Georgia 4-H Week, October 1-7, 2006

As 4-H enters its second century, local 4-H'ers are proud to continue the tradition by helping the community. This year they provided sunshine to the elderly at local personal care and nursing homes.

County 4-H'ers help the community, but they also need help from the community. They need support through funding, volunteers and guidance in their project areas. The major financial support for Wilkes County comes from the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, local community club donations and 4-H'er fund raising.

"Wilkes County 4-H programs offer so much to the students here," said Marcie Simpson, Extension Agent with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. "There is a project in 4- H that interests almost everyone. Participants find what's for them through learning and judging events, fun activities, community volunteering or statewide competitions."

There are over 300 students enrolled in Wilkes County 4-H. More than sixty active 4-H members from 5th through 12th grades were involved in a competitive event outside Wilkes County. The Extension 4-H agent meets with 4-H members once a month in middle school, once a month in 5th grade, afterschool for project work and judging events and evenings for clubs such as horse, dairy and shooting sports.

In Wilkes County, our 4-H activities this year included: + 31demonstrations at District Project Achievement - 21 Juniors and Seniors and 10 Cloverleaf + 1 senior member competed at the state level in project work - State Congress + 42 4-H'ers competed in judging events at the district and state level. + 28 Attended summer camp for Cloverleaf 4-H'ers at Rock Eagle + 2 Attended summer camp for Junior 4-H'ers at Camp Jekyll + 14 compared to 7 in 2005 4-H'er qualified and competed at the District and State BB Competitions + 3 Livestock participants + 6 4-H'ers taught project clubs in their area of expertise

But the 4-H'ers aren't the only ones having fun. Adult volunteers work with 4-H'ers, helping them prepare for competitions, sharing their knowledge with them and, most important, spending time with them.

"I don't know what we'd do without our volunteers," Ms. Simpson said. "They work with our 4-H'ers on so many projects and teams." A few of our volunteer-led activities are Dairy Quiz Bowl, Dairy Judging, Senior Club Meetings, Shooting Sports, and Horse Club. Many volunteers are 4-H alumni, so they recognize the benefits of 4-H.

Enjoying Cloverleaf Camp at Rock Eagle were 4-H'ers (front row, left to right) Ashley Ingram, Brittany Klaus, (second row) counselor, Hannah McTier, Leslie Souther, Lauren Chafin, Hannah Ward, (third row) Mallory Powell, Ericka Scott, Paige McAvoy, Jessica Wright, Alaina Weber, (fourth row) Whitney Brannam, Ivy Safrit, Hollie Huffman, Tenise Starks, Rosemary Morris and Megan Canter. To learn more about Georgia 4-H's historic legacy, or to become a part of its dynamic future, call the Cooperative Extension Service Office at 678.2332 or come by the office on the first floor of the courthouse. You can also visit Georgia 4-H at georgia4h.org.

Wilkes Co. 4-H County Council and Board members for this year are (front row, left to right) Dixie Lee Trimm, Christina Albertson, (second row) Andrew White, Nick Reville, Brittany Klaus (third row) Neko Jones, Mariah Crew, Angela Broome, Joshua McLeroy, Carly Cosby, Lauren Chafin, Molly Newsome, Chance Stickney, (fourth row) Raven Jenkins, Ricola Patterson, Ansley Ingram, Megan Canter, Emily McNure, Courtney Broome, (fifth row) Michael Edwards and Fallon West. Fifth grade officer training participants were (sitting, left to right) Michael Edwards, Molly Newsome, (first row) Jesse Echols, Gerica Sims, Chandler Pharr, Vincent Wilkinson, Jack Martin (second row) Marisa Sifre, Brianna Martin, Marlyse Sifre, Madison Hall, Exon Ramirez, (third row) Aaliya Berry, Maricela Rodriguez, Brittany Klaus, Nick Reville, and Chance Stickney. County Council, board members and entertainers enjoying last year's banquet were (front row, left to right) Raven Jenkins, Mariah Crew, Alyssa Stewart, Christina Albertson, Molly Newsome, Brittany Klaus, (second row) Dixie Lee Trimm, Joshua McLeroy, Nick Reville, Emily McNure (third row) Ashley Ingram, Neko Jones, Michael Edwards, Angela Broome, and Hailey James. Morgen Swann, Lauren Chafin and Grant Chafin participated in the Elbert County Dairy Show. Senior 4-H'er Molly Newsome competed in the History Project at State Congress taking second place honors. Attending the district S.A.F.E. match were (front row, left to right) Dwayne McLeroy, coach, Joshua McLeroy, Hunter Newsome, Ansley Newsome, Blake Connell, Chandler Pharr, Michael Pharr, Dylan Echols, Jack Martin, Bobby Reville, (back row) Chance Stickney, Paige McAvoy, Nick Reville, David Martin, Leslie Souther, Kohen Wolfe, Daniel Hackney, Jacob Hubbard, Clay Johnson, Will Souther, and Darren Pharr, coach.