The William H. Booth Award recognizes agents from each district who have outstanding career achievements as 4-H Extension Agents and who have a strong commitment to community support. Agents are nominated by their peers, complete a portfolio, and participate in an interview process. This award is given by Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) in honor of Jackson EMC founder William H. Booth, a community leader who was instrumental in building member-owned electric cooperatives in rural areas.

State Winner: Sonya Jones Pulaski County 4-H Agent • Southwest District
With over 22 years of service in Pulaski County, Sonya has built a dynamic 4-H program centered on “Place, Potential, Purpose, and Passion.” She launched HEROES for youth with disabilities, created the Culture Connection day camp, and led the seven-state Pulaski Proud virtual exchange. Her efforts secured more than $10,000 in county endowment funding and revitalized local volunteerism. A past GAE4-HYDP President and ExTEND Leadership graduate, Sonya has earned numerous awards at state, regional, and national levels. She empowers youth to discover where they belong, who they can become, and what fuels their spark.

District Finalists

Meridith Meckel Burke County 4-H Agent • Southeast District
Meridith’s passion for 4-H is rooted in her own experience as a 4-H’er in Burke County. Over the past 8 years, she has grown the “Empire Burke” 4-H program into a powerhouse of opportunity and impact. Her efforts have led to over $180,000 raised for local programming, more than 500 youth completing projects through school partnerships, and 46 Master 4-H’ers. Known for her creative outreach, Meridith launched a student-led 4-H Open House and helped send multiple judging teams to national contests. Her commitment to helping every child “find their spark” continues to shape lives across her community.

Jacqueline Nunn Putnam County 4-H Agent • Northeast District
Jacqueline’s 4-H story began as a 4-H’er who found belonging, purpose, and opportunity through the program and grew into a lifelong commitment to empowering youth through Extension. With over 11 years of service, she has received numerous honors, including the NAE4-HYDP Distinguished Service Award and state awards in healthy living, diversity, and camping. Jacqueline has mentored thousands of youth, with over 100 participants competing at District Project Achievement. Many have returned to the program as 4-H professionals. In Putnam and Ware counties, she engaged more than 100 volunteers who contributed over 3,500 hours of service. Her work continues to shape Georgia 4-H through mentorship and lasting community impact.

Octavia Jackson Lamar County 4-H Agent • Northwest District
Octavia has served for 25 years as the Lamar County 4-H Agent. Her work in science education and garden-enhanced healthy lifestyles reaches over 200 youth monthly and has resulted in more than 1,600 educational contact hours led by volunteers. Octavia has earned more than 30 local, state, and national awards, including the 2024 NAE4-HYDP Meritorious Service Award. Known for her empathy and dedication, Octavia is passionate about empowering youth to become productive members of society. She builds partnerships across regional sectors and inspires both youth and adults to grow, lead, and serve for life.

Allie Griner In Memory • Gordon County 4-H Agent • Northwest District
Allie, a dedicated 4-H Agent in Gordon County, is remembered for her profound impact on youth development, a passion cultivated since her own active participation as a Jones County 4-H’er. Her professional life was a seamless integration of her agricultural roots, her academic background in family and consumer sciences, and her unwavering commitment to empowering young people. Allie consistently found immense joy in witnessing the achievements of the children she mentored. She took pride in seeing their faces light up as they were recognized for their hard work and perseverance, whether as project winners, district officers, or contest champions, or those that achieved their personal best. Her ability to connect with and support these young individuals, often over several years, in achieving their personal goals was truly remarkable and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Outstanding 4-H youth and supporters celebrated at Georgia 4-H State Congress

Georgia 4-H celebrated excellence in youth participants, adult leaders, and community supporters during the annual 4-H State Congress in Atlanta July 23-26. A week-long event for top 4-H’ers at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, State Congress includes the state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action contests for youth.

Senator Larry Walker III, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Sonya Jones, and Lauren Clark received prestigious awards as champions of youth development programming.

