The Youth Plant Show and Sale at the Strawberry Festival 2019

How do we get the next generation interested in horticulture?"  One way to do that is to give kids opportunities to practice horticulture skills and then encourage and financially reward them in their efforts at growing plants. We also demonstrate the appreciation of greenery in our lives, homes and businesses.

Hillsborough County youth in 4-H and FFA clubs have been growing plants for the Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale and will be entering their projects on Wed. February 27, 2019.  Plants will be judged for best of class and best of show awards and then all plants will be auctioned off in a silent and live auction on Sunday, March 3rd, 2019.  The silent auction starts at 11:30 am the live auction will start at 2:30 pm.  The best part about buying plants at the auction is that you will get free tickets to next year's festival when you get on the buyer list.  If you are one of the top buyers you will get tickets and free parking right up close to the action for next year's event.

This is a great opportunity to motivate youth to continue to flex their "green thumbs" and reward their efforts.  Not only are they learning to grow plants but they are learning how to build businesses, market goods, social interaction, and inter-personal skills that they will need later in life.  Please come out and support the Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale and continue to keep Hillsborough youth growing.  If you have any questions about this event please give Shawn Steed a ring at the Extension office 813-744-5519.

Youth Plant Show Mandatory Meetings

If you know a youth in 4-H or FFA who might be interested in growing plants let them know that the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale Mandatory Meetings are next week.  Don't forget to attend at least one of the mandatory meetings.  Mandatory entry seminars will be held; Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Tomlin Middle in Plant City in the auditorium and then again on October 16th, 2018 at 7:00 pm at East Bay High School,7710 Big Bend Road, Gibsonton, Florida. Parking will be in the student parking lot. Late arrivals will not be admitted to either meeting.
Each exhibitor and/or a parent or guardian must attend to receive entry forms and record books. Only one of the two meetings must be attended.

Looking forward to another great show youth plant show this year!

Youth Opportunity Learning

Here is an opportunity in Manatee County for youth to be introduced to the agricultural community.

Friday, March 16th, 2018 (8:00 am—5:00 pm)

Come join the fun! Be a farmer for a day!

Get the scoop on Green and Growing by attending a field day on Marth 16th to learn about horticulture production and research. The day starts and ends at the Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Services office at 1303 17th St. W. Palmetto.  During the day we will be talking to people with different careers in agriculture.  We will also be visiting Manatee County nursery/farm where we will learn what it's like to be a farmer.

Topics to be presented: 

· Laboratory and greenhouse tour at GCREC

· Hands on activities 

· Talk with researchers

· Visit a Manatee County plant nursery

... and more

Open to youth 8-13 years of age as of September 1, 2017 and costs $25.00. The fee includes group transportation and  activities.   The link to register is:   https://greenandgrowing-2018.eventbrite.com

This will be an outdoor event so please wear closed toe shoes and brings sunscreen.  Green and Growing has a limited program capacity. For more information, please contact Martha at the Manatee County Extension Office at  941.722.4524 ormglenn7@ufl.edu.

This program is open to all youth (ages 8-13) without regard to race, color, sex, handicap or national origin.  Anyone with a disability needing assistance should call 941.722.4524 prior to the field day.

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE NOT A REGISTERED 4-H MEMBER, YOU MUST REGISER AS A SHORT TERM MEMBER BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT. REGISTRATION IS FREE AND CAN BE FOUND HERE: 

https://florida.4honline.com 4-H club members – join the Group: Green & Growing

Non-4-H – enroll as a short-term member by creating a profile,

-then join the Group: Green & Growing.

If you need help,  please contact the 4-H Office at 941.722.4524

Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale 2017

When I travel to national horticulture meetings, I often hear the statement "How do we get the next generation interested in horticulture?"  One way to do that is to give kids opportunities to practice horticulture skills and then encourage and financially reward them in their efforts at growing plants.

Hillsborough County youth in 4-H and FFA clubs have been growing plants for the Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale and will be entering their projects on Wed. March 1, 2017.  Plants will be judged for best of class and best of show awards and then all plants will be auctioned off in a silent and live auction on Sunday, March 5th, 2017.  The silent auction starts at 11:30 am the live auction will start at 2:30 pm.  The best part about buying plants at the auction is that you will get free tickets to next year's festival when you get on the buyer list.  If you are one of the top buyers you will get tickets and free parking right up close to the action for next year's event.

