12/5/18 @ 10:55 a.m. -

The 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking Contest is an exciting chance for fourth through sixth grade students from all over the county to show off their public speaking skills. This year 11 Nassau County schools participated in the contest, including 2 for the very first time.

The contest begins at the school level with each classroom hosting a competition and the winners from each classroom moving on to the school level competition. The winners from each school’s elementary and middle school divisions then compete against each other at the county contest.

This year’s contest was held Thursday, 11/15, and was full of animated and impressive participants. All of the students did an outstanding job! Congratulations to our winners and congratulations to every student who participated both at the county-level and in their classrooms! The first place winners from each division will receive a scholarship to the 4-H summer camp of their choice for the summer of 2019.
 
Winners in the Elementary School Division:
1st Place – Allie Mizell, Hilliard Elementary
2nd Place – Elijah Stewart, Hilliard Elementary
3rd Place – Vala Harrison, Bryceville Elementary
Honorable Mention – Lila Zacarro, Yulee Elementary
 
Winners in the Middle School Division:
1st Place – Brent Mizell, Callahan Middle School
2nd Place – Brody Singley, Callahan Middle School
3rd Place – Braylin Crosby, Yulee Middle School  
Honorable Mention – Ella Geiger, Hilliard Middle/Senior High School 
 
The Tropicana Public Speech Contest is facilitated through Nassau County 4-H. For more information about this program, contact our office at 904-530-6353.

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

10/17/18 @ 4:50 p.m - The Nassau County Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale will take place this Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the demonstration garden located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL (James S. Page Governmental Complex)

The sale will feature a variety of plants, fall flowers, custom painted pots and secondhand gardening equipment. All proceeds will benefit the Master Gardener Program and their community projects throughout the County.

If you love gardening, you don't want to miss this event! If you have any questions, please contact the County Extension Office at (904) 530-6353.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/26/18 @ 1:45 p.m. - The County Extension Office will be hosting a Hurricane Preparedness Workshop on Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Topics of discussion include:

• Hurricane meal plans and food safety
• Mold management
• Preparing your landscape
• Youth's role in difficult situations
• Preparing your boat, farm and livestock

The workshop will be held in the Emergency Operations Center located at 77150 Citizens Circle, Yulee, FL 32097. Tickets are $5 and include a mock hurricane dinner and refreshments. To sign up, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/23/18 @ 9:40 a.m. - The Nassau County Extension Office will be hosing a pond workshop tomorrow from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at their office located at 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011.

Topics of discussion include pond water quality, fish species selection, aquatic weeds, and more. The cost is $10 and you can register by calling (904) 530-6563 or by clicking here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

6/13/18 @ 1:15 p.m. - It's officially summer camp season for Nassau County 4-H! Camps are filling up fast, but a few camps still have spaces available. 4-H is open to all youth looking for a fun summer adventure!  All spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. Unless otherwise noted, all camps take place at the Callahan Extension office. Please wear closed toed shoes and bring a lunch.
 
Food, Fun and Fitness – June 25-28
Do you like to cook, eat, and stay active? This camp will include all 3, plus multiple field trips to practice how to eat healthy and how to be healthy. Taking care of yourself has never been so fun or delicious! This camp is for youth ages 8-12 and runs from 9:30-2:30. The cost is $70. This camp takes place at our Yulee Extension office.
 
Teen Life Skills Boot Camp – July 17-19
Are you a teen hoping to learn how to be more independent? Join us for Life Skills Boot Camp and learn a wide variety of essentials skills you'll need in life all in one place. Topics will include cooking, car maintenance, finances, scheduling, and more. Lunch will be provided. This camp is for youth ages 12-18 and runs from 9:30-2:30. The cost is $60.
 
Exploring the Great Outdoors – July 31 – Aug 3
Calling all Cloverbuds! This summer we will explore the world around us through games, activities, and adventures. We will take a hike in the woods and have an indoor camp out. Bring your sunscreen and bug spray and get ready to explore the outdoors! This camp is for youth ages 5-7 and runs from 9:30-2:30. The cost is $50.
 
Camp Cherry Lake Residential Camp
July 9 - 13, Madison, FL
This summer Nassau County will be at Camp Cherry Lake from July 9-13. Kayaking, archery, campfires, singing and games are just a few of the many activities youth will have the chance to participate in while at camp! CCL is open to all youth ages 8-13 (as of 9/1/17) - not just 4-H members! The cost is $250 for members and $275 for non-members.

Call to reserve your spot today: 904-530-6353.

-Kristen Poppell
 4-H Youth Development Agent
 Nassau County Extension Office
 

5/16/18 @ 1:25 p.m. - The Nassau County Extension Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale is this Saturday from 9am-12pm in the demonstration garden located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL (James S. Page Governmental Complex).

The sale will feature plants propagated by Master Gardeners, custom painted planters, secondhand gardening equipment and FNGLA Florida Plants of the Year. All proceeds with benefit the Master Gardener Program and the volunteer community projects they perform throughout the County.

If you love gardening, you don't want to miss this event! Call the Extension Office at (904) 530-6353 for additional information.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/27/18 @ 3:40 p.m. - Did you know that the County Extension features a month-by-month gardening schedule on their website? These checklists include information caring for trees, grass, flowers, lawns, fruit, vegetables and more! It also provides information on when to plant certain flowers and vegetables to increase their chances of survival. Pictured above are zinnias and okra, both of which are recommended for planting in May.

Click here for May's checklist. To see what other helpful tips the County Extension Office has to offer, please visit their website.

If you have any questions, please call the County Extension Office at (904) 530-6351 or email Director, Rebecca Jordi at rljordi@ufl.edu.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/28/18 @ 3:45 p.m. - It's almost summer and Nassau County 4-H is gearing up for another great one! This summer 4-H will be offering 6 day camp opportunities, along with our residential camp (Camp Cherry Lake) and other statewide 4-H events. 4-H camps are open to all youth ages 5-18. Attached is a copy of our 4-H Summer Fun Guide which includes information about all the camps.

For more information or to register for camps, please call 904-530-6353 or visit the County Extension's website. All camps are filled on a first come, first served basis, so sign up today to secure your child's spot!​

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/19/18 @ 10:15 a.m. - The Nassau County Extension Office has baby chicks! These chicks were hatched at the Yulee Primary School and are available for purchase by donation. Suggested donation is $2 per chick, with a minimum 2 chicks required. All proceeds benefit Nassau County 4-H and support the embryology program in our local schools.

Pick up is at the Callahan County Extension Office located at 543350 US Highway 1. Hours are Monday, March 19th-Friday, March 23rd, from 8am-5pm. For additional information, please call (904) 530-6353. Attached is a flyer.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/13/18 @ 4:25 p.m. - At the Monday, March 12, 2018 meeting, the Board approved a Resolution recognizing several Master Gardeners for their years of service.

These volunteers have spent countless hours providing researched-based information to Nassau County residents on a variety of topics such as agriculture, environmental horticulture, family and community sciences, 4-H youth development, and natural resources. Their dedication has greatly benefitted Nassau County residents and we are so grateful for their service.

We extend our since appreciation to:

• Candace Bridgewater for 10 years of service
• Carol Ann Atwood for 10 years of service
• Shirley Lohman for 10 years of service
• Joanne Roach for 10 years of service
• Claudie Speed for 10 years of service

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office