Local 4-H team earns national honors

Marion County’s 4-H Horticulture ID and Judging Team won second place for their state display at a recent national event in Nebraska. From left are Hannah Varnadoe, Jeremiah Caswell, Lane Taylor and Kylie Goodson. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program]

The four members of the Marion County 4-H Horticulture ID and Judging Team recently notched the National Reserve Champions title at the 2024 National Junior Horticulture Association’s National 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The team qualified for the national competition by placing first in the senior division at the 2024 Florida 4-H State Horticulture ID and Judging contest in June. The team members are Hannah Varnadoe, Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson and Jeremiah Caswell. Their volunteer coach is Shelley Sharp.

“The team had to learn to identify and evaluate more than 100 horticulture specimens, from ornamentals, fruits and vegetables, plant structure and seeds. In addition, the youth could also participate in the floral design contest, public speaking, photography and horticulture demonstrations,” said Katie Davis, Extension Agent I with the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.

“Our Marion County 4-H Team are the National Reserve Champions. Kylie ranked third, Lane seventh and Jeremiah 10^th high individual. Lane won first in the senior division for his poetry, Jeremiah won senior division floral design and Kylie won top chef for her pickles and jam categories. The team also placed third in the quiz bowl, second in the state exhibit and won the spirit award. In addition, Kylie, Lane and Jeremiah were voted national officers for the NJHA. Because the team took second place, they can compete again next year at the national level as the honorary team,” Davis stated.

Davis explained that the team members had been practicing since mid-spring in the classroom and visited local plant nurseries to perfect their plant identification skills.

“As a proud coach of the team, I couldn’t be more thrilled with our performance at the national contest in Nebraska. Traveling as a cohesive team, we demonstrated our dedication and passion for horticulture and came away as Reserve National Champions,” noted Sharp.

“The experiences we shared as a team were unforgettable, allowing us to network with fellow 4-H members and industry leaders from across the nation. The rigorous nature of this contest not only tests horticultural knowledge but also sharpens critical analytical and decision-making skills. I’m incredibly proud of our youth—they represent not just Marion County but all of Florida with grace and talent. What an amazing journey it has been,” Sharp added.

“That was a very professionally run contest. From the accommodations to the activities to the ID competition itself, I was impressed. It wasn’t an easy one either, I was thoroughly stumped several times while trying to identify plants. This was well balanced with extremely helpful study sessions before the contest that allowed us to have our questions answered if we were unfamiliar with species that don’t grow locally,” said Lane.

“The National Junior Horticultural Association Conference was an amazing experience. I had a ton of fun and learned so much about horticulture and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Florida at nationals,” offered Jeremiah.

“The trip to the National Junior Horticulture Association was a great experience and I met people from all over the country. Meeting all these great people, I learned about the horticulture industry and how it isn’t just a field you can find a career in, but how horticulture is in your daily life from the grocery store to your yard,” Kylie noted.

“The 2024 NJHA convention was a fun new experience. We got to meet people from around the country. We explored the Arbor Day farms and Arbor Lodge Historical Park. We learned a lot from our study sessions as well,” Hannah stated.

Local youth can participate in 4-H through community clubs, councils, day camps, school enrichment, judging teams, events and activities, and more. They also can exhibit projects each year at the Southeastern Youth Fair in February.

To learn more, call the Marion County 4-H Office at (352) 671-8400 or visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/marion/marion-county-4-h

Displaying their medals from the 2024 National Junior Horticulture Association’s National 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest in Lincoln, Nebraska, are local team members Kylie Goodson, Lane Taylor, Jeremiah Caswell and Hannah Varnadoe. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program]