Georgia 4-H
Encyclopedia
Georgia 4-H was founded in 1904 by G.C. Adams in Newton County
Newton County, Georgia
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 62,001. The 2010 Census showed a population of 99,958. The county seat is Covington....

, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

, USA, as the Girls Canning, and Boys Corn Clubs.

The Georgia 4-H Program is a branch of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Cooperative extension service
The Cooperative Extension Service, also known as the Extension Service of the USDA, is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives. The service is provided by the state's designated land-grant...

, which is part of the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

 College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is a college within the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States.-History:...

, and is funded by the University System of Georgia
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...

 and private partners.

History

Professor G. C. Adams founded the Newton County Corn Club in December 1904. This club was followed by other farm project clubs, which lead to today’s 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...

 Clubs of Georgia.

It began with the start of the special Boys Corn Club contest that was first organized by Superintendent of Schools, G. C. Adams. Like the corn club he organized 100 years ago, G. C. Adams was unique. He ranked high as an educator. He taught at Pine Grove School in Newton County, he was principal of Palmer Institute at Oxford, he served as county school commissioner, and he was the president of the Fifth District Agriculture School at Monroe. Yet, Mr. Adams never attended high school or college, and he did not go to school more than a year in his entire life. While writing about Mr. Adams in the Atlanta Constitution after he had been elected Georgia commissioner of agriculture in 1932, Stiles A. Martin called him “one of the best educated, best read and most learned men in the state.”

Perhaps Mr. Adams’ greatest accomplishment was organizing the corn club, and he is best known for that; but he was a pioneer in other fields, too. He also single-handedly developed a plan for transporting school children, which probably resulted in our school buses of today. In the same year he organized an oratorical association, the first in the South. The plan was for pupils of the various schools of the county to meet and put on a program, with awards being made to schools making the best showing. Out of this grew the field days which are held in many places today, featuring musical contests, debating and other events. Mr. Adams also served in the state legislature. He was elected to represent Newton County
Newton County, Georgia
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 62,001. The 2010 Census showed a population of 99,958. The county seat is Covington....

 in 1926, and served two years.

W. L. Weber was Mr. Adams’ good friend. He was head of the English Department for Emory-at-Oxford College
Oxford College of Emory University
Oxford College is a two-year residential college specializing in the foundations of liberal arts education, and is one of nine divisions of Emory University. The college is located on Emory University's original 1836 campus in Oxford, Georgia, 38 miles east of the main Atlanta campus...

. Mr. Adams and Mr. Weber shared many walks from Oxford
Oxford, Georgia
Oxford is a city in Newton County, Georgia, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,892. It is the location of Oxford College of Emory University. The entire town is also designated as a shrine of the United Methodist Church. Additionally, Confederate soldiers are...

 to Covington
Covington, Georgia
Covington is a city in Newton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 13,118. The city is the county seat of Newton County...

. It was during one of the walks in 1903 that Mr. Weber, who was from Illinois, told Mr. Adams about the success of the first known boys’ corn-growing contest, held in Winnebago County
Winnebago County, Illinois
Winnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 295,266, which is an increase of 6.1% from 278,418 in 2000...

, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...

, during 1900. This idea was spreading very rapidly to other states. “Prof. W.L. Weber, of Emory College, who always manifests great interest in our public school, deserves credit for inaugurating this unique contest in Newton” – G.C. Adams.

From this conversation was the motivation that sparked Mr. Adams to begin making plans, which he would announce during the fall of 1904, for the first Newton County Boys Corn Club, which developed into the present day 4-H club.

The plans for the contest were announced in a small article in the Covington Enterprise Newspaper
The Covington News
The Covington News is a newspaper serving Covington, Georgia and surrounding Newton County including the towns of Oxford, Porterdale and Social Circle. The newspaper publishes three times per week on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.-History:...

 on December 23, 1904. Later, Mr. Adams published the rules for the contest on February 3, 1905, but this time he had a large article that was on the front page. He established a deadline for March 15. The contest was open to any boy 6 to 18 years old, who was enrolled in any of the county’s public schools. Each boy would do all work raising his corn crop. There was no limit to variety of corn planted or extent of field. The contestant was not allowed to have any assistance. The boy selected any ten ears of corn out of his entire patch. The boy should nail them in a rat-proof box, delivered it to the Newton County Courthouse by October 7, and it would be weighed on October 16 and the weight will be recorded on the box.

Of the 101 boys entering the contest, only 32 boys exhibited their corn. The first place winner was George Plunkett with 29.9 lb (13.6 kg). The second place winner was Tom Greer with 27.8 lb (12.6 kg). The third place winners were brothers Paul and Walter Cowan, with 25.4 lb (11.5 kg). Other details of this contest are given in the Congressional Record of the 84th Congress, First Session on January 10, 1955.

In 1907, the first boys’ and girls’ demonstration clubs under United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...

 sponsorship began in Holmes County
Holmes County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:*Hillside National Wildlife Refuge *Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge *Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge*Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:...

, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...

.

Around that same time, Oscar Herman Benson designed the first emblem for the clubs. It was a three-leaf clover, which stood for head, heart and hands. In 1911, Benson suggested the fourth H should stand for hustle, and the 4-H design was adopted. Later Oscar B. Martin replaced hustle with health. The emblem has stood for head, heart, hands and health ever since.

