THANK YOU JACKSON COUNTY!
In September 2013, the 4-H enrollment in Jackson County stood at 91. As of today, August 17, 2015 the enrollment has grown to 209.
This kind of growth does not come easily! It takes hours of hard work, commitment, support and dedication on the part of your 4-H Agent, Extension staff, your community and most of all, your volunteers!
The Jackson County 4-H Youth Development Program has expanded to offer clubs that specialize in large and small animal science, including market beef and breeding beef, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits, and horses. The program now includes archery, junk drawer robotics, underwater robotics, as well as community and school based clubs. Through grants and partnerships we have expanded the Ag Adventures program and added Ag Literacy day, 4-H Embryology and the National Youth Science Day Event, to our classroom offerings. We now have an active County Youth Council and recently had two of those members attend 4-H University. We have initiated a Record Book program which encourages and aids youth in the development of their personal portfolios. Our Youth Poultry Education Program, is designed to capture the attention of younger youth and engage them in 4-H and includes a beginning Cloverbud series in poultry science, Embryology, and poultry judging. Introduction of the program has increased exposure of youth to 4-H, and has led to increased enrollment in 4-H and participation on the Jackson County 4-H Poultry Judging Team. The many hours of hard work and practice both on the part of dedicated volunteers and the youth, resulted in Jackson County 4-H youth participating in events and activities that Jackson County had been absent from for many years. Events include sending teams to State level competitions in Livestock, Meats and Poultry Judging and having youth attend the State 4-H Horse Show, with youth qualifying to go on to National and Regional competitions.
This 4-H year brought about two “firsts” for Jackson County 4-H as well. For the first time, we had a representative in the State Marine Ecology Event. Also, Jackson County 4-H along with six other Florida counties has partnered with Alabama 4-H to introduce the “4-H Chick Chain Project” in Florida.
The support from the community, educators, businesses, volunteers and parents has played a major role in the rebuilding of the Jackson County 4-H Youth Development Program. A program which stands ready to provide opportunities for the youth of Jackson County to grow and develop into future leaders equipped with the life skills necessary to lead us into tomorrow. Truly, the best is yet to come!
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