More than 200 youth delegates competed in 49 Project Achievement areas, with the highest-scoring competitor in each area receiving Master 4-H’er status as state winners.

Project Achievement is a core Georgia 4-H program element, empowering young people with leadership, creativity, public speaking, and record keeping skills that will last a lifetime. At the high school level, students choose a project of interest from a list of areas that include agriculture, human development, performing arts, communication, engineering, and workforce preparation. They subsequently research the topic, create and deliver a detailed presentation, and participate in related community service and civic engagement activities. State Congress competition includes individual interviews with qualified professionals who engage with 4-H’ers about their project work.

To view a complete list of State Congress Project Achievement participants, visit this link.

Eight finalists competed in the Leadership in Action contest during State Congress. Leadership in Action calls for 4-H’ers to identify a community need and work to meet that need by planning and implementing original projects and initiatives. Competitors then prepare an application packet and participate in interviews at the district level to be selected as state finalists.

Addy Winchester from Pulaski County and Leila Rimes were selected as the 2025 state Leadership in Action winners.

Winchester created the Mighty Showmanship event, an opportunity for youth with disabilities to experience success in the livestock show ring. This show invited youth to participate in a swine show with support from peer mentors and provided a supportive and inclusive show environment. Rimes responded to the need for access to menstrual health products in rural areas and created the “4-HER” project. This initiative resulted in the placement of personal care boxes in 4-H center restrooms and distribution of 600 personal care packages in Southwest Georgia.

Other finalists were Sheila Flores from Pickens County, Tyson Mathis from Oconee County, Melinda Kaye Mercer from Bleckley County, Prayushi Padhi from Cobb County, William Parish from Gordon County, and Aubrianna Stewart from Bryan County.

Special event Master 4-H’ers from the 2024-25 program year were also recognized at State Congress.

Senator Larry Walker III received the 4-H Green Jacket Award. This prestigious award honors individuals who have shown outstanding, significant, and ongoing statewide support to Georgia 4-H programs. Sen. Walker serves the citizens of Georgia’s District 20 and currently holds the role of Senate Majority Caucus Secretary and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. He has shown unwavering support to 4-H in his role as a legislator, including hosting Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol for five consecutive years and leading the Citizenship Ceremony at 4-H State Council. He led the effort to appropriate $3 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 amended budget to support the Rock Eagle 4-H Center cabin replacement campaign and acts as a significant advocate for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Sen. Walker embodies the spirit of the 4-H Green Jacket Award, graciously sponsored by the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.

Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter (GNFA) received the Friend of 4-H Award. This award is presented to individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding and exemplary contributions to the Georgia 4-H vision and mission in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals. For more than 30 years, GNFA has offered world-class facilities as a partner in providing meaningful experiences for thousands of youth through agriculture and animal science education. The GNFA staff works alongside Extension and 4-H professionals to host more than a dozen livestock shows every year and supports educational contests that include public speaking, cooking, and performing arts. Signature programs like the Legislative Showdown and 4-H Day at the Fair offer youth powerful opportunities to engage with elected officials, showcase their skills, and advocate for agriculture.

Sonya Jones, Pulaski County Extension Coordinator and 4-H Agent, received the William H. Booth Award. This award recognizes 4-H Extension agents for outstanding career achievements and strong commitment to community support. With over 22 years of service in Pulaski County, Jones has built a dynamic 4-H program centered on her personal motto of “Place, Potential, Purpose, and Passion.” During her tenure, she has created programming for youth with disabilities, established a Culture Connection day camp, and led a “Pulaski Proud” virtual exchange for seven other states that have a county named Pulaski. She has earned numerous awards at the national level, revitalized the Pulaski County volunteer program, and secured more than $10,000 in county endowment funding. She empowers youth to discover where they belong and who they can become through 4-H.