The Corn Club was followed by many agricultural project clubs in the county and state. The most famous club was the Girls Canning Club, in 1911. Just as the boys’ work started with one crop, the same method was used for the girls’ club work. The tomato was selected because it was universally grown and appreciated. It wasn’t too difficult to get a good crop. It was acid and therefore easy to can without too much spoilage. Each girl was asked to plant a plot large enough to provide tomatoes not only for family but also for sale.

By the time Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, May 8, 1914, creating the Cooperative Extension Service
Cooperative extension service
The Cooperative Extension Service, also known as the Extension Service of the USDA, is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives. The service is provided by the state's designated land-grant...

, both boys and girls, all over Georgia, were active in one or more of the project clubs. Their work was supervised by volunteer leaders and a few paid workers in some counties. After 1914, the County Agents and Home Demonstration Agents were being employed in counties throughout Georgia. Positions are funded by county, state, and federal funds. These Agents would give the leadership to disseminating agricultural and home economic research information to farmers, homemakers, youth, and community organizations. Also in 1914, the Georgia Poultry Club was started, which required each member to prepare at least one setting of purebred eggs. By 1915, Georgia had 5,507 club girls and 14,275 club boys.

About 1921, serious thought began to be given to the matter of trying to bring back interest and develop a steady growth in 4-H club work. Businessmen and leaders of agricultural organizations established the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work with E.T. Meredith as chairperson in 1921. The organization was held in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

, where the first National 4-H Club Congress was held in 1922. President Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...

 accepted honorary chairmanship of the National Committee on Boys and Girls Work, the start of a tradition followed by each succeeding U.S. President. This was also about the time that the name 4-H Club came about, instead of project clubs. It was thought that the emphasis should be placed on the community, county, and state organization of 4-H club members and that there should be combined with this organization idea, emphasis on social, recreational, and leadership training.

Under the leadership of Mary Creswell and J. Phil Campbell, Georgia 4-H Clubs grew from 350 members in 1910 to 27,000 in 1920. It wasn’t until 1924 when club work acquired the name of 4-H and the 4-H emblem was patented. In 1927, state 4-H leaders adopted the national 4-H pledge and the 4-H motto at the first National 4-H Club Camp. In 1933, Georgia started the first Wildlife Conservation Camp. P. H. Stone became the first Negro state 4-H leader in Georgia in 1924. By 1937, Georgia has county agents working in every county and 4-H enrollment had grown to 82,962. Land was acquired in 1939 in Dublin, Georgia
Dublin, Georgia
Dublin is a city in Laurens County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 16,201. The city is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:The original settlement was named after the city Dublin, Ireland....

, to build the Negro 4-H Center. The center had 150 meetings for 5,000 people annually. The headquarters for black Extension work was at Savannah State College until 1967.

With U.S. entry into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, 4-H’ers across the country responded to the needs for increased agricultural production and support of the war effort. 4-H members were directly responsible for more than 77,000 head of dairy cattle
Dairy cattle
Dairy cattle are cattle cows bred for the ability to produce large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cows generally are of the species Bos taurus....

, 246,000 swine
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...

 and 210,000 head of other cattle. 4-H contributed more than 40,000 tongs of forage crops
Fodder
Fodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants but some is of animal origin...

 and 109,000 bushel
Bushel
A bushel is an imperial and U.S. customary unit of dry volume, equivalent in each of these systems to 4 pecks or 8 gallons. It is used for volumes of dry commodities , most often in agriculture...

s of root crops
Root vegetable
Root vegetables are plant roots used as vegetables. Here "root" means any underground part of a plant.Root vegetables are generally storage organs, enlarged to store energy in the form of carbohydrates. They differ in the concentration and the balance between sugars, starches, and other types of...

. By 1942, 4-H had 1.6 million members, gaining 650,000 new members during the war.

District Project Achievement (DPA) Meetings were set up in each Extension District in 1935. The Georgia Master 4-H Club was created during the same year. Becoming a Master 4-H'er is the highest award offered in 4-H. The first District Project Achievement meeting was held at Camp Wilkins with 200 members present. As an outgrowth of these contests and state contests, a State 4-H Club Congress was first held in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...

 in 1943 with 53 4-H club members attending.

In 1948, the Georgia 4-H Club Foundation was organized to help further 4-H work in the state. The Foundation helped establish 4-H Club Centers at Rock Eagle and Dublin
Dublin, Georgia
Dublin is a city in Laurens County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 16,201. The city is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:The original settlement was named after the city Dublin, Ireland....

. Each 4-H Club member was asked to donate one dozen eggs to the Foundation during 1949. By year’s end there was $7,000 in the bank. In 1952, construction began on Rock Eagle near Eatonton, Georgia
Eatonton, Georgia
Eatonton is a city in Putnam County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,480. The city is the county seat of Putnam County. It was named after William Eaton, an officer and diplomat involved in the First Barbary War...

. Bill Sutton raised $2.5 million to build the center on a 1400 acres (5.7 km²) tract of land. The Center was dedicated oct. 30, 1954. It is now one of the largest 4-H Centers in the country, hosting 4-H’ers, students and adults year-round for 4-H camp, environmental education and conferences.