This is a great opportunity to motivate youth to continue to flex their "green thumbs" and reward their efforts.  Not only are they learning to grow plants but they are building business, marketing, social, and personal skills that they will need later in life.  Please come out and support the Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale and continue to keep Hillsborough youth growing.  If you have any questions about this event please give Shawn Steed a ring at the Extension office 813-744-5519.

AgVenture Needs Generous Growers

Were you ever inspired as a kid, by someone who loved their career?  Have you ever thought that you might be that person who would inspire someone on a new career trajectory?

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Tampa Chapter FNGLA will be trying to inspire children in third grade with a program called AgVenture.  Kids from all over Hillsborough will go to the state fair grounds and learn about different facets of agriculture, including Environmental Horticulture.  The only problem is that very few growers (FNGLA and Farm Bureau Members) ever want to leave their nursery for a few hours and teach kids about what they do.  I hope that you might consider giving a few hours of your time to help out this worthy program.  A free lunch is included after you are done teaching.  The lesson is a script and all the materials are already lined up.  Here is the information below.

They need volunteers at the Florid State Fairgrounds from Oct 24-28 & Oct 31 - Nov 4.  Hours each day are 10:00am - 12:35pm.

Task:

- teach students about growing plants for environmental horticulture

- there is a script you can use and demo material will be on site

- students rotate in groups every 20-30 minutes

Several of us have volunteered in years past; however, I know everyone is swamped at the moment.  If you can help or know someone who can, please contact 

Judi  Whitson

813-685-9121

Judi.whitson@ffbf.org

Deadline for Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale Nov. 2, 2015

For those of you with participating youth in the 2016 Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale, the deadline is approaching to be registered and purchase all plant materials that are not in the Miscellaneous Section (Section D) of the rules or the Liners/Rooted Cuttings/Seedlings Section (Section E). November 2, 2015 is the date of last purchase of plant material to grow for the show and sale.  For a copy of the Youth Plant Show and Sale rules here is a link. http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2016-Youth-Plant-Show-Sale-Rules.pdf

Don't forget to attend at least one of the mandatory meetings.  Mandatory entry seminars will be held; Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Author Boring Civic Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, located at 2406 W. Reynolds St., Plant City, Florida and Thursday, November 19, 2015 at East Bay High School Cafeteria, at 6:30 p.m. 7710 Big Bend Road, Gibsonton, Florida. Parking will be in the student parking lot. Late arrivals will not be admitted.
Each exhibitor and/or a parent or guardian must attend and turn in their entry form at the meeting. No
exceptions will be made and entry forms must be complete including all necessary signatures. Only one of the two offered meetings must be attended.

Looking forward to another great show!

Green and Growing Youth Activity

I thought I would share this opportunity with Hillsborough County youth who may like to be a farmer for a day!  This is a program that Manatee County Extension is running and is welcoming folks from nearby.  Here is the information...

If you or someone you know are between the ages of 8 and 13,  come  join us for a really fun day at the Manatee County Extension office, Gulf Coast Research Center in Balm, a nursery and much more….  The day is planned, lunches re arranged, bags with lots of goodies for the participants are ready so register today!  

 

Green & Growing Youth Field Day

Friday, March 27, 2015 (8:00 a.m.—5:00pm)

Come join the fun! Be a farmer for a day!

Get the scoop on Green and Growing by attending a day-long field day on March 27th to learn about horticulture production and research. The day starts and ends at the Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Services office at 1303 17th St. W. Palmetto.  The majority of the day will be spent at University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm. We will also be visiting a Manatee County nursery where we will learn what it's like to be a farmer.

Topics to be presented: 

•  Laboratory and greenhouse tour at GCREC
•  Tractor safety course
•  Hands on activities 
•  Talk with researchers
•  Visit a Manatee County plant nursery

... and more

Open to youth 8-13 years of age as of September 1, 2014 and costs $15.00. The fee includes group transportation and  lunch. This will be an outdoor event so please wear closed toe shoes and brings sunscreen. Please register no later than March 23rd. Green and Growing has a limited program capacity. For more information, please contact Martha at the Manatee County Extension Office at  941.722.4524 or mglenn7@ufl.edu.

