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St. Lucie County

A worthy volunteer month highlight! William Kicklighter&#8217;s Community Service-learning Project. William is a Beef Builders 4-H Club member, a prospective Eagle Scout recipient, and an aspirant to the University of Florida College of Engineering. As a member of the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development team, we all love to see when 4-Her’s “Interest or Spark.” [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_8719" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8719" style="width: 243px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2024/04/William-Installing-the-New-Sign-rotated.jpg"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="wp-image-8719 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="William - Installing a new sign at the pollinator garden. " width="243" height="324" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2024/04/William-Installing-the-New-Sign-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8719" class="wp-caption-text">William &#8211; Installing a new sign at the pollinator garden.</figcaption></figure>
A worthy volunteer month highlight! William Kicklighter&#8217;s Community Service-learning Project. William is a Beef Builders 4-H Club member, a prospective Eagle Scout recipient, and an aspirant to the University of Florida College of Engineering. As a member of the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development team, we all love to see when 4-Her’s “Interest or Spark.” has generated an “Idea” that becomes a “Project” and a part of a more extensive “Program.” Of course, this would not happen without a youth-adult partnership. In William’s (AKA – Will) case, it’s that youth-adult collaboration between him and his parents, Mark and Faith Kicklighter. We highlighted Will&#8217;s Eagle Scout Project in our <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ey7ZxqF8dGFtPnfW4SoUX57HBau04wPr/view">4-H Summer Spotlight</a> (Quarterly Newsletter), where he adapted the St. Lucie County 4-H Farm to improve the Pollinator Garden and the Demonstration Garden. On March 9, 2024, we saw this plan coming to fruition. Community donors included East Coast Lumber, Lowes, and Big Apple Pizza. Those who helped with planning or installation components included 4-H Agent John Ferguson, Jeff Dotzel, Rick Jensen, Candy Wickham, Terri Zuidema, Boy Scout Troop 473, Eric Hunsberger, and Mark Kicklighter. Thanks especially to Will’s parents, his 4-H volunteer leaders, and Scout Master/ Leader for making this a reality. We look forward to Will attaining his Eagle Scout Award and helping him celebrate this honorable and highly coveted rank in the Scouting Association. This 4-H Community Service-learning Project was the highlight of the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SE6MpZ74HBveQwLclQdkB3ljdRrLnTMS/view">April 2024 St. Lucie County Spotlight</a>. A community service-learning project (such as this) is an opportunity for 4-Hers to achieve the standard of excellence and gain 4-H Life Skills, including but not limited to civic engagement &amp; leadership, personal development, and career exploration. 4-Hers need to know that an opportunity to apply for a Community Pride Service-Learning Grant is available to all 4-H age groups. According to the Florida 4-H website: <a href="https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/projects/citizenship--leadership/community-pride/">Community Pride &#8211; Florida 4-H &#8211; University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences &#8211; UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)</a>, Community Pride is a service-learning program that supports 4-H members and clubs across the state in giving back to their communities. Please enjoy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1s_aj7LOKo">this video</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=804662241696033&amp;set=pb.100064567941100.-2207520000">Facebook images</a> of the resulting project completion. Contact the St. Lucie County 4-H team to identify more 4-H Community Service-Learning projects with an opportunity to apply for a Community Pride Grant. Contact: the 4-H Extension Agent @ <a href="mailto:john.ferguso@ufl.edu">john.ferguso@ufl.edu</a>, 4-H Program Specialist: Candace Wickham @ <a href="mailto:wickham.c@ufl.edu">wickham.c@ufl.edu</a>, Terri Zuidema @ <a href="mailto:tzuidema1@ufl.edu">tzuidema1@ufl.edu</a>, or Wren Underwood @ <a href="mailto:e.underwood1@ufl.edu">e.underwood1@ufl.edu</a>. Prepared by John Ferguson (4-H Extension Agent), with support from Terri Zuidema (4-H Program Specialist).

