The District VIII Citrus Project youth are gearing up for their final event of the 2022/2023 project year!
On Saturday, April 22nd, 4-H youth from Orange, Lake, Volusia, and Seminole counties will travel to Sunsational Farms in Umatilla to show off their citrus knowledge and skills. Youth have been caring for their trees since May of last year and will have the chance to have their hard work both judged and awarded. This included making sure their trees were properly protected from the cold weather. Those youth who receive blue ribbons for their trees will then have the opportunity to auction them off! Project participants were also required to contact potential buyers to invite them to the auction. Members of the public looking to purchase trees are welcome to join.
The tentative schedule for the day is:
10:00-10:30 Check-in and drop off tree for pre-judging
10:30-11:00 Pre-judging takes place
11:00-12:30 Knowledge and ID test open (lunch on your own – there will be a food truck on site with burgers, sandwiches, etc., and drinks for purchase.)
12:30 Awards Presentations
1:00-2:00 Blue Ribbon Tree Show and Auction
Citrus project participants have not only been caring for their trees, but also attending field trips and workshops, and keeping a record book. In fact, project participants must have turned in a record book to show their trees. To showcase the knowledge they have gained within the last year, youth can also participate in the knowledge and ID test. This will test what they have learned through “Citrus 101” and “Caring for Your Tree” as well as additional topics provided by Lake County Commercial Crop Production & Food Systems Agent Brandon White, and special guests from the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center.
We have had a blast this year attending two exciting field trips! The first was to the packing house at the UF/IFAS Citrus and Research Education Center. The second was at Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery. Citrus project participants could also take self-guided tours from a list of suggested citrus facilities. Project participants not only learned about the ins and outs of citrus growing facilities but also about a wide variety of potential careers in the industry.
(District VIII Citrus Project Participants at the UF/IFAS CREC Packing House)
(District VIII Citrus Project Participants at Brite Leaf Nursery)
We are looking forward to distributing trees for our participants for the 2023/2024 citrus project year on District Events Day at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County on May 13th. All trees for this next project year have been claimed, but if you are interested in joining for the 2024/2025 project year please reach out to your local county 4-H Agent!
We can’t wait to celebrate the hard work of our district VIII citrus project youth, and look forward to seeing everyone at Sunsational Farms on April 22nd!
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