A Record-Breaking Fundraiser

The 2025 Georgia 4-H Foundation Gala soared past previous attendance and fundraising records, with nearly 800 guests in attendance and $1,039,436 in contributions.

Held on August 23, 2025 at the Classic Center in Athens, the elegant event provided an opportunity for donors, alumni, organizations, elected officials, and university leadership to gather in support of the premier youth development organization in the state of Georgia. Guests enjoyed a pre-event reception, a silent auction, dinner, a formal program, and a live auction.
More than 200 sponsors made contributions at levels ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Immense generosity of Georgia 4-H donors and a special challenge-based sponsorship from Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher made this first-ever million-dollar figure a possibility.

In addition to celebrating 4-H and raising crucial financial support, the Gala includes the presentation of the Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award was established in 2001 to recognize individuals who have dedicated significant time, energy, and resources to Georgia 4-H and is considered the highest honor bestowed by the organization. After a lifetime of service in various roles throughout Extension, Arch Smith was selected as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. The Georgia 4-H Foundation extends gratitude to gala co-chairs Laura Meadows and David Black, as well as to the many committee members that helped make the event
possible.

Georgia’s EMCs generously supported this event and the entire Georgia 4-H program as the gala’s presenting sponsor.

A Lifetime of Achievement: Arch Smith

Arch Smith has been in continual service to Georgia 4-H and UGA Extension for 40 years. His tenure began as a Carroll County Extension Agent in 1985 and went on to include serving as the director of Rock Eagle 4-H Center, the
executive director of the Georgia 4-H Foundation, and Associate State 4-H leader. He was named the eighth Georgia State 4-H Leader in 2010 and retired from that role in 2022. Since retirement, Arch has graciously accepted roles as the Interim Southeast District Extension Director and the Interim Associate Dean for Extension.

After growing up as a Warren County 4-H’er and serving as a Rock Eagle 4-H Center camp counselor, Arch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from University of Georgia and a Master of Public Administration degree from West Georgia College and State University. His major contributions to Georgia 4-H are nearly innumerable; highlights include directing more than $75,000,000 in major improvements and additions at Georgia’s six 4-H centers and expanding the Georgia 4-H Foundation donor base and fundraising efforts. In addition to leading hundreds of employees, he
has been a mentor to thousands of Georgia youth. Arch has also worked to preserve Georgia history in the context of 4-H. He solidified the conservation of the Rock Hawk effigy in Putnam County, formally recognized the historical
contributions of the Dublin 4-H Center, and collaborated with author Ina Hopkins to publish the Rock Eagle: Centerpiece of Georgia 4-H history book. His work with the Dublin 4-H Center resulted in its placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

Georgia Power

As Georgia Power provides electricity for the state of Georgia, they also empower 4-H youth. For many years, Georgia Power has shown dedication and commitment to growing the next generation of leaders through Georgia 4-H programming. Support from Georgia Power has come to 4-H in many forms, including gala contributions, State Congress programmatic support, facility investments, and STEM program enhancement. Most recently, Georgia Power has made a significant impact through sponsorship of National 4-H Conference.

National 4-H Conference is a future-focused program that aims to build strong leaders through roundtable discussions, briefings with government officials, and visits with legislators in America’s capital. Hosted by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this event provides 4-H’ers the opportunity to gain valuable skills in leadership and decision-making. Arthur Tripp, Vice President of Economic Development for Georgia Power, shared “For nearly a century, Georgia Power has been supporting and advocating for the growth of our state, helping to make and keep Georgia the best place in the nation to live, work, and grow. We proudly support youth development programs across the state because we know that when our young people have access to the tools and support that allow them to become the best version of themselves, they become leaders for a lifetime. We are incredibly excited to support Georgia 4-H and the future leaders of our state.”

Georgia 4-H is grateful for the years of partnership with Georgia Power and for their dedication to developing the next generation of leaders.

Dalton & Margie Sirmans

Dalton and Margie Sirmans make a major impact on the Georgia 4-H program. Dalton, a Lanier County 4-H alumnus, and Margie, a Ware County 4-H alumnus, attribute their success to skills and lessons learned through experiences as 4-H’ers. While in 4-H, Dalton served as State 4-H President and as a camp counselor. Margie was involved in the public speaking project and participated in judging teams. Dalton and Margie use their shared 4-H background to help provide opportunities for the next generation to develop vital leadership skills.

