A gathering for the annual Gadsden 4-H Banquet was held in Quincy’s Thomas Memorial Baptist Church’s gymnasium on Friday, May 31.
This potluck-style event attracted over 150 participants, many being family and friends of the 4-H Members.
“The main goal of the 4-H is to plug into the community through horticulture-based youth development,” said Danielle S. Williams, one of the two UF/IFAS’s two Multi-County Commercial Horticulture Agents.
“This event is one to celebrate achievements of those involved in hands-on work, as well as to promote 4-H. We are currently open for enrollment in this community-oriented program.”
As an extension of the UF/IFAS Program at Univerisity of Florida and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the Gadsden 4-H Program seeks to serve the community as an introduction to more technical approaches with opportunities for children and internships for young adults.
During this Banquet, members of the 4-H Chapter in Gadsden ranging from children of the years of 5 to youth of 18, from elementary school to graduating seniors, were recognized for their valiant and individual efforts in the many programs. Sponsors and volunteers were also acknowledged for their donations, contributions, efforts to the Gadsden program.
Sponsors were listed in five categories. Platinum: German Walas and Farm Bureau Insurance Services; Gold, of which were Capital City Bank, Centennial Bank, Clark Tractor Company, Farm Credit of Northwest Florida, and Gadsden County Cattlemen’s Association; Silver, of which were Big Bend Rebar Inc., Doug Croley, SK Enterprises; Bronze, of which Anna Brock Wade, Bell & Bates Home Center, Larry Clayton, and Southern Smiles; Green, in which were David & Robin Clark, and Max T. Clark, CPA.
The graduating seniors were the following: Carolina Harrell, Ronnie Jackson Jr., Rodger Nemeth, Isaiah Starks, Jeremiah Starks, and Jonathan Timmons.
Additionally, members were recognized for the number of consecutive years spent in the program, and the following events: 4-7 District 3 Events, 4-H Agriculture Adventures, North Florida Fair, Summer Day Camps, West Florida Livestock Show, Florida 4-H University, 4-H Day at the Capitol, 4-H Community Service, Sunbelt Agriculture Expo, 4-H Club Leadership.
Benjamin Doyle, one of the upcoming graduating seniors, expressed his thoughts on the community at 4-H, of which he has been a part of for several years.
“It is really a community effort,” he said. “You can feel that in all of the different people from around Gadsden that are in the program, and as Gadsden is going to be growing then so is this program going to be expanding. It is really nice, and in 4-H I only built skills, such as learning how to plant and those around agricultural maintenance.”
Rubén Darío Uribe – Gadsden County News Service