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jenkinscountytimes.com
The Jenkins County Times
Wednesday, September 13, 2023- Page 11
2023 - 2024
THE GREAT POTATO CHALLENGE
STEM CHALLENGE
GEORGIA AG EXPERIENCE
- A MOBILE CLASSROOM POWERED BY-
City Reduces Millage Rate,
Easing Tax Burden on
Property Owners
Decrease from 7.219 to 5.528 Mills
Following Tax Appraiser r s Assessment
Georgia Elementary Classes Take
on the "Great Potato Challenge"
to Cultivate STEM Skills
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Elementary students
across Georgia in grades
three through five,
including special education
classes, homeschoolers,
and community or after
school groups, are being
invited to embrace the
"Great Potato Challenge."
This exciting STEM
challenge aims to
harness their scientific,
technological, engineering,
and mathematical (STEM)
skills, all while delving
into the fascinating world
of agriculture.
In the "Great Potato
Challenge," participating
elementary classes will
embark on a captivating
journey into the life cycle
of a potato. Students will
have the opportunity to
observe the growth patterns
of a potato under different
conditions: planted in soil,
grown hydroponically, and
placed in a petri dish with
no source of nourishment.
Throughout this
experiment, students will
maintain detailed journals
of their observations and
engage in discussions to
unravel the mysteries of
potato growth.
Educators,
homeschooling parents,
and after-school group
leaders eager to take part in
this educational endeavor
can find more information
and register their classes
for the "Great Potato
STEM Challenge" starting
from September 11, 2023,
until March 15, 2024,
by visiting www.gfb.ag/
stemchallenge.
Once registered,
participating classes will
gain immediate access to
a digital resource toolkit
that will equip them for
the STEM challenge. To
add an extra layer of
excitement, the top-grade
winners from third, fourth,
and fifth-grade entries will
have the chance to win
a prize package totaling
$350 for their class.
The central question
guiding this STEM
challenge is, "What can
potatoes teach me about
soil and how it interacts
with living and nonliving
things?" To answer this
question comprehensively,
participating classes will
follow the provided lesson
plans and activities tailored
for the challenge. Their
goal will be to create a
concise video presentation,
not exceeding five
minutes, showcasing what
they have learned about
growing potatoes. These
class presentations must be
uploaded to YouTube for
judging by March 15, 2024.
Virginia Fulwood, GFA
Educational Programs
Assistant, shared her
insights on the initiative,
saying, "We developed the
STEM challenge to connect
elementary students to
Georgia agriculture. This
year, students can observe
potatoes growing in their
own garden to see how soil
interacts with living and
non-living things around
them. This type of activity
is a hands-on way to leam."
Sponsored by the
Georgia Farm Bureau
(GFB) and the Georgia
Foundation for Agriculture
(GFA), this statewide
competition represents
an outreach program
of the GFA Georgia
Ag Experience mobile
classroom. It's important
to note that this challenge
has been redesigned to
run throughout the entire
school year, providing
students with an extended
opportunity to engage
with STEM principles and
agriculture.
The primary aim of the
"Great Potato Challenge"
is to inspire elementary
teachers and students
in grades 3-5 to explore
various facets of Georgia
agriculture. By applying
their STEM skills to real-
world problems faced by
farmers in the production
of food and fiber, these
young learners are not only
expanding their knowledge
but also contributing to
the advancement of the
agricultural industry.
IVTartin Shares VFW's
Commitment to Service in
Jenkins and Screven Counties
By Sarah Saxon, Reporter
far
The Times
In a heartfelt address to the Sylvania
Rotary Club, Phil Martin, a retired Army
Colonel, and dedicated member of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), shed
light on the organization's unwavering
commitment to service and support for
veterans and their communities. The
presentation, held on Thursday, September
7, brought together local Rotary members
eager to hear about Martin's experiences
and the VFW's vital work.
Born on a Kansas cattle farm, Martin's
life journey led him to serve as a 4th
infantry rifleman in Vietnam and later
retire from the military after 24 years
with the rank of Colonel. His dedication
to service did not end with his military Phil Martin of VFW Post 7116 Photo By: Sarah Saxon
career; instead, it took on a new purpose as
he became a driving force behind the VFW's "service above self' motto.
Over the past two years, the VFW has demonstrated this commitment through the
construction of eight handicap ramps for veterans and individuals in need. These ramps,
while physically enhancing accessibility, also serve as symbolic bridges connecting veterans
with the broader community.
The VFW, founded in 1899, holds the esteemed title of the oldest veterans' organization
in the United States. It is a haven for veterans who have served overseas, in combat duty,
conflicts, or on foreign lands. Across Georgia, there are 321 posts, boasting a combined
membership of approximately 200,000, while nationwide, there are a staggering 2 million
active members.
Locally, VFW Post 7116 serves both Jenkins and Screven Counties and stands as a
testament to the organization's enduring impact, with 118 dedicated members. Among them,
93 are lifetime members, and the Post is complemented by an active American Legion
Auxiliary boasting 108 members, 84 of whom hold dual membership with the VFW.
During his address, Martin emphasized the VFW's role in honoring veterans during times
of grief. He noted, "People have mostly found out what kind of people the VFW are when
there is a funeral, and they are there to help honor the individual." This unwavering support
during times of loss underscores VFW’s commitment to their motto.
In addition to their year-round efforts, the VFW conducts special fundraising initiatives on
key dates, including Poppy Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. All funds raised through
these events are channeled towards supporting veterans and addressing their diverse needs.
Phil Martin's presentation at the Sylvania Rotary Club meeting not only shed light on the
remarkable work of the VFW but also served as a reminder of the importance of community
service and the enduring bonds of camaraderie forged through shared experiences and a
shared commitment to serving others.
Millen - The city of
Millen has announced
a significant reduction
in its 2023 millage rate,
providing welcome
relief to property owners.
This move comes after
a thorough appraisal
conducted by the Tax
Appraiser's office in
June 2023, which led to
a decreased millage rate
from 7.219 mills in the
previous year to the current
rate of 5.528 mills.
The mill rate, a vital
component of property
taxation, determines
the amount of property
tax property owners are
required to pay based
on the assessed value of
their real estate. Mills are
equivalent to one-tenth
of a percent, making
them a critical factor in
determining property tax
bills for residents and
businesses in Millen.
To illustrate the impact
of this millage rate
reduction, consider a
scenario where the mill
rate is 7. If a taxpayer's
personal residence has a
taxable value of $150,000,
the property tax bill for the
homeowner would amount
to $1,050. For every $1,000
of assessed value, $7 is
owed in property taxes.
“Our decision to lower
the millage rate is expected
to have a positive effect on
property owners, providing
them with financial relief
in the upcoming tax year.
Lower property taxes can
alleviate the financial
burden on residents and
encourage investment
in the local real estate
market,” explains Mayor
King Rocker.
The Tax Appraiser's
office's assessment in June
2023 played a pivotal role
in this reduction, reflecting
changes in property values
and economic conditions
in Millen. The city's
commitment to responsible
fiscal management and
ensuring that property
taxes remain fair and
equitable has led to this
positive outcome.
City officials have
emphasized their
dedication to maintaining
essential public services
while also considering
the financial well-being
of their constituents. The
decision to lower the
millage rate demonstrates
the city's commitment to
achieving this balance.
“This reduction represents
a collaborative effort
between city officials and
the Tax Appraiser's office
to create a fair and equitable
property tax system that
benefits everyone in the
community,” Rocker
concluded.
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Birthdays <& Anniversaries!!!
Ann Saxon
