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Hippology Contest Start Guide

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What is Hippology?

The 4-H Hippology Contest is a comprehensive, skills based competition in which participants demonstrate the extent of their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry. Participants are able to develop a knowledge and respect for the equine industry, the issues specific to that industry, and its importance to the community, the state, and to the international economy.

Learn More

-Cloverleaf, Junior and Senior 4-H members are eligible to compete in Hippology.

-There are Junior and Senior divisions; Cloverleaf 4-H’ers who are at least in the 4th grade may compete in the Junior division.

-Competing as team members assists youth with the development of social skills, cooperation and managing feelings, as they become comfortable with working alongside others toward a common goal.

-Integrity, sportsmanship, decision-making abilities and public speaking skills are also strengthened through the Hippology experience.

-Participants are able to develop a knowledge and respect for the equine industry, the issues specific to that industry, and its importance to the community, the state, and to the international economy.

Break Down of the Contest

Practical application of knowledge and skills is demonstrated through a written test, a skill station, a judging competition and a team problems component in which team members’ work together to solve a specific issue as it relates to equine management. Students have the opportunity to strengthen their communication and leadership skills in an environment which allows contribution to group effort; encourages teamwork and promotes acceptance of differences. Participants must work with three or four team members in this equine event.

Preparation Ideas for 4-H Staff

-Each coach can determine the number of practices held during the judging season. Ideal practices last one hour to 1 ½ hours. You can have one to two practices a week. Teams can practice year round for a couple of months before the contest.

-Practices should include live farm visits and classroom lessons.

-Classroom activities can include:

-Have students bring in a picture of a horse and tell the class about that horse using the correct terms.

-Create games to play like horse jeopardy.

-Have PowerPoints and/or videos to show 4-H’ers what they need to know.

-Use PowerPoint to create slides of various equine related topics to quiz. Allow youth to create the slides as additional practice.

-Identification Stations are easily made from tri-fold boards. Engage youth in the creation process for additional practice.

-To get to the state contest, look for emails from the state office on registration deadlines.

-Encourage them that this is a fun way to learn about horses especially if you don’t have one.

Don’t forget the snacks at practice!

Special Considerations

-If staying overnight, be sure to plan in advance since some hotels fill up quickly.

-Be sure to plan for meals or snacks for after the contest. 4-H’ers may not eat when preparing reasons.

-Materials needed for horse judging are minimal.

-Some recommended resources are free while other may have a fee.

-When looking for local farms, you can look at the trainer directory for breed or riding associations.

Recommended Resources

NC State Extension
https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/equinehusbandry-educational-materials/sample-hippologymaterials/

Reference Material • Equine Science, by Jean T. Griffiths, all chapters. • Horse Smarts published by the American Youth Horse Council. • The Horse Industry Handbook published by The American Youth Horse Council. • The Horse Nutrition Handbook by Dr. Melyni Worth. • The Coloring Atlas of Horse Anatomy, by Robert A. Kainer and Thomas O. McCracken • Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms, by New Horizons Education Center • Information required in the Level 1 GA 4-H Novice Horseman Manual, Level 2 Intermediate Horseman Manual and Level 3 Master Horseman Project

Contact
Dr. Kari Turner, UGA Animal & Dairy Science Equine Extension Specialist
Kate Whiting, State 4-H Animal Science

Manual Prepared by: Allison Perkins, Bartow County 4-H Agent, Kate Whiting, State 4-H Animal Science Specialist 5/10/23 https://georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/agriculture-stem/agriculture/livestock-and-animalprojects/judging-teams/hippology/

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Rock Eagle 4-H Environmental Education Staff

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Full Time Environmental Education Staff

 

Picture of Jessica Kally

Jessica Kally
“The Swarm”
Environmental Education
Program Coordinator

 

Picture of Carmen Smith

Carmen Smith
“Skipper”
Environmental Education
Assistant Program Coordinator

 

Picture of Rosa Deloach
Rosa Deloach
“Squeaks”
Environmental Education
Outdoor Program Specialist

 

Picture of Patrick Saint
Patrick Saint
“Birdman”
Environmental Education
Live Animals and Exhibitions Specialist

 

Seasonal Environmental Educators

 

Picture of Autumn Baker
Autumn Baker
“Flip”

 

Picture of Brittany Davis

Brittany Davis
“Tiny”