Lauren Clark, Screven County 4-H Agent, received the Ryles Rising Star Award. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H staff member for significant contributions to the success of 4-H in the first five years of their employment. Clark manages a 4-H program for more than 700 youth and partners with over 40 volunteers to provide high-quality programming in Screven County. In her short tenure, she has established a brand new 4-H horse program and a poultry judging team. She inspired supporters in Screven County to reach the second-highest number of donations in the state during the annual Georgia’s annual $4 for 4-H fundraiser. “While the growth in participation is impressive, Lauren’s unwavering commitment to the youth and families of Screven County is what truly sets her apart,” said Lee Anna Deal, Southeast District 4-H Program Development Coordinator.

The William H. Booth Award is presented in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals and the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. Additional William H. Booth Award finalists include Meridith Meckel from Burke County, Jacqueline Nunn from Putnam County, Octavia Jackson from Lamar County, and the late Allie Griner from Gordon County.

Leaders in the 4-H camping program and 4-H center administrators also received recognition during State Congress. The 2025-2026 Georgia 4-H Board of Directors were inducted into their positions of leadership, and the 2024-2025 Board of Directors were honored for their year of service.

State Congress is made possible by generous contributions from organizations that support positive youth development in Georgia. Major sponsors include Georgia’s EMCs, Georgia 4-H Foundation, and the Georgia Master 4-H Club. Georgia 4-H Foundation Pillar and Presenting sponsors include Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation, Inc., Premium Peanut, Kelly Loeffler, META, and Chemours.

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

For more information about Georgia 4-H, contact your local University of Georgia County Extension Office or visit www.georgia4h.org.

Georgia 4-H Installs 2025-2026 State Board of Directors during State Congress in Atlanta

Nine students were installed as the 2025-2026 4-H State Board of Directors at Georgia 4-H State Congress on Jul. 22 in Atlanta. Youth elected to service as state officers will serve, lead, and represent the 193,000 4-H members in Georgia.

These 4-H’ers were elected by their peers after a weekend-long campaign during 4-H State Council at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in June. The board is composed of a president, vice president, three state representatives, and four district representatives. Their responsibilities will include interacting with University of Georgia administration, leading youth events, stewarding 4-H supporters, and representing the organization at regional and state levels.

2025-2026 Georgia 4-H Board of Directors:

Robert Thomas, President, Putnam County
Timothy Carter, Vice President, Richmond County
Gregory Huston, State Representative, Toombs County
Cecilia Moore, State Representative, Stephens County
Shaelin Calder-Denny, State Representative, Bibb County
Tyson Mathis, Northeast District Representative, Oconee County
Lesley Nichols, Northwest District Representative, Coweta County
Tiya Patel, Southeast District Representative, Evans County
Max Nelson, Southwest District Representative, Tift County

Dozens of youth with disabilities entered the livestock ring on February 19 to take part in the Mighty Showmanship event in advance of the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. Every participant was declared a champion as they partnered with 4-H and FFA mentors to experience the excitement of a swine show.

This special opportunity was organized by Pulaski County 4-H’er Addy Winchester and supported by 4-H and FFA leaders and volunteers. The show was open to school-aged youth beginning in kindergarten and extending to age 21.

“This is a show that enables all young people to participate in and reap the benefits of showing livestock,” said Winchester. “It’s not about your disability, it’s about your ability. We want everyone to feel at home in the ring.”

Each “mighty showman” was assisted by up to four youth mentors, depending on their physical needs. These volunteer mentors are members of Georgia 4-H and FFA who participated in the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. The hogs in the ring for the Mighty Showmanship event belonged to these 4-H and FFA members; the mighty showman participants spent time in the barn with their mentors getting familiar with the hogs prior to the show.

The event received contributions from numerous community partners, including belts and buckles donated for each participant. The belt buckles helped reinforce that every Mighty Showman was a champion. Volunteer judges also worked the ring to add to the authentic feel of this unique opportunity.

