A Perfect 4-H Day for Planting Potatoes

Youth learn all about potatoes as they participate in the TCAA Potato Project.

Mr. Scott Chambers educating youth about farm equipment and safety.
Mr. Scott Chambers educating youth about farm equipment and safety.

As January comes to a close, St. Johns County 4-H is taking a look back at the exciting events that took place. Of these events, the annual Tri-County Agricultural Area Potato Project Planting Day was a popular one!

The TCAA Potato Project has always been a favorite of our 4-H youth. The project is a two-day experience that gives youth hands-on learning opportunities to plant and harvest potatoes, as well as rotate through stations to learn about different potato-related topics.

On January 17th, forty-six youth from the tri-county area traveled to the UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Research Center to learn about the potato industry and plant their potato seeds in preparation for harvest day.

Despite the unusually cold weather, youth showed up excited for the day! The youth were broken up into two groups: spuds and tubers. The two groups then rotated around nine stations taught by extension agents from Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. Each station educated youth about different topics relating to potatoes such as pollination, weather, plant parts and pests.

Ms. Geralyn Sachs teaching the “spuds” about plant parts.

In the container planting station led by Mr. Julio Perez, each youth had the opportunity to mix their own soil and fertilizer to plant their potato seed in. After planting, youth were advised on the optimal care and conditions their plants need to thrive through the upcoming months. After planting, one 4-H’er stated he was so excited to take care of his potato plant that he couldn’t wait to get it home!

The 4-H’ers are looking forward to the spring when they will return to the Center to harvest their potatoes! On harvest day, youth will practice grading and sorting, and experience more potato related topics. A big thank you to the diverse team of extension agents and farm staff that made this fun day a success for our 4-H’ers!

 

 

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Posted: January 31, 2022


Category: 4-H & Youth
Tags: 4-H, 4-H Project, Potato


Comments:

Allie

April 22, 2022

Harvest day is tomorrow, April 23rd at 9am.

Clive Ricketts
April 12, 2022

When is date and time of potatoes harvest? Thanks

Heather
October 29, 2021

Awesome!!!

Prissy Fletcher
Prissy Fletcher

September 13, 2021

Unfortunately our event was postponed until 2021 due to the lack of vendor participation, and overall health concerns for such as large event. Sorry for the sad news! We'll have the hot sauce contest next year for sure.

Carla Cornelius
September 13, 2021

Will there be a hot sauce contest at the festival?

Terra Freeman

June 29, 2020

The program will still take place this year, however, the timeframe to apply for this year's program has passed. Please send me an e-mail next spring to get on next year's e-mail application list. Thanks! terraf@ufl.edu

Marie
June 28, 2020

Im interested. Is the program still open even with the covid situation?

Tim Wilson

January 30, 2020

https://extadmin.ifas.ufl.edu/cflag/ you should be able to find the flyer here sometime this summer. thanks,

Teena Simpson
January 29, 2020

Thank you Tim. Is there somewhere I can get on an email list for information?

Tim Wilson

January 9, 2020

Yes, this class is usually offered in August. I will post information as it becomes available.

Teena Simpson
January 9, 2020

will you be planning another one of these classes ?

Joanne Cooper

August 21, 2019

For further information on herbs, please contact the master gardener desk in St. Johns County at 904-209-0430 x4782.

Dr Fred Powell
August 2, 2019

I am interested in learning to grow medicinal herbs

Valerie
May 9, 2019

What age group is this for? What is the cost of the class? I didn't see the link to sign up for this class.

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