 

Picture of Eric Harris

Eric Harris
“Eek”

 

Picture of Gabby Silva
Gabby Silva
“Cricket”

 

Picture of Leach Whitcomb
Leah Whitcomb
“Doe”

Picture of Mackenzie Abts
Mackenzie Abts
“Sunny”

 

Picture of Marlow Hines

Marlow  Hines
“Fungi”

 

Picture of Taylor Walker

Taylor Walker
“Moth”

 

Picture of Vickey O'Malley
Vickey O’Malley
“Ducky”

 

Part Time Environmental Educators

 

Picture of Haleigh Wiley

Haleigh Wiley
“Canoe”

 

Picture of Katelyn Hamm
Katelyn Hamm
“Doolittle”

 

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Georgia 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Procedure for Play

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Equipment:

  1. Game Panels – An appropriate device will be used which will provide a clear indication of the first contestant to respond to a question.

 

  1. Time Recorders – A stopwatch or other appropriate time device will be required.

 

  1. Signal Device – This signal device shall be used by the timekeepers and shall have a very distinctly different sound from that associated with the game panel.

 

  1. Score Keeping Devices – Two devices will be needed; one of which will be used to maintain team scores visible to the contestants and, if possible, the spectators.

 

Officials:

  1. Moderator (Quiz Person) – The moderator shall assume the direction of the matches within that particular room, ask all questions, designate contestants to answer questions and accept or reject all answers unless the questions and/or answers are challenged.  The moderator will also indicate when a contestant has exceeded the allocated time for a question.  The moderator will declare the match winner and shall always be in control of the matches.  The Moderator may also be asked to serve as a third judge.

 

  1. Referee Judges – At least two referee judges are recommended.  The judges must be knowledgeable horse persons and will be selected by Extension personnel.  One referee judge (or the moderator) should, if possible, be a veterinarian.  The referee judges rule jointly on the acceptability of any question or answer that is challenged.  In cases of challenge to questions or answers in matches with two referee judges, either both referee judges or one referee judge and the moderator must agree on the acceptability or rejection of any question and/or answer.  With only one referee judge, both the judge and the moderator must agree on actions to be taken.

 

  1. Timekeeper – Unless this duty is assumed by the moderator or by a referee judge, the timekeeper will monitor all time intervals and designate when time of response has been exceeded.

 

  1. Score Keepers – At least two individuals shall be used to keep score for each contest. One scorekeeper will sit beside the moderator and keep a score sheet which will serve as a written record of the game.  The two scorekeepers should keep eye contact throughout the match to be sure their scores agree.

 

Teams:

  1. Each team must consist of not less than four (4) or more than five (5) members.
    1. Only four (4) contestants shall be seated at the panel at any one time.
    2. During any match, one (1) team member only may be replaced at the panel when:
      1. the moderator deems it impossible for one of the seated members of the team to continue in the contest, or
      2. the captain of a team requests the replacement of a team member.
    3. The team member removed from a match becomes ineligible to return to that particular match. The team member removed and the replacement are both eligible to participate in further matches.

 

PROCEDURES OF PLAY

 

  1. Match Procedures
    1. Each match will be divided into two parts based either on time or number of questions.
    2. During Part 1: The one-on-one competition, only one member of each team will be eligible to respond to a question.  This eligibility will rotate with each question beginning with the number 1 players on each team, and passing to the number 2, 3, and 4 contestants of each team, respectively, until all the remaining questions have been asked.  It is suggested that each team member be given an opportunity to respond to the same number of questions.  That is, the number of questions asked during the first half of the game be evenly divisible by 4.

 

The point value of a correct response to a question during Part 1 of play (one-on-one competition) will be as follows:

 

  1. Correct response:  2 points
  2. An incorrect response: Seniors – loss of 1 point; Juniors – loss of 1 point
  3. If both contestants to whom a question is addressed fail to signal an intent to attempt an answer in the 5-second allowed time, neither team shall lose or gain any points.
  4. If a contestant, Junior or Senior, buzzes in and says nothing within 5 seconds – loss of 1 point.
  1. During Part 2: The point values will be as follows

 

  1. Regular questions (no bonus attached): 1 point
  2. Toss-up questions (bonus question attached):  1 point
  3. Bonus questions: 2 points
    1. Point value will be identified before the question is read by the moderator. No partial credit given.
  4. Incorrect response: Juniors and Seniors- loss of 1 point

