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UF IFAS Extension Columbia County

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UF IFAS Extension Columbia County

UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County address the needs of the community by providing practical, researc All UF/IFAS comments are made by UF/IFAS designees.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences intends to educate, inform and provide updated information on UF/IFAS activities and to support and promote UF/IFAS’ objectives for these activities through its social media site. This site is not a public forum. Social media users may share ideas through commentary that is consistent with and furthers the objectives of a UF/IFA

S post and the University of Florida IFAS reserves the right to remove any comments that do not fall within this purpose. By posting a comment on this social media site, users agree to follow the terms of use of the site, Florida and federal laws and University of Florida regulations and policies, including but not limited to the University’s Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy. UF/IFAS reserves the right to remove from the site any comments that violate these requirements.

09/04/2026

🐓🎉 Calling All Columbia County 4-H & FFA Poultry Exhibitors! 🎉🐓

The 2026 Florida Gateway Fair is just around the corner, and there are more ways than ever to show off your poultry knowledge, creativity, and skills! Join us October 30 – November 8 for an exciting lineup of contests designed for youth of all ages.

🐔 Open Poultry Contests
🎨 Poultry Poster Contest – October 29 Drop Off
📸 Poultry Photo Contest – October 29 Drop Off
🍳 Omelet Cooking Contest – October 31
🥚 Egg Decorating Contest – October 31
🥚 Egg Quality Contest – November 2 Drop Off

🎉 Exhibitor Fun Contests
👕 Chicken Costume Contest – November 6
🏃 Chicken Run Race – November 6

🏆 Poultry Show & Showmanship
🐓 Poultry Check-In – November 2
🐓 Poultry Showmanship – November 8

⏰ Don't Miss These Important Deadlines!
📅 Poultry Show Entries: Due Friday, October 16 by 4:00 PM
📅 Showmanship & ALL Poultry Contest Pre-Registration: Due Monday, October 26 by 4:00 PM

Whether you're an experienced exhibitor or showing poultry for the first time or not even showing poultry, there's a contest for everyone—from photography and art to cooking, egg quality, costumes, and racing your favorite chicken!

👉 Pre-registration is required for all contests and showmanship. Register through the livestock exhibitor registration portal available on the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Website: www.fgfair.org - Look under Events>Livestock Exhibits>Exhibitor Registration

We can't wait to see your creativity, sportsmanship, and outstanding poultry projects at this year's fair! 🐥💚

09/01/2026

🇺🇸🌾 Celebrate 250 Years of Agriculture in America at the 2026 Florida Gateway Fair! 🌾🇺🇸

For 250 years, Americans have grown food, raised livestock, created by hand, and passed valuable skills from one generation to the next. This year, you can be part of that tradition!

Columbia County 4-H members are invited to showcase their talents and celebrate America's agricultural heritage by exhibiting projects at the 2026 Florida Gateway Fair.

Whether you've...
🫙 Preserved fruits and vegetables
🧵 Sewn clothing or quilts
🎨 Created artwork or handmade crafts
🌻 Grown beautiful flowers or plants
📸 Captured agriculture through photography
🍀 Completed a 4-H project you're proud of
..there's a place for your work at the fair!

Every exhibit tells a story—of skills learned, creativity developed, and traditions carried forward. By entering your projects, you're helping celebrate 250 Years of Agriculture in America while inspiring the next generation of makers, growers, and leaders.

📅 Important Dates
📝 October 26 by 4:00 PM – Entry registration and drop-off appointments are due.
📦 October 29 – Fair booth exhibit drop-off at the Columbia County Extension Fair Booth inside Exhibit Hall B (by appointment only).

🎥 Share Your Story!
Take advantage of the optional Youth Share by submitting a short video or written description explaining what inspired your project and how it reflects your 4-H experience.

As we celebrate 250 Years of Agriculture in America, let's honor the past by showcasing the talents that will shape the future.

🍀 Learn by Doing. Honor Tradition. Inspire Tomorrow.

