5/31/19 @ 11:15 a.m. - On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, dozens attended a Ground Breaking Ceremony in celebration of the upcoming construction of a new County Extension Facility to be located at 85834 Miner Rd in Yulee. Those in attendance included the Board of County Commissioners, UF/IFAS Extension Staff, master gardeners, community volunteers and extension supporters.

The new 2,000 square foot facility will serve as the administration office for the Extension staff and will feature classrooms for lawn, agriculture, and family consumer classes and training rooms for the master gardeners and extension agents. The property will also feature demonstration gardens, a nature trail with learning stations, an orchard, and an aquatic pond for pond maintenance training.

The new facility will be named the Rebecca L. Jordi Cooperative Extension Office, in honor of our current Extension Director, Ms. Becky Jordi. Anyone who has met Ms. Jordi can attest to her passion for agriculture and horticulture and her determination to make this project a reality. It is anticipated that the project will be completed within the next 16 months.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/20/19 @ 10:50 a.m. - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our 4-H Youth Development Agent, Kristen Poppell. Kristen had been working with Nassau County since November 2015 and coordinated many of the County Extension Office's youth outreach programs, youth day camps and resident camps, and was the leader of the 4-H County Council teaching teens about citizenship and community service. She led many youth educational programs including the YUM (Youth Understanding MyPlate) Program in Nassau's elementary schools and the Youth Leadership Nassau Program.

Kristen was an exceptional employee who touched everyone she came in contact with through her love of 4-H. She will be greatly missed by her co-workers, Extension volunteers, and the youth she mentored.

Kristen leaves behind her husband, Chase, her mother and father, Gloria and Dwayne Glover, a brother and a sister. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

5/13/19 @ 1:20 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners and UF/IFAS Nassau Extension Office will be hosting a Ground Breaking Ceremony this Wednesday, May 15th, in celebration of the upcoming construction of the new County Extension Office and Demonstration Gardens.

The event will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the site located at 85831 Miner Road, Yulee, FL 32097. (see map below)

The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served following the event.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/24/19 @ 2:30 p.m. - On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners recognized Ms. Wanda Simmons as Nassau County's Volunteer of the Year during the 34th Annual Volunteer Recognition Event held at the Atlantic Recreation Center. This event celebrates volunteerism throughout Nassau County and dozens of businesses and organizations are in attendance to share and recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make Nassau County a better place to live, work and play.

Ms. Wanda Simmons was nominated by Nassau County Extension Director, Rebecca Jordi, for her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in providing educational programs and volunteer activities for the County's 4-H Program. Ms. Jordi stated, "Her leadership and dedication to 4-H are assets for agents, members, parents, and club leaders as she is extremely knowledgeable, approachable and kind".

The impact Ms. Simmons has made through her work at the Nassau County Extension Office is truly remarkable. She began volunteering with the Extension 29 years ago with an interest in poultry and after only 1 year, she was leading the 4-H Poultry Judging Team and is now the County’s primary 4-H Poultry Project Leader. She holds workshops on care, selection and showmanship and has sent several teams to the National Poultry Judging Contest, all of which have all placed in the top 10. She holds annual clinics and organizes the multi-county event at the Northeast Florida Fair.
 
Ms. Simmons is the primary club leader of the Callahan Country Kids 4-H Club and has organized numerous community projects with the children including town clean-up events, beautification projects in public spaces, food drives, donations for families in need, and often visits the Council on Aging to play games and interact with the elderly.
 
In addition to leading workshops and club meetings, Ms. Simmons is an integral part of the County’s embryology program. She donates eggs to local schools and volunteers in the classrooms to spark youth interest in 4-H and embryology. In one case, a school became so inspired that they petitioned their city to allow chickens at the school for after school programs. Ms. Simmons happily donated two birds to the program and continues to stay in contact, visiting the school often.
 
Ms. Simmons has earned the respect and gratitude of the employees of the Extension Office, as well other volunteers and the youth involved in 4-H.  When asked why she volunteers, Ms. Simmons stated,
“4-H is a wonderful program. There are so many opportunities for youth to gain knowledge and learn life skills. Most youth involved in 4-H turn out to be successful adults who give back to their community. What else could you ask for"?
 
Congratulations Ms. Simmons on being selected as Nassau County’s Volunteer of the Year for 2019. We appreciate all that you do for the residents of Nassau County.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 

4/10/19 @ 8:35 a.m.

Support sending youth to Nassau County 4-H summer camps by participating in our Dinner & Donuts fundraiser! Tickets are available now through April 22. Order your spaghetti dinners for $5 each and 1 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts or a voucher for 1 dozen donuts for $7 each. Purchase 2 dinners and a dozen donuts for only $15! All donut vouchers are redeemable at any Krispy Kreme location at any time.

Pick-up for all items will be Friday, April 26 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Callahan Extension Office (543350 US Hwy 1, Callahan). All items must be pre-ordered by Tuesday, April 22. To purchase your tickets, contact a 4-H member directly or contact the 4-H office at 904-530-6353 or krpoppell@ufl.edu. Your donation helps local youth attend fun and educational summer camps in Nassau County and beyond!

