National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 19-25, and UGA Extension is ready to celebrate. Every year thousands of volunteers give of their time and talents in mission-critical program assistance. UGA Extension will feature volunteers through social media campaigns that showcase their service in action. In addition, special events will take place across the state in salute to their support of Family and Consumer Sciences, Master Gardener, and 4-H programming.

Family and Consumer Sciences Volunteers Multiply the Impact of Extension

Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) volunteers are a strategic asset in extending both the reach and quality of Extension programming. Their involvement allows agents to scale services, deepen community engagement, and deliver more consistent, high-impact educational experiences.

This is most clearly demonstrated through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified FACS volunteers are trained to work directly with clients to prepare income tax returns at no cost, removing financial barriers while building trust and credibility in the community. By integrating volunteers into program delivery, one county expanded its VITA services from 56 clients in 2022 to more than 200 in 2026—nearly quadrupling its reach. In addition to increasing capacity, volunteers contribute specialized skills; for example, one volunteer completed 98 returns in a single season, including complex cases, highlighting both expertise and commitment.

Beyond VITA, volunteers enhance program delivery across a wide range of FACS initiatives. They are instrumental in facilitating Virtual Dementia Tours—assisting with setup, guiding participants through the simulation, and ensuring each session runs smoothly. Their support improves both program quality and participant experience while enabling agents to serve larger audiences.

Volunteers also play a critical role in youth and family programming. They serve as counselors and guides for Teen Maze, helping participants navigate real-life decision-making scenarios. In classroom-based programs like Independently Healthy, volunteers—often teachers—provide hands-on support, working alongside students and reinforcing key concepts. In partnership with 4-H, volunteers assist with cooking classes, offering instruction in meal preparation and food safety while helping maintain a safe, well-managed learning environment.

In many communities, volunteers extend programming beyond what agents could accomplish alone. They serve as substitute instructors for after-school programs, support job readiness initiatives through mock interviews, and assist with food demonstrations by preparing ingredients, serving participants, and modeling learned skills. Youth volunteers, such as 4-H Food Project participants, gain leadership experience while reinforcing their own knowledge by assisting with these demonstrations.

Volunteers are equally valuable in outreach and program logistics. They support event coordination by managing registration, distributing materials, assisting with childcare, and overseeing activity flow during events like community baby showers and poverty simulations. They help expand program visibility by sharing marketing materials, distributing educational resources at community events such as produce markets, and promoting programs through social media and local networks. Others contribute by organizing donations, assisting with recruitment for programs like EFNEP and ServSafe, and providing venues or sponsorships through community partnerships.

Additionally, volunteers strengthen program infrastructure. Program Development Team members assist with participant recruitment, community outreach, and program implementation, while community partners help host events, provide meals, and connect Extension programs to broader audiences. Their contributions ensure programs are not only delivered effectively, but also sustained and responsive to local needs.

Agents consistently note that volunteer engagement enhances both program efficiency and professional growth. Volunteers provide the additional capacity needed to manage large or complex programs while allowing agents to focus on leadership, strategic planning, and program expansion. As one agent shared, volunteers “help facilitate or lighten the load of behind-the-scenes preparation,” ultimately enabling Extension to “serve communities to the fullest.”

In summary, FACS volunteers multiply the impact of Extension work. Through direct service, instructional support, outreach, and logistical assistance, they enable programs to operate at a higher level of effectiveness and reach. Their contributions ensure that Extension programming is not only accessible, but also delivered with quality, efficiency, and meaningful community impact.

Master Gardeners Drive Horticulture Education

More than 2,000 active Master Gardener Extension Volunteers (MGEVs) expanded Agriculture and Natural Resources programs in their counties with core projects, such as garden problem-solving clinics, speaking engagements, classes, and garden tours. In 2025, MGEVs from across the state contributed 159,903 hours, at a value exceeding $5.5 million. These volunteers provided timely garden advice to 181,263 Extension clients, helping them to solve problems. In addition, these volunteers devoted more than 25,000 hours to advanced training and continuing education to keep their knowledge current and skills sharp.

Not only do MGEVs serve thousands of hours each year in support of their educational projects and spend hours in the classroom themselves, these dedicated volunteers remain active for many years. In recognition of Master Gardeners who have been active with the program for five or more years, 150 awards were presented in 2025, including 60 five-year, 46 10-year, 20 15-year, 15 20-year, 6 25-year, and 3 30+ year awards.

