Comments on: Escambia Names New Extension Service Director

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 18:25:08 +0000

Thanks David, I have kept up with the Land sale and such, was an FFA member from Jay but never had the privilege of 4-H activities

By: Sarah-Jane

Sarah-Jane — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 03:10:13 +0000

Welcome……. Barrineau Park 4-H is excited to welcome you and your family to Escambia County.

By: david lamb

david lamb — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 20:28:21 +0000

Frank 4H was set up to have community based cubs, separate from FFA which are school based programs, Over the years for whatever reason 4H has tried to move in on school programs inter city youth programs ad programs for under privileged youth, Probably to get federal dollars and broaden participation. Less rural youth are going into these programs. FFA . especially Tate and Northview have done a fantastic job of increasibg their programs foe FFA.

By: david lamb

david lamb — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 20:19:48 +0000

@ Frank, As a farm boy from Cottage Hill, I became a 4H member and showed the Grand Champion Steer @ Pensacola Interstate Fair @9 years old on Fairfield Drive.
There was Narvo Stevens(head of Escambia extension), Edwina Robinson Home EC
extension and usually 2 men and 2 women agents to operate the 4H program.
The 4H program was a program set up in the dust bowl depression years to try to indoctrinate rural youth in farming practices that would aide farmers to stop the top soil from blowing out of their fields. Farmers were overworking their fields and would not listen to the government advisers.
The 4H program was turned over to state AG universities by federal law, So, in Florida it is controlled/operated by University of Florida, IFAS . County commissioners van oversee the program to some degree and here is usually an appointed group to oversee the funding. IFAS has much of the control.
In Escambia County there was a big controversy over the 4H camp being sold to Navy Federal. It caused a rift between the “north and south” parts of Escambia which finally culminated in IFAS conceding to purchase new land around Molino.
Rural farmers raised enough noise to get this new replacement.
Escambia 4H used to be one of the most active and award winning programs in the state. Under the guidance of J.Lowell Loadholtz there were many state award winning 4Hers from Escambia. One year we took most of the state awards, It has since fizzled and this is a demanded change to try to bring back those years,,, like the CUBS have done

I am sue some can add to this or debunk me but that is how I see it!

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:23:43 +0000

Is it my understanding that he will be leading the 4-H program as part of his duties? Ignorant to how the system works please educate me someone.

By: wings

wings — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 16:57:16 +0000

Now maybe the youth can “LEARN BY DOING” and “MAKE THE BEST BETTER”

Welcome Mr. Simmons!!!!

By: david lamb

david lamb — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:07:29 +0000

Praise the Lord and Pass the biscuits!
Maybe the richest 4H program in the US will return to its past reward winning ways,
The resources are there, just needed a good mentor to steer it.
Maybe 4H in Escambia can get some of the limelight that Northview FFA has been receiving. Northview has an excellent program!
As a past Escambia 4Her I long to see Escambia 4H youth winning accolades!

By: Breath of fresh air

Breath of fresh air — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:00:45 +0000

What a welcome sight to have someone with such a agricultural and 4-H background. It is also a nice change to have someone who genuinely cares about growing and promoting the 4-H program vs. viewing it as a personal ATM.