2023 – Central District All Faculty Symposium – 4-H Youth Development

A. Prevatt, UF/IFAS Extension, St. Johns County, Saint Augustine, FL.

Situation: Today, the knowledge youth have about where their food comes from is becoming increasingly limited. This lack of knowledge can be partially blamed on the increase in population and the move from rural communities to urban communities (Reidel, Wilson, Flowers, & Moore, 2007). According to the U.S. Census, 76% of St. Johns County’s population is considered urban. This has posed an increasing divide between youth and their knowledge of agricultural topics. A 4-H summer day camp was held to increase youth awareness of the importance of pollinators and the role they play in food production. Methods: Cloverbud youth (ages 5-7 years old) participated in the Bugs and Blooms summer day camp where they learned a variety of topics relating to plant science including pollination, plant parts, insect identification, and flowers. Emphasis was placed on the importance of pollinators and the role they play in producing the food that is bought in the grocery store. Campers acted out pollination techniques, examined different plants, and learned how to identify beneficial insects. Campers ended the day with hands-on experiences releasing lady bugs into the gardens and demonstrating pollinator characteristics and techniques to their families. Results: Of the fourteen campers who participated, 100% (14) were able to identify at least three common pollinators, 92% (13) were able to report three benefits of pollinators, 92% (13) reported they had a better understanding of the role pollinators play in producing food, and 100% (14) shared their knowledge of pollinators with a family member in a post-camp demonstration. Conclusion: Teaching young people about pollinators is essential for them to develop an understanding and appreciation of the relationship between agriculture, pollinators, and the food we eat.

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