Okaloosa 4-H year is getting started

Although school year began a little over two weeks ago for Okaloosa County, the 4-H year was gearing up for its Sept. 1 start.

There are events all over the state that 4-H hosts that encourage youth to engage and build their communication and leadership skills. Okaloosa County 4-H was busy over the summer with day and residential camps, workshops, and district and state events.

However, now that the 4-H year is starting, Okaloosa will be working hard to make this 4-H year another great opportunity for youth to learn and grow. Online enrollment is happening now and dues are $20 dollars for the 4-H year.

Our program offers multiple areas for youth to learn and develop their communication, social, and organizational skills. Aside from day camps, community clubs, and workshops, 4-H has project books that allow youth to independently study topics that range from aerospace, cooking, photography, and chickens.

Early in our 4-H year, youths participate in the annual Chick Chain Show and Auction Sept. 28 in Chipley. Chick Chain is a multi-month 4-H program in which youths learn how to raise baby chicks into healthy pullets, or young hens.

Youths ages 5-18 as of Sept. 1, 2018, buy baby chicks in March, raise them with the help of 4-H Poultry workshops, and eventually demonstrate all they’ve learned in a show for the Northwest District of Florida.

They get a glimpse into animal husbandry, organization with their record keeping, and build their communication skills. The youths win awards for their hard work and even auction their chickens to earn money to learn money management skills.

For more information about our 4-H events, workshops, and 4-H program, please contact me, Katie Oakes, at 850-689-5850 or koakes@ufl.edu.

You may also visit the 4-H website, http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/okaloosa/4-h-youth-development/programs/, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UFIFASOkaloosaCounty4H/.

Katie Oakes is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa 4-H year is getting started