April 4 , 2011

No matter what the season, Georgia 4-H members are always busy learning from their project work, and demonstrating the knowledge and skills they have learned from the 4‑H educational programs in which they are involved.

In late February, 641 4-H members exhibited their livestock entries in the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show at the Agricenter in Perry, GA. Georgia 4-H members and Georgia FFA students compete together in the Georgia Junior National Livestock program and there were 2,356 animals shown including breeding ewes, market hogs, market steers, beef heifers, and commercial dairy heifers. We congratulate the many participants and the winners of the shows, particularly those who obtained Master 4-H Status as a result of their 4-H animal project. The Grand Champion Gilt was shown by Blake Huffmaster, Oconee County 4-H. The Grand Champion Heifer was shown by C.J. Goldman, Lincoln County 4-H. The Grand Champion Breeding Ewe was shown by Lainie Wheetman, Carroll County 4-H. Jessica Page, Webster County 4-H, was named Hog Master Showman. Anna Katherine Wyllie, Elbert County 4-H, was named Breeding Ewe Master Showman. Ruben Schaapman, Wilcox County 4-H, was named Dairy Mastery Showman. Taylor Gazda, Oconee County 4-H, was named Beef Master Showman.

Travis Williams, Director at Wahsega 4-H Center, reported that a number of Master 4-H Club members participated in a work day at Wahsega on the weekend of Saturday, March 5, to conduct many clean-up projects at the 4-H Center. We appreciate the support of the Georgia Master 4-H Club in their efforts during that weekend.

The 2010 Georgia Cloverleaf, the annual report of the Georgia 4-H program, is now available online. I encourage you to take a moment to read about the many successes that Georgia 4-H enjoyed. 2010 was a challenging year for Georgia 4-H. I think you will be pleased with the positive impact that Georgia 4-H has on more than 170,000 young people across our state.

Last month, Clovers and Company, the Georgia 4-H performing arts group, held their 30-year celebration performance in conjunction with the Military Family Weekend at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Clovers and Company was begun in 1981 by Extension 4-H Specialist Bill Edwards. The idea that he conceived has been successful beyond his expectations. Clovers and Company has served as an effective ambassador group for Georgia 4-H, performing for audiences across the nation for the past 30 years. Thank you Bill for your vision!

Coming from all parts of the state, elementary and middle school students had the opportunity to attend the second annual “Step Up and Lead” conference series in March. A joint effort of Georgia 4-H and the Georgia Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals, “Step Up and Lead” conferences focus on cultivating leadership skills in elementary and middle school students. A total of 694 students attended conferences held March 4 at the Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega, March 8 at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, and March 10 at the UGA Tifton Conference Center. Youth from all parts of the state were able to participate in interactive activities designed by youth development professionals.

We’re happy to report that construction has begun on another new cabin at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This cabin is being funded by the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation and their 42-member EMC’s across our state. Georgia 4-H has many funding needs. If you’d like to learn more about those opportunities to support 4-H, please visit the revolving headlines on the Georgia 4-H website and look for Georgia 4-H Funding Needs.

Georgia 4-H was saddened by the recent loss of two longtime supporters and alumni who meant so much to the Georgia 4-H program. Harold Joiner from Fayetteville who had served on the Georgia 4-H Advisory Committee was a Master 4-H Club member and served as Master Club President for several terms and was instrumental in creating an endowment within the Master 4-H Club that supports many scholarships and projects in the 4-H program. Mr. Art Hargrove of Covington also was a longtime member of the Georgia 4-H Advisory Committee and had worked with the 4-H facilities for many years. Ted Jenkins, retired Extension Specialist/ 4-H Camping Coordinator, reminded me that Mr. Art was the one who reopened Fulton 4-H Center in the early 1960's. Mr. Art’s entire family were active in the 4-H program and they have asked that memorial gifts be made payable to the Georgia 4-H Foundation to support the Art and Helen Hargrove Memorial 4-H Achievement Scholarship. We appreciate the efforts of these two men who have meant much to the success of the Georgia 4-H program and are part of the strong legacy that we continue to build on today.

Volunteer development is a major emphasis of Georgia 4-H, and throughout the year we involve thousands of volunteers in various aspects of the Georgia 4-H program. Counties across the state may have difficulty finding local volunteers to attend a week of summer camp. If you’re interested in volunteering to spend a week at camp this summer, we ask that you visit our summer camp volunteer site. All 4-H camp volunteers are required, per UGA policy, to undergo a University of Georgia background check and complete the Georgia 4-H Certified Overnight Chaperone training program. At this moment, we’re not sure when we might need you, at which 4-H Center or during which week, but if you are willing to sign up and volunteer we’ll certainly take your name and as county programs advise us of their need for volunteers we will give you a call. An online form will be available on the website so that we can collect your information. We’re particularly in need of adult male volunteers but encourage anyone interested to register. Please understand that it may be close to summer before we finalize the needs and volunteers.

Thanks for your continued support of the Georgia 4-H program. Please take a moment and thank your U. S. Congressman or Senator, your local state representative and state senator, your local board of commissioners and board of education for their continued support of the Georgia 4-H program and the program in your local community.

Until next time, continue "To Make The Best Better."

Sincerely,