February 16, 2011

2011 got off to a fast and cold start for Georgia 4-H. In January, we held our Counselor Selection Weekend with almost 80 first year applicants vying to serve as counselors in the Georgia 4-H Summer Camping Program. Sixty-five experienced counselors applied to serve another summer in the program. Our 2011 camp counselor staff has just been announced and we congratulate these 90 young people on their selection.

The State 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl contest was held during January. The first place junior team was from Gwinnett County and consisted of Caroline Hinton, Nathaniel Hinton, Mallory Huff, Mary Cate Marchert and Cassidy Scott. The senior winning team was from Spalding County and consisted of Ashley Coffey, GerriLynn Glass, Megan Reynolds, Ashton Shelnutt and Kacie Veal. We want to thank Dr. Kari Turner and Dr. Kylee Jo Duberstein of the Extension Animal and Dairy Science Department at the University of Georgia who help us put on this contest. The state winning Horse Quiz Bowl team will attend the national contest in Denver, Colorado, next January.

The 2011 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl was won by Oconee County Senior Team B. Those team members were: Austin Daniel, Cole Daniel, Garrett Hibbs and Anna Kelley. They will have the opportunity to represent Georgia 4-H at the National Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition in Louisville, KY. Placing first in the Dairy Quiz Bowl Junior Competition was Morgan County Junior Team B. Those team members were: Hunter Moon, Jay Moon, Ben Porter and Will Porter.

In addition to these state winners, Will Walker of Turner County won first place honors in the National Egg Prep Demonstration contest, and the team of 4-H’ers from Johnson County won the National Skill-a-thon contest in Denver, Colorado, in January.

Georgia 4-H is proud to announce that Dr. Priscilla Doster, a retired educator from Monroe County, will serve as chair of the Georgia 4-H Advisory Committee. The 4-H Advisory Committee was established in 1946 and has served in the capacity of advising and supporting Georgia 4-H in many different ways. Also, Gale Cutler, a longtime friend of Georgia 4-H with Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, was named chair elect. We appreciate the tremendous work and support of the Georgia 4-H Advisory Committee.

Georgia 4-H also held its tenth annual Leadership Day and 4-H Day at the Capitol on Monday, February 7. Georgia 4-H President LaVonte Lovette addressed the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives. We are appreciative of Senator Johnny Grant of Milledgeville and Representative Richard Smith of Columbus who served as our hosts in the capitol that day. Commissioner Mike Beatty of the Department of Community Affairs provided tremendous support for the Leadership Day. Over 550 Georgia 4-H members and leaders heard inspiring leadership comments from Governor Nathan Deal, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, and from Commissioner Mike Beatty.

Later in March the Georgia 4-H Foundation and Rock Eagle 4-H Center will begin construction on another new cabin. This cabin will be funded by the Georgia Electric Membership Corporations in the 42 local EMC’s across the state. We appreciate the support of Georgia EMC President and CEO Paul Wood and all the Electric Membership Corporations in Georgia.

Also, Rock Eagle 4-H Center will open for Sunday lunch beginning February 20. Sunday lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Rock Eagle Dining Hall.

We would like to remind everyone to mark your calendar for Saturday, August 13, 2011 for Twilight on the Lake at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This 4-H alumni weekend will include dinner and music by the group Grapevine of Macon, GA. We hope you will make plans to attend this alumni gathering. Tickets will be available for purchase later this spring.

We in Georgia 4-H appreciate your support during the past year and we continue to need your private funding support as well as the commitment of thousands of volunteers that help make the Georgia 4-H program a success.

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

Sincerely,