09/01/2026

4-H Club Highlight: Columbia County 4-H Entomology Club! 🔬🦋

The brand-new Columbia County 4-H Entomology Club is exploring the fascinating world of insects through hands-on activities, collections, experiments, insect identification, and learning about the important role insects play in our environment!

The club is open to youth ages 10–18!

First Meeting: September 17 at 5:30 PM

How to Join:
Youth can be enrolled in Columbia County 4-H through 4-H Online: v2.4honline.com

Questions? Contact UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County at 386-752-5384.

08/25/2026

Looking to get your ServSafe Certification. Register by tomorrow (8/26) to join our class on Sept. 3rd!

08/24/2026

4-H Club Highlight: Columbia County 4-H STEM Explorers! 🔬🚀

The Columbia County 4-H STEM Explorers Club is discovering the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math through fun experiments, hands-on activities, creative challenges, and STEM-based projects!

The club is open to youth ages 8–18!

How to Join:
Youth can be enrolled in Columbia County 4-H through 4-H Online: v2.4honline.com

Questions? Contact UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County at 386-752-5384.

08/18/2026

4-H Club Highlight: Columbia County 4-H Homeschool Club!

The Columbia County 4-H Homeschool Club is exploring the world this year with our “Around the World” theme! Each month, members will discover a different country through culture, food, crafts, games, and hands-on activities. The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month and is open to all homeschool youth ages 5–18!

📅 Next Meeting: September 8
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County
437 NW Hall of Fame Dr., Lake City, FL

How to Join:

Ready to join us? Youth can enroll in 4-H through 4-H Online:

v2.4honline.com

Questions? Contact UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County at 386-752-5384.

08/14/2026

Join Us for the 4-H Open House!

Come see what 4-H has to offer and discover the clubs, activities, and opportunities available for youth in our community.

Stop by, meet our 4-H team and volunteers, explore our clubs, and find the perfect fit for your child. Whether they love animals, STEM, bugs, leadership, or just trying something new, there’s a place for them in 4-H!

- September 22, 2026
-4:00–6:00 PM
-UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County - 437 NW Hall of Fame Dr., Lake City, FL 32055

Come see what makes 4-H so special! We can’t wait to see you there!

08/11/2026

🎨🌾 Bellamy Beaver is headed to the Florida Gateway Fair! 💧🦫

Calling all young artists ages 4–9! The Florida Gateway Fair Coloring Contest is back, and this year Bellamy Beaver is helping us celebrate 250 Years of Agriculture in America while sharing an important message: clean water helps agriculture grow!

Three coloring pages have been designed especially for different age groups:
🖍️ Ages 4–5 – Every drop helps our farms grow!
🖍️ Ages 6–7 – Clean Water has helped America grow for 250 Years
🖍️ Ages 8–9 – Protecting our water protects agriculture—and our future!

The contest is open to Columbia County residents ages 4–9. Each child may enter ONE picture using crayons, colored pencils, or markers.

📥 Coloring pages can be downloaded here:
https://floridagatewayfairgrounds.org/florida-gateway-fair/
or
https://tinyurl.com/2026BellamyColoringContest

📅 Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM
📍 Entries must be submitted to the Fair Office.
☎️ Questions? Contact UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County at (386) 752-5384.

Grab those crayons, markers, or colored pencils and help Bellamy celebrate the connection between clean water, agriculture, and our future! 💧🌱🚜

08/10/2026

Are you a food manager or staffer who needs their ServSafe certification? Join us to learn about food safety and quality and take your exam.

08/07/2026

Our bareroot strawberry plants are now available for pre-order! This year you can choose from Camarosa, Fronteras, or Chandlers. We have limited quantities of each. All should preform well in this area and will have berries around May. Plants will arrive around October 21st and must be picked up from the Extension Office. Plants are 50 for $30 or 10 for $6. To order plants, please visit https://strawberries2026.eventbrite.com.

Address

437 NW Hall Of Fame Drive
Lake City, FL
32055

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

(386) 752-5384

Website

http://columbia.ifas.ufl.edu/, http://solutionsforyourlife.com/, http://ufgive.to/Columbia4H

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