HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Calling all junior gardeners! Registration is open for the 2024 Youth Vegetable and Fruit Show hosted by Hillsborough County Extension Service.
Show off your fruits, vegetables, and herbs to win cash prizes!
The 2024 Youth Vegetable and Fruit Show brings together Hillsborough County kids and teens aged 8 through high school seniors who grow their vegetables, fruits, or herbs.
The kids and teens can grow their produce at a school, club garden, home, or commercial farm.
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2024 Youth Vegetable and Fruit Show Schedule:
Feb. 23: Registration deadline. Participants can register on Eventbrite.
April 1: Email pictures of produce being grown to allisonwilliams@ufl.edu
April 30: Drop off produce and record books to the Hillsborough County Extension Office at 5339 County Rd. 579, Seffner, FL 33584 between noon and 6 p.m.
May 1: Awards show at Extension Office.
Entries can be submitted as individual, agriculture club member/4-H member, or as a group chapter entry. The produce can be grown in the ground, raised beds, potted, or in a hydroponic set up. Judging will be based on appearance of the produce, including its size and quality. All produce should be free from insects, disease, nutritional stress, and excessive environmental injuries.
The 2024 Youth Vegetable and Fruit Show is designed to encourage the production of high-quality edible vegetables, fruit, and herbs and to reward junior growers for their efforts.
Kids will learn valuable skills related to feeding themselves, their families, and their community, as well as lessons in discipline, observation, time management, record keeping, and responsibility.
Hillsborough County Extension Service’s Small Farms program focuses on the challenges and opportunities facing Hillsborough County small farms, and aims to educate the next generation of small farmers. To learn more, visit HCFL.gov/Extension.
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