Beyond 4-H, The Sirmans founded Main Street Technologies, a financial software company, with the duo serving as CEO and CFO. They are deeply dedicated to the area of refugee support, aiming to shine a light on displaced people and working to change the narrative surrounding the needs and benefits of this population. Success stories and case studies of refugees showcasing their resilience, adaptability, and determination can be found in Dalton’s first book, The Refugee Advantage.
Their generosity across multiple 4-H initiatives is vital to the success of state and local youth programming.

$4 for 4-H: An Un-four-gettable Day

From Dade County to Camden County and everywhere in between, supporters of Georgia 4-H turned up in full force for the 2025 $4 for 4-H Campaign. This annual giving campaign provides an opportunity for supporters around the state to make a difference in their local 4-H program by designating their gift to a specific county or 4-H center. For the eighth year in a row, $4 for 4-H highlighted the abundance of 4-H advocates across the state and nation.
With a set goal of $114,444, nearly 3,200 donors rose to the occasion to meet this challenge with a grand total of $133,388 raised.

Every county in the state received at least 14 gifts with 146 counties receiving at least 24 gifts. These funds provide impactful support to county offices as they deliver positive youth development programming across the state. Mark your calendar for April 4, 2026 to join the fun and help support Georgia 4-H’ers!

2025 Georgia 4-H Foundation Pillar Sponsors

STEM Pillar: Meta
Civic Engagement & Leadership Pillar: Kelley Loeffler
Agriculture Pillar: Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation, Inc.
Environmental Science Pillar: Chemours
Health & Wellness Pillar: Premium Peanut

2024-2025 Georgia 4-H Event Series Sponsorships

4-H Day at the UGA Game: Golden Pantry
Food Showcase: Cal-Maine Foods and Eggland’s Best
4-H Day at the Fair: Kubota, Georgia Development Authority,
The Dairy Alliance, Smith Farm Supply
Junior Conference: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Fall Forum: UPS Foundation
Senior Conference: Piedmont Athens Regional
4-H Day at the Capitol: Gulfstream Aerospace
National Conference: Georgia Power
State Council: Chick-fil-A
Georgia 4-H Gala: Georgia’s EMCs Presenting

Words from Adam Hammond

For nearly eight decades, the Georgia 4-H Foundation has worked diligently to uphold its mission of supporting the programs and facilities of Georgia 4-H.

During that time, we’ve continued to innovate—building support for Georgia 4-H’s proven workforce-readiness programs while cultivating meaningful relationships with stakeholders who thoughtfully invest in our state’s youth. This year is no different.

Throughout FY 2025, the Foundation team partnered with incredible supporters to break fundraising records and deepen the impact of our work. Georgia 4-H Foundation donors contributed more than $3.4 million this year, marking the second consecutive year our organization surpassed benchmarks. This total is more than a million dollars above our 10-year average, and your generosity allows the Foundation to continue building a solid base of support for the future.

We added five new scholarships, surpassed 105 endowments, and held a record $4 for 4-H Day, which brought in more than $133,000. With your help, the Foundation also hosted the organization’s first million-dollar event—the 2025 Georgia 4-H Gala.

Last fiscal year, our team held more than 200 donor meetings across the East Coast and oversaw the doubling of our investment portfolio over eight years, which now surpasses $11 million. We supported county programs through tailored fundraising appeals, professional development engagement, and new investment opportunities.

The Foundation remains committed to building strategic and sustainable systems that maximize your investment for continued growth and impact. Whether you’re making an annual gift, creating an endowment, planning for your estate giving, or leveraging your Required Minimum Distribution, we’re here to support your philanthropic goals.

Your meaningful support allows us to change lives by building pathways of advancement. Thank you for making a lasting difference.

Sincerely,
Adam Hammond
Executive Director, Georgia 4-H Foundation

Words from Ken Jones

Georgia 4-H is thriving and so is the Foundation.

This year was very successful for the Foundation as we raise funds to support the 4-H program and help 4-H’ers become “Beyond Ready.” It is such an honor to serve as the Chairman of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

The work our trustees and dedicated staff have done over the past year has been historic. We have been able to continue to expand our reach by bringing in new donors and getting many 4-H alumni reacquainted and involved. This translates directly to success in fundraising – every new donor sparks a change for the better. Every new project sponsor enables more 4-H’ers to participate, grow, and eventually become an inspiration for the next generation.

I still remember many of my 4-H heroes and 4-H supporters from my youth. Today, as my wife and I make contributions to support Georgia 4-H, I am reminded of the days when I benefited directly from someone else’s contribution. Those heroes have never faded from my memory.

