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Bartow County 4-H Forestry Team

Published on 07/30/21

Bartow County 4-H Forestry Team earns top honors in National 4-H Forestry Invitational

By William C. Worrell for CAES News

Georgia placed first among nine states that competed in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational from July 26 through July 28. Teams from Tennessee and Louisiana placed second and third, respectively. Florida, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia also competed in this year’s Invitational.

4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, and a forestry knowledge exam.

The Bartow County 4-H Forestry Team, coached by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent and county coordinator Paul Pugliese, included members Sasha Morgan, Bethany Craven, Gabriel Craven, and Gus Federico.

Gabriel Craven from Georgia and Luke Arrowood from North Carolina tied for the highest individual score award. The second-place individual was Bethany Craven from Georgia and the third-place high individual was Josh Griffith from Tennessee.

“This was an incredible honor for our Bartow Country 4-H’ers to represent Georgia at the national contest. I’m proud to have coached these young people over the last several years and to have seen them mature in their forestry knowledge and skills,” said Pugliese. “Two of our team members are high school graduates this year, which makes this a capstone achievement for their 4-H careers.”

The Georgia 4-H forestry program teaches youth to identify 80 tree species and the common pests and diseases that impact those trees. 4-H’ers also develop valuable forestry sciences skills that are foundational for many STEM career pathways. Pugliese added that in light of recent wildfires in the Western U.S., forestry knowledge and skills are invaluable for future generations.

To learn more about Georgia 4-H’s environmental education in natural resources, visit georgia4h.org.

The 2021 National 4-H Forestry Invitational was sponsored by Farm Credit. Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Farm Credit has been helping areas grow and thrive for a century by providing farmers with capital and by financing infrastructure and communication services.

For more information on the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, visit 4hforestryinvitational.org.

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First Flock

Georgia’s First Flock gets new home designed by 4-H, FFA students

Six teams of Georgia 4-H and FFA members from around the state submitted plans

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ATHENS, Ga. — Thanks to a prize-winning chicken coop design by 4-H and FFA students from Warren County, Georgia’s newly established First Flock now has a stately home on the 18-acre grounds of Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta.

Born of a conversation between Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp and Bo Ryles, senior director at National 4-H, the Georgia FFA and 4-H Ag Awareness Poultry Project challenged teams of Georgia 4-H and FFA members to submit plans that would help Kemp’s dream of a First Flock become a reality.

Working under a set of guidelines provided to teams by the project partners — including Georgia 4-H, FFA, the Georgia Poultry Federation and the University of Georgia Department of Poultry Science — student teams submitted proposals that included a site plan, concept and, in the case of the winning team, landscaping for the project.

Six teams of Georgia 4-H and FFA members from around the state submitted plans, and all of the teams were invited to visit the Governor’s Mansion on July 9 for the dedication of the project.

“We’ve gotten more than 15 dozen eggs and they’ve only been here for about a month, so they’re very happy,” said Kemp at a ceremony honoring the top teams. “Every night that I’m here, I’ll go out and collect eggs. We all enjoy taking care of the First Flock. They have a special place here and 4-H and FFA are such special organizations. We will continue to support agriculture, 4-H and FFA as long as we are here and beyond.”

Warren County was announced as the winning team before the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, but shutdowns delayed the completion of the project until this spring.

Thomas Wilkerson, a 4-H’er and member of the Warren County team, said the team of seven studied the site for the coop and came up with a plan that included the hen house, coop and landscaping for the project that incorporated seating for visitors.

“We wanted to create a coop that would fit the needs of the project and raise awareness of agriculture since poultry is such a large part of the agriculture industry in the state,” Wilkerson said.

Other team members included Randy Olive, Faith McNair, Caleb Griffith, Ayden Hill, Nathan Coffman and Tayvion Robertson, guided by UGA Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Assistant Amanda Wilkerson and FFA Advisor Peggy Armstrong.