This program is open to all youth (ages 8-13) without regard to race, color, sex, handicap or national origin.  Anyone with a disability needing assistance should call 941.722.4524 prior to the field day.

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE NOT A REGISTERED 4-H MEMBER, YOU MUST REGISER AS A SHORT TERM MEMBER BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT. REGISTRATION IS FREE AND CAN BE FOUND HERE: 

https://florida.4honline.com 4-H club members – join the Group: Green & Growing

Non-4-H – enroll as a short-term member by creating a profile,

-then join the Group: Green & Growing

If you need help, please contact the 4-H Office at 941.722.4524   

Carts Needed for Youth at Auction!

We are looking for about four (4) small nursery carts to assist the youth at the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale with moving plants around the show ring.  We will be using them on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the plant check in and then again on the day of the sale on March 1.  You can pick them as soon as the plants are moved out to the buyers on Sunday after the auction.  If you can help, please give Shawn a call at 813-629-6104.    Thank you for supporting our next generation of growers!

FNGLA Hockey Fundraising Event

The FNGLA is planning an event to raise money and build some enthusiasm for our local Tampa chapter.  This event will be raising money to support youth education and scholarships in horticulture related fields for local students.  Our hope is to have students join our horticulture field when their education is finished. 

 Join the FNGLA for a family-friendly exciting event you won't find anywhere! Only 100 Spots Available!

Sign up now by emailing amanda@bigearthsupply.com.

Thursday, November 13 attend the FNGLA Cornhole Tournament on the Bud Light Deck at Amalie Arena 4:30-6:30.
Admission fee of $25 includes:
Entrance to the Bud Light Deck
Free Tailgate Style Food
You will receive CLUB LEVEL Ticket to watch the San Jose Sharks play the Lightning, Face-off at 7:30pm.CAN'T GET THIS OFFER ANYWHERE ELSE, normally $90-100 this offer includes CLUB LEVEL SEAT, FOOD AT BUD LIGHT DECK EVENT AND RAFFLE PRIZES

For Cornhole Enthusiasts, $60 per team: Includes entrance to tournament to win, 2 CLUB LEVEL tickets and Food at Bud Light Deck

Special FREE Raffle for Kids ages 4-15 year old: Chance for child & guardian to win the experience of high-fiving the Lightning players when the enter the ice !

Other Raffle Prizes will include Lightning Tickets, signed merchandise, gift cards to local establishments, prizes and more !

Look forward to seeing you at this exciting event. Remember, only 100 spots available so act fast!

Thank you warmly,
FNGLA Tampa Chapter

FNGLA Event Supports the Future of Our Local Green Industry

The FNGLA Tampa Chapter keeps our local growers and landscapers growing in their professionalism.  The Chapter also informs and rewards youth in our area who are potentially interested in careers growing ornamental plants and landscaping.  The Tampa Chapter has rewarded many local college students in environmental horticulture and agricultural related fields with money to attend college.  In fact, the scholarships are given to local youth as a priority.  The Chapter also helps fund the youth plant show and sale and the landscape, nursery, and floriculture career development event awards as well as Ag-Venture program to educate third graders about environmental horticulture.

The Tampa Chapter is having a fund raising Corn-Hole Tournament event that will help to replenish the coffers to keep our youth projects going forward.  You can help by attending, participating, or becoming a sponsor.  Email tampachapter@gmail.com to attend.  More details can be found at http://www.tampafngla.com/


When: May 30th, 2014

Check-In and Warm-ups Start @ 11:30pm

Tournament Begins @ 1:00 pm

Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place!!

Where: Keel & Curley Winery

5210 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City, FL 33565

Entry Fee: $50 per 2-man team (non-refundable)

Spectator Bands available for $10

Entry into tournament includes food and non-alcoholic beverages

Beer &Wine available for purchase

4-H Fund Raising Event Strawberry Picking

Help the 4-H youth and food banks of our community by picking strawberries.

