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The ADVANCE, October 5, 2022/Page 19A
Toombs Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week
Georgia 4-H is a youth organization that helps
young people acquire knowledge, life skills and form
attitudes that will enable them to become self-pro
ductive members of society This program sets adoles
cents up for growth, learning, and working together
for positive change. During National 4-H week, citi
zens across Georgia celebrate all of the fantastic things
that Georgia 4-Hers have accomplished.
4-H is the largest youth organization in the Unit
ed States, with an astonishing six million adolescents
throughout 3,007 counties. Georgia has one of the
country’s most exten
sive state 4-H pro
grams, with a total of
175,000 young people.
4-H is delivered by co
operative extension, so
in Georgia, 4-H is an
extension of the Uni
versity of Georgia.
The origins of
Georgia 4-H came
about when the New
ton County Boys Corn
Club was founded, and two years later, the Girl Can
ning Club was founded in Hancock County. It wasn’t
until the early 1920’s that these clubs were referred to
as the 4-H clubs. Today, 4-H offers many more oppor
tunities than just agriculture. 4-H offers public speak
ing, judging teams, STEM, and many more!
The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week, Op
portunity For All, is a campaign that the National 4-H
Council created to rally support for Cooperative Ex
tension’s 4-H program and showcase the incredible
experiences that 4-H offers youth. Whether you are
from an urban city, like Atlanta, or a rural community,
like Toombs, there is an opportunity for all. 4-H is an
organization that allows so much more than just ag
riculture. 4-H offers many different opportunities to
everyone across the state of Georgia, whether you live
in an urban city or a rural non-farm.
Toombs County 4-H has 800 youth participants.
Local UGA Extension 4-H agent Cheryl Poppell, 4-H
Educator Riley Wimberly, and Carol Hester, Ameri-
Corps member, lead the Toombs 4-H program.
In Toombs County, youth can participate in
shooting sports, camps, conferences, public speak
ing events, and judging teams, to name a few. Toombs
County took over 90 clo-
verleaf (5-6th grade)
4-Hers to camp this past
summer! This number
was a significant accom
plishment since par
ticipant numbers have
decreased due to COV-
ID-19. Whether you are a
cloverleaf 4-H’er, a Junior
4-H’er (7-8th grade), or
a Senior 4-H’er (9-12th
grade), there is a place for
you in 4-H!
One of the most popular events in Georgia 4-H is
Project Achievement. Project Achievement is where
youth perform community service, conduct research,
and compile a portfolio of their project work. Par
ticipants present an oral speech to judges about any
topic they choose. Thousands of 4-H’ers across Geor
gia start on the local level; then Project Achievement
winners advance to represent at the State and/or the
National levels.
For more information, visit georgia4h.org or con
tact your local Toombs Extension office at 912-526-
3101.
Opportunity for Nutrition Exploration: Cloverleaf
4-H'er Emi Powell uses knowledge of MyPlate, and
food groups learned from 4-H to win top honors in
the Food Challenge Smoothie Recipe contest. She is
pictured with Riley Wimberly, 4-H Educator.
National
4-H
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#Opportunity4AII
Opportunity for Community Service: Senior 4-H'ers
Riya Patel and Brittney Bryant volunteer with His
Works Ministry in Lyons to unload supplies for families
during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Opportunity for Fun: Cloverleaf 4-H'ers; Claire Beasley
and Brielle Singleton are ready to take a trip across Rock
Eagle Lake as they canoe for the first time at 4-H summer
camp.
Opportunity for Curiosity: Cloverleaf 4-H'er Nathalie
Pittman takes part in the herpetology class at Rock
Eagle 4-H Camp and faces her fears as she holds
a snake.
Opportunity for Mastery: Senior 4-H'ers; London McDonald, Brittney Bryant, Mary
Laura Tippett, Bailey Hutchins, Riya Patel, Tami Gonzalez, and Grace Holt had the
opportunity to compete at State Congress after winning first place at District Proj
ect Achievement.
Opportunity for Leadership: Senior 4-H'er Grace Holt was elected to the 2022-23
State 4-H Board of Directors, Grace is pictured with Bradley Moye, former Toombs
AmeriCorps member, Cheryl Poppell, 4-H Coordinator and Riley Wimberly, 4-H
Educator.