4-H Youth Clubs

The Leon County 4-H Youth Development Program is a hands-on, practical educational program that focuses on building life skills in the areas of Healthy Living, Civic Engagement, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in young people ages 5 to 18.

A 4-H Community Club has a planned program that is ongoing throughout the school year and can meet in any location. Youth in 4-H clubs participate in a wide variety of project areas all based on members’ interests. As a Leon County 4-H member, youth will be eligible to participate in other county and state 4-H programs.

Below you will find a list of our current clubs. If you are interested in having your child join, please contact us leon4h@ifas.ufl.edu or (850) 606-5204.

2023-2024 Clubs

Forest Ecology

Club Name: Wild About Woods (WAW)

Project Area: Forestry

Club Description: The Wild About Woods Club helps youth learn about Florida's forests and natural ecosystems through nature walks and educational activities. Each year, club members can have the option to compete in a wildlife contest at the North Florida Fair in the Fall and at the 4-H State Forest Ecology contest in the Spring. Learn more here.

Meeting Dates: 09/18/23, 10/02/23, 10/14/23*, 10/16/23, 11/06/23, 11/11/23*, 11/20/23, 12/04/23, 12/18/23, 01/08/24, 01/22/24, 02/05/24, 02/19/24, 03/04/24, 03/18/24, 03/23/24*, 03/30/24*, 04/15/24, 05/06/24

Meeting Times: Times Vary (Learn more here.)

Location: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

Sunday Nature Walks: 09/24/23, 10/22/23, 12/10/23, 01/28/24, 02/25/24, 04/28/23, 05/26/24, 06/23/24, 07/28/24, 08/25/24

Age Range: 8- 18

Club Contact: Breeze Howard (retzely@gmail.com)

* Forest Ecology Competition Preparation or Event. Youth do not have to compete to join this club. Learn more about the Forest Ecology Contest.

Teen Leadership

Club Name: Teen Leadership

Project Area: Leadership Development

Club Description: The Teen Leadership Club is a dynamic group dedicated to empowering young individuals to develop leadership skills and instill positive change in their communities. The club focuses on fostering critical thinking, public speaking, decision-making abilities, and promoting teamwork through interactive activities and community service projects. By engaging in these experiences, members grow both personally and professionally, nurturing their potential to become influential leaders of tomorrow.

Meeting Dates: TBA

Meeting Times: TBA

Location: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

Age Range: 13-18

Club Contact: Sheeja George (sheejageorge@ufl.edu)

Horticulture

Club Name: Horticulture Club (Hort Club)

Project Area: Gardening and Plants

Club Description: The Horticulture Club is designed for those passionate about plants and the environment. This club offers a hands-on learning experience in growing and nurturing plants, exploring various gardening techniques, and delving into plant science principles. Through educational projects, club members can share their knowledge, foster sustainability, and promote the beauty and importance of plant life.

Meeting Dates: 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of each month

Meeting Times: 3:30-5:30 PM

Location: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

Age Range: 8-18

Club Contact: Clara Mullins (cnmullins1961@gmail.com)

STEM

Club Name: STEM Club

Project Area: Computer Technology

Club Description: The STEM Club is for youth seeking to explore the convergence of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This year, our focus shifts to precision agriculture - delving into the innovative intersection of technology with plant science, exploring IoT, AI, and data-driven techniques to maximize crop yield and efficiency in our urban environment. Through interactive workshops, discussions, and hands-on projects, we aim to highlight the role of STEM in driving sustainable agricultural practices and transforming our food systems.

Meeting Dates: 9/19/23, 10/3/23, 10/17/23, 11/7/23, 11/21/23, 12/5/23, 1/16/24, 2/6/24, 2/20/24, 3/5/24, 3/19/24, 4/2/24, 5/16/24, 5/7/24, 5/21/24

Meeting Times: TBA

Location: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

Age Range: 12-18

Club Contact: Derek Vasquez (derekavasquez@gmail.com)

Arts & Crafts

Club Name: Arts and Crafts

Project Area: Visual Arts

Club Description: The Arts and Crafts Club allow youth to express their visions through various mediums, offering a platform to explore, learn, and master artistic techniques. Club members have the opportunity to display their work in exhibitions and contribute to the broader aesthetic of Leon County 4-H through involving in county-wide art installations. Our club encourages artistic expression, fostering an appreciation for the arts while cultivating skills in design, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Meeting Dates: 09/14/23, 10/19,23,11/16/23, 12/XX/23, 01/18/24, 02/21/24, 03/28/24, 04/30/24, 05/23/24

Meeting Times: 6PM-7PM

Location: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office

Age Range: 5-18

Club Contact: Judy Tanzosch (judytanzosch@gmail.com)

Archery

Club Name: Arrowheads Archery

Project Area: SS-Archery

Club Description: The Archery Club offers a unique opportunity for youth to learn and perfect the art and sport of archery. We provide a supportive environment for honing precision, focus, and coordination skills, while promoting the importance of safety and sportsmanship. Beyond mastering the bow and arrow, members get to participate in friendly competitions, fostering a sense of camaraderie and personal achievement in the process.

