Florida 4-H is pleased to announce longtime Sarasota County 4-H volunteer Barbara Briggs has been selected for induction to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.
Briggs, a retired judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, has been volunteering with Florida 4-H in the county for more than 35 years. Briggs became actively involved with Sarasota 4-H and the Action Clovers club with her own children. Even though her children are grown, she continues to volunteer and has been instrumental in restarting the Sarasota County 4-H club, seeing a new generation of 4-H’ers grow up in Action Clovers 2.0.
“Barbara approaches her volunteerism with a willingness to serve, dedication and kindness to all,” wrote Sarah Davis, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County 4-H youth development agent.
As a lifelong 4-H’er, Briggs has been involved in all aspects — as a youth member, leader, mentor, judge, foundation member and overall volunteer in any role needed. She began her journey with 4-H in Kansas City, Missouri, learning all about cooking and sewing. She graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and had a successful career as a judge for 18 years – but she never forgot her 4-H roots, often teaching youth about parliamentary procedure and public speaking.
She became one of the leaders in the club and was active in the Sarasota County 4-H Foundation for 25 years to support youth attending events and college scholarships for graduating seniors.
Briggs has advocated for her 4-H club in Tallahassee, organizing 4-H Day at the Capitol visits. Her efforts have prepared generations of Sarasota County youth for life beyond 4-H.
“Barbara is an exemplary model to our entire community – not just 4-H – of what it looks like to live a life dedicated to citizenship, leadership and character,” said Ashley Worsham, co-leader of Sarasota County 4-H Action Clovers 2.0. “She was funny and engaging, but it was also evident that she loved the youth and was there to support them, however that may look. She is the very best example of what it means to be a 4-H alumna, 4-H parent and 4-H volunteer.”
Briggs is one of six inductees this year who will be honored at a ceremony on July 31 at the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville.
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.
0
