Toombs Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society by establishing personal and sincere relationships, learning life and leadership skills, and enhancing community awareness. During National 4-H Week, Oct. 3-9, Georgians will celebrate all the exceptional things these 4-H'ers accomplish.

Georgia 4-H programming, part of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, is based on research from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and other UGA colleges. Georgia has one of the largest state 4-H programs in the country, consisting of more than 196,000 active 4-H members this past year.

Georgia 4-H began in 1904 when Newton County school superintendent G.C. Adams organized a corn club for boys. Today, Georgia 4-H attracts students from all areas of interest, not just those interested in agriculture. The majority of participants currently come from small cities, towns and rural non-farms.

The theme for this year's Na tional 4-H Week, Find Your Spark, is a campaign that was created by National 4-H Council to rally sup- port for Cooperative Extension's 4-H program and showcase the incredible experiences that 4-H offers youth. 4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising future for youth, families and communities across the country.

Toombs County 4-H has 800 youth participants. Local UGA Extension 4-H agent Cheryl Poppell, 4-H Educator Riley Wimberly, and Bradley Moye, Ameri-Corps member, lead the Toombs 4-H program.

In Toombs County, youth can participate in competitions, conference target sports teams and livestock events just to name a few activities. “The idea of bringing UGA research and resources to Georgia students through the use of county agents throughout the state was a cutting-edge idea in 1904 and remains vital even today,” said Arch Smith, state 4-H leader. “The most important work of 4-H is to help young people become better citizens and enable them to grow into responsible, active adults.”

Georgia 4-H youth perform community service, conduct research, compile portfolios of their accomplishments and learn public speaking skills through oral presentations through 4-H Project Achievement. During the 2020-2021 school year, thou- sands of Georgia 4-H'ers par ticipated in Project Achievement on the local level. Some Project Achievement Winners received Master 4-H status and/or continue on to represent Georgia on a national level.

For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your lo- cal Toombs Extension office at 912-526-3101.

POULTRY JUDGING CONTEST — L to R: Tami Gonzalez, RJ Florez, Brantley-Grace Smith, and Brittney Bryant.

and Kayleigh Montford.

CREATIVITY PASSION INTELLECT UNDERSTANDING FUN LOGIC COMMUNITY LEARNING CAREERS

CLOVERLEAF CAMP ARCHERY — Caleb Bailey Hits a Bullseye.

CONFIDENCE

LIFE SKILLS COMPASSION

GIVING BACK

FIND

YOUR

SPARK

DISCOVER MORE AT 4-H.ORG

HEALTHY HABITS WORK ETHIC

CLOVERLEAF CAMP CANOEING — L to R: Brittney Bryant and Ansleigh Edwards.

SENIOR 4-H’ERS DISCUSS PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETING — L to R: Kaleigh Howard, Riya Patel, and Bailey Hutchins.

Grace Holt and Brittney Bryant.

POTTERY STUDIO SUMMER TRIP — Makayla Sapp paints pottery.

CLOVERLEAF CAMP ARTS AND CRAFTS—Rodger Zamorano creates a dream catcher.

YOUNG FARMERS HOG SHOW — L to R: Caleb Galbreath

JUNIOR CAMP HERPETOLOGY — L to R: Kingston Ryals, Asa Garrett, Gregory Huston.

CLOVERLEAF CAMP CANTEEN TIME — L to R: Jocey Garrett, Kandice Tootle.

POTTERY STUDIO SUMMER TRIP — L to R: