Ask IFAS: Christopher DeCubellis

Running a Smooth 4-H Business Meeting

Chris DeCubellis

A quality 4-H club meeting consists of three main parts: (1) the business meeting, (2) an educational component, and (3) a recreational component. This 4-page fact sheet focuses on running a smooth 4-H business meeting.

Raising a Market Show Hog

Chris DeCubellis

Florida 4-H Dairy Record Book

Karen Hamilton, Chris Decubellis, Chris Holcomb, and Sarah Hensley

Florida 4-H Poultry Project Record Book

Chris Decubellis

Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits: Market Rabbit Record Book

Joy Jordan, Loretta Rodriguez, Jessica Kochert, Bill Heltemes, Chris Decubellis, and Renée Gore

This document familiarizes youth with the importance of record keeping as an integral part of project management. Records help youth keep track of vital information that can later help them make the best decisions regarding their animals. By tracking inventory, financial records associated with their project, rabbit health and growth details, industry-specific information such as wool/meat/kit yield, as well as pedigree/breeding and identification methods and dates, youth will be well prepared to relate their experiences in a written narrative as part of their project completion activities.

Florida 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

Chris Decubellis

Getting Started in the 4-H Embryology Project: Tips for 4-H Agents and Teachers

Marcus Boston, Chris Decubellis, and Judith Levings

Care of Baby Chicks

Christopher DeCubellis

Provides basic overview of the care of chicks, brooder requirements, space requirements, what to do when chicks arrive, feeding, and keeping chicks healthy.

Tips on Halterbreaking Cattle

Chris DeCubellis

Many youth join 4-H with visions of exhibiting dairy or beef cattle. For those youth new to a dairy or beef project, halterbreaking their project animals is an early step to help prepare their project animal for exhibition. This new 2-page publication of the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Program provides a brief list of tips for halterbreaking an animal. Written by Chris DeCubellis.

My Intermediate 4-H Project Report

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

This report form is to be completed by intermediate (age 11–13) 4-H members as a record of their 4-H project completion. Project Reports should be turned in annually at the end of the 4-H year to their county 4-H agent. This 10-page major revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

My 4-H Cloverbud Project Summary

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

The 4-H Cloverbud Project Summary is intended for youth ages 5–7 to complete at the completion of a 4-H educational project. This 7-page revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

My Junior 4-H Project Report

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

This report form is to be completed by junior (age 8–10) 4-H members as a record of their 4-H project completion. Project Reports should be turned in annually at the end of the 4-H year to their county 4-H agent. This 10-page major revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

My Senior 4-H Project Report

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

This report form is to be completed by senior (age 14–18) 4-H members as a record of their 4-H project completion. Project Reports should be turned in annually at the end of the 4-H year to their county 4-H agent. This 10-page major revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

What’s Involved in Caring for Dairy Goats

Chris DeCubellis and Izabella Toledo

The 4-H dairy goat project is an excellent choice for young people who enjoy working with animals. This particular project allows a 4-H member to work with the same animal for an extended period, possibly even years, as both “kids” can grow together. This new 4-page publication, written by Chris DeCubellis and Izabella Toledo, will explore some of the minimum requirements to successfully care for a dairy goat.

Properly Cleaning Portable Milking Units: A Step-by-Step Guide

Izabella Toledo and Chris Decubellis

This article aims to help small dairy producers learn how to properly clean portable milking machines so they can improve milk quality and prolong the life of milking equipment. This publication is accompanied by one brochure that aims to summarize the steps for proper cleaning of portable milking units. Written by Izabella Toledo and Chris Decubellis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, April 2024.

4-H Volunteer Training Series: Recognizing Young People

Originally written by Georgene Bender. Revised by Geralyn Sachs, Sarah Hensley, Andrew Toelle, Kelsey Cook, Marnie Ward, Shayla Reighter, Dallas Meringolo, Courtney Quirie and Christopher Decubellis.

Developing a sense of belonging is one of the Essential Elements of a positive youth development experience. Creating an inclusive environment in your 4-H club programs and activities can help you achieve this goal. Providing many forms of recognition for all, not just for those who excel in competition with other youth, supports this sense of belonging.