Okeechobee County 4-H Newsletter

April 2004

Dear 4-H Family,

Wow, what a show and what a sale! Our first year in our new facility will be a year to remember. Please be sure to thank the ones that made it happen.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the Okeechobee youth that exhibited projects, participated in judging contests or quiz bowl activities in Okeechobee County and at other fairs and contests. Although animals have been a big focus these past few months, please remember they should not be your only focus. Your animals are the basis for your learning experience. Please don’t let your learning stop now…continue to learn by doing. Complete your record books, work on demonstrations, illustrated talks and speeches. Teach others what you have learned.

 I am proud of our 4-Hers and I want everyone else to be proud of you too. 4-Hers remember people are always watching, listening and judging you. Please do not allow the language you use to cause others to form negative impressions of you. Always choose your actions and words carefully.

There are many exciting opportunities available to you as 4-Hers.  A winning portfolio is one key that will open many doors. Now is the time to begin working on your portfolio. Portfolios are due to me on May 14, for suggestions. They will be mailed to Gainesville on May 28.

A reminder to all youth that sold animals at the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Sale, Thank You Letters must be in the Extension Office in a stamped, unsealed (but addressed) envelope by 5:00pm on April 12th. I hope you all are grateful for the prices you received. Anything over market price ($.45/ pound for pigs, $.70/ pound for steers) is an investment in your future and I hope your recognize it as the gift it is. Okeechobee is good to its youth.

I will see you at County Events on April 3, 2004 . If I can be of any help, call the Extension Office at 763-6469.

Sincerely,

Debbie S. Clements

EAIII 4-H/FCS

DSC/jej

   

Heels Down

By: Katie Wallace


Heels Down’s trail ride was held on February 28th at the Kissimmee State Preserve. We had a nice turnout, and it was a lot of fun. We rode for two hours then we had a picnic at the campgrounds.  

Important dates to remember!

County Events : April 3rd @ 1:00pm

District Events:  May 1st. @ 10:00am

Area E Horse Show: April 17 and 18

Record Books are due May 24th by 5:00pm at the Extension Office.

Good Luck to everyone participating in Districts (Area E). 

Our next meeting will be held on May 6th at the Extension Office at 6:30pm . Hope to see you there!

County Council

By: Austin Pluskot

At our March County Council meeting we had a demonstration workshop. Mrs. Pat McCoy, the leader of the Places To Go 4-H club, talked about the do’s and don’ts of preparing and giving demonstrations.

Our club will be hiding Easter eggs at Ace Pre-K on April 17th.  We will be in contact to let you know what time.

We are proud to say that the County Council/Jr Leaders were able to raise $1132.57 for the Relay for Life event for the American Cancer Society. 

Our next meeting will be April 19th at 7:00pm at the Extension Office.

Bits and Spurs

By: Maci Culligan

Our club took a field trip to “Big Lake Cutting Horses”, the members observed different breeds of cutting horses and watched a demonstration for our March meeting.

Our next meeting will be held on April 6th at 6:30pm at the Extension Office. We will be discussing our record books and also we will be planning our saddle cleaning fundraiser which will be April 24th at the Old Ag Barn.

Dates to Remember

April 6- meeting

April 10-Rodeo Arena 10am

April 24 – Saddle Cleaning @ Ag Barn

Chobee Cattle Kids

By: Marcia Candler

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show. You all represented our club very well. I am proud of each of you and you should be proud of yourselves. Our club members received some of the top awards. Steer Herdsman award went to Maci Culligan and Beef Breeding Herdsman went to Kaley Dees. Congratulations to these two hardworking individuals.

Other awards included:

Champion Brahman Female-

Nathan Candler 

Champion Limousin Female-

Nathan Candler

Reserved Champion Crossbred Female- Maci Culligan

Champion Overall Female-

Nathan Candler

Bred By Owner Champion-

Maci Culligan

Remember, if you sold an animal in the sale, your thank you letter must be turned into the Extension Office by 5:00pm Monday, April 12th. In an addressed, stamped, unsealed envelope.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 14th at 6:00pm at the Extension Office. Hope to see you there!

Steaks and Chops

By: Samantha McKenna

This month Steaks and Chops members have been very busy with show preparations and fundraisers. At our last meeting we discussed the new rules for OYLS and we received our new show shirts. On March 13th we had a fundraiser at the Speckled Perch Festival. We made a wonderful profit taking Polaroid pictures of children on horseback. We would like to thank the Tomlinson Family for making this Fundraiser a success. It is because of your hard work that our club will benefit, Thank you!

The Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show was very successful. Everyone did an excellent job with their projects! Don’t forget to get your thank you letters to the Extension Office. The deadline is April 12th by 5:00pm .

Our next meeting will be April 12 at 7:00pm at the YMS media center. We will discuss record books and the end of the year party.  Don’t forget to bring your show shirts and exhibitor signs. See ya there!!   

Bacon Bunch

By: Jared Prescott

We discussed the rules for OYLS at our last meeting. The show was excellent!! The new facility was awesome and we had a great turn out of buyers! Congratulations to all class winners. Class winners from the Bacon Bunch were:

Class 1- Shyanne Prescott

Class 3- Paige Rivero

Class 4- Mitch Platt

Class 6- Shiloh Anuez

Class 7- Carlie Lanier

Class 8- Blake Marsocci

Class 9- Jared Prescott

Class 10- Amanda Goggans

Class 11- Randi Barnes

Bacon Bunch You Go!!

