In Flagler County, agriculture is very important to our community and the value to a successful partnership between the 4-H and agriculture agents is crucial when educating youth.

Myself along with Dr. Wendy Mussoline, the Flagler County Agriculture Agent have developed so many great programs for youth in our county over the past three years; even through the challenges of COVID we were able to develop another great one!

Wendy and I, along with other agents worked together to create a wonderful cattle program to educate youth on cattle and everything they needed to know to show in local fairs, which included educational components covering marketing, nutrition, implants, genetics and much more!

We were joined by a special guest from the University of Florida, Dr. Todd Thrift who was the main educator for the event.

Dr. Thrift is not only a professor in the animal sciences department at UF, an except in beef cattle management, but also the recipient of UF Superior Accomplishment Award.

You will never meet someone more dedicated to educating youth and taking time to help youth succeed. Dr. Thrift has spent countless hours teaching youth and has even been a judge for many livestock shows around the state.

We were also joined by two 4-H members and their 4-H cattle projects to assist Dr. Thrift in his educational component.

Opportunities such as this allow youth to develop so many great life skills and learn from some of the most respected faculty with the University of Florida.

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a program held by Dr. Thrift, you will not be disappointed.

Contributed by Alisha Hutchinson, UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County 4-H Agent

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution

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