Meeting Dates: 09/23/23, 10/21/23, 11/18/23, 12/09/23, 01/20/24, 02/17/24, 03/23/24, 04/20/24

Meeting Times: 10AM-12PM

Location: North Florida Fairgrounds

Age Range: 8-18

Club Contact: Timothy McGraw (timothy.megraw@med.fsu.edu)

Youth Naturalist

Club Name: Youth Naturalist Club

Project Area: Environmental Science

Club Description: The Florida Youth Naturalist Program (FYNP) is a new program for young nature enthusiasts interested in learning more about Florida’s environment. The club will take youth on a journey through Florida’s ecosystems, from the uplands, through freshwater, and to the coast. The mission of the club is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world through a learn-by-doing approach that provides opportunities for young people to contribute to the environment and world around them.

The Leon County 4-H Youth Naturalist Club is proudly sponsored by the Sunshine State Biodiversity Group.

Meeting Dates: 09/14/23, 10/12/23, 11/09/23, 12/14/23, 01/11/24, 02/08/24, 03/14/24, 04/11/24, 05/02/24

Meeting Times: 4:30pm-6:30pm

Field Trip Dates: 09/25/23, 10/16/23, 12/20/23, 01/05/24, 02/19/24, 03/18/24, 04/01/24, 05/29/24

Location: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

Age Range: 10-13*

Club Contact: Charlie Baisden (charles.baisden@ufl.edu)

*If your child is older than 13, please contact valeriemendez@ufl.edu

Dairy Goat (Spring)

Club Name: Get Goating

Project Area: Goat(Dairy)

Club Description: The future of sustainable agriculture rests on the shoulders of our youth. This is why we have partnered with local businesses to bring Leon County youth the opportunity to care and learn about dairy goats. Our Dairy Goat Project strives to expose youth to the benefits of dairy goats by providing livestock education that builds character and life skills. The club will meet at Goat House Farms near the Fort Braden area.

We do not want the ability to own a dairy goat to prohibit any youth from gaining valuable skills, so our 4-H Volunteer has offered youth the option to lease a goat (on farm) for the duration of the program.

Meeting Dates/Times: Spring Semester ONLY

Location: TBA

Age Range: 8-18

Club Contact: Valerie Mendez (valeriemendez@ufl.edu)

Plant ID (Fall)

Club Name: Plant ID SPIN Club

Project Area: Gardening and Plants

Club Description: The Plant ID SPIN Club will introduce youth to plant identification skills and prepare them for the Plant Identification competition held during 4-H Day at the North Florida Fair. This SPIN club provides useful tools for budding naturalists interested in the Florida 4-H Plant ID Contest.

The Plant ID Club will be taught by Mark Tancig, the Commercial/Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

Meeting Dates: 10/06/23, 10/13/23, 10/27/23, 11/03/23

Meeting Times: 5:00PM-6:30PM

Location: Leon County Extension

Age Range: 8-18

Club Contact: Mark Tancig (tancig00@ufl.edu)

Insect ID (Spring)

Club Name: Insect ID SPIN Club

Project Area: Insect (Entomology)

Club Description: The Insect ID SPIN Club will introduce youth to insect identification, develop pinning skills, and help prepare an insect display box. This SPIN club provides useful tools for budding naturalists interested in the Florida 4-H Insectathon.The Insect ID Club will be taught by various graduate students from UF and FAMU.

Meeting Dates: TBA

Meeting Times: TBA

Location: Leon County Extension/ FAMU Campus

Club Contact: Valerie Mendez (valeriemendes@ufl.edu)

Early Youth Development (Cloverbuds)
Club Name: Capital Cloverbuds

Project Area: Cloverbuds

Club Description: The Florida 4-H Cloverbud program offers an age appropriate, fun and exploratory learning experiences for children ages five to seven.

This program is composed of a variety of activities that show the different aspects of 4‐H. Each activity guide includes a separate achievement program and activities, that promote learning and interaction with other youth, adult helpers, family members and community.

Our objectives with this club is to:
- Develop positive attitudes about learning and investigating new ideas.
- Be able to experience new ideas through exploring various, age appropriate project areas.
- Learn basic skills that help children accept different people and ideas.
- Gain basic knowledge in STEM, Healthy Living, and Citizenship.
- Form positive and ongoing relationships with caring adults.
Meeting Dates: TBA

Meeting Times: TBA

Location: Gilchrist Elementary

Club Contact: Julie Brass (julie.browningbrass@yahoo.com)

Membership Fee

Florida 4-H membership fees are $20 per child. This fee is for youth ages 8 and older (as of September 1st) and will allow youth to participate in all clubs. Some clubs may have additional fees. Out of the $20 you pay, $10.00 will go directly to Leon County 4-H program. The other $10.00 will go to the state 4-H Program to help improve, update, and modernize state-level events, activities, and competitions for 4-H youth. This money will also help cover the costs of things previously covered by counties such as insurance and transporting youth to regional and state events.

Cloverbuds (youth 4-H ages 5-7) and adults are NOT charged a state fee. Please do not make any payments for cloverbuds or adults at the community club membership fee payment site.

We believe every child deserves to pursue their passions and talents, regardless of their financial situation. Financial assistance is available by contacting Leon County 4-H at leon4h@ifas.ufl.edu or (850) 606-5200.