 

  1. There will be four types of questions used. These will consist of:

 

  1.    One-on-one questions, to which a designated member of either team may respond.
  2.    Regular questions, to which any member of either team may respond.
  3.    Toss-up questions, also open for response by any member of either team. The only difference between a regular and a toss-up question will be that a toss-up question will have a bonus question attached to each and in general will be somewhat more difficult than the regular questions.
  4.    Bonus questions, which will be worth a pre-determined 2 points.  All parts of the bonus question must be answered before any points will be awarded.  No part of the bonus question will be repeated, nor will any additional information be given to the contestants relative to the question.

 

  1. Starting the Contest
  1. Teams are assembled and seated at their respective panels and each contestant given the opportunity to check the equipment.
  2. A team captain is designated and sits in the assigned spot.
  1. A coach is identified by each team.  There may only be one designated coach per team and the team coaches are the only two people in the audience who may speak during the match.

 

  1. The question packet is opened by the moderator and verified to be the correct set by the judges.
  2. The moderator reads the first question (as with all succeeding questions) until the completion of the reading of the questions or until such time as a contestant activates a buzzer.
    1.    Once a contestant activates a buzzer, they must be verbally acknowledged before they can answer the question.  After they have been acknowledged, the contestant has five (5) seconds to start a valid answer.  First answers will be considered valid answers.  An acknowledgement penalty of one (-1) point will be deducted from contestant’s score and their team if they answer a question before being acknowledged.
    2.    If a buzzer is activated during the reading of any question, the moderator immediately will cease reading the question and the contestant activating the buzzer shall have five (5) seconds after having been recognized by the moderator to begin the answer to the question.
      1. The repeating of the question by the contestant shall not be considered the initiation of               an answer.
      2. It shall be the responsibility of the moderator and the referee judges to determine if an actual answer is started within the 5-second period.
  3. If the answer to any question, whether read to completion or not, is incorrect, the question shall not be repeated for the opposing team.  If an answer is not given or is wrong, the moderator will not give the correct answer because questions are used for each round and at both area competitions.
  4. If the time in which to answer a question elapses without a contestant activating a buzzer, there shall be no loss of points nor awarding of points to either team.
    1.    If a bonus question was attached to an unanswered toss-up question, the bonus question is then transferred to the next question.
  5. If the answer to a question is begun during the 5-second allowable time and the answer is incorrect, that team loses the point associated with that question.
    1.    If a member of a team activates a buzzer and an answer has not been started within the 5-second allowable time, there will be an appropriate 1 point penalty imposed against the team activating the buzzer.  (Junior and Senior Divisions)
    2.    If a bonus question is attached to an incorrectly answered toss-up question or to a toss-up question which was unanswered following the activation of the buzzer, that bonus question is transferred to the next question.
  6. If the question is correctly answered within the 5-second time limit, that team scores 1 or 2 points depending on whether it is Part 1 or Part 2 of the contest.
    1.    If a bonus question is attached to the correctly answered toss-up question, the moderator then reads the bonus question and a 10-second discussion period is permitted for team consultation to determine the answer.  The end of the 10-second period is signaled by the timer.  At the signal from the timer, a 5-second period is then permitted for the team captain or designee to begin the answer.
    2.    Successful completion of the answer will result in that team being awarded the number of points designated for that bonus question.
    3.    All parts of the bonus questions must be answered correctly with no partial points permitted, regardless of the number of parts of the question answered correctly.
    4.    Failure to answer a bonus question results in no penalty (loss of points) to the team.
    5.    No part of the bonus question will be repeated nor will any additional information be given to the contestants.
  7. To encourage full team participation, bonus points will be awarded in each match to teams which have each team member correctly respond to a question other than bonus questions.  This bonus shall be worth 2 points.  After having earned this team bonus once within               a match, both teams are eligible to earn an additional bonus of 2 points by repeating the process specified for team bonus awards.
    1.    To obtain these bonus points, each member of the team seated at the time must have correctly answered a question.  If a team member who, already having answered a question correctly, is replaced by an alternate, and that team has not yet earned the bonus points, it will be necessary for the alternate to also answer a question correctly before the bonus points may be awarded.
    2.    No contestant will be credited with a second correct response until the first team bonus has been awarded.