William – Installing a new sign at the pollinator garden.
A worthy volunteer month highlight! William Kicklighter’s Community Service-learning Project. William is a Beef Builders 4-H Club member, a prospective Eagle Scout recipient, and an aspirant to the University of Florida College of Engineering. As a member of the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development team, we all love to see when 4-Her’s “Interest or Spark.” has generated an “Idea” that becomes a “Project” and a part of a more extensive “Program.” Of course, this would not happen without a youth-adult partnership. In William’s (AKA – Will) case, it’s that youth-adult collaboration between him and his parents, Mark and Faith Kicklighter. We highlighted Will’s Eagle Scout Project in our 4-H Summer Spotlight (Quarterly Newsletter), where he adapted the St. Lucie County 4-H Farm to improve the Pollinator Garden and the Demonstration Garden. 
On March 9, 2024, we saw this plan coming to fruition. Community donors included East Coast Lumber, Lowes, and Big Apple Pizza. Those who helped with planning or installation components included 4-H Agent John Ferguson, Jeff Dotzel, Rick Jensen, Candy Wickham, Terri Zuidema, Boy Scout Troop 473, Eric Hunsberger, and Mark Kicklighter. Thanks especially to Will’s parents, his 4-H volunteer leaders, and Scout Master/ Leader for making this a reality. We look forward to Will attaining his Eagle Scout Award and helping him celebrate this honorable and highly coveted rank in the Scouting Association. This 4-H Community Service-learning Project was the highlight of the April 2024 St. Lucie County Spotlight.
A community service-learning project (such as this) is an opportunity for 4-Hers to achieve the standard of excellence and gain 4-H Life Skills, including but not limited to civic engagement & leadership, personal development, and career exploration. 4-Hers need to know that an opportunity to apply for a Community Pride Service-Learning Grant is available to all 4-H age groups. According to the Florida 4-H website: Community Pride – Florida 4-H – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS (ufl.edu), Community Pride is a service-learning program that supports 4-H members and clubs across the state in giving back to their communities. 
Please enjoy this video and the Facebook images of the resulting project completion. Contact the St. Lucie County 4-H team to identify more 4-H Community Service-Learning projects with an opportunity to apply for a Community Pride Grant.
Contact: the 4-H Extension Agent @ john.ferguso@ufl.edu, 4-H Program Specialist: Candace Wickham @ wickham.c@ufl.edu, Terri Zuidema @ tzuidema1@ufl.edu, or Wren Underwood @ e.underwood1@ufl.edu. 
Prepared by John Ferguson (4-H Extension Agent), with support from Terri Zuidema (4-H Program Specialist).

A worthy volunteer month highlight! William Kicklighter’s Community Service-learning Project. William is a Beef Builders 4-H Club member, a prospective Eagle Scout recipient, and an aspirant to the University of Florida College of Engineering. As a member of the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development team, we all love to see when 4-Her’s “Interest or Spark.” […]