In 1963, the World Atlas of 4-H was published by the National 4-H Foundation, indicating 84 4-H and similar programs in 75 countries. Georgia’s enrollment of 150,000 was the largest in the nation. In 1956, Newton County 4-H boys and girls worked at Belks, to raise money to help finance other members who were selected as county winners to represent Newton County
Newton County, Georgia
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 62,001. The 2010 Census showed a population of 99,958. The county seat is Covington....

 at the Northwest District Project Achievement at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Newton County had two Extension Programs, a white and a black, until 1965 when they were combined under the leadership of one County Extension Director. The black extension staff was transferred from Savannah State College to Fort Valley State College in 1967. Both the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

 and Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is also a unit of the University System of Georgia and a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...

 now conduct active 4-H programs for all Georgia youth.

4-H’ers celebrated the nation’s bicentennial in 1976 with a new citizenship program called The Sunshine Brigade and rode an old-fashioned wagon train to the nation’s capitol. In 1994, 4-H joined the Character Counts! Coalition to develop a training program for teens to work with young members on the six pillars of character. Georgia 4-H has been an active participant and leader in this effort.

In 2008, Georgia 4-H had 180,000 members. Georgia 4-H'ers continue to take part in judging competition, knowledge quiz bowls, livestock shows, animal education shows, food and nutrition contests, teen leadership programs, essay contest, educational camps and conferences, Clovers & Co. performing arts group, the International 4-H Youth Exchange program and many other educational and recreational opportunities.

March 2010 cancellation scare

On March 1, 2010, it was announced that University of Georgia President Micahel F. Adams had proposed to the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents that the Georgia 4-H Program be completely eliminated in the wake of $300 million in budget cuts made by the University System.

Cloverleaf, Junior, and Senior 4-H'ers

The Georgia 4-H Club classifies its 4-H'ers into three different groups: Cloverleafs, Juniors, and Seniors. Cloverleafs are 5th and 6th grade 4-H'ers, Juniors are 7th and 8th, and Seniors are 9th-12th grade 4-H'ers. Cloverleaf 4-H'ers may be involved in showing livestock, presenting projects up to the district level, and running for office at the school level. Should they stay active in the club long enough to become Juniors, they become eligible to attend events such as Junior Conference and District Project Achievement weekend, both held annually in winter. Seventh grade Junior 4-H'ers are also eligible to run for their district's Junior 4-H Board of Directors. Upon becoming Seniors in the summer after their eighth grade year, 4-H'ers may attend State 4-H Council and Fall Forum, compete at District Project Achievement for a trip to State 4-H Congress the following summer, and run for their district's Senior 4-H Board of Directors or the Georgia 4-H Board of Directors.

Georgia 4-H districts

Georgia 4-H is split up into four districts to represent all 159 counties in the state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

; Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.

The Northeast District serves the following counties: Baldwin
Baldwin County, Georgia
Baldwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 46,337. The county seat is Milledgeville.Baldwin County is part of the Milledgeville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes neighboring Hancock County....

, Banks
Banks County, Georgia
Banks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population is 18,395. The county seat is Homer.-History:*The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to create Banks County on February 1, 1859, from Franklin and Habersham Counties.*The county is named for Richard...

, Barrow
Barrow County, Georgia
Barrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 46,144. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 67,139...

, Butts
Butts County, Georgia
Butts County is a county located in the northern half of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 24, 1825. As of 2000, the population was 19,522. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 23,759...

, Clarke
Clarke County, Georgia
Clarke County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 101,489. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 114,063...

, Columbia
Columbia County, Georgia
Columbia County is a county located in the US state of Georgia along the Savannah River. As of 2010 the population was 124,054 a growth of 39% from the 2000 census figure of 89,288. The de jure county seat is Appling. Appling is an unincorporated area, making Columbia one of only three counties...

, Dawson
Dawson County, Georgia
Dawson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1857 from Gilmer and Lumpkin counties. As of 2000, the population is 15,999. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,484...

, Elbert
Elbert County, Georgia
Elbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on December 10, 1790 and was named for Samuel Elbert. As of 2000, the population was 20,511. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,525...

, Fannin
Fannin County, Georgia
Fannin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on January 21, 1854. As of 2000, the population was 19,798. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,580...

, Franklin
Franklin County, Georgia
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It became Georgia's ninth county, incorporating on February 25, 1784, and was named in honor of patriot Benjamin Franklin...

, Gilmer
Gilmer County, Georgia
Gilmer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1832 and was named for George Rockingham Gilmer. As of 2000, the population was 23,456. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,389...

, Glascock
Glascock County, Georgia
Glascock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1857. As of 2000, the population is 2,556. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 2,771. The county seat is Gibson.-History:...

, Greene
Greene County, Georgia
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 3, 1786. As of 2000, the population is 14,406. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,662. The county seat is Greensboro...

, Habersham
Habersham County, Georgia
Habersham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818, and named for Colonel Joseph Habersham. As of 2000, the population was 35,902. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 42,272. Clarkesville is the county seat.Chartered in 1823, the...

, Hall
Hall County, Georgia
Hall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population was 139,277. It is included in the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, Hancock
Hancock County, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,076 people, 3,237 households, and 2,311 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 4,287 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...

, Hart
Hart County, Georgia
Hart County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created December 7, 1853. As of 2000, the population was 22,997. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 24,240. The county seat is Hartwell....

, Jackson
Jackson County, Georgia
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population in 2000 was 41,589. Explosive growth is evident with a population of 63,544 in the 2009 Census estimates. The county seat is Jefferson.-History:...

