Welcome to the virtual newsletter for Lee County 4-H! We hope that you find the Clover Corner to be a central location to find beneficial monthly updates on what is going on in the 4-H Program. To find old Clover Corners, visit the Clover Corner Newsletter tab on the website. – Ms. Arielle
4-H at Home: Hands-on Activities for Kids
“The hands-on educational resources 4-H is known for are now available at home! Whether you’re a 4-H member, a virtual learner, a homeschooler or just looking for some quick and fun activities to take your interests to the next level, 4-H at Home has something for everyone. Explore the resources by visiting the 4-H at Home tab on the 4-H.org website.”
These are a great way to dive further into your 4-H project or explore something new!
For example, love gardening? Check out this Gardening from Home series or this Food Systems for Thought, and Change series! There is something for everyone with resources covering STEM, Citizenship and Leadership, and Healthy Living.
We challenge you to find one 4-H at Home that relates to your 4-H project and give it a try!
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for Community Service opportunities? Check out these options below! Please note some are open for clubs as a whole to sign up, if this is the case, please contact your leader if you are interested.
North Fort Myers Parks and Rec Center:
“We set our dates for our upcoming events and wanted to send an ‘official’ request for event volunteers from 4-H. If you need more information about the event, I listed the staff contact below as well. Thanks for helping us out!”
- Spring Fest (Stafford Milligan & Mike Rosario) – March 26, 2022
- 8-10 volunteers
- Senior Prom (Jessy Zukaitis & Stafford Milligan) – March 31, 2022
- 2-4 volunteers
To volunteer, please reach out to Stafford Milligan at SMilligan@leegov.com or Mike Rosario at MRosario2@leegov.com.”
Boots and Bandits “Hunger Can Kick The Can” Soup Drive
Estero Parks and Rec Center’s Easter Eggstravaganza
“We’re in need of volunteers for our event as well as donations of non-chocolate candy and Easter-related trinkets. The event is geared towards ages 0-12 years old. If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please reach out the Estero Recreation Center at 239-533-1470. ”
Livestock Record Books
Updated change! 4-H Livestock Record Books will now be completed and turned in separately from the Fair at the request of the SWFL & Lee County Fair Association. What does this mean for you?
- We are still using the same record books this year, you can find them here.
- Did you know there is a help guide? Follow the guide to help you achieve a blue ribbon!
- There will no longer be Fair Premiums, however ribbons will still be in place and we are working on a Blue Ribbon Club Award. (More details on Blue Ribbon Club coming soon!)
- We will have a record book check in January/February (think of this as a mid-point check). This check will consist of making sure youth have made significant progress in their books and story. Books should be up to date as of January, and Stories should be no less than half complete.
- Record books will be due in completion on or before June 1, 2022 by 4:30 pm to the 4-H office. Each species shown should have a record book, but youth do not need to do more than one record book per animal in the same species.
- Example: Youth A shows a market steer, rabbits, and poultry. In this case, Youth A would complete a market steer record book, a small animal book for rabbits, and a small animal book for poultry. Youth B shows 2 rabbits. In this case, Youth B will only need to complete one small animal record book for the 2 rabbits.
- If a youth is showing a market animal, they will need to show sale price and the end of their project in their record book. If a youth is showing an animal that is staying in their flock/herd, they will need to show all expenses through June 1st as this is a year long project that doesn’t end after Fair/Livestock Shows.
- Failure to complete and turn in a Livestock Record Book will result in a strike against member in good standing. A youth who fails to become a member in good standing, will either go on probation and will have meeting dates set up to work on record books at the 4-H office, or will be asked to take a break the following year from 4-H.
- Please note that if you are going for end of the year awards, these books will count if full completed, and the additional materials for end of the year awards are added.
Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks
As spring approaches, we are all working on getting our club level demonstrations or illustrated talks completed. But these visual presentations don’t have to be scary! Think about what projects or subjects you are most passionate about, or what you might be interested in sharing with others.
A visual presentation is a teaching method in which the presenter shares information with an audience with the assistance of visual aids such as posters, models, and computer presentation software (i.e., PowerPoint or Prezi). A visual presentation can be either (1) a demonstration in which the presenter shows how to do something or (2) an illustrated talk that is accompanied by visual aids to help the audience understand the topic.
A 4-H visual presentation teaches you to express yourself clearly, research a subject, organize ideas in logical order, and develop poise in speaking before a group. It can also help instill independence and mastery in a specific subject.
Some quick tips to remember:
- No living specimens may be used for a demonstration either in person or on video at the District or
State Level. This includes all vertebrates and invertebrates (i.e. insects, crustaceans, fish,
amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals).