 

  1. Either team captain or the moderator may call for a “time out” for clarification of a rule, to permit replacement of a team member, or to allow for unexpected problems.  These “time outs” may be called only after a question has been answered and before the start of the next question.
  2. There is no talking allowed by any team members while seated during the match (unless they are identified by the moderator or during a bonus question.)  Offenders will receive one warning by the moderator and will receive one point deduction every time it occurs after the warning.

 

  1. Part 1:  One-on-One Competition
  1. The moderator shall clearly indicate the start of one-on-one play.
  2. Each question shall be addressed to only one member of each team, beginning with the number 1 contestants of each team and progressing with subsequent questions to the numbers 2, 3 and 4 contestants, respectively.
  3. The moderator shall indicate prior to the reading of each question which two contestants are eligible to respond.
    1. If any contestants other than the two designated contestants respond, that team will lose two points.
    2. If any contestant responds more than twice to questions directed to another contestants, they shall be replaced at the panel by the alternate if available.  If no alternate is available, the remainder of the match will be played with less than the full team, and all questions normally addressed to the eliminated contestant will be addressed only to the opposing contestant.
  4. There will be no bonus questions asked during the one-on-one period.

 

  1. Part 2:  Completing the Contest
  1. The moderator will continue reading questions (and bonus questions if applicable) until all questions have been asked.
  2. If a question is thrown out either due to poor reading by the moderator or a decision of the referee judges, it will be replaced by another question so that the total number of questions to be asked remains constant.
  3. Following the final question, the team with the highest number of points shall be declared the winner of that match.
  4. In the event of a tie after the designated number of questions, 5 additional regular questions will be asked.  If a tie still remains after the overtime, the first team to win a point (or because of a loss of a point by the other team, has a 1-point advantage) will be declared the winner.
  5. Once the moderator has declared a winner based on the scores, there shall be no protest.
  6. There shall be no protest of any questions or answers following the declaration of the winner.

 

  1. Protests of Questions and/or Answers
  1. A protest of a question or answer to a question may be made only by one of the team captains or the coach of either team and then only at the time a particular question is read or the answer is given.  There will be only one coach recognized for each team.  The moderator and the referee judges will consider the protest, and their decision in all cases is final.
  2. When a protest is made, play will be stopped until the protest is resolved.  A 1-point penalty will be assessed if the protest is not upheld.
  3. If a protest is sustained, the moderator will take one of the following actions as is deemed appropriate:
    1. A question is protested before an answer is given and the protest sustained — discard the question.  No loss or gain of points will result for either team.
    2. An answer is protested (either correct or incorrect) — at least one of the referee judges and the moderator or both referee judges determine the validity of the protest.  Points will be added or subtracted as appropriate.
    3. A question is protested after an answer is given (correct or incorrect) — at least one referee judge and the moderator or both referee judges determine the validity of the protest of the question.  The question may then be discarded at no loss of points or the question may be allowed with the appropriate gain or loss of points as in (b) above.
    4. An interruption of play for rule clarifications or comments will be considered a protest.  In such a case, the moderator will say “Your comment or question will be considered a protest, do you wish to proceed or withdraw it?”.  If the question is withdrawn, play proceeds.  If not, the protest procedure is followed.  A reminder to reset the buzzers will not be considered a protest.

 

  1. Abuse of protest provisions may result in one or more of the following:
    1. dismissal of team coach from the contest area.
    2. dismissal (or replacement) of team captain.
    3. dismissal of entire team with forfeiture of any points or standing.
  2. Spectators, parents and visitors may not protest any question, answer or procedure during the course of play.  They may, however, submit in writing to the contest officials any suggestions, complaints at the conclusion of the contest.  Unseemly behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct or any actions which are generally accepted as detrimental to the contest may subject the perpetrators of such actions to dismissal from the immediate area of the contest.  An interruption of play by a person other than the team captain or coach may result in a one point penalty.  The moderator imposes the penalty.
  3. No source of information is infallible.  There may at times be answers given to questions which are in agreement with the recommended sources which are in fact erroneous.  Every effort shall be made to eliminate such questions, but in the event of such occurrence, the referee judges and moderator may challenge the answer and if there is unanimous agreement, may elect to accept only the correct answer or to discard the questions with no loss or gain of points to either team.