, Jasper
Jasper County, Georgia
Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 11,426. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,660...

, Jones
Jones County, Georgia
Jones County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2010, the population was 27,740 . The county seat is Gray.-History:The county is named after U.S...

, Lincoln
Lincoln County, Georgia
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia, with the Savannah River forming its northeastern border. Located above the fall line, it is part of the Central Savannah River Area and a member of the CSRA Regional Development Center. The county was created on February 20, 1796. ...

, Lumpkin
Lumpkin County, Georgia
Lumpkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,966. Its county seat is Dahlonega.- History :...

, Madison
Madison County, Georgia
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....

, McDuffie
McDuffie County, Georgia
McDuffie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on October 18, 1870. As of 2000, the population was 21,231. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,551. The county seat is Thomson....

, Monroe
Monroe County, Georgia
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on May 15, 1821. As of 2000, the population was 21,757. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 25,145...

, Morgan
Morgan County, Georgia
Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,457. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,492. The county seat is Madison, Georgia.-Geography:...

, Oconee
Oconee County, Georgia
Oconee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 25, 1875. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,225. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 31,367...

, Oglethorpe
Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Oglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...

, Pickens
Pickens County, Georgia
Pickens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census showed a population of 22,983. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 30,488...

, Putnam
Putnam County, Georgia
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 18,812. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,251...

, Rabun
Rabun County, Georgia
Rabun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 15,050. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,519...

, Richmond
Richmond County, Georgia
Richmond County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. As of 2010, the population was 200,549. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 199,486....

, Stephens
Stephens County, Georgia
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 26,175. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 25,268. The county seat is Toccoa.-History:...

, Towns
Towns County, Georgia
Towns County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on March 6, 1856. As of the 2000 census, the population was 9,319. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,894. Its county seat is Hiawassee.-History:...

, Union
Union County, Georgia
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 17,289. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,968. The county seat is Blairsville.Its Sole commissioner is Lamar Paris, who has served since 2001....

, Walton
Walton County, Georgia
Walton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2009, the population was 87,311. The county seat is Monroe.This county is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area ....

, Warren
Warren County, Georgia
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1793. As of 2000, the population was 6,336. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 5,908...

, White
White County, Georgia
White County is a county located in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 22, 1857, from part of Habersham County. The county was named for Newton County Representative David T. White, who helped a Habersham representative successfully attain passage of an...

, and Wilkes
Wilkes County, Georgia
Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 10,687. The 2007 Census estimate shows a population of 10,262. The county seat is the city of Washington. Referred to as "Washington-Wilkes", the county seat and county are commonly treated as a...

.

The Northwest District serves the following counties: Bartow
Bartow County, Georgia
Bartow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 100,157. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's July 1, 2009 estimate, the county's explosive growth resulted in a population of 96,217, a 26.5% increase in less than ten years...

, Bibb
Bibb County, Georgia
Bibb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 153,887. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 154,709...

, Carroll
Carroll County, Georgia
Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 87,268. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 111,954...

, Catoosa
Catoosa County, Georgia
Catoosa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1853. As of 2000, the population was 53,282. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 62,241...

, Chattahoochee
Chattahoochee County, Georgia
Chattahoochee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 13, 1854. The 2000 Census reported a population of 14,882. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 14,402. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, Chattooga
Chattooga County, Georgia
Chattooga County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 28, 1838. As of 2000, the population was 25,470. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 26,797. The county seat is Summerville.-Geography:...

, Cherokee
Cherokee County, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 141,903 people, 49,495 households, and 39,200 families residing in the county. The population density was 335 people per square mile . There were 51,937 housing units at an average density of 123 per square mile...

, Clayton
Clayton County, Georgia
Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 236,517. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 273,718. The county seat is Jonesboro...

, Cobb
Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...

, Coweta
Coweta County, Georgia
Coweta County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 89,215. The 2009 Census Estimate placed the population at 131,936...

, Crawford
Crawford County, Georgia
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,495. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 12,483. The unincorporated county seat is Knoxville.-History:...

, Dade
Dade County, Georgia
Dade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 15,154. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,098...

, DeKalb
DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...

, Douglas
Douglas County, Georgia
Douglas County, Georgia has been experiencing numerous natural disasters over the most recent decades. Being located in the South Eastern United States the county experiences strong storms and tornadoes often because of its location in Dixie Alley....

, Fayette
Fayette County, Georgia
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 91,263. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 106,144. The county seat is Fayetteville....

, Floyd
Floyd County, Georgia
Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 90,565. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 95,618...

, Forsyth
Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat is Cumming, Georgia. Forsyth County is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...

, Fulton
Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat is Atlanta, the state capital since 1868 and the principal county of the Atlanta metropolitan area...

, Gordon
Gordon County, Georgia
Gordon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 44,104. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 52,044. The county seat is Calhoun.- History :...

, Gwinnett
Gwinnett County, Georgia
, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...

, Haralson
Haralson County, Georgia
Haralson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on January 26, 1856 and was named for Hugh A. Haralson. As of 2000, the population was 25,690. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,718...

, Harris
Harris County, Georgia
Harris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...

, Heard
Heard County, Georgia
Heard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 22, 1830. As of 2000, the population was 11,012. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,387...

