The show livestock industry may have strayed from production values in some ways. Here in Sumter County, we are helping bring youth back to the foundations of animal production. Premier Exhibitor is a long-standing program in Sumter County, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth
While poultry projects can be great projects for first time exhibitors, there is more involved than what meets the eye. There are a few major steps to success in a poultry show. With a little elbow grease and informed decisions, you can be on ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture,
In-person class in Sumter County, Florida: Saturday, January 17, 2025 7620 State Road 471, Bushnell, FL 33513 10:00 am- Learn the basics of poultry showmanship Topics to include: Preparation for showmanship What the judge is ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Livestock,
Happy New Year! Have you started to think about your project or record book and Standards of Excellence application for the year yet? I’m willing to bet that the answer to that question is “no!”. Most of us tend to wait until riiiiight ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, CurriculumIn June of this year, I had the opportunity to attend my very first Florida 4-H Legislature session. Although I grew up as a Florida 4-H’er and heard this event mentioned over the years, I never knew what it was or attended; something I deeply ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & YouthWritten by Dakota Cantrell, Sumter County 4-H Program Assistant Summer is approaching fast, and school will be out soon! Parents, are you looking for summer activities for your youth members? Sumter County 4-H is offering 5 weeks ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Camp
How hard would it be to play a game if no one told you the rules or how to win? How would you feel? How long would it hold your interest? If you kept trying again and again but continued to lose, would you keep playing? Often, youth go into ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Curriculum, Events,
After spending 5 years managing a horse farm in the Texas Panhandle, I have come to greatly appreciate our mild Florida winters! Although it’s pretty unlikely that any of us will be busting ice 3-5 times per day in negative temperatures and ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Curriculum, LivestockIn 4-H, there is a set of benchmarks that assess involvement and achievement of participants and clubs called the Standards of Excellence. Achieving the Standards of Excellence set forth by 4-H sets expectations for all 4-H members and clubs ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Curriculum
Last month, twenty-five Livestock Extension Agents from around Florida attended training so that agents could facilitate these trainings in their own counties. This can translate into more opportunities for adults and students to become Beef ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Livestock