“We studied the site where the coop would be placed and came up with all the measurements,” said Olive of the coop, which includes nesting boxes and roosting spaces, as well as a fenced enclosure with plenty of space for the chickens to scratch, watering and feeding stations and a dust bath area. Robertson, an artist, designed and painted a stained-glass window salvaged from an old church that will be installed on the site.

The top four teams each received a cash award from the Georgia Poultry Federation, including the second-place team from Lowndes County, the third-place team from Bulloch County and a team from Toombs County, which received honorable mention.

The Georgia Building Authority worked with 4-H and FFA to develop the site for the coop, while Carroll Daniel Construction of Gainesville took the winning design and created working construction plans to meet all building code requirements. Morton Vardeman and Carlson designed the First Flock logo and Signs by Tomorrow of Gainesville created the First Flock sign that will be installed at the coop.

Once plans were complete, preconstruction work on the coop was done by staff at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center before the coop was delivered to the Governor’s Mansion for installation, said State 4-H Leader Arch Smith.

“We are grateful that Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp was willing to involve youth interested in agriculture in the development of the First Flock,” Smith said. “This experience provided an opportunity of 4-H and FFA members to work together on a project that would showcase the knowledge they have gained by participating in their local programs.”

The First Flock includes breeds chosen for hardiness and egg color and includes a total of 12 laying hens including two Black Australorps, two Buff Orpingtons, two Barred Plymouth Rocks, two  Rhode Island Reds — all of which lay brown eggs — and four Easter Eggers, which lay blue-green eggs, said Professor and UGA Cooperative Extension poultry specialist Casey Ritz, who consulted on the project along with Todd Applegate, head of the Department of Poultry Science at UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“We have prepared a set of placard cards that describe the breeds and that will be added to the coop. We tried to purchase a flock of hens that produce a variety of egg colors at the First Lady’s request and breeds that were also recommended from the 4-H/FFA project proposals,” Ritz said.

Applegate encouraged the students to consider the breadth of careers available in poultry science when planning for their futures.

“I challenge the young folks here — and I know it is really difficult to think about why you want to go into a particular career path — to think about how we grow our food and how you can have an impact on that. Think about what you’ve done already through these wonderful organizations and the programs you have been a part of and realize that you are blessed with being in the state of Georgia,” Applegate said.

“There is a wealth of opportunities to make an impact and to choose a career path in poultry, from accounting, sales and marketing to food safety to quality control. The leadership and team-building skills that you are developing right now are certainly skills we need in this industry.”

Ryles said the students involved have become a part of Georgia agricultural history through their work on the project and their involvement in 4-H.

“Through the years, generations of students will come here and see what you have established here, and they will learn a little bit about the history of the First Flock and they will understand the role you played in making that happen,” Ryles said. “I have said this before, and I can’t take credit for it, but it is said that if you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. But if you want to touch the future, touch the life of a child and that is what 4-H and FFA and all of our leaders and volunteers do through projects like this.”

For more information on youth agricultural and environmental programming visit Georgia FFA at georgiaffa.org and Georgia 4-H at georgia4h.org.

–Maria M. Lameiras, University of Georgia

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2021 Georgia 4-H Dean’s Awards Results Announced

The Georgia 4-H Dean’s Awards competition provided 26 Georgia 4-H youth the opportunity to showcase their talent, hard work and commitment to their communities. The Dean’s Award is one of the highest honors Georgia 4-H members can earn. Competitors submit a cumulative portfolio that reflects their entire 4-H career, and high-scoring submissions are invited to participate in a separately judged interview session.

A Dean’s Award is presented each year in the following six project areas:

–Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

–Civic Engagement

–Family and Consumer Sciences

–The William “Bill” Edwards 4-H Dean’s Award for Communications and the Arts

–STEM

–The James Harris 4-H Dean’s Award for Leadership

The top three finishers in each area receive a medal for their achievement. First-place winners receive Master 4-H’er status, a $500 scholarship and recognition at 4-H Day at the Capitol.