, Henry
Henry County, Georgia
Henry County is a growing suburban county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 119,341. As of 2010, the county's population swelled to 203,922, up 70.9% from the previous census and becoming Georgia's 8th most populous county and the 10th fastest growing...

, Lamar
Lamar County, Georgia
Lamar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,912. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,961...

, Meriwether
Meriwether County, Georgia
Meriwether County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 22,534. The 2009 Census Estimate reflects a population of 22,783...

, Murray
Murray County, Georgia
Murray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 36,506. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 40,664. The county seat is Chatsworth.It is part of the Dalton, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area....

, Muscogee
Muscogee County, Georgia
Muscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 186,291. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 190,414...

, Newton
Newton County, Georgia
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 62,001. The 2010 Census showed a population of 99,958. The county seat is Covington....

, Paulding
Paulding County, Georgia
Paulding County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 142,324. The county seat is Dallas....

, Pike
Pike County, Georgia
Pike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 9, 1822. As of 2000, the population was 13,688. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,204...

, Polk
Polk County, Georgia
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 38,127. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 41,460. The county seat is Cedartown.- History :...

, Rockdale
Rockdale County, Georgia
Rockdale County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 70,111. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 82,052. Two years later, the population was 84,569. The county seat is Conyers.-Geography:...

, Spalding
Spalding County, Georgia
Spalding County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created December 20, 1851. As of 2000, the population was 58,417. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 62,826...

, Talbot
Talbot County, Georgia
Talbot County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census showed a population of 6,498. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 6,355. The county seat is Talbotton.-History:...

, Troup
Troup County, Georgia
Troup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 67,044. The county seat is LaGrange.-History:...

, Upson
Upson County, Georgia
Upson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area . It was created on December 15, 1824. As of 2000, the population was 27,597. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 27,562...

, Walker
Walker County, Georgia
Walker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 18, 1833 from land formerly belonging to the Cherokee Indian Nation. As of 2000, the population was 61,053. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 64,554...

, and Whitfield
Whitfield County, Georgia
Whitfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 30, 1851. The 2010 Census shows a population of 102,599. The county seat is Dalton.It is part of the Dalton, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Civil War:...

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The Southeast District serves the following counties: Appling
Appling County, Georgia
Appling County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 17,419. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 17,946...

, Atkinson
Atkinson County, Georgia
Atkinson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia, and was formed in 1917 from parts of Coffee and Clinch counties. As of 2000, the population was 7,609. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 8,223...

, Bacon
Bacon County, Georgia
Bacon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Bacon County is named after Augustus Bacon, a former United States Senator from Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 7, 1914, and ratified November 3, 1914. As of 2000, the population is...

, Bleckley
Bleckley County, Georgia
Bleckley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 11,666. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 12,306. The county seat is Cochran.- History :...

, Brantley
Brantley County, Georgia
Brantley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the 'Brunswick, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Brantley, Glynn, and McIntosh counties. As of 2000, the population is 14,629. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,440...

, Bryan
Bryan County, Georgia
Bryan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 23,417. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 30,132...

, Bulloch
Bulloch County, Georgia
Bulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 69,213. The county seat is Statesboro.In...

, Burke
Burke County, Georgia
Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...

, Camden
Camden County, Georgia
Camden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. As of 2000, the population was 43,664. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 48,689. The county seat is Woodbine.-History:The first European to land...

, Candler
Candler County, Georgia
Candler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 14, 1914, and ratified November 3, 1914. Candler County, was named in 1914 for Allen D...

, Charlton
Charlton County, Georgia
Charlton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 10,282. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,609. The county seat is Folkston.-History:...

, Chatham
Chatham County, Georgia
Chatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...

, Coffee
Coffee County, Georgia
Coffee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 37,413. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 40,085. The county seat is Douglas.-History:...

, Dodge
Dodge County, Georgia
Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 19,171. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,042. The county seat is Eastman. Dodge County lies in the Historic South region of Georgia, an area that has architectural wonders and shows the...

, Effingham
Effingham County, Georgia
Effingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In the United States Census of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat of Effingham County is Springfield....

, Emanuel
Emanuel County, Georgia
Emanuel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,837. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,469. The county seat is Swainsboro.-History:...

, Evans
Evans County, Georgia
Evans County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia in an area known as the Magnolia Midlands within the Historic South region. A bill creating the county was passed in the Georgia General Assembly on August 11, 1914, and later, on November 3, 1914, an...

, Glynn
Glynn County, Georgia
Glynn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 67,568. The 2008 Census Estimate showed a population of 75,884...

, Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis County, Georgia
Jeff Davis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 12,684. It was named for the only President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,291...

, Jefferson
Jefferson County, Georgia
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 20, 1796. As of 2000, the population was 17,266. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,454...

, Jenkins
Jenkins County, Georgia
Jenkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 8,575. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,595. The county seat is Millen.-Geography:...

, Johnson
Johnson County, Georgia
Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 8,560. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,533...

, Laurens
Laurens County, Georgia
Laurens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2000, the population was 44,874. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 47,520...

, Liberty
Liberty County, Georgia
Liberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 61,610. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 60,503...

, Long County, Georgia
Long County, Georgia
Long County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed August 14, 1920, and ratified November 2, 1920. As of 2000, the population is 10,304. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,300...

, McIntosh
McIntosh County, Georgia
McIntosh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Brunswick, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of McIntosh, Glynn, and Brantley counties. As of 2010, the population is 14,333. The county seat is Darien.-History:McIntosh County was split...