The Extension Master Gardener program was created in 1973 for the purpose of expanding Extension’s ability to provide consumer horticulture programming and help for residential gardeners. Master Gardeners write weekly newspaper columns, assist homeowners with horticulture questions, and organize educational events, develop demonstration gardens, and staff Ask-a-Master-Gardener booths at farmers markets throughout the growing season. The hours and services that these volunteers contribute in support of these projects enable Extension to share research-based knowledge in multiple ways, reaching many audiences. “These talented volunteers generously support gardening projects in their community so that we can share the benefits of plants and gardening with so many more people than we could without their help. Extension simply cannot do without Master Gardeners,” said Sheri Dorn, interim state Extension Master Gardener Volunteer coordinator. Volunteer Week celebrations will include a social media campaign showcasing key volunteers and their contributions to program areas and educational projects throughout the state.

Georgia 4-H Volunteers Expand Youth Extension Programming

Georgia 4-H programming expanded additional opportunities for youth by serving 9,535 additional volunteer hours in 2025.  More than 5,400 adult and 1,690 teen leaders dedicated 182,969 volunteer hours to serving Georgia 4-H programs during the 2024-25 program year. This service is the equivalent investment value of more than $6.3 million.

Georgia 4-H adult and teen volunteers serve in a variety of programs and settings, including 1,745 adult volunteer chaperones at district and state 4-H events; 1,078 SAFE Coaches mentored youth in archery, hunting skills, pistol, rifle, and shotgun disciplines; 207 certified judging coaches instructed youth in Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging, Forest Judging, Horse Judging, Land Judging, Livestock Judging, and Poultry Judging; and 984 adult and teen volunteers were certified judges for 4-H Project Achievement competitions.

Experiences that range from summer camp to club participation are expanded due to volunteer support. In fact, 464 adult leaders dedicated a full week of time to chaperone at summer camp and 403 local 4-H clubs were enabled due to volunteer leadership.

To celebrate outstanding volunteerism, Georgia 4-H honored Mark Braddy of Jefferson County with the 2025 Georgia 4-H Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award and Clinton Folsom of Cook County with the 2025 Georgia 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award during the annual 4-H Salute to Excellence ceremony.

Mark Braddy has volunteered with the Southeast District of Extension and Jefferson County 4-H for more than 35 years! Serving as a Southeast District 4-H Youth Board Advisor since 2003. He has made a lasting impact on numerous youth as he has mentored them to become strong leaders. Braddy’s dedication and commitment to Georgia 4-H programming is commendable.

Clinton Folsom, Georgia 4-H Volunteer of the Year from Cook County, has served in a variety of ways, including but not limited to SAFE BB coach, score runner for 4-H Forestry Field Day, and member of the Cook County 4-H Program Development Team. Folsom has made measurable and lasting impacts in Cook County in a short time. Through his service, the Cook County 4-H volunteer-driven Target Sports program has not only grown but also produced state and national youth competitors.

Braddy and Folsom represent a segment of the dedication and specialized talents that volunteers generously offer to increase the impact on Georgia’s youth and population. This week we salute all Extension Volunteers and thank them for their service.

Georgia 4-H Ag Tech program connects communities with precision agricultural technology

Georgia 4-H’ers are putting their hands to larger service by learning and sharing precision agricultural technologies in their communities.

 

Created in 2022, the Georgia 4-H Ag Tech program expands upon the national 4-H Tech Changemakers initiative, extending the subject area content to include agriculture-specific skills.

During the annual Georgia 4-H Ag Tech training held in Tifton on September 11-12, 18 county teams participated in trainings that illustrated skills in agriculture technology topics including wildlife camera tracking, pond invasive species, GPS guidance aids, rainfall aids, and the Department of Natural Resources’ best practices. Youth are then empowered to provide hands-on and impactful technology demonstrations to farmers, landowners, and other youth in their areas.

During the past three years of programming, 4-H Ag Tech county teams have reached a combined total of over 12,278 youth and adult participants. These youth leaders have held presentations at workshops, festivals, production meetings, growers’ meetings, association meetings and at local schools.

The 2025-2026 cycle represents the fourth year of the program, and it continues to expand 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 Atkinson, Bibb, Burke, Cobb, Coweta, Decatur, Gordon, Habersham, Houston, Madison, Mitchell, Peach, Pulaski, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Wheeler, and Worth counties.

“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 ahead to grow into more urban agriculture topics and 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 (ABAC) 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.

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 James Johnson, Cody Mathis, Morgan Grizzle, Sarah McNair, Kyle Johnsen, Wes Porter, Katie Bowker, and Kasey Bozeman. Additional program specialists that spoke this year include Nick Gladden and Erin Porter from ABAC, Jennifer Ward and Diana Mcgrath from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Tyler Mameli from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

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 Alyssa Haag

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