Newspaper Page Text
THURSDAY. APRIL 14. 2022 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 3A
What is UGA Extension ?
By Justin Fellenbaum
Agriculture & Natural
Recourses/4-H Agent
University of Georgia
Extension -Pickens County
As I am settling into my
new role of being the Univer
sity of Georgia Extension
Agent for Pickens County I
have been asked a repeat
question by many residents
of Pickens County, and that
question is “what do you
do?”
This is a question that is
difficult to answer in a short
sentence because there is just
so much that UGA Extension
offers to the public. To better
answer this question, I think
it is important to have a little
bit of a history lesson. In
1914 the Smith-Lever Act
was signed into federal law
which gave funding for the
Land Grand Universities
which was founded by the
1862 Morrill Act. The Smith-
Lever Act set up a partner
ship between federal, state,
and local levels of govern
ment to give support and
funding to Cooperative Ex
tension. At the beginning of
the 20th century, there was a
need for training and assis
tance to rural farmers, UGA
Extension was then created
to serve the public by getting
the research-based informa
tion done by the land grant
university out to the people to
use, to improve their quality
of life. Now over 100 years
later UGA Extension is still
providing free, reliable, re
search-based information that
is based on the scientific re
search made understandable
by anyone. So why did I get
to this position I am in today?
I made it a goal as a 5th grade
student attending 4-H sum
mer camp to one day be a
County Extension Agent. I
was very involved in the 4-H
program here and I saw the
benefits of 4-H and what Ex
tension as a whole can do for
the community. I started out
my college career in attend
ing Abraham Baldwin Agri
cultural College where I got
a B.S. in General Agriculture.
I then went to The University
of Tennessee where I com
pleted a Master of Science
Degree in Agricultural Lead
ership, Education, and Com
munications. Right at the
time of graduation, the agent
position here in Pickens be
came vacant, but due to is
sues associated with the
coronavirus, the position
went unfilled for nearly two
years. Now that I am here I
am working hard to build up
the program and serve the
community. All of this goes
back to that initial question of
what does UGA Extension
do? As UGA Extension we
offer many personalized
services such as farm, busi
ness, and home on-site visits
at anyone’s request. Exten
sion can bring agricultural re
search to farmers, and
homeowners on many differ
ent subjects such as home
lawns, blueberries, garden or
namentals, vegetable gar-
As the Extension Agent
for Pickens County, Justin
Fellenbaum has been in
volved in the extension serv
ice since elementary school,
when he was a dedicated 4-
H student.
dens, and so much more. If
there is ever a question I do
not have the answer to there
are many specialists within
UGA that I can reach out to
find the best answer for you.
Are you planning a new veg
etable garden and wondering
if the soil is fit for what you
plan to grow? Our office pro
vides soil testing that can be
tested and analyzed for your
specific crop. We also offer
multiple types of home water
tests.
As an Extension Agent, I
am always one phone call
away from answering a ques
tion you may have, helping
diagnose a disease in your
garden, or making a visit to
your home to provide in-per-
son on-site help. Your local
Extension Office is open
Monday-Friday and can be
reached at 706-253-8840.
Georgia joins coalition urging
TikTok and Snapchat to
strengthen parental controls
ATLANTA, GA - Attor
ney General Chris Carr has
joined a bipartisan coalition
of 44 attorneys general to
urge TikTok and Snapchat to
strengthen parental controls
by providing parents with
the ability to monitor their
children’s social media
usage and ultimately protect
them from online threats.
“In today’s online envi
ronment, children are at a
greater risk of encountering
harmful content and preda
tory users,” said Carr. “We
know this is a concern for
Georgia families, and we
stand with them in support
ing the development and im
plementation of strong
parental controls meant to
keep kids safe.
While some children
might not understand the
risks associated with height
ened social media use, pro
viding parents with the tools
to protect their loved ones
can help to prevent any dan
gerous or unintended conse
quences.”
Research increasingly
demonstrates the negative
impact that social media can
have on the physical, emo
tional and mental well-being
of children and teenagers.
This can include de
creased self-esteem and
greater body-image dissatis
faction to increased expo
sure to cyberbullying and
sexual predation.
