November 16, 2011

Dr. Thomas F. Rodgers was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame, becoming the 11th Georgian to receive this prestigious honor since inception of the Hall of Fame in 2002. Rodgers was State 4-H Leader in Georgia from 1978 to 1993. He is probably remembered most for his vision to establish the 4-H Environmental Education program and for his work in the renovation of Rock Eagle 4-H Center from 1984 to 1990. We congratulate Tom Rodgers as being one of the 16 laureates inducted into the 2011 National 4-H Hall of Fame on October 7.

During the Georgia National Fair October 6-16 at the Georgia Agricenter in Perry, GA,
Georgia 4-H’ers competed in the State Market Goat Show and the State Market Lamb Show. The winners for the State Market Goat-Doe Show are as follows Grand Champion: Bralie Dorsey, Emanuel Co. 4-H; Reserve Grand Champion: Memori Eavenson, Franklin Co.MS FFA; Third High Overall: Chance Flach, Habersham Co. 4-H; Fourth High Overall: Rebecca Mulkey, Stephens Co. HS FFA; and Fifth High Overall: Murdock Wynn, Colquitt Co. FFA. The winners for the State Market Goat-Wether Show are as follows  Grand Champion Market & Reserve Grand Champion Market : Chase Roberts, Worth Co. 4-H; Third High Overall: Murdock Wynn, Colquitt Co. FFA; Fourth High Overall: Anna Scott, Coffee Co. FFA; and Fifth High Overall: Megan Troupe, Turner Co. HS FFA. The winners of the State Market Lamb Show are as follows Grand Champion Market: Austin Barker, Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe FFA; Reserve Grand Champion: Lane Goodroe, Colquitt Co. FFA; Third High Overall: Hannah Dixon, Colquitt Co. FFA; Fourth High Overall:  Rocky Trammell, Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe FFA; Fifth High Overall: Will Woodard, Morgan Co. 4-H.

Other competitions held during the week included the Egg Preparation Contest and the Chicken Barbeque Contest and the winners of those contests were respectively Senior Kevin Morris, Chatham County 4-H and Senior Tess Hammock, Monroe County 4-H.

This year, Georgia 4-H celebrated the 10th year of Collegiate 4-H's signature event Weekend in the Classic City (WICC) held in Athens October 21-23. Attendees stayed on campus at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel. During the event, UGA Arch Society members gave an official driving and walking tour of campus to highlight significant buildings and landmarks. Delegates attended a series of presentations given by representatives of: the UGA Office of Admissions, which detailed the admissions and selection process; the Office of Student Financial Aid, which discussed funding opportunities; the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences student Ambassadors, who led interactive workshops about packing for college and networking; and UGA Collegiate 4-H’s Katie Comer, who shared information about searching and applying for scholarships through her personal successes. 

The students also got a sneak peek into dorm life by touring Brumby Residence Hall followed by dinner at the award-winning UGA Food Service’s Oglethorpe Dining Commons. Keynote speakers included Eric Johnson, UGA Visitors Center Director and former director of New Student Orientation, and Lauren Griffeth, Regional Director for UGA Office of Development and former Collegiate 4-H Advisor. 84 Senior 4-H’ers attended, a record number for the event led by students Josh Paine, Co-Chairman and Tyler Ashley, Chairman with guidance from Collegiate 4-H Advisor Laura Waters.

The State Wildlife Judging Contest was held in November along with the 4-H Junior Conference. The state winning senior Wildlife Judging team was from Decatur County and the team members included Levi Adkins, Joshua Lane, Josiah Austinson and Stennes Austinson. The state winning junior team was from Walton County and those team members were Blair Caldwell, Andrew Mappes, Ashley Stacy and Connor Hall.

Over 700 4-H members also attended the 4-H Junior Conference at Rock Eagle. For nearly ten years, 4-H’ers have been collecting aluminum pop tabs and delivering the tabs to Junior Conference. This year nearly 15,000 pounds of pop tabs were collected which resulted in over $9,000 in revenue and the proceeds will be contributed to the Ronald McDonald Houses. Georgia 4-H has raised nearly $60,000 in recent years to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

At the end of October, 4-H Agents from across the nation gathered in Omaha, Nebraska, for the annual professional development conference of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. Dr. Lori Purcell Bledsoe, Northwest District 4-H Program Development Coordinator, completed her year as president of NAE4-HA. Lori has done a tremendous job in representing Georgia 4-H on a national level and has provided excellent leadership to our national professional association. We congratulate Lori on her term as president. She will continue to serve on the board of directors as immediate past president during the coming year.

We are very happy to announce that Allen Nasworthy has been hired as the new Fortson 4-H Center director. Allen grew up in the 4-H program in Emanuel County. He served as a leadership counselor at Rock Eagle and taught vocational agriculture in the Henry County school system for two years where he was named Teacher of the Year at Luella High School before taking on the role of managing Camp John Hope. We welcome Allen back into the 4-H family.

Just in time for the holidays, the Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton, Georgia, invites you to see and purchase some of the best artwork in the Southeast at Art @ the Rock. This juried art show and marketplace November 19-20 will feature pottery, jewelry, paintings, iron work, woodworking, photography, sculptures and many other artistic expressions in an indoor showroom and outdoor marketplace. Enjoy music and food while you talk to more than 70 artists and admire their work.

As we near the end of the year, we want to thank you for your support and financial contributions to the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Your private support makes possible scholarships, awards and incentive programs for our 4-H’ers and also helps us in the upkeep and improvements at our five 4-H Centers.

On behalf of all of Georgia 4-H, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving. Until the next time, continue To Make the Best Better.

Sincerely,