 

  1. Recorders and Cameras
  1. Recorders may not be used at any time during the conduct of the match.  Sample copies of the first round of questions and answers will be posted on the Georgia 4-H Animal Science Website after the State Horse Quiz Bowl Competition.  Those counties interested in sample copies of the first round of questions will be able to download the questions from the Horse Quiz Bowl section.
  2. No recording devices such as video tape cameras, movie cameras or any other type of camera requiring auxiliary lights may be used during conduct of a match.  Photographs will be permitted only before or after a match and then in only such a manner as not to be disruptive of the contest.
  3. Recordings of any type may not be made during the matches.  Any individual that is seen recording or taking any type of notes during the competition inside the competition rooms, will be asked to leave the competition entirely.

 

 

 

AWARDS

 

  1. Team Awards
    1. Team awards will be based on a predetermined procedure of play.
      1. The exact procedure to be followed must be determined by the number of teams participating and the time allocated for the contest.  Questions per match will vary due to these factors.
      2. Insofar as possible, double elimination brackets will be used.
      3. Insofar as possible, every team will have an opportunity to participate in a minimum of two matches.
    2. The rank of teams will be determined on the basis of their position within the double elimination brackets.  To place teams eliminated in the same round, the losing team which has the most points will be awarded the higher rank.

 

 

EQUIPMENT FAILURE

 

It shall be the responsibility of each contestant to assure themselves that all equipment is operating correctly at the start of the match.

 

  1. Failure During a Match
  1. If the device being used ceases to function during a match or is believed to be malfunctioning, a “time out” may be called by any contestant, the moderator, or by either coach.
  2. If after checking it is determined that there is an equipment malfunction, the faulty part(s) will be replaced and play resumed.
  3. Scores accumulated up to the point of the “time out” shall stand and all further points awarded during the remainder of the match added to or subtracted from this total.
    1. If both referee judges or one referee judge and the moderator deem it advisable, points awarded for the two (2) questions asked immediately prior to determination of equipment failure may be recalled and two (2) additional questions used.
  1. Under no conditions shall there be a replay of a match in which there was equipment failure.

 

 

   QUESTIONS

 

Each county participating is required to submit 20 typed questions, per team.  Questions must be original, not from previous years and from official resources. Submitted questions will be considered for rounds in the contest. Questions will be submitted in the survey link:


Click Here – Question Submission Survey

If a county has both a Junior and Senior team, they must provide 20 questions for each age division (for a total of 40 questions). Questions must include answer and source sited.

   Example: What are the two types of vision horses have?

    A: Monocular and Binocular (HIH 1220-1)

 

 

 

 

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Georgia 4-H Guidelines for Cell Phone Use

Three youth wearing purple 4-H jerseys pose with a fourth individual wearing a clover costume

 

 

Georgia 4-H strongly discourages the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during 4-H planned activities at camp and events.   If cell phone or electronic device use is determined to be involved in a violation of the Georgia 4-H Code of Conduct or is disruptive to the planned activity or event, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.  Cell phones may not be used during competitions.  Georgia 4-H and the 4-H Centers also assume no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged cell phones or other personal electronic devices that are brought to 4-H events.   Individual counties may have more stringent policies regarding the use of cell phones.

Updated 09/10/25

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Georgia 4-H Pumpkin Growing Contest celebrates 650-pound pumpkin from Union County

Published on 11/08/21
By Josie Smith

Senior 4-H’er Maggie Payne poses with her first-place winning 650-pound pumpkin at the Union County Extension Office.

 

More than 30 4-H’ers from across Georgia competed in the 2021 Georgia 4-H Pumpkin Growing Contest, with the winning pumpkin weighing in at 650 pounds. The Pumpkin Growing Contest offers students the opportunity to learn and utilize knowledge of agricultural and environmental sciences to produce prize-winning fruit.

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association generously sponsors this important contest that cultivates in young people an appreciation for proper fruit and vegetable growing techniques. In addition to the basics of caring for pumpkins, contestants incorporate mathematical knowledge of space, depth, and irrigation needs for their plants. They also develop problem-solving skills for common agricultural challenges such as insect control.