  Congratulations to the reserve grand champion swine exhibitor Shiloh Anuez, swine showmanship winners Shiloh Anuez and Rebecca Barnes and the Herdsman award winner Cory York. Congratulations to Ashley Goggans for raising the grand champion steer, Nikki Stratton, grand champion rabbit, Todd Lanning, grand champion rooster and Amanda Harrison for rabbit showmanship.  

The next Bacon Bunch meeting will be Tuesday, April 6th at 6:30pm at OMS. See you there!

Barnyard Buddies

By: Janet McKenna

The Barnyard Buddies held their March meeting in the park during the Speckled Perch Festival. The club members brought their animals and had a wonderful show. Mr. Mills judged everyone’s project and fun was had by all. We also had a ring toss game where the contestants could win prizes, or even a rabbit. It was a wonderful club show!  

The Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show was last week and the Barnyard Buddies were well represented. A big “WELL DONE” to all the exhibitors and a big thank you to all the parents who assisted!

The April meeting will be Saturday, April 10th at Okee-Tantie Marina from 10am until noon . We will meet at the playground by the bathrooms. A business meeting will be held to discuss the plans for our end of the year party. We will also pass out pictures from the festival and Livestock Show. After the business meeting we will pick up trash in honor of Earth Day, play on the playground and have a picnic. Hope to see you all there!

Sharp Shooters

By: Kolby Trimnal

Hello Shooters!

The Sharp Shooters 4-H club had a very busy month of March. We held our club meeting on the 11th, sold drawing tickets for a rifle at the Speckled Perch Festival on the 13th and 14th and we had a shoot and Easter BBQ at Larson Dairy on March 22nd.  We have a trap shoot at 9:00am at Hazellief Range on April 12 and our next meeting is on April 8th at Mr. Sellers’ Home. Hope to see you all there!  

Remember, Hunter Safety Course is in May.

4-H Shooting Sports  

Beef ‘N’ Bacon Raisers

By: Lee Ann White

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show. Al l of the Beef ‘N’ Bacon Raisers members’ did great!!  

Our next meeting time (party) will be announced at a later date. I will be in contact with each of you. The following dates are  important to remember.

Thank you letters are due by April 12th by 5:00pm to the Extension Office.

Record Books are due May 24th by 5:00pm to the Extension Office.

Buyers Plaque/Desert Social is Friday, May 21st at 7:00pm in the OHS cafeteria.  

ATTENTION

easter16Some lost and found items have been turned in from the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show. If you feel one of these items might be yours, call the Extension Office and identify it.

763-6469

Udder Bunch

By: Kelly Buchanan

Okay, show season is over and I hope everyone had as good of a time as I did! The new Ag facility worked out great. Now that shows are over, it’s time to drag out the record book and complete as much as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute and try to finish it up!

Just a reminder, buyer’s thank you letters are due to the Extension Office Monday, April 12th by 5:00pm . Don’t be late!

The Udder Bunch will be having a meeting on Monday, April 12th at 7:00pm to discuss show expenses and South Florida Fair premiums. Everyone will want to be in attendance.

Keep your eye on the calendar for upcoming events. 

 

Places To Go

By: Pat McCoy

Free camping clip art

Our next club meeting will be April 27th at 6:30pm at the Extension Office. We will be discussing our yearly camping trip. Hope to see everyone there!

The Wild Bunch

Camera Club  

No News Submitted

 

Bits & Spurs 4-H Club

    

2nd Annual

Saddle Cleaning

& Oiling Fundraiser

$20.00 per saddle

Bridle price available upon arrival  

April 24th

  9:00am-2:00pm

Old Ag Barn Hwy 441 Across from the High School

Thank You

to all 4-Hers,

parents and volunteers who helped make the OYLS 4-H concession stand a success! There was a lot of hard work donated by many!

 

Reminder!!!

YOUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO PAY YOUR CREDITORS

Now that the Fair Season is over it is time to remember all those that have helped us along the way. In addition to thanking your parents and family for their support we also need to remember those that have extended us credit by allowing us to purchase feed and other items for our animals and pay them later. By extending you credit these people have actually lent you the money to buy the products that you needed. Now is the time to pay them back in full and also to remember to say thank you to them for their generosity.

 

Record Books are due Monday, May 24, 2004 ** Notice date Change

By 5:00pm to the Extension Office

Don’t be Late!

Attention Senior 4-Hers

13 to 18 years old by September 1, 2003

You are Cordially Invited

Where:  The Okeechobee County  Extension Office

When:              April 27, 2004 at 6:00pm

      Topics of this meeting include:

                     -Congress

                     -Legislature

                     -Portfolios

                     -Scholarships

                     -and more

If you would like more information but will be unable to attend, please contact Mrs. Debbie at 763-6469.

Thank You

The family of Randy Goggans would like to send a special thanks to all our 4-H family and friends for your support during our time of great loss, whether it was through a card, flowers, or thoughts and prayers, your kindness will be with us forever.

                                           Sincerely,

                        Pam, Ashley and Amanda Goggans

 

The love and generosity you give

When times are tough,

Can soften any situation

No matter how rough.

 

Though the pain we feel

You can’t take away,

We do find some comfort

In the words you say.

 

To know there are friends

Like you around,

Helps to put us back

On solid ground.

 

What we would have done without you

I’m glad you have not let us know,

And how much we love you for it

It’s just too much to show.

 

                        By: Ashley Goggans

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at (863) 763-6469.

Debbie Clements, Extension 4-H Agent      

 Jackie Joyce, 4-H Program Assistant

The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS /University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Interim Dean. Last updated: 04/15/2004   Comments of Questions-  contact the webmaster.  Hit Counter