By:
Ami Neiberger

Source(s):
Ami Neiberger, Florida 4-H Yout (352) 846-0996 ext. 231
Dale McPherson, Florida 4-H Fou (352) 392-1761

TALLAHASSEE–4-H is taking Tallahassee By storm on March 31, with a resolution in the House of Representatives declaring it 4-H day at the state capitol, followed By a night-time reception and auction to benefit the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program.

A resolution will be passed in the Florida House of Representatives, declaring March 31st 4-H day at the state capitol. Rep. Adam Putnam, a 4-H alumnus from Lakeland, will sponsor the resolution. State 4-H Council Officers and other 4-Hers will be present in the gallery to hear the resolution’s introduction.

A reception and auction for the Florida 4-H Foundation will be hosted by Associated Industries of Florida in the evening. Auction organizers hope to raise more than $10,000 and proceeds will support 4-H program areas where funding has fallen short. There will be a silent and live auction. Autographed sports items, a Sea Doo personal watercraft, hunting trips, tickets for attractions and sporting events, hiking trips, items donated by legislators, and many other items, will be available for attendees to bid on. Proceeds will benefit 4-H youth development programs.

Auction items include treasure recovered By Mel Fisher from the 17th century Spanish galleon the Atocha. Silver bars, a gold bar, silver coins, and two emeralds (4.47 carats, 9.2 carats) will be on display and available for bidding. Proceeds from the Atocha treasure will support citrus research at the University of Florida and 4-H.

Attendees can also pledge to support “camperships,” scholarships for needy children to attend 4-H camp this summer. Full “camperships” cost between $125-150 and half-camperships are also available. The silent auction will end at 7:30pm when the live auction begins.

Organizers hope the event will draw more attention to the Florida 4-H Youth Development program and its broad diversity of programming. Community service, workforce preparation, camping, legislature and leadership programs will be highlighted in displays at the reception. This is the first year for the event.

The Florida 4-H Youth Development Program is part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, and involves more than 330,992 children and young adults in educational “learning By doing” experiences annually. The program is active in every Florida county and five Seminole Tribes reservations in south Florida.

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