, Montgomery
Montgomery County, Georgia
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 8,270. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,060...

, Pierce
Pierce County, Georgia
Pierce County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,636. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,881. The county seat is Blackshear....

, Screven
Screven County, Georgia
Screven County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,374. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,037...

, Tattnall
Tattnall County, Georgia
Tattnall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,305. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 23,179...

, Telfair
Telfair County, Georgia
Telfair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 11,794. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,366...

, Toombs
Toombs County, Georgia
Toombs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2000, the population was 26,067. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 27,820. The county seat is Lyons....

, Treutlen
Treutlen County, Georgia
Treutlen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 6,854. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,938. The county seat is Soperton...

, Twiggs
Twiggs County, Georgia
Twiggs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1809. As of 2000, the population was 10,590. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,280...

, Ware
Ware County, Georgia
Ware County is a county located in the southeast of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 35,483. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 35,831 The county seat is Waycross....

, Washington
Washington County, Georgia
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on February 25, 1784. As of 2000, the population was 21,176. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,937. The county seat is Sandersville....

, Wayne
Wayne County, Georgia
Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 26,565. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 29,046. The county seat is Jesup.-History:...

, Wheeler
Wheeler County, Georgia
Wheeler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 6,179. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,830. The county seat is Alamo.-History:Wheeler County is named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler...

, and Wilkinson
Wilkinson County, Georgia
Wilkinson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on May 11, 1803. As of 2000, the population was 10,220. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,064...

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The Southwest District serves the following counties: Baker
Baker County, Georgia
Baker County is a county in the U.S. state of Georgia. , the population is 4,074. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 3,781. The county seat is Newton.Baker County is included in the Albany, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...

, Ben Hill
Ben Hill County, Georgia
Ben Hill County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 31, 1906 and ratified November 6, 1906. As of 2000, the population was 17,484. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 17,650...

, Berrien
Berrien County, Georgia
Berrien County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 16,235. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 16,722. The county seat is Nashville....

, Brooks
Brooks County, Georgia
Brooks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 16,243. The county seat is Quitman...

, Calhoun
Calhoun County, Georgia
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 20, 1854. As of 2000, the population was 6,320. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,098...

, Clay
Clay County, Georgia
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 3,357. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 3,207...

, Clinch
Clinch County, Georgia
Clinch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 14, 1850, named in honor of Duncan Lamont Clinch. As of 2000, the population is 6,878. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,992...

, Colquitt
Colquitt County, Georgia
Colquitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 25, 1856. As of 2000, the population was 42,053. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 45,744. The county seat is Moultrie...

, Cook
Cook County, Georgia
Cook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The constitutional amendment to create the county was proposed July 30, 1918, and ratified November 5, 1918. As of 2010, the population is 17,212. The county seat is Adel...

, Crisp
Crisp County, Georgia
Crisp County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 17, 1905 and named for Charles Frederick Crisp. As of 2000, the population was 21,996. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,125...

, Decatur
Decatur County, Georgia
Decatur County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 28,240. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,544. The county seat is Bainbridge.-History:...

, Dooly
Dooly County, Georgia
Dooly County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 11,525. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,592. The county seat is Vienna....

, Dougherty
Dougherty County, Georgia
Dougherty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 96,065. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 95,859. It is included in the Albany, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, Early
Early County, Georgia
Early County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818 and was named for Peter Early. As of 2010, the population is 11,008. The county seat is Blakely.-Geography:...

, Echols
Echols County, Georgia
Echols County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population is 3,754. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 4,093. The county seat is Statenville...

, Grady
Grady County, Georgia
Grady County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 23,659. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 25,042. The county seat is Cairo.- History :...

, Houston
Houston County, Georgia
Houston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on May 15, 1821, as one of five huge counties, later reduced in the formation of Bibb, Crawford, Pike, Macon and Peach counties. As of the 2000 census, the population is 110,765...

, Irwin
Irwin County, Georgia
Irwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818. As of 2000, the population was 9,931. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,934...

, Lanier
Lanier County, Georgia
Lanier County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2009, the population was 8,423. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 7,847. The county seat is Lakeland. Lakeland is Lanier County's only incorporated...

, Lee
Lee County, Georgia
Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 24,757. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 33,050...

, Lowndes
Lowndes County, Georgia
Lowndes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia along the Florida border. It was created December 23, 1825. The 2010 Census showed a population of 109,233...

, Macon
Macon County, Georgia
Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,074. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 13,542. The county seat is Oglethorpe.-History:...

, Marion
Marion County, Georgia
Marion County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2000 Census reflected a population of 7,144. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,995...

, Miller
Miller County, Georgia
Miller County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 26, 1856. As of 2000, the population was 6,383. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 6,163. The county seat is Colquitt.-Geography:...

, Mitchell
Mitchell County, Georgia
Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 21, 1857. As of 2000, the population was 23,932. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 24,139. The county seat is Camilla.-Geography:...

, Peach
Peach County, Georgia
Peach County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 23,668. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 25,672. Its county seat is Fort Valley....

, Pulaski
Pulaski County, Georgia
Pulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 9,588. The 2010 U.S. Census reports the population at 12,010, with a growth rate of 25.3% from 2000 to 2010, while surpassing Georgia's change of 18.3%., making it one of Georgia's fastest growing...

