Hundreds of kids set to converge on Capitol to celebrate 100 years of Florida 4-H
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — More than 550 Florida 4-H members clad head-to-toe in green will converge on the state Capitol Tuesday to commemorate the youth organization’s centennial anniversary, leaving their mark later in the day by planting a tree.
An 11:30 a.m. press conference on the Old Capitol steps will include Gov. Charlie Crist, Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson, state Rep. Faye Culp, R-Tampa, state Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, and numerous 4-H officials. At 2 p.m., 4-H members and state Attorney General Bill McCollum will plant a crepe myrtle in the rose garden by the House Office Building.
“This event, which was planned by our state youth council, will give our youth the knowledge and skills to become informed citizens,” said Marilyn Norman, an associate dean who leads the state’s 4-H program. “As adults we sometimes don’t realize the powerful impact that young people can make.”
During the day, 4-H members will take tours and attend workshops to learn about state government. Attendees will be from: Alachua, Bradford, Broward, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, Sumter, Taylor, Volusia, Walton and Washington counties. Interviews will be available.
Founded in 1909, the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program works with more than 263,000 young people, ages 5 to18, and nearly 12,000 volunteers. The program is active in all 67 counties and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Headquartered in Gainesville, it’s part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. For more information, visit www.florida4h.org.