Magdalena “Maggie” Payne, an 11th grade 4-H’er from Union County, earned the top honor in the 2021 contest with a 650-pound pumpkin. Second place went to Angelo King-Rallo with a 598-pound pumpkin. King-Rallo is a 9th grade 4-H’er from Union County. Ava Sharp, a Union County 10th grade 4-H’er, earned third place with her 529-pound pumpkin. These students received cash prizes and ribbons to recognize their impressive entries.

Union County enjoyed great success in the contest this year. “We are incredibly proud of our 4-H’ers and the way that they have represented Union County,” said Jacob Williams, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Union County. “This season presented unique challenges, as every season does, but they persevered. We hope that next year we will be able to keep building on the success that we have had.” Williams serves as the leader of the Union County Pumpkin Club.

All Georgia 4-H’ers are invited to participate in the Pumpkin Growing Contest and pumpkin weights are verified by local County Extension offices. State winners were celebrated in conjunction with National Pumpkin Day on October 26, 2021.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 175,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about the Georgia 4-H Pumpkin Growing Contest, visit www.georgia4h.org/pumpkin or contact your local Extension office.

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State Forestry Field Day

 

GEORGIA 4-H YOUTH DEMONSTRATE FORESTRY KNOWLEDGE

Oconee County is 1st Place Team- (L tob R) Henry Walker, Tree Farm Owner, Coach April McDaniel, Robie Lucas, Lexi Pritchard, Alyssa Haag, Thomas Stewart, Telfair Agricultural Agent Colby Royal, Oconee 4-H Educator Daniel Queen

 

Jacksonville, Ga. (Sept. 25, 2021) – Thirty-four Georgia 4-H’ers participated in the  program year 2022 State Forestry Field Day on Sept. 25 at the Henry Walker Tree Farm in Jacksonville, Georgia.

The Georgia 4-H Forestry program teaches youth to identify up to 70 Georgia tree species, as well as common pests and diseases that impact those trees. The forest field day competition allows youth to test their science-based knowledge, critical thinking skills and skills with specialized forestry tools. Participants can be a part of a county team or compete individually in the state forestry judging contest.

“The Walker Tree Farm was the ideal setting for our state contest. The Walkers led our youth and coaches on a farm tour after the competition concluded. Our 4-H members were able to see real, multiple resource management on a working farm,” said Craven Hudson, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H specialist. “The setting, the weather and our gracious hosts made for a perfect day.”

The state contest consists of five stations: insect and disease identification, volume estimation, compass and pacing, tree identification and site evaluation. All county teams prepared for the state contest by competing in one of four Area Forestry Field Days held earlier in August and September. Site evaluation is added at the state level and requires youth to consider landowner objectives and make forest management recommendations.

Each county may bring up to 20 senior contestants from ninth through 12th grades. The youth compete individually and as team members. The First Place Senior Team Winners will represent Georgia at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational in August 2022 at the Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center in Weston, West Virginia.

 

This year’s winners at the State Forestry Field Day are:

 

First place team: Oconee County – Alyssa Haag, Robie Lucas, Lexi Pritchard, Thomas Stewart

 

Second place team: Bulloch County A– Callie Barger, Dorothy Mortimore, Ann Parker, Jackson Thigpen

 

Third place team: Burke County– Emmaline Cunningham, Tony Gray, Abbie Morgan

 

 Senior High Individual: Alyssa Haag, Oconee County

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 175,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Extension office.

 

Source:
Craven Hudson
4-H Extension Specialist
cfhudson@uga.edu

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Mitchell 4-H first youth group named to ‘Clean 13’

Mitchell 4-H first youth group named to ‘Clean 13’

By Sue W. Chapman CAES News    Updated 

CAMILLA — The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H program in Mitchell County was recognized as a Clean Water Hero in the Georgia Water Coalition’s 2021 Clean 13 Report. The annual Clean 13 Report highlights exceptional efforts to protect Georgia’s water resources.

Mitchell County 4-H is the only youth-serving organization to receive the honor in the five years since the report was established.

Mitchell County Extension created a 4-H2O Camp in 2008 as a collaboration between UGA’s C.M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park and Mitchell County 4-H. The camp provides an innovative way to educate children and adults about the importance of Georgia’s water resources and water conservation.

Learning about water conservation education is particularly important in southwest Georgia, where the essential resource has a significant impact on the extensive farming community. In recent years, this region has also experienced extended droughts, ongoing political battles with neighboring states over water use, and a devastating hurricane.