The 2021 Georgia 4-H Dean’s Awards recipients are:

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Bryson Smith, Gordon County (first); Sara Pawlik, Forsyth County (second); and Mary Anna Bentley, Chattooga County (third)

Civic Engagement: Ben Tellano, Hart County (first); Grace McBride, Emanuel County (second); and Evelyn Day, Houston County (third)

Family and Consumer Sciences: Malachi Young, Gwinnett County (first); Tianna Ramey, Habersham County (second); and Angel Jarvis, Candler County (third)

Communication and the Arts: Corbin Austin, Decatur County (first); Kalani Washington, Oconee County (second); and Parker Varnadoe, Madison County (third)

STEM: Nicholas McKinley, Paulding County (first); Salih El-Gayyar, Fayette County (second); and CJ Harris, Newton County (third)

Leadership: Gracie Grimes, Candler County (first); Adam Walters, Hart County (second); and Jhaycee Barnes, Spalding County (third)

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 or contact your local Extension office.

By: UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Posted: July 8, 2021

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GEORGIA 4-H SENDS FIVE SHOOTING SPORTS TEAMS TO NATIONALS

GEORGIA 4-H SENDS FIVE SHOOTING SPORTS TEAMS TO NATIONALS

State 4-H champion teams in Sporter Air Rifle, 22 Rifle, Compound Archery, Recurve Archery and Shotgun represented Georgia 4-H at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, NE on June 21-25.  Nineteen 4-H’ers and their coaches joined 570 youth competitors from 32 states in the national contest.

The National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships was the first national 4-H event held following closures due to COVID-19. “Everyone was thrilled to gather after missing the opportunity last year due to COVID-19 cancellations. Repeatedly, youth, parents and coaches kept saying what a joy it was to be back together with their peers from across the nation. They expressed deep appreciation to the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee for making the decision to hold the contest,” commented State 4-H SAFE Coordinator Craven Hudson.

The Morgan County 4-H Recurve Archery Team became national champions by placing first in all three disciplines: FITA, 3-D and Field. Tim Smith was the high individual overall, and his brother, Thomas, placed fifth individually.  Complete results for all Georgia 4-H teams and individuals may be found at
https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports/national-results-images .

Other teams placing in the top ten include Lowndes County Compound Archery (3rd), Pierce County Air Rifle (5th) and Coweta County 22 Rifle (9th).

The Georgia 4-H delegation included the following teams and coaches:

Coweta County 22 Rifle Team with Head Coach Chris Brinton and team members Aaron Boyd, Andrew Boyd, Carson Smith and  Jennifer Brinton.

Pierce County Sporter Air Rifle Team with Head Coach David Turner and team members Emily Turner, Gracen Hall, Luke Wester and  Skylar Morrison.

Lowndes County Compound Archery Team with Head Coach Jim Barker and team members Joel Ford, Kamron Ford, Camden Humphrey and Irelynn Bono.

Morgan County Recurve Archery Team with Head Coach Danny Pincus and team members Tim Smith, Daniel Lott, Dawson Martin and Thomas Smith.

Columbia County Shotgun Team with Head Coach Tripp Ellis and team members Aidan Caldwell, Joshua Ellis and Nate Williford.

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 the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org.

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Rock Eagle Centerpiece of Georgia 4-H

Rock Eagle: Centerpiece of Georgia 4-H

By Ina Cook Hopkins

Click here to order your copy!

Introduction to Chapter One

In a time before history was recorded, on land that was destined to change the course of children’s lives, lived a
people who would leave their mark for the world to see … and to know … that this land was indeed a special place. Anyone who has lived, worked or played here appreciates the spirit that resides here. This spirit began long before campers sang and cheered to the delight of their adult leaders, long before the tall, graceful pine trees replaced the cotton in worn-out soil, and even before Native Americans chose this land to establish their villages. All would agree that despite the trials this land has seen, it found its calling on October 30, 1954, when the Rock Eagle 4-H Center was dedicated for the purpose of providing education and recreation for youth and adults.