• Demonstrations/ Illustrated talks must be between 3-12 minutes for juniors and intermediates, and
5-12 minutes for seniors.
• A team demonstration is one in which two team members participate both in speaking and
presentation. No more than two members per team.
• State entries must have competed at the county/district levels. Participation guidelines for
county/district level activities that do not culminate at the state level are at the discretion of
planning committees at the county/district
For more information and help on visual presentations, click here.
To read more about categories and divisions for Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks as well as guidelines, click here.
Oh, and don’t forget to have fun!
Workshops & Events
Looking for something fun to do? Check out these great opportunities that are open to you!
Summer Camp with Florida 4-H Camping!
Have youth ages 8-12 who love camping? Check out the available summer camps through Camp Cloverleaf and Camp Timpoochee! Our two state 4-H Camps are offering new and exciting weeks for our youth to attend in both a day camp and overnight format.
Q&A about Camping changes:
- Q: Who can camp?
- A: Camp is open to both 4-Hers and open enrollment youth, ages 8-12 as of September 1st, 2021 with the exception of Dairy Camp and Teen W.O.L.F. Camp.
- Q: Can we attend any week?
- A: Yes, With the new county system and camping options, you can select what works best for your youths schedules and interests! Youth are also invited to attend Camp Timpoochee Camps in Niceville, FL.
- Q: Do we camp as a county still?
- A: While we are no longer county cluster camping, or going only one week together as a county, we encourage families and clubs to work together to coordinate youth attending camps throughout the whole summer! A bonus
- Q: When and how can we register our youth?
- A: REGISTRATION OPENS FEB. 1, 2022 Early Bird Discount! Register by March 15th for $25 off per week!
Visit https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/camps/ to learn more about camp and to register. Scholarships are available through this
website as well, so please apply!
- A: REGISTRATION OPENS FEB. 1, 2022 Early Bird Discount! Register by March 15th for $25 off per week!
- Q: Is the County still providing transportation?
- A: No, at this time the County program is not providing transportation to and from camp. Day campers or overnight campers will be responsible for getting to and from Camp!
- Q: Are there C.I.T.’s/Counselors still?
- A: No, the Florida 4-H Camping system is now utilizing Camping Staff to fulfill all needs at camp. For summer 2022, all 4-H camp staff will be required to be 18 years of age by May 15th, 2022. This will allow any current, senior 4-H members to apply for employment if they are 18 by May 15th. We hope to have past 4-H campers apply, so please help us spread the word that we’re looking for great camp staff! All of the summer camp staff positions are currently open for applications. There are four different types of camp staff: coordinators, camp health director, specialists, and cabin leaders, which is why there will be four different job postings for each camp. Here is a link that will bring up all the open summer camp jobs, so please help us recruit some great camp staff: Summer Camp Jobs
UF Hog and Ham Program
https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/youth/livestock/hog-and-ham/
Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 16, 2022 on 4-H Online for Prospective Youth.
Prerequisite Workshop: February 21, 2022 – Virtual
Harvesting Week: August 9-11, 2022
Tuesday-Thursday
UF Meats Processing Center, Gainesville
The Florida 4-H Hog and Ham Program is a statewide 4-H program which takes the participant through the total process of pork production from beginning to end. Youth select a feeder pig and grow it to harvesting weight, all the while keeping records on feed amounts and costs, health care, expenses, weights, etc. After harvesting the hog and processing it into wholesale or retail cuts, 4-H’ers cure the hams and prepare bacon and sausage for smoking. The project concludes by participating in a retail comparison project, completing a record book, and presenting a demonstration or illustrated talk to the other participants.
Enrollment in Hog & Ham is limited to a maximum of 30 4-H members. The number of youth per county will be determined by the number of counties participating. Participation is open to youth (12 and older as of 9-1-22), parents, leaders, and agents. Please note that attending the workshop does not commit a youth to participating in Hog & Ham. But a youth must have attended the Workshop to apply for the program.To view more information on Hog and Ham and access required forms and resources, click here.
2022 Hog and Ham Information email from Dr. Carr
The registration link for the 2022 Hog and Ham program is open in 4-H online. Please share this with your interested members. This is a really popular program and space is limited (30 participants, max) so please make sure your youth are aware of the opportunity. There are no deadline extensions.
The Hog and Ham website with Animal Sciences is being updated right now. There is some old information on the site. Please use the information listed below for your schedule. We have highlighted in RED critical dates.
**Important** If a member is participating in the Champion of Champions event and dinner, they just need to e-mail Dr. Carr and we will make sure they get a recording of the Orientation. They will still need to submit the Review test on time, but they can watch the orientation in the recording.