Since its founding, hundreds of students from Mitchell County, as well as surrounding counties in south Georgia and Alabama, have attended the annual, three-day 4-H2O Camp, at which students learn from experts including irrigation specialists, solar energy specialists, meteorologists and wildlife biologists. Mitchell County 4-H agent Debra Cox coordinates the camp alongside Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Brian Hayes.

Cox emphasized that students learn while having fun as they use food, interactive models and other hands-on activities as educational tools, noting that several graduates of the 4-H2O Camp are now working in water conservation and related fields.

“Mitchell County 4-H has hosted the 4-H2O Camp for 14 years, and this is the second award we have received,” Cox said. “In 2019, Mitchell County 4-H and C.M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park received the Georgia Project WET Organization of the Year. 4-H2O Camp is a program that will continue to teach our youth to be good stewards of water in and around southwest Georgia.”

Hayes added, “It is a great honor to be the first youth organization to win the Clean 13 award and to be recognized among some great honorees.”

For more information on 4-H2O Camp, contact Mitchell County Extension.

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Davies receives Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award

Published on 08/18/21 from CAES News & Events

Davies receives Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award

Diane Davies, retired University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H specialist and senior public service associate, received the Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Georgia 4-H Gala on August 14.

Davies received the award for her “vision, leadership and sustained support of Georgia 4-H.”

“The award was established to recognize individuals who have dedicated time, energy and resources to Georgia 4-H and is considered the highest honor Georgia 4-H can bestow,” said Melanie Biersmith, associate state 4-H leader. “When one considers the contributions of Diane Davies — her many years of outstanding service, the foundation she created, the legacy she developed and the impact her work has had on Georgia 4-H — it’s easy to understand why she is this year’s recipient. Not only is her work a series of considerable achievements, her work for Georgia 4-H actually represents achievements of a lifetime.”

Davies was hired by UGA Extension in 1979 to launch the Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program to serve youth while increasing revenue at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia. Despite limited funds and time, Davies developed relationships with local schools and youth groups to personally deliver curriculum to more than 2,000 participants in the first year.

More than 1.2 million participants have enjoyed the program — using the outdoors as a classroom without walls to engage K-12 students in experiences that highlight the science, natural resources and natural history of local ecosystems — since its inception. This innovative and award-winning program began with a $300 budget, a six-month timeframe and Davies’ determination.

After years of success, Davies was able to hire additional staff and expand the program to the other Georgia 4-H centers: Camp Jekyll (formerly Jekyll Island 4-H Center) and 4-H Tidelands Center on Jekyll Island, Burton 4-H Center (formerly Tybee Island 4-H Center) on Tybee Island, Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega and Fortson 4-H Center in Hampton. By the mid-1990s, more than 40,000 youth from all over the state were participating in the program each year.

“The importance of having children connect to the natural environment and learn from it all that it has to teach them is so vitally important today in their education,” Davies said. “To be given the chance to start the Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program has been the mission of my life’s work and I am truly honored to be the recipient of the 2021 Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award. It is certainly the capstone of my professional career.”

After the program was well established, Davies focused on soliciting donations and resources to develop additional educational spaces, including the Rock Eagle 4-H Center Museum of Natural History, Wildlife Ecology Building and Woodruff Aquatic buildings.

Davies remained directly involved in programming until her retirement in 2002, continuing to support the program through philanthropic contributions and service in advisory groups and committees.

“Diane Davies continues to be an advocate for the program she founded and tout its impact to all those with whom she comes in contact. Her work was a strong foundation on which we continue to grow today,” Biersmith added.

In 2013, the Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program celebrated its 1 millionth participant.

In 2019, Georgia 4-H celebrated the program’s 40th anniversary. During that time, the program has served more than a million participants and generated more than $77 million in revenue to support the overall operation of the state’s 4-H centers.

State 4-H Leader Arch Smith states, “Diane Davies’ contributions to 4-H inspired others across America to enhance outdoor learning opportunities. Much of the continued success of the Georgia 4-H facilities is a result of Diane’s efforts to develop the Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program.”

For more information about the Georgia 4-H program, visit Georgia4H.org.

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Georgia 4-H installs new board

Georgia 4-H announced the 2021-22 State Board of Directors

PUBLISHED ON 

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia 4-H announced the 2021-22 State Board of Directors as part of an in-person statewide event for high school 4-H’ers called “THE Senior Event.”

