Source(s):
Marilyn Norman mnnorman@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, 352-846-0996 ext. 225
Lynne Middleton CMiddleton@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, 386-329-0318
Lauralee Baugh baugh@purdue.edu, 765-653-8411
Kristin Guira KMGuira@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, 352-846-0996 ext. 237
PALATKA, Fla.—The county names may be the same, but the 4-H’ers are different.
In a new exchange program, four youth from Putnam County, Fla., and four from Putnam County, Ind., are comparing notes on how their 4-H programs and counties differ.
“When 4-H Junior Leaders in Putnam County, Ind., wanted to compare their county program with those in other counties across the United States, they contacted us,” said Marilyn Norman, assistant dean for 4-H programs at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
“They wanted to see how their programs were similar and how they were different,” she said. “Just reading about it wasn’t enough, so they decided to travel and see for themselves how other counties compared to their own.”
The Indiana group narrowed their search to the eight other Putnam counties in the U.S., looking for counties that were agriculturally based so there would be a common ground. Their own county produces corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle.
“When we did our research, we found some interesting ties,” said Indiana 4-H extension educator Lauralee Baugh.
Of the nine Putnam counties, eight, including Indiana’s, were named for General Israel Putnam, a hero of the Revolutionary War. Florida’s Putnam County was named for Major Benjamin Putnam, who served in the Second Seminole War.
“Putnam County, Florida won the nod because of our strong support for 4-H, our agricultural diversity and our close ties with agricultural research being done at the UF,” said Lynne Middleton, Putnam County extension agent in East Palatka.
Four 4-H members were selected from each state, and the exchange program began last spring.
In May, Indiana 4-H members Hannah Aker, Trey Marcum, Kristi Sheldon and Jordan Zaring, accompanied by Baugh and her husband, arrived in Florida for their weeklong study in lifestyle and agricultural diversity. They toured the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse and tubed down the Ichnetucknee River.
“One of the highlights of the exchange experience was our visit to the University of Florida campus,” said Baugh. “This included an introduction to the entomology and nematology department, veterinary school, meats laboratory, environmental horticulture department and the horse training unit. Our county fair and horse folks would love to have a covered show arena like the UF has so we could host year-round events like 4-H judging contests, training seminars and breed shows.”
Other days were spent on vineyard tours and visiting farms that grow cabbage, corn, potatoes and sod. Along the way, the youth learned about the advantages and disadvantages of farming in northeast Florida.
Local hosts were 4-H members Deanna Bridges, Austin Jackson, Brandi Traxler and Ashley Winkleman and their families. In June 2004, the Florida 4-H members will travel to Indiana and learn about agriculture and living in that county.
“The kids concluded that they were very different from each other, with our kids rating the Indiana group as conservative dressers,” Middleton said. “Our 4-H participants were surprised that the Indiana youth did not use ‘yes ma’am or no sir’ in speaking to adults, but we attributed that to southern versus northern culture.”
Middleton said the 4-H participants enjoyed the week-long visit so much that they don’t want to wait until next summer to get together again. They’re planning a mid-year trip in December. The five-day reuinion will be in Nashville, Tenn., where they plan to visit 4-H’ers who live in Putnam County, Tenn., east of Nashville.
In Florida, 4-H is the Youth Development Program of the University of Florida IFAS/Extension Service. All programs are open to all persons regardless of race, color, age, sex, handicap or national origin. For more information about Florida 4-H, visit www.florida4h.org.
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