Hundreds of parents and supporters watched from the stands as the heartwarming show unfolded. “We will continue to spread the word about this event and make the experience available to as many youth as possible,” Winchester added.

Find a full album of photos from the event by clicking the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/georgia4-h/albums/72177720324395339

Photos and Story by Josie Smith

When it comes to a story, Jimmica Collins is going to bring it to life. “I got married to a coworker in a toilet paper dress at the end of one week,” she said while recalling a story about her two summers as a camp counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. “Those girls behaved so well that week, I promised them I would make it happen.” Her fictional nuptials were the subject of many letters received from campers in the months after that summer.

Today, she brings life to Sesame Street’s “Grandma Nell,” an endearing character based on Jimmica’s own beloved Auntie Maebel. She is among the first Black women to work as puppeteers for Sesame Street and values being a representative voice for kids to see someone who looks and speaks in similar ways to them.

An impactful career in theatre, puppetry, and story telling has been centered on a mantra that Jimmica adopted from her leaders during those weeks of 4-H summer camp. “It was always ‘LTK, LTK,’ which is short for ‘Love Those Kids’,” she said. Jimmica received that love from her 4-H agents in Oglethorpe County. She received it in the UGA Upward Bound program that took her on a lifechanging tour of New York University. “I majored in theatre and minored in child and adolescent mental health studies at NYU, and I flew home in the summer to work at Rock Eagle,” Jimmica said. “I knew I wanted my future job to combine ‘LTK’ with loving the theatre stage.”

Grandma Nell’s character was born after eight months of training with the veteran puppeteers who perform Big Bird and Mr. Snuffaluffagus. “I had a wonderful tenure with the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts, and my time there inspired me to audition for Sesame Street in 2020,” Jimmica noted. After learning to talk to puppets and then learning to be a puppeteer in Atlanta, she was chosen for Sesame Street’s virtual training workshops. Her creativity and unique life experience later resulted in Grandma Nell being chosen as a regular member of the Sesame Street family.

“Grandma Nell was definitely a 4-H’er,” Jimmica said with delight. The warm and loving Muppet is the head of the community garden and offers friendly advice to her friends and neighbors. Jimmica weaves her experience as a 4-H’er into her story telling. Competing in Project Achievement played a pivotal role in her success as a student and a professional. She credits her ability to work hard, accept failure, and press on to those contests at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. “Getting told ‘no’ is a big part of acting,” she noted. “If I lost a 4-H contest, Lynn Patton and Susan Goldman would load us up and take us to Zaxby’s and everything felt alright. It was a great way to learn.” Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging was another one of her favorite activities, and she remembers going to retail stores to check out materials and pricing of clothing classes to judge. “I always use my stint as a Poultry Judging contestant as a fun fact in ‘two truths and a lie’ games,” she laughed.

In addition to playing Grandma Nell, Jimmica is a puppeteer on the PBS Kids program “Donkey Hodie,” a spinoff of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. She plays Rockstar Penguin and Frannie Fox, traveling to Chicago each month to film. Jimmica recently visited Rock Eagle 4-H Center for the first time in a decade. She took a picture in front of the cabin where she and her mother both stayed as campers and took in a full-circle moment. As a storyteller and a difference maker, Jimmica is honored to pay forward the lessons she learned as a Georgia 4-H’er to youth across America.

Article and Photo by Josie Smith

 

Georgia 4-H is pleased to host an intern in Senator Warnock’s office in Washington DC for the Fall 2025. 

All applicants must meet the minimum criteria for the UGA Washington Semester program (https://dcsemester.uga.edu/application/eligibility/) and be willing to represent Georgia 4-H.

The successful candidate will be provided housing in Delta Hall (expenses covered) and receive an hourly rate of pay for hours worked.  Other expenses will be the responsibility of the intern.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Stephanie Slate (stephanie.slate@uga.edu) no later than Monday, March 24.   Interviews will be scheduled following a screening process.