‘I am so appreciative to Ina Cook Hopkins for authoring this book, and for the enormous work that she did in
researching each chapter. I am fully convinced that Ina has written the most accurate account of Rock Eagle and its history that could have possibly been done. I don’t know how many dozens, if not hundreds, of people that she interviewed or how many thousands of pages that she read, but I know from personal experience that she leaves no stone unturned in her search for accuracy.’

From the Foreward by Dr. Thomas Franklin Rodgers

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Project GROWL

Currently in its final year of a five year grant cycle, Project GROWL (Growing Real Opportunities in Work and Life) enables youth to acquire work-based life skills to equip them for a knowledge-based and creative economy.  Based in south Fulton and north Clayton counties, participants are exposed to an accurate, deeper understanding of the food, fiber, agricultural and natural resource systems affecting their urban communities, and visualize themselves as contributing members of society.

 

 

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Ben Hill County 4-H Poultry Judging Team

 

Four Ben Hill County girls are the new National 4-H Poultry Judging Champions. They won the honor last week at the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest held in Louisville, KY. Pictured are, from left, Caroline Lord, Ericka Lord, Ben Hill County Extension Coordinator Jeri Gilleland, Carlissa Stewart, and Aaliyah Ross. Twenty-three states competed in the contest which took five hours evaluating the three divisions of judging hens and giving oral reasons, quality grading broiler, roaster, and turkey carcasses, and quality grading eggs.

 

The Ben Hill County 4-H poultry judging team brought home the national championship title for Georgia 4-H last week in Louisville, KY. Team members Caroline Lord, Ericka Lord, Aaliyah Ross, and Carlissa Stewart took first place overall in a five-hour contest that included 80 contestants from 23 states.

Each member of the team received a trophy and a gold pin for winning and the team received a plaque. The top 10 teams and the top 20 individuals overall in the contest were recognized. Georgia brought home the following awards for individual placings: Ericka, third high overall, plaque and $200 cash award; Aaliyah, seventh high overall, silver pin and $100 cash award; Caroline, eleventh high overall, bronze pin and $25 cash award. Ben Hill County Extension Coordinator and 4-H agent Jeri Gilleland received a plaque in recognition for coaching the winning team.

The National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest included three divisions: production hens and oral reasons, ready-to-cook carcasses and parts identification, and interior, exterior and broken-out egg quality grading.

Prior to the announcement of the overall awards, the top five teams and top eight individuals received awards in each of the three divisions. The Georgia team placed first in the production hens and oral reasons category for which each member received a trophy and a gold pin, and Aaliyah received a silver pin for being the fifth high individual. The team placed second in the ready-to-cook carcasses and parts identification division, and Ericka received a gold pin as the second high individual.

The team will be recognized in front of the Georgia General Assembly during 4-H Day at the Capitol in February.  The poultry judging contest is considered one of the premier national 4-H team competitions.

The national poultry judging contest was held in conjunction with the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference which also included competitions in egg preparation, chicken and turkey barbecue, and avian quiz bowl. While there, conference attendees toured Churchill Downs, the Louisville Bat Factory, and had a social evening of bowling and pizza.

 

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Worth County National 4-H Champion Shotgun Team

 

 

Worth County National 4-H Champion Shotgun Team Honored During School Assembly

All Worth County High School Students assembled in the gymnasium on Thursday, November 29, 2018  to honor their national champions.  State Representative Ed Rynders and State Senator  Gerg Kirk presented and read the Georgia Legislative Resolution honoring their achievement during the ceremony. Picture (L to R) Coach John Fulmer, Coach Andy Oliver, Representative Ed Rynders, Senator Greg Kirk, Dean Oliver, Ambus Powell, John Fulmer III, Coty James.

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2018 Area Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Contest

 

 

Seven area Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Contests were held between October 30th and November 13th in Tifton, Perry, Lyons, Gainesville, Cartersville, Watkinsville, and Conyers. At these contests, 782 4-H’ers from 83 counties participated.