Giving to 4-H is a pleasure, because the benefits are visible every time I go to a 4-H event and see today’s 4-H’ers competing, being recognized, supporting each other, and having the time of their lives in the process. This is not a unique sentiment to me. I hear that same theme from adult volunteers, donors, and project sponsors. For any active 4-H members reading this, I hope you realize what a tremendous opportunity you have. For any of the donors reading this, I hope you realize what a tremendous impact you make every day in the lives of our 4-H members.

The impact of donations is readily apparent; however, major impact can come from a word of encouragement or empathy from a trusted adult or a peer. The smallest gesture can change history. I encourage everyone to go out and support Georgia 4-H not just with financial contributions, but with your time and talents, too.

Thank you for your support of Georgia 4-H,
Ken Jones
Chairman, Georgia 4-H Foundation

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year:
Kristen Quinton

Kristen began her volunteer service with UGA Extension through the Bibb County 4-H Program Development Team. Her commitment quickly grew from advice and promotion to serving as an anchor to the daily functions of the local program, particularly during times of personnel turnover. A Bibb County 4-H’er shared, “She has created a stronger program by her welcoming and bright demeanor!”

She uses her talents and community connections to mentor new 4-H agents as they create new advisory teams for the county program. Kristen is an accomplished attorney, and she utilizes her knowledge and expertise to coordinate Law Days for 4-H’ers to explore judicial and law enforcement career pathways.

She also began the Bibb County SAFE BB team as well as the county’s first SAFE Archery team in 2022. She is passionate about keeping costs low for the archery program, allowing students to participate each season for only $30. This fee reduction removes financial barriers for student participation.

Volunteers who have dedicated up to 10 years of service to Georgia 4-H may be nominated for this award by Extension faculty and staff.

Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer: C.J. Lee

C.J. Lee has lived out the 4-H pledge as a Glynn County volunteer for more than 20 years. He began giving back to Glynn County 4-H immediately following his high school graduation, crediting 4-H as the organization that shaped his youth.

He has served on the 4-H Advisory Council, where he advocates for the importance of raising funds to support sending youth to 4-H summer camp. He spends a week of his annual leave each summer to serve as an adult chaperone for camp. In this role, he brings great enthusiasm and cheer as he encourages campers by dressing up to increase spirit and excitement.

“Known for showing up in bright wigs and crazy costumes, C.J. uses his creativity to spark excitement and inspire campers to be more passionate about 4-H, even after the camp season has ended,” said Olivia O’Connor, Glynn County 4-H Agent.

Serving in crucial areas of need, Lee mentors youth by supporting their preparations for 4-H Project Achievement and serves as a chaperone for high school 4-H meetings after school. “True leaders like C.J. Lee don’t just show up; they show up with heart and soul. For over 20 years, he has transformed every moment into an opportunity to inspire young minds, proving that dedication and passion can light the way for the next generation,” said Lea Badyna of Keep Golden Isles Beautiful.

Volunteers who have contributed more than 10 years of service to Georgia 4-H may be nominated for this award by Extension faculty and staff.

Winta earned first place in all four Georgia 4-H Food Showcase contests.

Along the way, she discovered a spark that set her on a path to a career in medicine.

The kitchen in the Spalding County Extension office doubles as a culinary classroom. Throughout the summer and into early fall, 4-H’ers gather there to fine-tune creative, healthy, and delicious recipes in preparation for the Georgia 4-H Food Showcase contests. As they hone their technical cooking skills, they also experience immersive lessons in food safety and nutrition.

Winta Ykeallo has logged hundreds of hours in the Spalding County kitchen during her tenure as a Georgia 4-H’er. Just a few weeks after beginning ninth grade, she traveled to Rock Eagle 4-H Center to compete in her first Food Showcase. She grilled up the state-winning Chicken BBQ dish and helped her team sauté their way to victory in the Food Challenge group contest, earning her first two Master 4-H’er awards in the same day.

The aroma of the charcoal and the satisfaction of a good sear had Winta hooked. As the next September came around, she fired up the grill again and headed back to Rock Eagle, this time bringing home a blue ribbon in the Turkey BBQ contest.

“Winta is a remarkable student who consistently demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment in everything she undertakes,” said Elizabeth McGregor, Spalding County 4-H Agent. “Her readiness to learn and her unwavering determination are evident in the quality of her work and her unparalleled accomplishments within and outside of 4-H.”