History of the 4-H Washington, D.C. Intern Program

For decades, collegiate 4-H’ers from across the state of Georgia have served as interns in various capacities with Congressional leaders in our nation’s capital. In 1960, State 4-H Leader Tommy Walton worked with Senator Richard Russell to establish an intern program for Georgia 4-H’ers to have an experiential learning opportunity specializing in civic engagement. While in D.C., students get to experience the inner workings of the federal government, increase their knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, expand their network of leaders and career contacts, refine their leadership and communication skills, and represent Georgia 4-H in a national setting. Many alumni of the 4-H Intern Program go on to be leaders in various fields which serves as a testament to the program’s impact on participants.

We would like to recognize and thank the Richard B. Russell Foundation for their support of this endeavor and for their assistance in funding this once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for collegiate Georgia 4-H’ers.

Previous 4-H Washington, D.C. Interns

Senator Richard Russell (1960-1969)
Don Johnson, Jerry Payne, Proctor Jones, Daniel Minchew, Tom Cofer, Norman Underwood, Albert Wall, Bob Rushton, Buddy Darden, Mell Wells, Ray Stephens, Bill Warren, Barry Mansell, Tom Brodnax, Barney Durrence, Rodney Vickers, David Roper, Jerry Griffin, Robert Dixon, Troy Riberon, Otis Turner, Ricky Wilson, Frank Stancil Jr., Charles Thomas, Paul Wood Jr., Eddie Pullen, Kenneth Luke, Ken Carlton, Wayne Buffington
Senator Herman Talmadge (1972-1980)
Clem Anthony, Don Massey, Alex Booth, Steve Cash, Dave Lee, Steve Dykes, Lynwood Hall, Bo Ryles, Phillip Coleman, Becky Tolbert, Sue Parker, Bob Pinckney, Ronnie Owings, Chris Cleveland, Jeffrey Stewart, Russell Sills
Senator Sam Nunn (1977-1995)
Wayne Reece, Jay Holliman, Ann Patterson, Deborah McGiffin, Lori Muggridge, Judy Blackwell, Jerome Harkness, Charles Hall, Virginia Pittman, Nexsa Deal, Michelle Hicks, Kurt Preston, Carla Gillespie, Joe Chapple, Randall Morris, Margaret Fowke, Darline Vollenweidder, Diane Vaughan, John Barrett, Alice Yurke, Sara Haddow, Tammy Tyre, Laural Moseley, Anne Sapp, Kenneth Jones, John Register, Jody Corry, Dell Mason, Jeff Jackson, John Pope, Murray Weed, Vickie Knight, Russell Willis, David Dekle, Wendy McHale, Stacey Copeland, Allison Bowman, William Gentry, Michele Ellington, Michael Barry, Christa Holmes, Brett Blitch, Kimberly Chadwell, Michael Morris, Kerry Keith, Glenn Grant, Joy Carlson, Currey Cook, Stacy Jones, Mark Dzikowski, Tonya Woody, Sarah Pierson, Alison Sapp, Norbert Wilson, Victoria Scarborough, Amy Schantz, Lori Casey, April Henley, Kristen Perrett, Austin Aldridge, Julie McIlwain, Marcia Haymans, April Crow, Ben Green, Steven Jarrell, Kersha Cartwright, Stewart Thigpen, Chris Coley
Congressman Nathan Deal (2001-2004)
Brandon Clark, Rebecca Willingham, Kari Cope, Mary Beth Hobby, Julie Ditmore, Leigh Varnadoe, Keauna Gregory, Stefanie Costello, Candace Clark
Congressman John Barrow (2007)
Steven Dasher
Senator Saxby Chambliss (2007-2009)
Jenna Knight, Matthew Christopher, Hutch McCollum
Senator Johnny Isakson (2016-2018)
Sara Rowe, Aubrey Fowler, Timothy Dickinson
Senator Kelly Loeffler (2020)
Sophia Rodriguez
Senator Raphael Warnock (2024)
Georgia Simmons

 

Leadership came to life for the largest-ever Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol delegation in Atlanta as 4-H’ers engaged with the civic process. Elected officials joined nearly 800 youth, staff, volunteers, and supporters on Feb. 25 to celebrate the impact of 4-H in Georgia.