, Quitman
Quitman County, Georgia
Quitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1858 and named after General John A. Quitman, leader in the Mexican War, and once Governor of Mississippi. As of 2000, the population was 2,598. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 2,666...

, Randolph
Randolph County, Georgia
Randolph County is a county located in the US state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 7,791. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 7,294. The county seat is Cuthbert.-History:Randolph County is named after Virginian John Randolph....

, Schley
Schley County, Georgia
Schley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the county's population was 3,766. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 4,123...

, Seminole
Seminole County, Georgia
Seminole County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 9,369. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,081. The county seat is Donalsonville.-History:...

, Stewart
Stewart County, Georgia
Stewart County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 23, 1830. The 2010 Census reflected a population of 6,058. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 4,558. The county seat is Lumpkin.-History:...

, Sumter
Sumter County, Georgia
Sumter County is a county located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 26, 1831. As of 2000, the population was 33,200. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 32,532...

, Taylor
Taylor County, Georgia
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 8,815. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 8,738...

, Terrell
Terrell County, Georgia
Terrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 United States Census reported the county's population at 10,970. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,260...

, Thomas
Thomas County, Georgia
Thomas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2010 Census showed a population of 44,720. The county seat is Thomasville.-History:...

, Tift, Turner
Turner County, Georgia
Turner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on August 18, 1905. As of 2010, the population was 8,930. The county seat is Ashburn.-History:The County is named for Henry Gray Turner, U.S...

, Webster
Webster County, Georgia
Webster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census reflected a population of 2,390. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 2,192. The county seat is Preston.-History:...

, Wilcox, and Worth
Worth County, Georgia
Worth County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 21,967. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 21,285...

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Georgia 4-H activities and events

Georgia 4-H offers an array of competitions, conventions, and training retreats that instill in its participants a number of valuable skills that will benefit them throughout the course of their lives. Events are usually coordinated by District or State 4-H Staff, a small number of volunteer leaders, and a peer-elected Board of Directors made up of 4-H'ers between the ages of 15-19.

4-H'ers have the opportunity to experience responsibility in projects dealing with livestock, judging, and other programs. Georgia 4-H partners with Georgia FFA and the UGA Animal and Dairy Science Department to provide these programs. Every year, 2,400 4-H'ers complete a year-long process to prepare more than 4,500 animals for exhibition at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show and other competitions.

Georgia 4-H Board of Directors

The election of the Georgia 4-H Board of Directors is always held in the late afternoon of the second day (Saturday) of Georgia 4-H Council, immediately following the closing of the Iron Clover. By then, candidates have worked for approximately twenty-four hours in an extremely grueling campaign process. Before State 4-H Council, candidates are charged to create a clever slogan and campaign theme, usually rhyming with their name. On arrival to State Council, the candidates hang campaign posters in the recreation hall of the Senior Pavilion, and then move right on to attempt to meet and greet with all 600-700 State Council delegates. District assemblies, which most candidates will have a hand in operating, considering most State Board candidates run on the same weekend designated for them to relinquish their spots on their respective Senior District Boards, take place shortly thereafter and lead right into the first State assembly of the weekend. During the State assembly, candidates present two-minute speeches to the entire state delegation about why they believe they deserve a spot on the State 4-H Board of Directors. These speeches may be spoken, sang, even rapped, as long as they are performed live and not pre-recorded. Winning speeches - in most cases - are either musically related, extremely funny, or some combination of the two. Immediately following the first State assembly, candidates campaign during the Friday night dance until cabin curfew at 11 PM.

The next day, most candidates will campaign all morning during the Iron Clover Olympics without taking a break. After lunch is the second State assembly, in which all candidates will answer one extemporaneous question concerning the their beliefs regarding the operation,importance, and continuation of Georgia 4-H in front of the entire state delegation. This leads directly into more campaigning during the two key Iron Clover events: softball in Cloverleaf Circle and volleyball in an adjacent space of Cherokee land, followed by more campaigning at the Iron Clover Rally. Here, the campaign process culminates with one last recitation of each candidate's slogan before dashing off to await voters at the door of Sutton Hall, which serves as the State Board voting precinct. Last minute "campaigning" (really just slogan-screaming in most cases) is done here until a State Employee emerges from the building and declares that the last votes have been cast. At this announcement, candidates will typically scream and fall to the ground for a few minutes.

The election process, much like the campaign process, is a complicated one. Every voting delegate has five votes which may go to any candidate during the Saturday afternoon election. Scantron ballots are used and scanned in a computer for the results, which are then checked for accuracy by two State 4-H Employees. At the conclusion of the third State assembly that evening, the five candidates the received the most votes are announced. These five are known simply as the "Top Five", and within the Top Five, there are three State 4-H Representatives, one State 4-H Vice President, and one State 4-H President. Should any two candidates tie for one position, a run-off will be held; this was seen in 2010 when Mary-Clayton Gilbert and Juawn Jackson, both of the Northwest District, tied for the fifth position in the Top Five. After the Top Five have been officially decided, four different ballots are created - one for each district. Every district ballot contains the names of any candidate from that district that was not elected to the Top Five. Each delegate votes within his or her own district only to select their District Representative to the State Board. After District Representative voting concludes, all delegates are dismissed to cabins for the night.

The final State assembly is held the next morning. Here, the Top Five find out what positions (President, Vice President, or State Representative) they have earned, and the remaining candidates find out whether or not they have been elected as their District Representative.