Nearly 350 eighth- through 12th-grade youth gathered at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in late June to compete in a series of fun and friendly physical and mental challenges, part of the annual Iron Clover Contest, to enjoy some much-needed fellowship with peers and to learn the results of the 4-H State Board of Directors elections.

In the week leading up to THE Senior Event, virtual campaigning — including candidate speeches, candidate question forums, and electronic campaign posters — was used to introduce this year’s slate of 4-H State Board candidates to voting delegates from around the state.

Because capacity at THE Senior Event was limited due to health and safety protocols, campaigning and voting was conducted virtually to engage more youth in the election process. High school 4-H’ers who qualified as state officer candidates were required to present a campaign speech, extemporaneously respond to randomly selected questions, and answer questions submitted online by fellow 4-H’ers as part of a Virtual Candidate Forum.

Hundreds of youth voting delegates from around the state were able to vote virtually over two rounds. Candidates earning the five highest counts in the first round of voting are elected to the at-large positions on the State Board of Directors — president, vice president and three state representative positions. The second round of voting is a district-level ballot to select four district representatives to complete the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors. Being elected to serve as a state officer is one of the top leadership positions a 4-H’er can hold.

The 2021-22 Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors are:

  • President: Katie Beth Brewer, Dodge County
  • Vice President: Georgia Simmons, Banks County
  • State Representative: Aniyah Hall, Ben Hill County
  • State Representative: Jay Lovett, Treutlen County
  • State Representative: Willie White, Pierce County
  • Northeast District Representative: Davis Slate, Clarke County
  • Northwest District Representative: Kaylee Collins, Spalding County
  • Southeast District Representative: Ashton Ates, Coffee County
  • Southwest District Representative: Hinano Tomlinson, Sumter County

To learn more about Georgia 4-H, go to georgia4h.org.

Published from https://www.morningagclips.com/georgia-4-h-installs-new-board/

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Georgia 4-H alums compete in shooting sports at the Tokyo Olympics

Published on 07/22/21

Georgia 4-H alums compete in shooting sports at the Tokyo Olympics

By Courtney Cameron for CAES News

 

After being postponed last year due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are set to move forward at full speed starting Friday, July 23, when people from all over the world will tune in to watch the best of the best compete for gold in Japan.

Among the high-profile athletes competing in popular sports such as swimming and gymnastics, three former Georgia 4-H’ers will make the flight across the Pacific to represent the U.S. in shooting sports.

James Hall of Carroll County, Vincent Hancock of Putnam County, and Katelyn Abeln of Douglas County all got their start in the Georgia 4-H Project SAFE shooting sports program. This program, which uses shooting sports to teach life skills and firearm safety to students, helps 4-H’ers find community, learn about teamwork and fine-tune their concentration.

“The skills these students acquire are irreplaceable. Of course they learn about safety, but they develop soft skills such as communication and goal setting. Having this development at a young age lays a foundation for future success for Project SAFE participants,” explained Faye Belflower, the volunteer air-pistol coach for Georgia 4-H.

James Hall is set to compete on the U.S. National Team in air pistol. While Hall’s mother was anti-gun growing up, she wanted her children to learn about firearm safety, so she signed them up for the Georgia 4-H Project SAFE.

“She ended up being a 4-H coach and sent three of her four boys off to college on athletic/academic scholarships for shooting,” said James Hall, now the director of development for the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF).

Vincent Hancock will return to the range for the men’s skeet shotgun competition. Hancock, now a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, has previously won two Olympic gold medals, as well as a silver medal in men’s skeet and a gold in the skeet mixed team last month at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Italy.

“And as a small-town Georgia boy, who never thought he would ever really leave the Southeast, traveling all over and talking to different people and experiencing different cultures, I am very thankful that I had what I had to be able to do what I am doing now,” Hancock said.

Katelyn Abeln, a second-year student at The Ohio State University, is an alternate for the UGA women’s sport and air pistol team on the National Junior Team. She won the women’s division of the National Junior Olympic Air Pistol Championship (NJOSC) last month.

Georgia 4-H Project SAFE gave these Olympic competitors a start in a sport that has changed their lives. It provided opportunities to travel, find community and pursue higher education, and while they will be representing the red, white and blue during the 2020 Games, it’s safe to say there is a little green and white in their hearts.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 190,000 people annually through University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org.