August 11, 2011

During the week of July 19-22, 2011, over 400 4-H members and agents gathered in Atlanta for the 69th Georgia 4-H Congress.  State 4-H Congress represented the culmination of the 107th year of Georgia 4-H.  During the opening assembly on Tuesday afternoon, 45 Georgia 4-H’ers were presented more than $35,000 in college scholarships.  Many of the scholarship donors were on hand to recognize the scholarship winners for their achievements.  On Tuesday evening at the Georgia 4-H Leadership Banquet, we recognized our Leadership in Action state level participants. Crystal Buckingham, Pickens County, & Morgan Bowen, Sumter County, were recognized as state winners, and Danny Dorminy, Henry County, Crystal Buckingham, Pickens County & Stephanie Hill, McInstosh County, also received grants to continue their Leadership in Action projects back in their local communities.  Lavonte Lovette, outgoing President of Georgia 4-H, was presented the William A. (Bill) Sutton Leadership Scholarship for his service during the 2010-2011 program year.  We also recognized the important leadership that is provided by the facility and program staff at our five 4-H Centers, along with the leadership of our summer camping program at the five 4-H Centers.

On Wednesday, we held the competition that completes the 4-H Project Achievement process.  Based on the previous 4-H year’s census, we know that nearly 55,000 4-H members across the state of Georgia participated in Project Achievement at the local level and nearly 8,000 went on to compete at area and district contests during the fall of 2010 and winter of 2011.  Those senior or high school 4-H members that won at the district level advanced to the state level and competed in 48 separate project areas for the chance to be named state winner and also hold the coveted title of Master 4-H’er.  The announcement of winners was held Wednesday evening in the Crystal Pistol at Six Flags Over Georgia.  We appreciate the support of our donors, Chevron and Six Flags Over Georgia, for making the evening a wonderful experience for our project winners.
Georgia Power hosted the Celebration Breakfast on Thursday morning for all State 4-H Congress participants.  Mr. Mike Worley, head of Economic Development for Georgia Power, reminded the 4-H’ers of the importance of their willingness to give back and do something for their community and other people.

Throughout the day on Thursday, 4-H Congress delegates participated in  educational tours across the metropolitan Atlanta area and returned to the hotel that afternoon for the State 4-H Congress annual banquet in the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Ballroom.  During the annual banquet, all the special events winners who had won their competitions throughout the program year were recognized.  Special Events include all the judging events, livestock shows, shooting sports events, other contests including Chicken BBQ Contest , SAFE Competitive Events, Poultry Judging, Livestock Judging and Dean’s Awards. We also recognized the 48 project winners who competed at State 4-H Congress,  and the new Master 4-H members will earn a trip to National 4-H Congress in November.  Also during the banquet, we recognized the many project donors and other supporters, both University, corporate and political friends, who joined us for the occasion.  Our host for the evening was Mr. Paul Wood, President and CEO for the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.  We greatly appreciate the continued support for Georgia 4-H by the Georgia EMC’s and particularly their support for the annual banquet.

Also during the banquet, the Ryles Rising Star Award was presented to an outstanding 4-H employee with less than five years of service.  The 2011 winner was Ms. Lauren Dye of Elbert County.  We also recognized the William H. Booth Award winners.  This award is given to an experienced 4-H youth agent each year.  The district winners were Ian Cowie, Lumpkin County, Northeast District; Grace Garnier, Paulding County, Northwest District; Ann Wildes, Bacon County, Southeast District; and Cindy Meadows, Seminole County, Southwest District.  Ann Wildes was named the State Winner of the Bill Booth Award.  Congratulations to these agents and their tremendous service to Georgia 4-H.
In addition, Georgia 4-H was awarded the 2010 Citizen Airman Air Force Reserve Command award which was presented by Chief Master Sergeant David Henry from Robins Air Force Base.  Georgia 4-H has the largest 4-H military enrollment of any state in the country and we provide 4-H programming on military bases, and 4-H military camping programs for youth from across the nation at our 4-H centers each summer.  We appreciate the wonderful recognition that Georgia 4-H has received from the U. S. Air Force for our continued work with the Air Force Youth Program.

The Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents presented their annual Friend of 4-H Award which was given to Mike and Karen Garrett.  Mike Garrett recently retired as President and CEO of Georgia Power.  His wife, Karen, is a member of the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees.  They have supported 4-H with their personal funds, and during his tenure as President of Georgia Power, Mike made possible the renovation of the Georgia Power Building at Rock Eagle 4-H Center.

To close out the evening, we presented the 4-H Green Jacket Award to a public servant who has done much to continue the success of Georgia 4-H.  This year’s Green Jacket award winner was The Honorable David Ralston, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.  In accepting the Green Jacket Award, Speaker Ralston spoke to the value of the 4-H program and its importance in developing leaders in our state.  He also expressed to the delegates present the importance for them to remain involved in 4-H.
Finally, at the closing moment of the banquet, incoming State 4-H President Dowdy White of Crisp County closed the banquet with the 4-H Pledge.  While 4-H’ers recite the pledge every day, the closing of the 107th year of Georgia 4-H was led by the incoming state 4‑H president who will serve in the 108th year of the Georgia 4-H program.

A recap of State 4-H Congress including photos of winners, candid photos and webcasting of the banquets can be found here.

As July 2011 ends and August begins, we continue the never-ending cycle of helping young people master those things that have not been mastered, and develop the life skills that will help them become productive and contributing citizens.

On behalf of all of Georgia 4-H, I want to thank our many friends, donors, public officials, University and Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Family and Consumer Sciences administration for the support you provide to help us continue doing our work.  I would express a special congratulations to all the Master 4-H’ers and particularly the 4-H agents, 4-H program assistants, 4-H associates, volunteers and parents who have continued to encourage and develop tomorrow’s leaders.

Until next time, continue To Make the Best Better.

Sincerely,