-Kristen Poppell
 4-H Extension Agent I
 County Extension Office

 

3/29/19 @ 9:30 a.m. - Each year, the Nassau County Extension Office strives to offer fun, exciting programs  where kids can learn essential skills and more about the world around them.

Attached is the 4-H Summer Fun Guide for 2019 which includes information on day camps, specialty camps, and the annual trip to Camp Cherry Lake. You are sure to find something that your kid will love! Examples include: Marine Camp, Horse Camp, Food Adventures, Art Camp, Teen Life Skills Boot Camp and more.

Registration for all 4-H Camps has opened. Please call (904) 530-6353 or visit EventBrite.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/27/19 @ 4:15 p.m. - The Nassau County Extension's 4-H Program, along with 4-H Programs from around the State, organize annual camping trips to the beautiful Camp Cherry Lake where children can enjoy a variety of activities including kayaking, swimming, and fishing while making life long friends. Child Development Experts agree that summer camp also fulfills a basic need for belonging, acceptance, and humility while boosting self-esteem. 

Many parents desire to provide their children with the opportunity to attend summer camp, however some can't afford it. Nassau County Extension 4-H has established a program in which citizens can sponsor a local child to participate in their year's trip to Camp Cherry Lake which will take place in July. The cost is $250 for a full scholarship or $125 for a half scholarship.

If you are interested in sending a deserving child to camp, please see the attached flyer or contact Nassau County 4-H Extension Agent, Kelsey Irvine, at (904) 530-6350 or via e-mail at kelseymirvine@ufl.edu. The deadline to sponsor is June 1, 2019.

Note: The Nassau County Extension is a joint partnership between the University of Florida and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners. For more information related to the County Extension and programs/services they offer, please visit their website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/28/19 @ 11:30 a.m. - On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, Master Gardener Candace Bridgewater will conduct a class on attracting bluebirds to your landscape. The class will include a short history of the bluebird, information on the two enemies of nesting birds, how to best protect the bluebird, the ideal habitat, and best plant and food sources for bluebirds.

The class is free, however you may purchase a bluebird house to take home for $20. Please bring cash or a check made payable to the University of Florida.

What: Attracting Bluebirds Class
When: Wednesday, March 6th 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Where: Yulee County Building, 86026 Pages Diary Road, Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County Extension Office at (904) 530-6353.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/20/18 @ 8:45 a.m. - The next segment of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee's Housing Speaker Series titled "Myths & Truths About Repairing Your Credit" will take place on Wednesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m. Information on your credit report has a direct affect on your ability to obtain housing. Meg McAlpine, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for the Nassau County Extension Office, will be there to explain what factors drag your credit score down and what you can begin doing today to correct it.

WHAT: Myths & Truths About Repairing Your Credit
WHEN: Wednesday, January 9, 2019 AT 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Callahan County Building, 45401 Mickler St.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1079737962200374/


Note: The County Extension Office is made up of agents, staff and volunteers that address real-life issues faced by Floridians of all ages. They can provide you with the latest information and advice on a variety of topics including obesity, chronic disease, food, finances, family stresses, housing, nutrition and more. Services are free to Nassau County residents. If you are interested in obtaining help in any of these areas, please call the County Extension Office at (904) 530-6353.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/19/18 @ 4:30 p.m.

On December 6th, Youth Leadership Nassau celebrated regional recognition when it received the Northeast Florida Regional Council’s 2018 Excellence in Education award. Youth Leadership Nassau (YLN) was founded as a project of the Leadership Nassau program and is currently run by Nassau County 4-H. It is a collaboration of hard work by numerous local entities and individuals including the school board, local businesses, and many community organizations. The YLN Steering Committee would like to thank everyone who has assisted with the program as guest speakers, volunteers, hosts of educational tours, mentors, or in numerous other roles to help our youth succeed over the last 15 years. This award demonstrates recognition of a truly community-driven program!

YLN gives high school students from Nassau County the opportunity to meet fellow students, gain increased awareness of community needs, and develop leadership skills. Youth participate in monthly sessions on a variety of topics which include experiential learning, interactions with community leaders, and leadership development lessons. Session topics include Environmental Awareness, Government, and Entrepreneurship. Throughout the course of the program, youth create and implement group projects focused on solving a present-day issue affecting the community.

Since its establishment in 2007, over 250 youth have graduated from the YLN program.  Based on short-term evaluations, YLN develops leadership and other life skills (including communication and cooperation); promotes knowledge gain concerning local government, businesses, and community organizations; and provides networking opportunities for students. By supplementing traditional classroom education for these youth, YLN enhances their leadership qualities and prepares them to be future leaders in our community.

For more information about YLN or Nassau County 4-H, call 904-530-6353.

-Kristen Poppell
 4-H Extension Agent I
 Nassau County Extension Office