family on their winning
design! The image will be featured on the T-Shirts once they are made.

Please note that 4-H County Events Day has been moved to April 19th.
County Events Day offers an opportunity for you to give speeches,
illustrated talks, and demonstrations. You can also model clothing that
you’ve constructed or selected, and participate in the talent show.

Jr. Congress is coming up on May 9th and 10th. Jr. Congress is an
overnight camp where youth have fun, learn new skills, make new
friends, and get an idea of what Senior Congress is like. Several
Senior-level 4-H youth have signed up to teach classes at Jr. Congress.
If you are also interested in teaching or need more information,
contact the Extension Office at (352)-955-2402 . The registration
deadline for Jr. Congress is May 2, 2008.

4-H County Council officer elections are coming up soon. A vote will
be held on April 15th to decide who will hold each office. Holding a
4-H County Council office looks great on high school transcripts! Being
an officer will also give you a chance to practice those ever-valuable
leadership skills.

Speaking of leadership, there is an ATV Safety Program forming that
needs volunteers. Intermediate and senior 4-H-ers may be interested in
participating. For more information, contact Lorraine Williams at
LSW@alachuacounty.US .

Grape Pruning at Grandma’s Vineyard was a great success! 98 people
helped raise money for our 4-H record book fund. Many thanks to all who
showed up to volunteer and helped us break our record by finishing at
1:30 pm. Also, a big thank-you to Ms. Lorraine for providing us with a
delicious lunch!

Sadly, there is some disturbing news at hand. The University of
Florida is in the process of making budget cuts that will affect county
extension services and the 4-H program throughout the state of Florida.
While the budget cuts may be unavoidable, we can make our opinions and
support for 4H known by contacting our legislators, UF Board of Trustee
members, and local newspapers and media. Tell them how much 4-H means
to you! Decisions will be made as early as March 8th, so please let
your voice be heard before then! Please visit the Save Florida 4H blog
at http://saveflorida4h.blogspot.com/ for more information, and for
contacts.

If you’re looking for another way to promote 4-H, then you can
participate in the Faces of 4-H 100-year anniversary Celebration.
Please visit the state website, where applications and details can be
found. The deadline is March 1st.

submitted by Kayleigh Hinson, County Council co-reporter

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2007-2008 Alachua County 4-H Calendar Revised 2/12/2008

DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
February 2008
16 Grape Pruning Grandma’s Vineyard 8 AM til ?
18 ACSB No School
19 County Council CEO 6:30 PM
23 Grape Pruning (Reserve date)
23 Dallas Osborne Scholarship Ride-a-Thon San Felasco State Park 9:00 AM
Contact Suzanne Holton 485-2230 Main Ranger Station
26 Horse Committee CEO 6:30 PM

DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
March 2008
1 County Events TBA 9am – done
3 ACYFair BBQ Contest Food Safety Training CEO 7 – 8:30 PM
4 4-H Record-Book Workshop by Ernie Terry Bethlehem Presb. Church 6:00 PM pre-register/order Pizza - Kim Massagee 495-4038 Archer
13 Youth Fair Board CEO 7:30 PM
14 – 16 Third Executive Board Camp Ocala
15 Youth Fair Advance Entry Deadline CEO by 4:00 PM
for Non-Livestock Show Events
15 4-H Exhibit Judging Day CEO 10AM-4PM
15 4-H Record Book Entry (non livestock) CEO by 4:00 PM
19 Horse Show Pre-entry Deadline CEO noon
19 or 26 4-H Record Book Judging CEO 6:30 PM
22 Youth Fair Set Up Fairgrounds 8:00 AM
22 County Horse Show Canterbury
26 Horse Committee CEO 6:30 PM
27 Set Up Exhibit Building Fairgrounds 4:00 PM
28 ACSB No school
28 – 4/1 Alachua County Youth Fair Fairgrounds
29 – 4/3 National 4-H Conference Chevy Chase, MD

DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
April 2008
4/1 Alachua County Youth Fair last day Fairgrounds
7 – 11 ACSB Spring Break
10 Youth Fair Board CEO 7:30 PM
12 State 4-H Forest Ecology Judging Contest Austin Carey Forest Gainesville
16 County Council (elections) CEO 6:30 PM
23 Horse Committee CEO 6:30 PM
25 – 26 Area B Horse Show Clay County Fairgrounds


DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
May 2008
3 District Events TBA 9AM-1PM
3 4-H Awards Program TBA
8 Youth Fair Board CEO 7:30 PM
13 All State Portfolios for scholarships and CEO by 4:30 PM
State trips due to CEO
21 County Council CEO 6:30 PM
4-H Volunteer Dinner CEO 6:30 PM
26 Memorial Day – office closed
28 Horse Committee CEO 6:30 PM
TBA State Congress Registration Deadline
TBA State 4- H Legislature Deadline
29 4-H Photo and Poster State Contest Entries due CEO
29 General Public Speaking Speeches due CEO
29 State 4-H Dairy Poster Contest Entries due CEO
29 Horse Public Speaking Speeches due CEO

DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
June 2008
5 Last day of school
12 Youth Fair Board CEO 7:30 PM
20-22 FL 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum Camp Cloverleaf
23 – 27 State 4-H Legislature Tallahassee

DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
July 2008
4 Independence Day – office closed
10 – 12 State 4-H Horse Show Tampa Fairgrounds
21 – 25 State 4-H Congress UF Campus
29 – 8/3 Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships Lexington, VA

DATE DESCRIPTION LOCATION TIME
August 2008
12 – 14 4-H Hog and Ham UF Meats Lab

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