• Youth members need to register in 4-H online. Please DO NOT register on the Animal Sciences page in the Canvas link. If you know members who may have registered through Canvas, we apologize but please ask them to use 4-H online.
• County 4-H Agent will approve member participation in the Hog and Ham Program in 4-H Online. Members will receive an e-mail that their 4-H agent has approved your application in 4-H online.
Dates:
• Youth should register by Wednesday, February 16. They are required to attend an informational session on Monday, February 21 at 6:00pm on Zoom. (Link will be sent to interested participants by Sunday, February 20, 2022)
• February 21- 6-8 pm online orientation on Zoom
• Students are required to complete the online quiz by Friday, February 25th
• Quiz will be e-mailed to them following orientation
• By Friday, March 11th – Agents notified as to participants selected.
• April 30 – UF Pig Selection Day
• May 24 – $70.00 registration fee made to Florida 4-H Foundation due to Chad Carr, 2250 Shealy Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608
o This will be mailed in and not online.
• May 3-August 8 – Feeding period; complete Retail Audit and Record Book
• August 9, Tuesday – Deliver hogs to UF Meat Lab and harvest hogs.
• August 10, Wednesday – Process carcasses at UF, distant counties.
• August 11, Thursday – Process carcasses at UF, nearby counties.
• By Monday, August 22 @ 5 pm- all project books, foodservice and retail audits should be blessed by county 4-H faculty and emailed to chadcarr@ufl.edu
• August 27- Demonstration Day at University of Florida; awards presentation. Pick up cured hams, bellies, and smoked sausage links.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Dr. Chad Carr at chadcarr@ufl.edu.
Gator Pit is back!
This entrepreneurship program is open to youth, ages 14-18 throughout the State of Florida and done entirely VIRTUALLY! For more information check out the website (https://thegatorpit.com/) or contact Vanessa Spero, RSA, Vspero@ufl.edu
Important information:
Registration opens: Feb 10-March 2 through 4-H online
Sessions start March 2-April 27, 7-8pm
Additional sessions:
Pitch, Application: May 4, 7-8pm
Collaboration with other youth in entrepreneurship programs: May 10, 4-5pm
Pitch contest: May 16-June 1
Registration/application for Gator Pit Pitch contest will be additional and through Google platform
Awards: June 15, 6-8pm
March 4-Health Virtual 5K:
Our 4th annual event. We are so excited for it’s popularity and to continue this program. If you have a group that wants to participate and cannot afford the registration fee and they would like a medal, please reach out to Vanessa Spero, Vspero@ufl.edu. Please see the attached flier (that you can add any information to if you would like). This information will also be going out to 4-H families. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-4-h-march-for-health-virtual-5k-tickets-227729303477
4-H Nature Poetry Contest
Outside your door, the wind, the birds, the little bee
all create a harmony
Legato of the leaves, as they rustle high in trees
Vibrato of a hummingbird is carried on the breeze
The whisper of the wind, howling through the grass
The sound of little caterpillars, munching sassafras
–Skye, 2021 1st Place Intermediate, Duval County
Poetry is an opportunity to share what you observe, contemplate, or laugh about! Encourage your 4-H youth to use their creativity and powers of observation to write and submit a poem to the Florida 4-H Nature Poetry Contest! Not all poems have to rhyme; they can be written in a variety of formats.
Visit https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-4-h-forest-ecology/nature-poetry-contest/ for more information and to download the contest entry form. Once the form is completed, return by mail to the address given. There is a limit of one entry per person. Up to 20 poems (from poets of any age) may be submitted from each county. The FAMU coordinator may submit an additional 20 poems for FAMU 4-H’ers in each county.
Each poem must be submitted on the submission form and postmarked by March 1, 2022. Winners will be recognized on April 9, 2022, 2:00-2:30 p.m. during the 4-H Forest Ecology Contest awards ceremony at the Austin Cary Forest’s Roland T. Stern Learning Center.
Questions? Contact Jessica Ireland at jjtireland@ufl.edu
Calendar of Events:
Please note that while we are trying to stay as consistent as possible in scheduling, events are subject to change if there is just cause. The dates below are for County, District, and State Events.
- County Events: April 2, 2022 at NFM Park
- District Events: April 23, 2022 at NFM Park
- Leanne Yancey Fishing Tournament: April 30, 2022
- Record Books/End of the Year Awards due: June 1, 2022 by 4:30 p.m.
- Intermediate State: June 10-12, 2022 at UF
- 4-H Legislature: June 20-24, 2022 at Tallahassee, FL
- 4-H University: July 25-28, 2022 at UF
- 4-H SRTLC (Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference): September 22-25, 2022 at the CLyde M. York Center in Crossville, TN.
More dates to come!
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