The end of July also signals the end of our traditional programmatic 4-H year. To celebrate a year’s worth of learning, growth, friendship, challenges, and successes we host an annual banquet. This night is special for all of our members, volunteers, friends, and stakeholders. This year’s celebration was hosted, planned, and led by our Teen Leadership Council. We would like to extend another “Congratulations” and “Thank You” to all that could join us! For those who couldn’t make this year’s celebration, here is a brief recap! 

The banquet was emceed by our Teen Leadership Council representatives: Annabelle Akins, Hailey Hansen, Brooklyn Hansford, Wolf Bartchlett.  

We started off by recognizing all of our amazing Club Leaders! We truly cannot run Nassau County 4-H without the support and leadership of our club volunteers. Thank you! 

• Our Club Leader of the Year was Renee Shannon of 4-H Homesteaders. 

• Our 4-H Volunteer of the Year went to a passionate, skilled, and irreplaceable leader for our Youth Emergency Team program, Rachel Roberts!
  

• This year’s Summer Camp Volunteer of the year was awarded to the Wolf Bartchlett for going above and beyond in planning, leading, and evaluating multiple summer day camps this year! 

• The Youth Volunteer of the Year award was given to Hazel Fare for her contributions to all of Nassau County 4-H though a wide variety of programs and opportunities, especially those with our new Livestock Committee.  

• The Outstanding Community Partner was awarded to Nassau County Fire Rescue! 

• The Outstanding Community Sponsor was awarded to Marine Corps League!

• The Northeast Florida Fair is always a cherished and demanding time of the year for our members. We created awards to celebrate the hard work done during our fair. This year we are celebrating our Fair Ambassador of the Year- Seth Bennenate and Fair Volunteer of the Year- Shelly Terrell! 

Two NEW awards were released this year to recognize even more members for their exceptional contributions to our 4-H culture.

• the NEW Youth Leader of the Year award was given to Hailey Hansen for always championing for 4-H, developing her own leadership skills, and helping create leadership opportunities for other members.

• the NEW award, New Member of the Year is given to a member who has been a member for one year or less and has truly embraced all that it means to be a 4-H’er. This year’s New Member of the Year goes to Emme Duncan!

We have six Graduating Seniors who were inducted into alumni status: 

• Raelin Tew
• Lauren Walters
• Garrett Bennett
• Macy Irby
• Baron Burch
• Landon Mixon

We had 15 youth receiving Project and Record Book Awards on subjects including photography, sheep, rabbits, swine, goats, horses, and poultry. 

Recognized our many and awesome 4-H’ers of the Month:  

• September – Brooklyn Hansford
• October – Wolf Bartchlett
• November – Eden Turner
• January- Patience Dowling
• February- Brendan Bell
• March – Lillian Faracca
• April – Jayce Truman
• May- Hazel Fare
• June -Annabelle Akins
• July- Hailey Hansen
• and wrapped up the awards by announcing Hazel Fare as our 4-H’er of the Year! 

Thank you for another incredible year here in Nassau 4-H! Here’s to 2026! 

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