Media Release

The Alachua County 4-H Spring Garden Project will begin on February 16, at 6:30 p.m. with a workshop at the UF IFAS Cooperative Extension Service Office, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, where youth will learn how to start a 10’ X 12’ garden. The garden project is for youth ages 8-18. Six different types of seeds and a gardening guide will be provided for a workshop fee of $3.00. Gardening is a great way to get your kids physically active, without spending a lot of money or even leaving the yard.

Youth can exhibit their produce and other gardening related exhibits at the Spring Garden Fair on June 3 to compete to win ribbons and prizes.

4-H is for youth ages 5-18 and is free to join. Membership is open to all youth regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, handicap or geographic location within Alachua County. Start your child off with a healthy new habit that could last them a lifetime.

To register, call Lorraine Williams, the Alachua County 4-H Program Coordinator, at (352) 955-2402 or email her at LGSmith@ifas.ufl.edu by February 2.

The Alachua County 4-H School Garden Volunteer Training Program is seeking volunteers to work with children on school garden projects. Training will take place on four consecutive mornings, January 31-February 3, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Qualifications for volunteers are that they enjoy working with children and gardening.

The training program will provide volunteers with basic gardening knowledge and skills, youth development concepts, tips for working with youth, knowledge of available grants, and knowledge of various gardening curriculums that are available. Vegetable, flower, butterfly and wildlife gardening will be covered. Participants will be expected to volunteer this spring in an Alachua County 4-H school garden upon completion of the program.

For questions or to register, please call Lorraine Williams, the Alachua County 4-H Program Coordinator, at (352) 955-2402 or email her at LGSmith@ifas.ufl.edu by January 24.

For persons requiring special accommodations to 4-H activities please contact Bill Heltemes at (352) 955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY (352) 955-2406, or at the Alachua County Extension Service, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609. Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request. Upon request, for persons with print-related disabilities, this information is available in alternate formats.