4-H Community Service-Learning Project

St. Lucie County 4-H association celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 21 &#8211; 27. This week is dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of our dedicated 4-H volunteers. They tirelessly donated their time, skills, and passion to positively impact our community. We recognize and celebrate the following individuals. Direct volunteers (trained, certified, screened, and working [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_8633" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8633" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2024/04/CUT-IFAS-4H.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-8633 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Volunteer Week Photo" width="300" height="257" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2024/04/CUT-IFAS-4H-300x257.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8633" class="wp-caption-text">Terri Zuidema (4-H Program Specialist), Emma Wickham (County Council President), and John Ferguson (4-H Extension Agent) celebrate the Heartbeat of Extension. Photo Credits: K. Kerrigan, WQCS.</figcaption></figure>
St. Lucie County 4-H association celebrating <a href="https://www.wqcs.org/in-focus-with-irsc-public-media/2024-04-05/having-an-impact-on-martin-county-and-recognizing-the-importance-of-4-h-and-its-volunteers">Volunteer Appreciation Week</a> from April 21 &#8211; 27. This week is dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of our dedicated 4-H volunteers. They tirelessly donated their time, skills, and passion to positively impact our community. We recognize and celebrate the following individuals. Direct volunteers (trained, certified, screened, and working directly with youths). Indirect volunteers (who served on our Advisory Boards and various planning committees). As well as the episodic volunteers (who willingly stepped in to help with an event or activity when needed). Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, embodying the spirit of selflessness and service. Their unwavering dedication fuels our mission and enriches the lives of those we serve. Throughout <a href="https://www.wqcs.org/in-focus-with-irsc-public-media/2024-04-05/having-an-impact-on-martin-county-and-recognizing-the-importance-of-4-h-and-its-volunteers">Volunteer Appreciation Week</a>, we shine the spotlight and express our gratitude for our 4-H Club Leaders, 4-H volunteer educators, 4-H Advisory Board members, and 4-H Youth Volunteers. At St. Lucie County 4-H, we recognize that volunteers are our partners and advocates. Their contributions extend beyond their volunteer roles, leaving a legacy of kindness and generosity in our community. We invite everyone in the community to join us in celebrating <a href="https://www.wqcs.org/in-focus-with-irsc-public-media/2024-04-05/having-an-impact-on-martin-county-and-recognizing-the-importance-of-4-h-and-its-volunteers">Volunteer Appreciation Week</a> and express gratitude to the remarkable individuals who give their time and talents to make a difference. You may do so by way of a simple thank you, a card, a token of appreciation, or by joining their volunteer efforts. 4- H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities nationwide that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. In 4-H programs, the youths complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in partnership with caring adults. Positive Youth Development (PYD) is guaranteed through the guidance of adult mentors and coaches. Youths experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps. St. Lucie County’s 4-H program reaches over 1,000 youth from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to more rural farming communities. Our network of more than 70 volunteers and four 4-H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to more than 300 4-H members, helping them grow into true leaders. St. Lucie County 4-H is a non-profit organization benefiting youth and is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. For more information about how you can get involved in helping us recognize our volunteers, please get in touch with the 4-H Agent John Ferguson at (772) 642-1228 or <a href="mailto:john.ferguso@ufl.edu">john.ferguso@ufl.edu</a> or 4-H Specialist Terri Zuidema at (772)-462-1285 or <a href="mailto:tzuidema1@ufl.edu">tzuidema1@ufl.edu</a>.
_____________________________________________
By celebrating <a href="https://www.wqcs.org/in-focus-with-irsc-public-media/2024-04-05/having-an-impact-on-martin-county-and-recognizing-the-importance-of-4-h-and-its-volunteers">Volunteer Appreciation Week</a>, we are creating the awareness that Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin. You may sign in to or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SLC4H/">visit our Facebook page</a> to see more.
An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.
<a href="http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu">UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie Count</a>y

