August 2, 2010

The 2010 4-H program year is almost over and plans are already underway for the start of the 2011 4-H year which will be the 107th year of Georgia 4-H.   The 2010 4-H year presented challenges with the retirement of Dr. Bo Ryles as State 4-H Leader, budget concerns, and even thoughts of the possible elimination of the Georgia 4-H program, but the year has ended on a very positive note. Recently over 700 4-H’ers participated in the State 4-H Council meeting, and new state 4-H officers were elected for the upcoming 4-H year. LaVonte Lovett of Jenkins County will lead the Georgia 4-H program in 2010-2011. During the closing 4-H Citizenship Ceremony of State 4-H Council, Dean Scott Angle was presented the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents Friend of 4-H Award. Dean Angle has been a true friend of Georgia 4-H, and his support has been unwavering since his arrival on the University of Georgia campus.

Several of the Georgia 4-H state and county faculty were involved in the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders conference on Jekyll Island in mid-July. The Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents provided their Oceans of Fun activity which has been a part of the GAEL conference for nearly 30 years. Georgia 4-H and the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents also provide an exhibit booth which was visited by hundreds of school administrators and officials during the week.  This was a great opportunity for 4-H faculty to share information concerning Georgia 4-H.

Nearly 400 head of cattle were exhibited in Georgia July 15-17 by 258 youth exhibitors from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Alabama. The 20th Annual Georgia Junior Beef Futurity was held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. The Georgia Junior Beef Futurity is hosted cooperatively between Georgia 4-H and Georgia FFA, and showcases youth exhibiting steers and heifers, in the first big cattle show of the season.

The Georgia 4-H Gala will be held on August 14 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, and there are a limited number of seats available, if you have not yet purchased your tickets. In addition to silent and live auctions the night of the event, there is currently an online auction going on, which will continue until 5:00 pm on Friday, August 13. Visit the auction website to view the exciting items which are being offered, and to place your bids online before the event.

We'll soon turn our attention from a busy summer to fall activities, including the 36th annual 4-H Day at the UGA football game on September 4, as the Dawgs take on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. Be part of the excitement of a new football season by ordering your tickets today!

On July 20-23 in Atlanta, Georgia 4-H brought to a close the 2009-2010 program year with State 4-H Congress. On Tuesday, the Georgia 4-H Foundation presented over $40,000 in college scholarships to 30 4-H scholarship winners.  Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association (G4HVLA) Outstanding Volunteer Leaders were also recognized during the Opening Assembly on Tuesday afternoon. Those recognized during the Tuesday evening Leadership Banquet were eight Leadership in Action winners, Georgia 4-H Center management, and the 2010 leadership counselors during the past summer. On Wednesday, competition was held for project achievement, and on Wednesday evening at Six Flags, 48 state project winners were announced; these winners were recognized on Thursday evening at the State 4-H Congress Annual Banquet. In addition to the project winners, 125 Special Events winners from Chicken BBQ Contest to Wildlife Judging were also recognized at the annual banquet for winning state honors in their respective project work during the 2009-2010 program year.  Also during the annual banquet, several presentations were made. The Ryles Rising Star Award honoring an outstanding 4-H employee with less than five years of service was presented to Sondra Fortner of Johnson County. Georgia 4-H also presented the annual Green Jacket Award which is sponsored by the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. The 2010 Green Jacket Award winner was Randy Nuckolls, a former Whitfield County 4-H’er and longtime member of the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. In addition to these awards, the William H. Booth Award nominees were Shirley Williamson, Northeast District; Trudy Christopher, Northwest District; Lee Anna Deal, Southeast District; and Jennifer Grogan, Southwest District. These four agents were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the 4-H program. Jennifer Grogan of Mitchell was named the state winner of the William H. Booth Award.

During State 4-H Congress, I was again reminded of the many great things we see happening in the 4-H program. As I observed the announcement of winners on Wednesday evening, I watched a young lady who was so excited at being announced state winner in her project, she could not talk or even grasp the ribbon being presented to her. As her county agent flashed a photo, I said “congratulations” to the county agent, because I sensed a special relationship between the 4-H’er and a caring adult. A few moments later, I watched a young man walk up to accept his blue ribbon and a county agent who could not contain her excitement. I later learned the young man’s efforts to be a state winner meant a great deal to the county agent. Finally, as I turned my head, I saw tears fall from a young lady’s eyes when she realized she placed second, and I saw the caring support of her 4-H agent, acknowledging that she had done her best and reminding her that she has another chance next year.

Sometimes we focus our congratulations to those nearly 200 4-H’ers who won state and who are recognized for achieving Master 4-H status during State 4-H Congress, but just as important are the remaining young people throughout the state who have participated in the 4-H program and have developed positive life skills which will serve them throughout their lives as a result of the many 4-H experiences made available to them by countless 4-H leaders throughout our state.

Until next time, continue “To Make The Best Better.”

Sincerely,