Interested in volunteering with Florida 4-H? And potentially from the comfort of home? The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program and Florida 4-H Foundation have opportunities to judge state-level 4-H Scholarship Applications, Photography Competition, Graphic Design Competition, Community Pride Awards, and State Competitive Events.

Every year, 4-H youth from across the state have a chance to engage in state-level competitive events. Competitors advance from county and district levels. Additionally, senior members and young alumni can apply for a wide array of scholarships, as well as award trip scholarships to represent Florida at national 4-H events.

Volunteer judges help to evaluate and score these state-level entries. Whether you have experience in photography, graphic design, and scholarships, or familiarity with the 4-H program and positive youth development, all of our volunteers are integral to maintaining these positive developmental relationships that challenge growth in our 4-H members. Check out some of this year’s state-level opportunities to support our 4-H members:

2023 Online Opportunities

• Scholarship Applications for Academic and National Trip Scholarships: review five applications including applicant resume and narrative. Orientation provided through Zoom. (This application replaced the “Senior Portfolio” application.)
  • Time commitment: 5-6 hours
  • Method: review digital files using rubric and submit feedback online
  • Key dates:
    • Zoom orientation on 5/25
    • Review applications from 6/1 to 6/20 (self-paced)
  • Contact: Courtney Quirie, courtney.quirie@ufl.edu
• Photography: review up to 67 entries. Orientation resources and links for judging provided through email.
  • Time commitment: up to 6 hours (with scoring and comments, can expect up to 5 minutes per entry depending on your personal speed)
  • Method: review digital files using rubric and submit feedback online
  • Key dates: review entries from 6/9 to 7/2 (self-paced)
  • Contact: Derby Sale, sderby.sale@ufl.edu
• Graphic Design: review up to 50 entries. Orientation resources and links for judging provided through email.
  • Time commitment: up to 4 hours (with scoring and comments, can expect up to 5 minutes per entry depending on your personal speed) 
  • Method: review digital files using rubric and submit feedback online
  • Key dates: review entries from 6/9 to 7/2 (self-paced)
  • Contact: Derby Sale, sderby.sale@ufl.edu 
• Community Pride Service-Learning Projects: review up to 13 final reports. Orientation resources and links for judging provided through email.
  • Time commitment: up to 4.5 hours (with scoring and comments, can expect up to 20 minutes per entry, depending on your speed)
  • Method: review digital files using rubric and submit feedback online
  • Key dates: review final reports from 6/9 to 7/2 (self-paced)
  • Contact: Derby Sale, sderby.sale@ufl.edu

2023 In-Person Opportunity

• State Competitive Events (UF, Gainesville) during 4-H University: review senior presentations. Orientation provided on-site day of judging. Judges evaluate presentation skills and do not necessarily need to be subject matter experts.
  • Time commitment: 5 hours plus travel time
  • Method: in-person review of live presentations using rubric
  • Key date: Wednesday 7/31, 1pm to 6pm EST
  • Location: J. Wayne Reitz Union, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
  • Contact: Courtney Quirie, courtney.quirie@ufl.edu  

Are you a 4-H alumnus or friend of the program as a volunteer, advocate, or a supportive parent or guardian? Subscribe to the Florida 4-H Alumni + Friends Community for news and updates. You can connect with 4-H locally through your Extension County Office. Contact Caylin Hilton at grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu or 352.392.5432 for more information on supporting and getting plugged in with 4-H.

4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university and Cooperative Extension system. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5-18 with the objective of developing young people as individuals and responsible citizens. 4-H empowers youth to be leaders in their communities today, and for the future. In Florida, 4-H is administered by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.

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