Terri Zuidema (4-H Program Specialist), Emma Wickham (County Council President), and John Ferguson (4-H Extension Agent) celebrate the Heartbeat of Extension. Photo Credits: K. Kerrigan, WQCS.
St. Lucie County 4-H association celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 21 – 27. This week is dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of our dedicated 4-H volunteers. They tirelessly donated their time, skills, and passion to positively impact our community. We recognize and celebrate the following individuals. Direct volunteers (trained, certified, screened, and working directly with youths). Indirect volunteers (who served on our Advisory Boards and various planning committees). As well as the episodic volunteers (who willingly stepped in to help with an event or activity when needed).
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, embodying the spirit of selflessness and service. Their unwavering dedication fuels our mission and enriches the lives of those we serve. Throughout Volunteer Appreciation Week, we shine the spotlight and express our gratitude for our 4-H Club Leaders, 4-H volunteer educators, 4-H Advisory Board members, and 4-H Youth Volunteers. 
At St. Lucie County 4-H, we recognize that volunteers are our partners and advocates. Their contributions extend beyond their volunteer roles, leaving a legacy of kindness and generosity in our community.
We invite everyone in the community to join us in celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week and express gratitude to the remarkable individuals who give their time and talents to make a difference. You may do so by way of a simple thank you, a card, a token of appreciation, or by joining their volunteer efforts.
4- H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities nationwide that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. 
In 4-H programs, the youths complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in partnership with caring adults. Positive Youth Development (PYD) is guaranteed through the guidance of adult mentors and coaches. Youths experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps.
St. Lucie County’s 4-H program reaches over 1,000 youth from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to more rural farming communities. Our network of more than 70 volunteers and four 4-H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to more than 300 4-H members, helping them grow into true leaders.
St. Lucie County 4-H is a non-profit organization benefiting youth and is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. For more information about how you can get involved in helping us recognize our volunteers, please get in touch with the 4-H Agent John Ferguson at (772) 642-1228 or john.ferguso@ufl.edu or 4-H Specialist Terri Zuidema at (772)-462-1285 or tzuidema1@ufl.edu.

_____________________________________________

By celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are creating the awareness that Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin. You may sign in to or visit our Facebook page to see more.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.

UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

St. Lucie County 4-H association celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 21 – 27. This week is dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of our dedicated 4-H volunteers. They tirelessly donated their time, skills, and passion to positively impact our community. We recognize and celebrate the following individuals. Direct volunteers (trained, certified, screened, and working […]

Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week – the Heartbeat of Extension.

We are celebrating the service of Debbie McManus with 4-H. At an appreciation party on June 23, 2023, an array of representatives showed up in honor and respect of Debbie for a job well done. It was certainly mixed emotions to see her go yet a shared consensus that she needed a chance to focus [&#8230;]

<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2023/08/4H_ExtLogoLockup.4C.verticle.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-7821 alignleft" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2023/08/4H_ExtLogoLockup.4C.verticle-300x161.jpg" alt="" width="246" height="132" /></a>We are celebrating the service of Debbie McManus with 4-H. At an appreciation party on June 23, 2023, an array of representatives showed up in honor and respect of Debbie for a job well done. It was certainly mixed emotions to see her go yet a shared consensus that she needed a chance to focus more on herself and family. Celebrating with Debbie were approximately 100 people. Attending were staff of the St. Lucie County UF/IFAS Extension Office, representatives of the various 4-H clubs, community sponsors and friends of 4-H, as well as former Extension agent, Sue Munyan. The event took the format of a social gathering with a hollow-square seating arrangement, and a reception table operated by a group of 4-H’ers (Cole Wickham, and Emma Wickham). Cole and Emma welcomed those attending and collected signatures for collages and scrapbooks and received many gifts, which were later presented to Debbie.
Upon arrival, a loud shout greeted Debbie, who then had time to greet and socialize with everyone directly. We served up a buffet-style light refreshment followed by the welcome greeting, opening remarks, and reflection from John Ferguson (4-H Extension Agent), who then opened the floor to all who shared their reflections and memories about working with Debbie. One fun memory shared by the former Extension Agent, Sue Munyan, was about a time when Debbie and she got lost while traveling to a 4-H program, on an almost never-ending trail. The story was told of the only landmark in search of was “the Governor’s House” which did not end well because, to their surprise, it was not the Governor’s House that they were expecting. Just imagine, before the disappointing moment, being lost and not wanting your passengers to know, and they start freaking out, then suddenly hearing one of the passengers bellowing out in fear “Please get us off this Devil’s Trail”! It abruptly became apparent that the hidden and suppressed fear all came alive with the repeated utterance “Please get us off this Devil’s Trail”.
Among the many spoken memories, there was much laughter, and many times Debbie could not hold back the tears, but the celebration was well received. The event culminated with a few youths requesting Debbie’s famous 4-H Chant “When I say 4, you say H”. She also took pictures with her first and second-generation 4-H’ers, and Extension staff from both Martin and St. Lucie County. (See photo inserts). Thanks again to Debbie for her 31 years of dedicated service to the St. Lucie County 4-H Youth Development Program. To all who were present and those who could not make it, we appreciate all that you are doing for St. Lucie County 4-H as we continue “To Make the Best Better”. To learn more about St. Lucie 4-H program visit our website at: <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucie/">St. Lucie County &#8211; UF/IFAS Extension (ufl.edu)</a>. Thank you for celebrating the service of Debbie McManus with 4-H.
<figure id="attachment_7829" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7829" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2023/08/Debbie-Mcmanus.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7829 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Debbie Mcmanus" width="300" height="251" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/files/2023/08/Debbie-Mcmanus-300x251.png"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7829" class="wp-caption-text">Debbie Mcmanus. Photo credit by Terri Zuidema</figcaption></figure>
Prepared by John Ferguson – 4-H Extension Agent.