The 2025 Georgia 4-H program year marked Winta’s senior year in Spalding County and a new opportunity to compete in the kitchen. Winta took the knowledge and experience she gained from Turkey BBQ, Chicken BBQ, and Food Challenge and channeled them to prepare for the final 4-H Showcase event: Egg Chef.

“If I could describe the 4-H Food Showcase events in one word, it would be ‘integral,’” Winta said. “The competitions have taught me important life skills, like cooking safety and public speaking, that are integral to helping youth become well-rounded people.”

Winta was named Egg Chef champion and became the first Georgia 4-H’er to earn Master status in all four Food Showcase events. She began her freshman year as a biology major at University of Georgia in August 2025 and credits her experience with 4-H food programs as the catalyst for her interest in a career in medicine.

Georgia 4-H Food Showcase is presented by Cal-Maine Foods & Eggland’s Best.

Green Jacket Award: Senator Larry Walker III

The prestigious Georgia 4-H Green Jacket is awarded to individuals who have shown outstanding, significant, and ongoing statewide support to 4-H and is sponsored by Georgia EMC. In 2025, Georgia 4-H was proud to bestow this accolade of appreciation to Senator Larry Walker III.
Sen. Walker was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2015 and serves the citizens of District 20.
Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol is made possible each year by hosts from the House of Representatives and the Senate. Sen. Walker has graciously filled this host role consecutively for the last five years. The event has seen a significant increase in participation during his tenure as Senate host.
State 4-H Council includes the annual Citizenship Ceremony that challenges 4-H’ers to become active citizens and engaged voters. Sen. Walker served as the ceremony leader in 2022 and administered an oath for the new voters that calls on them to participate in the governmental process.
Sen. Walker led the effort to appropriate $3,000,000 in the Fiscal Year 2023 amended budget to support the Rock Eagle 4-H Center cabin replacement campaign.
In addition to championing 4-H in the Georgia legislature, Sen. Walker is a major advocate for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He has been instrumental in legislative support for the UGA Grand Farm.
Sen. Walker is a native of Perry, Georgia and a graduate of UGA’s Terry College of Business. Georgia 4-H is grateful to Sen. Walker for his ongoing and significant advocacy on behalf of 4-H’ers, faculty, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Complete List of Previous Green Jacket Award Recipients

William H. Booth Award: Sonya Jones

Georgia EMC, Georgia 4-H, and the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals annually present the William H. Booth Award to outstanding 4-H extension agents, recognizing significant professional achievements and continued support of the organization. The 2025 recipient is Sonya Jones, Pulaski County 4-H Agent.
Sonya has more than 22 years of experience in Pulaski County and has built a dynamic 4-H program centered on “place, potential, purpose, and passion.”
She has sustained a robust volunteer program and empowered youth to thrive across two decades. Her efforts in community stewardship 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.

Ryles Rising Star Award: Lauren Clark

The Ryles Rising Star Award was established upon the retirement of former State 4-H Leader Dr. Roger C. (Bo) Ryles to recognize an outstanding 4-H staff member in the first five years of employment. These individuals make significant and exceptional contributions to the success of 4-H, either in a county program, at a 4-H center, or in the state 4-H office. The 2025 recipient is Lauren Clark, Screven County 4-H Agent. Lauren 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 robust horse program, a poultry judging team, and numerous other successful opportunities for youth.
“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.

Friend of 4-H Award: Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter

Georgia 4-H and the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding support of Georgia 4-H with the Friend of 4-H Award. This important award highlights exemplary contributions towards the Georgia 4-H vision and mission. The 2025 recipient is Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA). For more than 30 years, GNFA has offered world-class facilities as a partner in providing meaningful experiences for thousands of youth. The GNFA staff works 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.

Camp to Campus

Dorothy Mortimore’s journey to studying forestry at UGA began at 4-H camp. “This camp was a foundational opportunity to really explore my interests through in-depth learning and immersive activities. I built relationships with professors who cared about me and my interests, and 4-H helped me link my passions with my long-term college journey and career path.”

A poised and confident Dorothy Mortimore shared these words with nearly 400 4-H youth development professionals at the National 4-H Positive Youth Development Academy earlier this spring. Now a first-year student at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources (Warnell), Dorothy easily connects her college experience back to the Georgia 4-H Natural Resources Exploration Camp – an experience that shaped her academic and career goals.

Growing up in a family that loved visiting national parks and spending time outdoors, Dorothy naturally gravitated toward environmental-based 4-H projects, with Forestry Judging being her favorite competition. Through encouragement from her 4-H Agent, Lauren Boykin of Bulloch County, she applied for the first-ever Georgia 4-H Natural Resources Exploration Camp in 2023.