State Sen. Larry Walker and Georgia Rep. Rick Jasperse served as legislative hosts for the 4-H delegation. County 4-H groups explored and toured the Capitol building, and many 4-H leaders arranged direct meetings with senators and representatives from their districts.

Georgia’s current slate of elected officials includes many 4-H alumni, parents and supporters who welcomed students to the place where government comes to life.

Promoting civic engagement and leadership

Georgia 4-H, a program of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, promotes civic engagement and leadership among its top focus areas. 4-H’ers find support through opportunities including 4-H Day at the Capitol, in-school programming, after-school activities, project work and camps. These activities empower 4-H’ers to become engaged citizens and develop life skills, positive relationships and community awareness.

Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol culminated with a luncheon in the Georgia Freight Depot that celebrated 4-H and expressed appreciation to lawmakers and supporters. Sen. Walker encouraged 4-H’ers to become the next generation of leaders, while Rep. Jasperse acknowledged a group of 4-H honorees who have received state and national recognition for accomplishments over the past year.

Rep. Jasperse earned a bachelor’s degree in food science from UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 1979 and returned to earn a master’s degree in agricultural leadership in 2003. Sen. Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in business from UGA in 1987.

‘Step into the future with confidence’

Georgia 4-H President Kingston Ryals addressed those in attendance on behalf of 193,500 4-H’ers currently enrolled in Georgia 4-H. “Georgia 4-H prepares us to be leaders, problem solvers and changemakers,” Ryals said. “This organization equips us with the skills to step into the future with confidence. We are not just ready — we are beyond ready.”

Interim Associate Dean for Extension Arch Smith and State 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith thanked legislators and recognized the importance of 4-H for youth in Georgia.

Support for the event was provided through a partnership between Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation invests in Georgia 4-H’ers by providing support for transportation, logistics and lunch during 4-H Day at the Capitol. The event, which is often the first visit to Atlanta for many students, makes an indelible mark on those who attend. Youth are empowered to become leaders of the future when they are given the opportunity to engage with present leaders.

As the premier youth leadership organization in the state, Georgia 4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information about how to get involved with 4-H in your community, contact your local UGA Extension office or visit georgia4h.org.

 

The 2024 edition of Cloverleaf Magazine is now available online!

Click here to read the digital version.

Thank you for your continued support of Georgia 4-H!

Georgia 4-H held its annual 4-H Ag Tech training in Tifton Sep. 10-11, with over 16 county teams participating. High school 4-H’ers work alongside their county 4-H and Agricultural and Natural Resources agents to bridge technology gaps in the agriculture community.

The 2024-2025 cycle represents the third year of the program, and it continues to grow and gain ground across the state. Participants observe new agricultural technology advancements hands-on and learn about their use in a supportive environment.

County teams represent all four UGA Extension districts and include Ben Hill, Bibb, Burke, Cobb, Coffee, Coweta, Decatur, Effingham, Emanuel, Houston, Madison, Mitchell, Peach, Pulaski, Toombs, and Worth counties. The program started with 25 4-H’ers at its launch and has grown to over 70 participants and in just two years.

The two-day training empowers youth to provide hands-on and impactful technology demonstrations to farmers, landowners, and other youth in their areas. County teams are trained on agriculture technology topics including drones, soil sampling, soil moisture sensors, GPS guidance aids, and digital pest and weed identification.

