Volunteers will invest their time and effort only when they see value in your product.
In Liberty County, our volunteers understand the value of UF/IFAS Extension, and the investments they’ve made have rewarded our 4-H youth development program immensely.
Last year, our volunteers (52 adults and 15 youth) contributed 1,039 hours of service, enabling a safe and supportive environment and high‑quality educational programming for Liberty County’s youth. In sweat equity, that comes out to more than $36,000 in labor we get for free, using Florida’s 2025 volunteer rate of $34.88 per hour.
Not only have our volunteers provided hours of leadership to 4-H programs, but last year they also came together to support two major fund-raising events to sustain the program. Community support at these events–a cake auction and a wild game dinner that included speakers like Winston Chester of Panhandle Outdoors–generated $19,905 and $8,140 in in‑kind support, including sustaining equipment, supplies, and events for local youth. Thanks to this support, 4-H youth had the opportunity to represent Liberty County at our nation’s capital during the National 4-H Ignite event.
More importantly, our volunteers involve the youth in these efforts, teaching them the power of supporting causes you believe in. With youth volunteers, this makes an empowering impact that encourages a habit of life-long volunteerism.
A study by Tufts University Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development found that youth who participate in 4-H for at least one year are more likely to grow into more productive citizens as adults. Liberty County’s 4-H youth are showing themselves to be keen students, engaged citizens and future leaders.
Last year, through 92 4-H events, including clubs, school enrichment programs, camps, workshops, and competitions, Liberty County 4‑H reached 1,324 youth, strengthening healthy living, leadership skills, and STEM and Ag literacy across grades K‑12.
Through Florida 4-H, youth gain opportunities to develop their leadership skills by participating in 4-H committees. In 2025, this produced five exceptional youth counselors and 3 beginner youth volunteers. These counselors are learning by doing, promoting positive youth experiences for participants while they are experiencing growth as productive citizens of their 4-H community. These teen counselors embraced their voice to express their choices for the content of each day camp and community service opportunity. They designed and led the Clover Kids Club meetings and have served as mentors during shooting sports club meetings. These youth counselors excelled in their leadership roles, teaching responsibilities, and ownership in their 4-H community.
Liberty County 4-H’ers are strivers and achievers who demonstrate the growth of their skills and their persistence to other youth across Florida. Last year, Liberty County 4-H participants placed at the state level in the Florida 4-H Food Challenge, Recurve and Compound Bow Competitions, and the 4-H Tailgating Contest.
Liberty County volunteers and youth not only see the value in UF/IFAS Extension, they go out every day to demonstrate it.
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