We are celebrating the service of Debbie McManus with 4-H. At an appreciation party on June 23, 2023, an array of representatives showed up in honor and respect of Debbie for a job well done. It was certainly mixed emotions to see her go yet a shared consensus that she needed a chance to focus more on herself and family. Celebrating with Debbie were approximately 100 people. Attending were staff of the St. Lucie County UF/IFAS Extension Office, representatives of the various 4-H clubs, community sponsors and friends of 4-H, as well as former Extension agent, Sue Munyan. The event took the format of a social gathering with a hollow-square seating arrangement, and a reception table operated by a group of 4-H’ers (Cole Wickham, and Emma Wickham). Cole and Emma welcomed those attending and collected signatures for collages and scrapbooks and received many gifts, which were later presented to Debbie.
Upon arrival, a loud shout greeted Debbie, who then had time to greet and socialize with everyone directly. We served up a buffet-style light refreshment followed by the welcome greeting, opening remarks, and reflection from John Ferguson (4-H Extension Agent), who then opened the floor to all who shared their reflections and memories about working with Debbie. One fun memory shared by the former Extension Agent, Sue Munyan, was about a time when Debbie and she got lost while traveling to a 4-H program, on an almost never-ending trail. The story was told of the only landmark in search of was “the Governor’s House” which did not end well because, to their surprise, it was not the Governor’s House that they were expecting. Just imagine, before the disappointing moment, being lost and not wanting your passengers to know, and they start freaking out, then suddenly hearing one of the passengers bellowing out in fear “Please get us off this Devil’s Trail”! It abruptly became apparent that the hidden and suppressed fear all came alive with the repeated utterance “Please get us off this Devil’s Trail”.
Among the many spoken memories, there was much laughter, and many times Debbie could not hold back the tears, but the celebration was well received. The event culminated with a few youths requesting Debbie’s famous 4-H Chant “When I say 4, you say H”. She also took pictures with her first and second-generation 4-H’ers, and Extension staff from both Martin and St. Lucie County. (See photo inserts). Thanks again to Debbie for her 31 years of dedicated service to the St. Lucie County 4-H Youth Development Program. To all who were present and those who could not make it, we appreciate all that you are doing for St. Lucie County 4-H as we continue “To Make the Best Better”. To learn more about St. Lucie 4-H program visit our website at: St. Lucie County – UF/IFAS Extension (ufl.edu). Thank you for celebrating the service of Debbie McManus with 4-H.
Debbie Mcmanus. Photo credit by Terri Zuidema
Prepared by John Ferguson – 4-H Extension Agent.

We are celebrating the service of Debbie McManus with 4-H. At an appreciation party on June 23, 2023, an array of representatives showed up in honor and respect of Debbie for a job well done. It was certainly mixed emotions to see her go yet a shared consensus that she needed a chance to focus […]

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