 

Congratulations to all of our area Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Contest winners! The first and second place senior teams will now advance to compete at the state contest on December 8th. The senior high overall individual for each contest will also be eligible to compete at the state contest.

 

Tifton Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Ben Hill County: Lauren Wixon, Liam Jay, Ashley Braddy, Amelia Lee
  2. Tift County: Lauren Brey, Kiersten Huggins, Bethany Samuel, Katie Keith
  3. Decatur County: Rachel Hayes, Lailae Smith, Jamirica Brown, Kinsey Ward

 

Junior High Individual: Lauren Wixon, Ben Hill County

Junior High Commercial: Janareon Cook, Ben Hill County

Junior High Judging: Ashley Braddy and Lauren Wixson, Ben Hill County

 

Senior Teams:

  1. Ben Hill County : Aaliyah Ross, Carlissa Stewart, Caroline Lord, Isaiah Richardson
  2. Tift County: Amare Woods, Sydney Pridgon, Liz Pridgon, Seth Jones
  3. Seminole County: Jada Brannon, Miranda Brannon, Andra Lundy, Jaylen Brannon

 

Senior High Individual: Aaliyah Ross, Ben Hill County

Senior High Advertisement: Aaliyah Ross, Ben Hill County

Senior High Judging: Miranda Brannon, Seminole County, and Aaliyah Ross, Ben Hill County

 

Lyons Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Johnson County: Mary Grace Winfrey, Madison Tucker, Chloe Bray, Colton Scott
  2. Long County: Bobby Staudt, Kassie Davis, Josi McGowan, Jaden McGowan
  3. Bulloch County: Ann Parker, Bea Hulsey, Gracie Anderson, Jackson Thigpen

 

Junior High Individual: Mary Grace Winfrey, Johnson County

Junior High Commercial: Jaden McGowan, Long County

Junior High Judging: Mary Grace Winfrey. Johnson County

 

Senior Teams:

  1. Emanuel County: Sarah Beth Kersey, Miranda Simmons, Esmeralda Hernandez, Arham Shah
  2. Laurens County: Zachary Henderson, Logan Bush, Brianne Bracewell, Devin Carnes
  3. Johnson County: Jersey Scott, Samantha Glover, Caitlyn Joiner, Makayla Woodcock

 

Senior High Individual: Sarah Beth Kersey, Emanuel County

Senior High Advertisement: Logan Bush, Laurens County

Senior High Judging: Zachary Henderson, Laurens County

 

Perry Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Houston County: Sophia Maddux, Kaila Stinehelfer, Rabun Perdue
  2. Harris County: Tate Cox, Max Arnold, Kiera Lowe, Dania Wadley
  3. Bibb County: Matthew Ellington, Jamiah Tolbert, Amauri McCorvey, Rilya Robinson

 

Junior High Individual: Sophia Maddux, Houston County

Junior High Commercial: Joanna Brown, Bleckley County; Kaitlin Neal, Lamar County; Rabun Perdue, Houston County, Maggie Powell, Bleckley County

Junior High Judging: Sophia Maddux, Houston County

 

Senior Teams:

  1. Houston County: Victoria Day, Evelyn Day, Rachel Faulkner, Elizabeth Day
  2. Bleckley County: Caleb Moseley, McKinley Cranford, Lucy Wiegert, Veronica Lee
  3. Dougherty County: Dianah Anderson, Tandria Burke, Mynasia Green, Shelise Byrd

 

Senior High Individual: Victoria Day, Houston County

Senior High Advertisement: Victoria Day, Houston County

Senior High Judging: Victoria Day, Houston County

 

Gainesville Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Jackson County: Courtney Cameron, Leila Huss, Reese Sorrow, Hannah McEver
  2. Union County: Zachary Lucas, Amanda Boughnou, Magdalena Payne, Forest Zehar
  3. Banks County: Kileigh Carter, Marisa Aguilar, Serenity Wade, Victoria Robinson