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Rain or Shine. . . Restrooms on grounds)

50 cents a qt. No Limit!!!

Location:  Fancy Farms

I-4 Exit #25, south on County Line Rd. 3 miles to Rice Rd.

4-H Ambassadors will be in the field to assist the

elderly and disabled.

For more information call 4-H @ 813-744-5519 x 54132

FNGLA Tampa Chapter Youth College Scholarship

The FNGLA Tampa Chapter is now taking applications for the Carl F. Cowgill Youth Scholarship. If you know somebody who is a college student from Hillsborough County that is pursuing a degree that will lead to employment within the environmental horticulture industry, this scholarship would apply to them. This year, the FNGLA will award up to two scholarships based upon the merit and needs of the students. The FNGLA holds a plant auction at the Hillsborough County Fair and has a golf tournament to raise money for the scholarships. The deadline for application is July 15 (no exceptions). If awarded, the scholarship can be up to $500 depending upon available funds. If you would like an application please email me ststeed@ufl.edu

Help Support 4-H at Hillsborough County Fair BBQ

This was forwarded to me from Mike McKinney.  He is trying to help support the 4-H Extension program and get disadvantaged kids to the Hillsborough County Fair.


Here is a great opportunity to support 4-H and at the same time give disadvantaged kids an opportunity to visit the Fair and enjoy a Bar-B-Que lunch on your dime. Your Bar-B-Que ticket gets you FREE Admission into the Hillsborough County Fair on Saturday, October 20th at the corner of State Road 60 and Sydney-Washer Road. (This is a $15.00 value just for $8.00) If you cannot attend, you can still donate your tickets to a deserving charity such as The Children's Home or A Kids Place.

I have attached an order form for your convenience. All proceeds will provide Leadership and Citizenship sponsorships to our 4-H Youth in Hillsborough County. 
Your help and generosity is most appreciated. THANK YOU!

Mike McKinney
4-H Foundation Member
1850 Ravenridge Street
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
813-973-4263

You can have your name or business displayed at the Bar-B-Que for being a CLOVER Sponsor.
$100.00 Clover Sponsorships include 12 meal tickets and is tax deductible if donated to charities.

FNGLA Tampa Chapter Environmental Horticulture Scholarship

The FNGLA Tampa Chapter is now taking applications for the Carl F. Cowgill Youth Scholarship.  If you know somebody who is a college student from Hillsborough County that is pursuing a degree that will lead to employment within the environmental horticulture industry, this scholarship would apply to them.  The FNGLA awards up to 5 scholarships each year based upon the merit and needs of the students.  The FNGLA holds a plant auction at the Hillsborough County Fair and has a golf tournament to raise money for the scholarships.  The deadline for application is July 15 (no exceptions).  If awarded, the scholarship can be up to $1000 depending upon available funds.  If you would like an application please email me ststeed@ufl.edu 

Enjoy Strawberries, Support 4-H

 On March 17th help support 4-H Youth and at the same time enjoy the sweetest strawberries Florida has to offer at an unbelievable price. Join us this Saturday for our 5th Annual 4-H STRAWBERRY U-PICK starting at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine.  You can pick an unlimited supply of the juicy berries for only 50 cents a quart. Pre-picked berries will be available after 9:30 a.m. for only $1.00 a quart.


Special 4-H Ambassadors will be in the field to assist the elderly and disabled with picking. PLEASE HELP SUPPORT 4-H by forwarding this message to your friends and neighbors. Also......pick an extra quart (at no cost to you) and donate it to area food banks to help the hungry.
 
Location: Fancy Farms, I-4 Exit #25 and south on County Line Rd. 3 miles to Rice Road. Bring the entire family and pick a qt. for area food banks. Help available for elderly and disabled. For more information, contact 4-H @ 813-744-5519 x 54128. Rest rooms and concessions available. 

