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Group Picture of 4-H Members

4-H Members

The Florida 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach and caring adults to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens. To achieve this mission, 4-H accesses the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and a nationwide network of Cooperative Extension Service faculty and staff. 

Click Here to Learn More About 4-H: Youth - Florida 4-H - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)

Eligibility for enrolled 4-H members is determined by the youth's age as of September 1st of the current 4-H program year, which runs September 1st through August 31st.

Age classifications for 4-H club members are:

Cloverbud: ages 5-7 

Junior: ages 8-10

Intermediate: ages 11-13

Senior: ages 14-18

 

 

CONTACT

Dallas Meringolo County Extension Director; 4-H Agent (352) 343-4101 Ext. 1895 hendersond@ufl.edu

Address 1951 Woodlea Rd Tavares, FL 32778

Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

  • Steps to Join
    1. Call the 4-H Office for more information on our available clubs
    2. Choose a 4-H club
    3. Contact the 4-H club leader to determine if that club is a good fit for your family
    4. Enroll in 4-H Online: https://v2.4honline.com/
  • Lake County 4-H Clubs
    Club Name Club Type City
    Absolute Accuracy Archery Eustis
    Altoona Eagles After School Altoona
    4-H Ambassadors Leadership Tavares
    Backwoods General Altoona
    Bay Lake Beef and Swine Livestock Groveland
    Bits of Lake County Horse Eustis
    Cassia Cowpokes General  Eustis
    Click & Can Canning Virtual
    Country by Heart General  Umatilla
    Culinary Crew Cooking Tavares
    Dapples & Apples Horse Sorrento
    Discovery Gardens Gardening Tavares
    District VIII Citrus Citrus Virtual
    Fantastic 4 Leaf Growers Horticulture Eustis
    Forest Edge Livestock Paisley
    G.R.I.T.S. General/Horse Mt. Dora
    Goat Busters General/Goats Eustis
    Gracious Hearts 4-H Livestock  Umatilla
    Lake County Explorers General Lady Lake
    Lake County Jr. Cattlemens Livestock Tavares
    Leaping Lopers of Lake County Horse Clermont
    Okahumpka 4-H Livestock Leesburg
    Raise Em' Up  General Leesburg
    SCCS Ag-STREAM In School Paisley
    Sew What Sewing Tavares
    South Lake General  Groveland
    Southern Stars Horse Eustis
    Southern Traditions Horse Leesburg
    Southside and Friends General  Umatilla
    Umatilla Elementary In School Umatilla
    Wild Roots Livestock Paisley

     

  • 4-H Projects

    What is a 4-H Project?

    4-H members can choose from various projects focusing on science, engineering, and technology, animals and agriculture, food & nutrition, outdoor adventures, marine science, public speaking, art, and wildlife. 4-H learning is experiential- where youth learn life skills and use their skills to give back to their communities. 

     

    Find the Perfect Project

    A list of approved Projects and curriculum for Florida 4-H members can be found here: Florida 4-H Curriculum Clearinghouse

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Where do I get information for 4-H events in Lake County?

    Families can find events through 4-H Online, the Lake County 4-H Facebook page, club leaders, and the FYI. The FYI is a schedule of upcoming events.  

    What is 4-H Online? 

    4-H Online is a fully integrated management system that brings together all levels of the 4-H experience. 4-H Online is a website where parents register their child(ren) in 4-H and can register them for 4-H county, district, state, regional, and national levels of 4-H events. 

    Who can join?

    4-H is for youth ages 5-18. The age breakdown for 4-H is as follows:

    Cloverbuds - ages 5-7

    Junior - ages 8-10

    Intermediate - ages 11-13

    Senior - ages 14-18

    What is my 4-H age?

    Your 4-H age is your age as of September 1st.

    How much does it cost to join 4-H?

    It costs $20 per child to join 4-H. $10 goes to state dues, and $10 goes toward county programs. Cloverbuds do not have to pay the $20 fee.

    Membership has to be renewed annually. 

    How do I join? 

    First, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Office at 352-343-4101. The 4-H program staff will help you determine what clubs would work best for you and your family based off the following questions:

    • How many children?
    • How old are your children? 
    • What projects are they interested in?
    • Does your family prefer weekday or weekend club meetings?

    You will then be provided a list of clubs to reach out to. Contact the leader, and they will help you enroll in 4-H Online. 

    What is the 4-H Pledge?

    "I pledge, My head to clearer thinking

    My heart to greater loyalty

    My hands to larger service

    My health to better living

    For my club, my community, my country, and my world."

    Lake County 4-H Events

    What is County Events Day? 

    County Events Day consists of youth competing in public speaking, demonstrations, or illustrated talks. 4-H'ers are also able to participate in Share-the-Fun, which is essentially a 4-H Talent Show. County Events Day is held at the Lake County Extension Office on February 21st from 9 am to 2 pm. 

    • Demonstrations: Teaching the audience how to do a particular task/activity; a step-by-step guide. 
    • Illustrated Talks: Giving information about a subject by using visuals.
    • Public Speech: A talk without using visuals or props. 
    • Share-the-Fun: A talent show. 

    What is the Lake County Fair?

    The Lake County Fair focuses on providing entertainment and education to Lake County residents. During the fair, 4-H youth can enter livestock and arts/crafts.

    What are the 4-H Ambassadors? 

    The Lake County 4-H Ambassadors are the voice of all members enrolled in Lake County 4-H. These youth are elected representatives from 4-H clubs in the county. The Ambassador Officers assist with organizing and conducting county events and activities. Meetings are typically held on the first Monday of the month; meetings start at 6 pm.