The new program year expanded programming to include natural resource management topics including drone usage in prescribed burns, invasive species management, and wildlife trail camera analysis. “We are excited to continue to update our topics to include new areas in order to appeal to larger landowner audiences,” said Katie Bowker, program coordinator for 4-H Ag Tech. “We are also looking to grow into more urban agriculture topics to widen our impact!”

At the training, youth are given the opportunity to learn directly from University of Georgia precision agriculture specialists in an academic setting. UGA Tifton specialists worked in partnership with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and their new Agricultural Technology building to host the event. Programming included a college tour for the youth attendees to connect their learning with college degrees and future career paths.

During the past two years of programming, 4-H Ag Tech county teams have held over 75 individual outreach events and reached a combined total of over 3,450 adults and 3,800 youth participants. These youth leaders have held presentations at workshops, festivals, production meetings, growers’ meetings, association meetings and at local schools.

Many UGA faculty, staff and graduate students from Athens and Tifton have contributed to the training and implementation of 4-H Ag Tech this year including Kasey Bozeman, Wes Porter, Cody Mathis, Luke Fuhrer, Daniel Lyon, Phillip Edwards, Daniel Jackson, and Rebekah Wallace.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the premier youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually through University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

Written by Katie Bowker

Georgia 4-H is celebrating National 4-H Week and highlighting youth excellence and leadership October 6-12.

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension reaches young people from all backgrounds and communities. As the premier youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H engages hundreds of thousands of students each year, typically in fourth through 12th grades.

“Beyond Ready” is the 2024 National 4-H Week Theme. Current 4-H’ers will join alumni, parents, faculty, staff, volunteers, and supporters in sharing how 4-H has prepared them to be engaged members of their families and communities.

Young people will play a key role in creating a more promising future. Georgia 4-H helps members find their spark and discover belonging, empowering youth to thrive and develop life skills through high-quality programming.

Leadership is a focal point of the 4-H positive youth development model. Elected by their peers, the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors provides student leadership to the organization. The 2024-2025 Board is led by Kingston Ryals, President, an 11^th grade 4-H’er from Toombs County. He is assisted by Vice President Mia Burnett of Mitchell County, State Representative Esteban Contreras of Pulaski County, State Representative Kaleb Green of Dooly County, State Representative Agatha Grimes of Candler County, Northeast District Representative Carolyn Thomas of Putnam County, Northwest District Representative William Parrish of Gordon County, Southeast District Representative Yasmin Rios of Emanuel County, and Southwest District Representative Nandini Patel of Ben Hill County.

Georgia 4-H has roots in agriculture, originating with the 1905 Newton County Corn Club for Boys. The program now has additional branches in science, technology, healthy living and civic engagement, attracting students from all areas of interest and engaging youth from the most urban to the most rural areas. A four-leaf clover is the official emblem of 4-H; the “H” in each leaf of the 4-H clover emblem represents head, heart, hands, and health.

Students perform community service, conduct research, compile portfolios of their accomplishments and learn public speaking skills through oral presentations during 4-H Project Achievement. Additional 4-H programming includes livestock projects, judging teams, ambassador programs, performing arts, safe and healthy cooking, Project S.A.F.E., and countless other opportunities for learning and growth.

Summer camp provides life-changing experiences for thousands of Georgia youth every year. Georgia 4-H also offers a robust environmental education program at each of the 4-H centers, providing school groups residential and day-learning opportunities that are aligned with current state educational standards.

“We celebrate the great work of 4-H every week, but it’s particularly special to highlight our impacts during National 4-H Week,” said Melanie Biersmith, Georgia 4-H state leader. “The 4-H leaders, including faculty, staff and volunteers across Georgia, are creating and producing experiences and opportunities for youth to thrive.”

Georgia 4-H expands horizons for its members and encourages them to be productive citizens in the world around them. National 4-H Week is a collective opportunity to recognize all the ways that 4-H’ers are living out the organizational motto “to make the best better.”

For more information about how to join, volunteer or support Georgia 4-H, contact your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office or visit georgia4h.org.