Florida’s Oldest: Barrineau Park 4-H Club Celebrates 100 Years

September 14, 2014

A 100th birthday celebration was held Saturday for the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, the oldest continuously operating 4-H Club in Florida and perhaps in the country.

4-H members past and present shared memories of 4-H — everything from Corn Clubs of days log ago,  to raising hogs, to public speaking to photographs on Instagram and Facebook.

“Early Extension agents were having a hard time working with the adults and helping them understand new technologies and new practices for growing corn and tomatoes and livestock,” Dr. Nick Place, dean of the University of Florida/IFAS Extension program, said while explaining why 4-H clubs were formed 100 years ago. “We were able to really work with the kids and help them understand these new technologies, and they would take that home and then their parents would adopt it.”

The club was presented with numerous honors and awards, including a special message from Congressman Jeff Miller that will be read into the Congressional Record on Monday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

For a photo gallery, click here.

There are currently 23 students involved in the Barrineau Park 4-H Club who are active in everything from leadership, citizenship, livestock, horses, food and nutrition, environmental education, marine science, shooting sports and public speaking and the club has become known for raising and showing prize-winning hogs.

The club is also celebrating in true 4-H fashion by helping others. Members have been busy performing 100 hours of community service, gathering magazines to donate to nursing homes, collecting shoes for needy families and food for area food banks, baking cookies and cupcakes to give to the local fire department and writing thank you cards to military personnel.

For an earlier story, click here for more of history of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club.

Pictured top: Members, alumni and supporters of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club gather for a 100th birthday photo Saturday outside the Barrineau Park Community Center. Pictured inset: Dr. Nick Place, dean of the University of Florida/IFAS Extension program. Pictured below: Commissioner Steven Barry presents an Escambia County proclamation to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Florida’s Oldest: Barrineau Park 4-H Club Celebrates 100 Years”

  1. Craig Exner on September 16th, 2014 3:15 pm

    It was an enjoyable afternoon spent last Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center–YOUR CENTER–celebrating the l00th birthday of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. The Program was a blending of fond memories of past members coupled with the many positive activities of the present day members. Mrs. Tena Gindl and her hard-working group of adults and students are to be commended for a job well done–Bobby Gindl was indeed smiling down from above!!!

  2. Kim on September 16th, 2014 7:59 am

    I was in this 4-H. I’m glad to see they are still active

  3. melodies4us on September 14th, 2014 8:43 pm

    I have a good feeling about Steven Barry. I think he will be good for us.

  4. BPD on September 14th, 2014 10:23 am

    “Camp Timpoochee” and yes they do.

  5. Ryan on September 14th, 2014 10:10 am

    Yes escambia 4h does ever summer for a week

  6. Jackie Johnson on September 14th, 2014 7:19 am

    Does the 4H still attend Camp Tim Poochee (may not be spelled correctly) near Niceville? Great memories there. Barrineau Park continue the good work.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News