(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- With some motivational help from several NFL football players, the Miami-Dade 4-H Youth Program taught students at Carol City Elementary School about nutrition and healthy living during a special event held Wednesday, January 27 to celebrate students' positive choices.  The event was also designed to reward students and staff who took part in constructing a thriving vegetable garden under 4-H's leadership.

As part of the day's activities, first-graders received hands-on help creating necklaces made from seeds from former linebacker Darrin Smith, who played with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints among other teams; and Dwayne White, former offensive lineman for the New York Jets nicknamed the "Roadgrader."

4-H is a volunteer-led youth development program managed by Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension, a partnership of the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department and the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.  For more information on the 4-H program, visit http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/4h or call 305-888-5010, ext 107.

First-graders at Carol City Elementary School learn how to make necklaces out of seeds on January 27, 2010.  Assisting them were, from left to right, former Dallas Cowboy player Darrin Smith, 4-H representative Mary McCready, and former New York Jets player Dwayne White.	Members of the Miami-Dade 4-H Club take a photo op with a couple of NFL players.  From left to right, John Coolidge, Christian Fernandez, former Dallas Cowboy Darrin Smith, current  NY Giants wide receiver Sinorice Moss, Lynette Herbert and Rebekah Diaz.

About CSD
The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department (CSD) investigates and mediates consumer complaints, enforces the County's consumer protection laws and business regulations, and licenses certain businesses.  In addition, the department's Cooperative Extension Division provides technical assistance to commercial agricultural growers, backyard gardeners, homeowners, and manages youth and family development programs.  The department also educates consumers on issues that affect them and provides resources to the public to improve their quality of life.