Plant Auction at the Hillsborough County Fair Grounds

UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension, FNGLA Tampa Chapter, and the Hillsborough County Fair would like to invite you to the Annual FNGLA Plant Auction.  The auction will take place at the fairgrounds on Saturday, October 15, 2011.  If you are a plant donor or grower you can get in free and enjoy a free barbecue lunch from the 4-H foundation on us.  We are also having a special silent auction for fertilizers and chemicals strictly for growers.   If you would like to get a ticket call Shawn at the office 813-744-5519 ext. 54147.  If you are a buyer or just love gardening and landscaping, come on out and get great deals on annuals, perennials, woody ornamentals, and trees.  The money that we raise at this auction goes to help scholarships and youth programs.  If you would like to help out at the auction also give Shawn a call. We have a lot of fun and there is a ton of stuff to do at the fair. Not to mention all the fair food!  For more information please click on this link http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/Ag/AgOrnProd/AgCalendar.html

FNGLA Tampa Chapter Carl Cowgill Scholarship

The FNGLA Carl F. Cowgill Youth Scholarship is available from the FNGLA.  If you know somebody who is a college student from Hillsborough County that is pursuing a degree that will lead to employment within the environmental horticulture industry, this scholarship would apply to them.  The FNGLA awards up to 5 scholarships each year based upon the merit and needs of the students.  The FNGLA holds a plant auction at the Hillsborough County Fair and has a golf tournament to raise money for the scholarships.  The deadline for application is July 15 (no exceptions).  If awarded, the scholarship can be up to $1000 depending upon available funds.  If you would like an application please email me ststeed@ufl.edu 

2011 Nursery, Landscape, and Floriculture Career Development Event

Check out the pictures and winners: http://animoto.com/play/bHCw1OB7AbX0i765mfPd1A

We had our annual Nursery, Landscape and Floriculture Career Development Event at the Hillsborough County Extension Office in Seffner on Jan 27, 2011.

Nearly eighty students and their sponsors from around Hillsborough County descended upon the Extension office for a grueling half day of testing related to the nursery, landscape, and floriculture industry. All students belonged to their respective high school or middle school’s Future Farmers of America Chapter and have been preparing for this test with their teachers for the last few months. The students were tested on identification skills with landscape and floriculture plants, insects, weeds, and disease pests, and industry related tools. They were also tested on their book knowledge on materials related to the production of plants, and the installation of Florida Friendly Landscapes. This is also a practice run for the state and national championships for similar FFA events. Multiple volunteers and staff noted how well mannered and behaved the students were during the event. The students really did a great job on their tests showing off how much they worked up to this event.This extension agent sponsors the event with designing the tests, scoring and procuring all the materials as well as helping to provide lunch to the students, sponsors, and volunteers. There is also a great deal of industry supporters during the event, which was welcomed from ProSource One providing the drinks for the event, Tampa Bay Wholesale Grower members J and R Nursery, Riverview Flower Farm, and Tampa Wholesale Nursery providing the plants for identification. The food was provided from Holmberg Farms and Pam Walden from Hillsborough County schools. We also received help from volunteers, and Hillsborough County Extension Staff. The awards and trophies are supplied from the Tampa Chapter FNGLA. The money that they buy awards with is from the Fall Plant Auction held during the Hillsborough County Fair. They will supply trophies and plaques for the overall school winners in a Jr. and Sr. division. They will also award checks and certificates to the highest individuals overall and for individual test winners. Check out the winners by clicking the above link.

Career Development Event

Here is our latest snapshot of what goes on at the Nursery, Landscape, and Floriculture Career Development Event. You can click on the video to see what the event is like.

http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/Ag/AgOrnProd/YouthCDE.html

We had a good time at the event with over 100 kids participating. We also thank the vounteers that made it possible.

Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Plant Show and Sale

There were a bunch of happy 4-H and FFA students this Sunday at the 36th annual Florida Strawberry Festival youth Plant Show and Sale. We conducted another successful auction with the help of many tireless volunteers, Strawberry Festival folk, youth, parents, industry supporters, and UF staff. The children earned $22165 on their plant lots. Last year there were more lots (223 versus 172) than this year but we had a severe winter and that probably knocked off a few lots from the auction. We also helped raise $240.00 for our youth program with the help of St. Clements Catholic Church and their "Make Your Own Strawberry Shortcake Tickets." Thank you for those who helped and please send me a comment below if there is anything that I can do to improve the auction for next year.