Florida 4-H Club Foundation

Did you know in 1981 Florida was the first Sunbelt Ag Expo Spotlight State? Our 4-H teen leaders are enjoying being a part of the 2024 Expo - celebrating agriculture and awardees, meeting countless 4-H members and alumni, connecting with Georgia 4-H friends from across the southeast, and sharing the exciting things happening in 4-H with state and agricultural leaders. From tailgating to tech, 4-H is preparing youth to be #4HBeyondReady for life and career! Amazing the many partners and supporters that make these life-shaping programs possible. ?? Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Florida Farm Bureau Federation | University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | #FloridaExtension #4H | Tractor Supply Company | Publix Super Markets | John Deere | Apple

#FL4Hserves items delivered to Hernando County today to help families recovering from #HurricaneHelene and #HurricaneMilton, and still facing historic river flooding in the days ahead. Items from our Amazon list, Broward, Duval, Marion and St. Lucie Counties were included in this delivery. There are so many families still in need, and counties that were collection points are now in need. ??? Still collecting at advertised county 4-H offices and via our Amazon list: tinyurl.com/4Hserveslist ?? Charitable donations to the 4-H Serves project directly fund grants for members who have had livestock and other 4-H projects destroyed by these disasters. Give online: tinyurl.com/4Hserves ?? Grant application open for impacted members: tinyurl.com/4Hservesapp Our 4-H community continues to be #4HBeyondReady to serve families and our state during this time. Speaking to the local EOC logistics coordinator was eye opening to the long hours, days and weeks those on the frontlines of disaster response and recovery are enduring to serve their communities. We appreciate the countless individuals giving so much to help others ????

Sloane and Knox of St. Lucie County’s S.M.O.R.E. 4-H Club spent Tuesday morning putting their #HandsToLargerService at Jaycee Park helping community members fill sandbags ahead of #HurricaneMilton. #4HBeyondReady to serve! Today St. Lucie experienced a large number of tornadoes ahead of Milton. It’s been a unique #4HWeek for Florida, and we know our members will rise to these challenges and continue to demonstrate their resilience and leadership. Our hearts to go out to all in this storm’s path. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences | St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners | National 4-H Council ?? #4H #CommunityService #FL4HServes #4HServes

Being #4HBeyondReady means being ready to pivot, adapt, and show resilience—qualities that Florida 4-Hers are developing and demonstrating every day. This week, as we celebrate #National4HWeek, we are reminded that these skills are not just words, but actions. While Hurricane Milton may be putting a temporary pause on our festivities, we know that our 4-H community will rise to the challenge. We will take this time to prioritize safety, care for our families, and then come back stronger—ready to serve. Stay safe, everyone, and remember that together, we are truly #BeyondReady. ?? #Florida4H #Resilience #Leadership #Service #FL4HServes

Extension and 4-H connect young people with their world, and the importance of agriculture that sustains and fuels our world. Students in the Florida panhandle are getting an up-close look at #agriculture this week at AgVentures. #4HBeyondReady

"4-H is helping me prepare for the future in so many ways. The focus of my 4-H club is zoology, a field I plan to major in on my way to becoming an ethologist, a scientist who studies animal behavior. 4-H has also helped me develop many essential life skills, including communication, leadership, organization/planning, and public speaking. As well as marketable skills like graphic design and photography. There is truly something for everyone." Katie Ross, 4-H Member, Duval County, Florida #4HBeyondReady #Florida4H National 4-H Council #4HWeek #FindYourSpark #4hgrowshere #natl4hweek #Opportunity4All #FromPassionToPurpose

Happy National 4-H Week! ?? As we celebrate the path we’ve paved and look forward with excitement to the future, we’re proud to introduce our new initiative: Beyond Ready! 4-H’ers are growing into confident leaders, and together, we’re building a ready generation that’s prepared to take on whatever comes next. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4exVrXU #4HBeyondReady #National4HWeek

A little #BehindTheScenes as State 4-H President Sophia Massey works with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences #Communications team on a new #FL4HCamps video! ?? Opportunities like this are wonderful learning experiences for our teens so they are #4HBeyondReady for college and career. National 4-H Council we can’t wait to kick off #4HWeek 2024.

What would you do if you were given a chayote to cook? How about ground lamb? Our Florida 4-H team were given these mystery ingredients items during this weekend's National 4-H Food Challenge Competition at the State Fair of Texas? in Dallas. We are excited to share they achieved third place nationally, the first Florida team to make it to the top 6 and advance to the final round. “Hillsborough Jalape?os” team members Hanna, Halle, Elianys, and Eliana were coached by Michelle Williamson. Programs like this are not only helping youth grow critical life skills, they are also connecting young people to exciting career pathways and opportunities. #4HBeyondReady University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences #Extension #4H #FCS Hillsborough County #4H

“Florida 4-H prepares you to be able to be comfortable in an ever-changing world and how to communicate effectively with your peers and adults. It helps us find solutions to the problems that our communities face.” - Taylor Thigpen, founder of Plantkingusa, former 4-H State President, University of Notre Dame Student #4H is preparing youth as entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, for now and for the future. Empowering youth with the know-how and want-to with skills in public speaking, critical thinking, creativity, collaborative spirit, service mindset and more. Discover how leaders like Taylor, Emily and others are taking these skills to the next level: https://lnkd.in/enGN9eBh #4HBeyondReady | National 4-H Council | University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences | University of Florida | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | #FloridaExtension