One app reported that in
2021, it analyzed more than
3.4 billion messages and
found:
• 09% of tweens and 74.61%
of teens were involved in a
self-harm/suicidal situation,
• 09% of tweens and 74.61%
of teens were involved in a
self-harm/suicidal situation,
• 97% of tweens and 90.73%
of teens encountered nudity
or content of a sexual nature,
• 35% of tweens and 93.31%
of teens engaged in conver
sations surrounding
drugs/alcohol,
• 82% of tweens and 94.50%
of teens expressed or expe
rienced violent subject mat
ter/thoughts, and
• 09% of tweens and 85 %
of teens experienced bully
ing as a bully, victim, or wit
ness.
In a letter sent to TikTok
and Snapchat, the coalition
writes, “Parental control
apps can alert parents or
schools to messages and
posts on your platforms that
have the potential to be
harmful and dangerous.
Apps can also alert parents
if their child manifests a de
sire for self-harm or suicide.
On other platforms where
these apps are allowed to
operate appropriately par
ents have received notifica
tions of millions of instances
of severe bullying and hun
dreds of thousands of self-
harm situations, showing
that these apps have the po
tential to save lives and pre
vent harm to our youth.”
Social media platforms
already engage in some con
tent moderation and operate
under some community
guidelines, but these are not
always sufficient to protect
children and teenagers who
are particularly vulnerable
to online threats, especially
with regard to direct mes
saging. Parental control
apps empower parents to be
full partners with the plat
forms to maintain a safe
space online for their chil
dren.
Carr was joined in sign
ing the letter by the attor
neys general of Alabama,
Alaska, Arkansas, Connecti
cut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Florida, Guam,
Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa,
Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maine, Mary
land, Massachusetts, Michi
gan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Montana, Nebraska, Ne
vada, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, South
Dakota, Tennessee, Utah,
Vermont, Virginia, Washing
ton, West Virginia, Wiscon
sin and Wyoming.
Board of Education
Sue Finley, Chair
Tommy Gartrell, Vice Chair
Tucker Green
Aaron Holland
Steve Smith
Tony Young
Superintendent
The Pickens County Board of Education is accepting garbage service bids for the 2022-2023 school year
with an option to renew for up to 3 years. The bid term is for one year.
Quotes should be based on the attached list of equipment, services, and frequencies.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education will receive sealed quotes for garbage
services until 2:30 p.m. on May 4, 2022.
2. The bid term will commence July 1, 2022, and end June 30, 2023.
3. Price quotes must be in an envelope addressed to Stacy Gilleland, Chief of Operations,
100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143. The envelope must be sealed and marked with the
name and address of the company.
4. Opening of quotes will be public and will commence promptly at 2:30 p.m. on May 4, 2022, at
the Board of Education Office, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
5. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.
6. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time
for documented reasons of due causes which shall include such reasons as unsatisfactory service
or products or any other failure to comply with specifications, terms, and conditions.
7. Bidders are required to attend the pre-bid meeting on May 2, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at the
Pickens County Board of Education, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
8. Attending the pre-bid meeting is mandatory.
Please include copies of your automobile, general liability and workers' compensation insurance
policies, W-9 form and notarized E-Verify affidavit.
Bid packages can be downloaded off our website at pickenscountyschools.org. Should you have any
questions, please contact Stacy Gilleland by phone at 706-253-1700 or via email at
stacygilleland@pickenscountyschools.org.
Stacy Gilleland
Chief of Operations
100 D.B. Carroll Street • Jasper, Georgia 30143 • (706) 2S3-I700 • Fax: (706) 253-1705
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www.pickenscountyschools.org
Board of Education
Sue Finley, Chair
Tommy Gartrell, Vice Chair
Tucker Green
Aaron Holland
Steve Smith
Tony Young
Sup erintendent
The Pickens County Board of Education is accepting custodial service bids for the 2022-2023 school year
with an option to renew for up to 3 years. The bid term is for one year.
Quotes should be based on the attached list of equipment, services, and frequencies.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education will receive sealed quotes for custodial
services until 1:00 p.m. on May 4, 2022.
2. The bid term will commence July 1, 2022, and end June 30, 2023.
3. Price quotes must be in an envelope addressed to Stacy Gilleland, Chief of Operations,
100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143. The envelope must be sealed and marked with the
name and address of the company.
4. Opening of quotes will be public and will commence promptly at 1:00 p.m. on May 4, 2022, at
the Board of Education Office, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
5. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.
6. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time
for documented reasons of due causes which shall include such reasons as unsatisfactory service
or products or any other failure to comply with specifications, terms, and conditions.