 

Junior High Individual: Courtney Cameron, Jackson County

Junior High Commercial: Abeni Hogsed, Union County

Junior High Judging: Courtney Cameron, Jackson County

 

Senior Teams:

  1. Forsyth County: Abigail Stinson, Kirsten Bauer, Bethany Kerrisk, Victoria Kimbari
  2. Habersham County: Tianna Ramey, Mercy Bowen, Christine Budd, Camden Hughes
  3. Union County: Jessie Holbrook, Aliceyn Covington, James Levi, Katie Baxter

 

Senior High Individual: Abigail Stinson, Forsyth County

Senior High Advertisement: Edith Walls, Gwinnett County

Senior High Judging: Tianna Ramey, Habersham County

 

Cartersville Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Gordon County: Hannah Jones, Hunter Moore, Rachael Harmon, Tyner McGuire
  2. Cobb County: Sandhya Rajesh, Prayushi Padhi, Aarsheya Gunjal, Lindsey Hoffman
  3. Murray County: Daniel Skojac, Payton Caylor, Charsley Richards, Katelyn Blackwell

 

Junior High Individual: Hannah Jones, Gordon County

Junior High Commercial: Charlsey Richards, Murray County

Junior High Judging: Emma Rae Ward, Chattooga County

 

Senior Teams:

  1. Bartow County: Bethany Craven, Audrey Paige, Josh Drexler, Gabriel Craven
  2. Carroll: Amelia Ayers, Nicole Bridges, Lilyanna McDermitt, Meka Hamner
  3. Chattooga County: Lily Thibodeaux, Logan Cesareo, Victor Holzman, Lydia Pence

 

Senior High Individual: Brandon Bagley, Gordon County

Senior High Advertisement: Lily Thibodeaux, Chattooga County

Senior High Judging: Brandon Bagley, Gordon County

 

Watkinsville Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Oconee County: Lexi Pritchard, Noah Scheuer, Alyssa Haag, Leah Powell
  2. Clarke County: Lucy Crawford, Molly Gershon, Ericka Wilson, August Mixon
  3. McDuffie County: Madelynn King, Raquel Health, Sarah Ward, Londyn Barclay

 

Junior High Individual: Lexi Pritchard, Oconee County

Junior High Commercial: Noah Scheuer, Oconee County

Junior High Judging: Lexi Pritchard, Oconee County

 

Senior Teams:

  1. Oconee County: David Han, Amelia Sale, Clay Baer, Leah Szczepanski
  2. Stephens County: Paige Phillips, Julaina Stinnett, Sarah Isaac, Hanna Bell

3.Clarke County: Samantha David, Davis Slate, Luke Krohn, Malaya Moon

 

Senior High Individual: David Han, Oconee County

Senior High Advertisement: Susan Bishop, Morgan County

Senior High Judging: Clay Baer, Oconee County

 

Conyers Area Contest:

Junior Teams:

  1. Jasper County: Tiffani McClain, Zachary Ramsey, Madelyn Taylor, Samuel Brimberry
  2. Spalding County: Mark Dover, Kaley Wilder, Austin Cain, April Bama
  3. Jones County: Isaac Shivers, Austin Collins, Shekinah Esper, Savannah Fields

 

Junior High Individual: Tiffani McClain, Jasper County

Junior High Commercial: Abi Parnell, Warren County

Junior High Judging: Mark Dover, Spalding County

 

Senior Teams:

  1.  Spalding County: Zaria Owens , Kaylee Collins, Heather Dorn, Shelby Lane
  2. Madison County: Tess Branyon, Parker Varnadoe, Tori Branyon, Kaylie Goldman
  3. Warren County: Ta’khia Reese, Jakalah Andrews, Eve Parnell, Thomas Wilkerson

 

Senior High Individual: Keri Roach, Jasper County

Senior High Advertisement: Heather Dorn, Spalding County

Senior High Judging: Keri Roach, Jasper County