The week-long camp, offered through a partnership between Georgia 4-H and Warnell, immerses high school students in outdoor learning. Activities range from wildlife tracking and drone mapping to macroinvertebrate sampling and tree identification. “Being involved with so many hands-on opportunities gave me such a great perspective on what professionals actually do in the field,” Dorothy explained. “From gathering data, interpreting and analyzing it, then using those findings to educate others, I really got an all-encompassing experience.”

“Another highlight for me was studying aquatic turtles in Rock Eagle Lake,” Dorothy said.” We measured shell size, weighed them, identified sex and species, and tagged them for future studies.”

Dorothy connected with Warnell faculty and staff who specialize in wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and environmental education. “Dr. Michel Kohl had a research project using wildlife cameras across Athens to study human-wildlife conflict,” she said. “He needed volunteers to help identify animals in the images, so I began working on the project while still in high school.” That direct experience showed her the importance of data collection and analysis in wildlife sciences.

Dr. Nick Fuhrman, known for his enthusiasm in life and work, inspired Dorothy to become a Rock Eagle 4-H Center camp counselor. She enjoyed teaching Forestry classes to young campers (pictured above). “It’s definitely a full-circle moment,” she said. “I got to learn more about the environment at 4-H camp, and now I get to help others do the same.”

Today, Dorothy sits in college classrooms taught by the same professors who once led her summer camp sessions. With gratitude, she reflects on the way 4-H bridged the gap from camp to campus, helping her transform curious sparks into a clear, confident path toward her thriving future.

Rooted in Service: From 4-H’er to Georgia Teacher of the Year

When Rachel Kinsaul walks into a classroom, she carries more than lesson plans and work books.

She brings a lifetime shaped by caring adults, community service, and a love for agriculture first nurtured through 4-H.

Now serving as Georgia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, Rachel often looks back on her days as a 4-H’er in Greene County, where her spark for agriculture first began to grow.

“I started in 4-H around fourth grade,” she recalled. “My favorite thing every summer was our Greene County Horse Camp. We would bring our horses, stay for the week, and learn from all these amazing people who volunteered their time. Looking back, I realize how much those adults poured into us and how they worked to give us chances to discover what we loved.”

Rachel credits those early experiences and the mentors behind them with shaping her approach to teaching today. “I had incredible agents, Peyton Sapp and Sherley Selman,” she said. “They gave me so many opportunities, even when I did not realize how valuable they were at the time.”

Those 4-H mentors modeled what developmental relationships look like in action. They cared for her, challenged her, provided support for her to lead, and expanded her view of what was possible. “That is the same kind of relationship I try to build with my students now,” Rachel said. “When young people know they are cared for and capable, it changes everything.”

Her sense of opportunity and belonging carried into her teaching career. After discovering agricultural education during college, Rachel began a journey that would lead her to become an advocate not just for her students but for teachers across the state.

“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role my whole life without even realizing it,” Rachel said. For nearly a decade, Kinsaul has served as the agricultural education teacher at Morgan County High School. She is the first-ever Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) teacher to be named Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Throughout her career, she has turned innovative ideas into opportunities for students to learn by doing. She developed a community-funded Floral Design course to diversify student participation in agriculture, which has grown into a thriving student-leadership program. As an FFA Advisor, she has guided students to uncover their passions, develop leadership skills, and earn state and national awards. She also led the fundraising effort for the Morgan Agricultural Learning Lab, a one-million-dollar project that expands access to livestock programs.

As Georgia Teacher of the Year, Rachel serves on the State Board of Education and travels across the state speaking to educators and students. Her role allows her to advocate for teachers and champion innovative, community-connected learning.

Rachel is currently leading efforts to launch a statewide “Day of Service” for Georgia’s public schools, encouraging teachers and students to engage their local communities.

Her platform, titled “Rooted in Service: Connecting Classrooms to Communities,” reflects the lessons she learned in 4-H. “Service is not just about projects; it is about meeting real needs where you are. That is what I want my students to see, that learning and service go hand in hand.”

Her impact in education has resulted in widespread recognition, including the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award and the Milken Educator Award, often referred to as the “Oscar of Teaching.” Rachel is quick to point back to her roots and the people who helped her grow. “In 4-H, I found my spark for agriculture through horses and through the adults who recognized my passion,” she says.

Her advice to today’s 4-H’ers is simple: “Try all the things. When you find what you love, you will realize how many people helped you get there.”