Clay County 4-H COVID-19 Updates

UPDATED: August 19, 2020 – 9:00 A.M.

As many of you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has reached Clay County, FL and has impacted upcoming 4-H meetings, programs and events. We are providing this blog as a one-stop resource for you to find information on how COVID-19 has impacted our local, district and state programs.

Please note that information is changing on a constant basis. All the following information is subject to change at any time. The banner at the top will note the date and time this page has been last updated.

General COVID-19 Resources

Clay County Extension Office Status

(UPDATED) The Clay County Extension Office is currently open by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call the Extension Office at 904-284-6355. Extension Agents are available through email or call 904-284-6355 to leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Annie Sheldon – FCS/CED – aasheldon@ufl.edu
Stephanie Conner – 4-H – sconner04@ufl.edu
Cassidy Dossin – Agriculture – cdossin@ufl.edu
Wayne Hobbs – Horticulture – whhobbs@ufl.edu
Matthew Olson – 4-H – m.olson@ufl.edu

Postponed In Person Programing

Last week(August 10) you received a letter from Stacey Ellison, Florida 4-H Associate Program Leader, and Michael S. Gutter, Ph.D., Florida 4-H State Program Leader indicating that Florida 4-H is scaling back from Phase III programs and will revert to Phase II programs. The Clay County 4-H team would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the Clay County 4-H plan for the 2020-2021 4-H year.

After reviewing COVID-19 case numbers and projections for the next few months we have made the decision that Clay County 4-H will remain 100% virtual through January 1, 2021. As we approach January 1, 2021, the Clay County 4-H Team and County Extension Director will assess the situation and make a decision for programs after January 1, 2021.

As we look to the beginning of the 2020-2021 4-H year on September 1, 2020 we will be:

Offering county-wide workshops and programs virtually via Microsoft Teams
Working with our 4-H volunteers and clubs to host meetings virtually via Microsoft Teams
- Please note this is the ONLY UF/IFAS Extension approved virtual platform. Club members or meeting participants do not need to have a Microsoft TEAMS account to participate in the meeting.
Offering a county-wide 4-H club for youth whose primary 4-H Club is not meeting virtually

Many of you may be familiar with the Clay County 4-H Membership Policy and Competition Eligibility Criteria. We are currently working to compile our 2019-2020 4-H member in good standing list and will be sending letters to families in the coming weeks. For the 2020-2021 4-H year, this policy will have very minor adjustments. To be considered a member in good standing for the 2020-2021 4-H year (which will impact the 2022 Clay County Agricultural fair) youth must:

1. Be registered and approved in 4-H online on or before October 1 each 4-H year
2. Attended 70% of their club’s business meetings
a. If a member’s primary club is not meeting virtually, they may join another club or the county-wide 4-H club
3. Deliver one demonstration/illustrated talk/speech at either the club or county level
a. Youth may give their demonstration/illustrated talk/speech during a virtual club meeting, at county showcase (spring 2021), or participate in the 4-H Teach
Me in 3 Contest (spring 2021)
4. Submit a completed Clay County 4-H Record Book which includes at least one project area record

We did not make this decision lightly; we miss interacting with everyone and we are saddened. However, we need to keep in mind the best interest of our children, volunteers, and our community. Know that as we approach January, we will be reevaluating this plan in the hopes that we can resume in person programs.

I know many of you have questions and concerns, as do we, but know you can reach out to us. If we do not have the answers we will work to find someone who does.

Virtual 4-H Programs

4-H @ 4
September 4th, 2020 – 4:00PM – 4-H Kickoff – Register Here

Gather your supplies and join us for 4-H@4 on September 4th! Each month this fall, 4-H@4 will walk youth through a project that can be completed at home. All activities use easy to find, household supplies. Topics include arts, science, service learning, cooking, and more!

For September’s event you will need:
            1 sheet of white paper
            2-3 sheets of colored paper (light weight paper is best, but card stock can be used too)
            scissors
            tape
            glue or glue stick
            1 coin (optional)
            markers (any colors)

We hope to see you September 4th at 4:00 PM. Sign up at https://bit.ly/4hat4sept

October 2, 2020 – 4:00PM – MARS Base Camp
November 6, 2020 – 4:00PM – Thankfulness – Hands to Larger Service
December 4, 2020 – 4:00PM – No Bake Food Safety