7. Bidders are required to attend the pre-bid meeting on April 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the
Pickens County Board of Education, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
8. Attending the pre-bid meeting is mandatory.
Please include copies of your general liability and workers' compensation insurance policies, W-9 form
and notarized E-Verify affidavit.
Bid packages can be downloaded off our website at pickenscountyschools.org. Should you have any
questions, please contact Stacy Gilleland by phone at 706-253-1700 or via email at
stacygilleland@pickenscountyschools.org.
Sincerely,
Stady Gilleland
Chief of Operations
100 D.B. Carroll Street • Jasper, Georgia 30143 • (706) 253-1700 • Fax: (706) 253-1705
www.pickenscountyschools.org
Board of Education
Sue Finley, Chair
Tommy Gartrell, Vice Chair
Tucker Green
Aaron Holland
Steve Smith
Tony Young
Superintendent
The Pickens County Board of Education is accepting exterminating and pest control service bids for the
2022-2023 school year with an option to renew for up to 3 years. The bid term is for one year.
Quotes should be based on the attached list of equipment, services, and frequencies.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education will receive sealed quotes for exterminating
and pest control services until 2:00 p.m. on May 4, 2022.
2. The bid term will commence July 1, 2022, and end June 30, 2023.
3. Price quotes must be in an envelope addressed to Stacy Gilleland, Chief of Operations,
100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143. The envelope must be sealed and marked with the
name and address of the company.
4. Opening of quotes will be public and will commence promptly at 2:00 p.m. on May 4, 2022, at
the Board of Education Office, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
5. Bidder must submit all manufactured specifications on product(s) to be used as well as the
manufactured warranty information with the proposal.
6. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.
7. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time
for documented reasons of due causes which shall include such reasons as unsatisfactory service
or products or any other failure to comply with specifications, terms, and conditions.
8. Bidders are required to attend the pre-bid meeting on May 2, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the
Pickens County Board of Education, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
9. Attending the pre-bid meeting is mandatory.
Please include copies of your automobile, general liability and workers' compensation insurance
policies, W-9 form and notarized E-Verify affidavit.
Bid packages can be downloaded off our website at pickenscountyschools.org. Should you have any
questions, please contact Stacy Gilleland by phone at 706-253-1700 or via email at
stacygilleland@pickenscountyschools.org.
Sincerely,
Stacy Gilleland
Chief of Operations
100 D.B. Carroll Street • Jasper, Georgia 30143 • (706) 253-1700 • Fax: (706) 253-1705
www.pickenscountyschools.org
Board of Education
Sue Finley, Chair
Tommy Gartrell, Vice Chair
Tucker Green
Aaron Holland
Steve Smith
Tony Young
Superintendent
The Pickens County Board of Education is accepting lawn maintenance service bids for the 2019-2020
school year with an option to renew for up to 3 years. The bid term is for one year. Quotes should be
based on the attached list of equipment, services, and frequencies.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education will receive sealed quotes for lawn
maintenance services until 1:30 p.m. on May 4, 2022.
2. The bid term will commence July 1, 2022, and end June 30, 2023.
3. Price quotes must be in an envelope addressed to Stacy Gilleland, Chief of Operations,
100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143. The envelope must be sealed and marked with the
name and address of the company.
4. Opening of quotes will be public and will commence promptly at 1:30 p.m. on May 4, 2022, at
the Board of Education Office, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
5. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.
6. The Pickens County Board of Education reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time
for documented reasons of due causes which shall include such reasons as unsatisfactory service
or products or any other failure to comply with specifications, terms, and conditions.
7. Bidders are required to attend the pre-bid meeting on May 2, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the
Pickens County Board of Education, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, GA 30143.
8. Attending the pre-bid meeting is mandatory.
Please include copies of your automobile, general liability and workers' compensation insurance
policies, W-9 form and notarized E-Verify affidavit.
Bid packages can be downloaded off our website at pickenscountyschools.org. Should you have any
questions, please contact Stacy Gilleland by phone at 706-253-1700 or via email at
stacygilleland@pickenscountyschools.org.
Sincerely,
Stacy Gilleland
Chief of Operations
100 D.B. Carroll Street • Jasper, Georgia 30143 • (706) 253-1700 • Fax: (706) 253-1705
www.pickenscountyschools.org