Dean's Award

Receiving a Dean's Award is considered one of the highest honors that a 4-H'er can earn. Participants create a resumè in the areas of Leadership, Citizenship, Communications and the Arts, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and Family and Consumer Sciences, and attend an interview on the morning of the first day of Georgia 4-H Council. The results of the competition are announced at the first State assembly on Friday night, and winners receive Master 4-H'er status, an Olympic-type medallion, and a trip to the Thursday night banquet at State 4-H Congress.

District Project Achievement

District Project Achievement is a fun and competitive filled weekend spent with for 4-H'ers in their corresponding district at Rock Eagle. During the weekend, 4-H'ers share their knowledge about a particular subject to others in a demonstration. "4-H'ers chose from 63 project areas for their demonstrations. Project areas included international, veterinary science, air science, computers, water conservation, photography, public speaking, plant and soils, performing arts, safety, agriculture awareness, poultry, beef, sports, etc" (Chapman).

Cloverleaf 4-H'ers are allowed a five minute setup time with six minutes for their demonstration; four minutes for performing arts. Junior 4-H'ers allowed a five minute setup time with ten minutes for their demonstration; four minutes for performing arts. Senior 4-H'ers are allowed a five minute setup time with twelve minutes for their demonstration; ten minutes for public speaking and four minutes for performing arts. This demonstration or performance is in front of a panel of three judges and a small audience.

Junior and Senior 4-H'ers have a portfolio they must turn in before competing. This portfolio encompasses all of the activities and events the 4-H'er has done throughout the year that corresponds with their project area. The portfolio is scored separately from the demonstration and added to the overall score. Junior 4-H'ers are scored 40% on portfolios and 60% on demonstrations. Senior 4-H'ers are scored 50% on portfolios and 50% on demonstrations. The Senior 4-H winners of District Project Achievement advance to State Congress in hopes to become a Master 4-H'er.

District Project Achievement is more than competing for awards. Throughout the weekend are plenty of chances for community service projects, recreational games, watching Clovers & Company, and a large dance. It is also an opportunity for 4-H'ers to run for Junior or Senior District Board of Directors.

Georgia 4-H Council

Georgia 4-H Council - often abbreviated as "State 4-H Council" or "State Council" - is an annual meeting of Georgia 4-H'ers held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, usually on the last weekend of June. This event is open to all Senior 4-H'ers, including rising 9th graders and recently graduated 12th graders, and is coordinated by the incumbent Georgia 4-H Board of Directors. Between the Iron Clover Olympics, the election of the new Georgia 4-H Board of Directors, and the Dean's Award Competition, Georgia 4-H Council always guarantees its participants a fun and eventful weekend.

The Iron Clover Competition

The Iron Clover is widely accepted as the main event of State 4-H Council. This event takes its name from the iron statue of the 4-H emblem currently standing in front of Sutton Hall at Rock Eagle. During the competition, each district of the Georgia 4-H Club - Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest - compete against one another in fun athletic competitions ranging from softball to ultimate frisbee to canoeing. At the end of the weekend, the district team that has been awarded the most Iron Clover points has won the title of "Iron Clover Champion" for their district in the coming year. The 2010 Iron Clover Olympics - held on June 26, 2010 - ended with the Northwest District placing first and Southwest second, followed by Northeast and Southeast in third and fourth, respectively.

Board of Directors election

The election of the 2011-2012 Georgia 4-H Board of Directors yielded the following results:
  • Dowdy White, President
  • Juawn Jackson, Vice President
  • Hugh Slaton, State Representative
  • Jordan DeWitt, State Representative
  • Kevin Morris, State Representative
  • Tess Hammock, Northeast District Representative
  • Erin Burnett, Southwest District Representative
  • Terrance Gibson, Southeast District Representative
  • Matthew Pace, Northwest District Representative


Those who are elected to State 4-H Office proceed immediately to Georgia Officer Training, which lasts until noon on the following Wednesday. The new officers are installed each year at the Thursday night banquet at State 4-H Congress.

Georgia National Fair

The Georgia National Fair celebrated its 20th anniversary with 416,709 attending. It has been named into the Top 50 Fairs. It supports various organizations such as 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...

, FFA
National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is an American youth organization known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, based on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education...

, FBLA, FCCLA, and TSA
Technology Student Association
The Technology Student Association is an international Career and Technical Student Organization made up of over 150,000 Middle School and High School Technology Education Students. TSA is the premier CTSO dedicated to STEM Standards: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics...

. It is always held around the second week of October. The next fair will be October 6–16, 2011. There are several 4-H activities throughout the fair week such as:

Photo Contest, the contest is for youth and adults. Individuals can submit photos into two different categories: General 4-H Photos, Focus on 4-H Youth & Adult and Focus on Agriculture. Top 10 photos are displayed at the Georgia National Fair
Georgia National Fair
The Georgia National Fair is a fair that is held every October on the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia, United States....

 and the top 20 are displayed at 4-H State Congress. Other competitions include Mini-Exhibits, Talent Contest, Speech Contest, Quiz bowls, Pumpkin Contest, and Chicken BBQ Contests. Also Swine, Sheep, Cattle, Goat, and Horse shows are held for 4-H'ers to compete in. Every year Georgia 4-H also hosts the Clover Café food booth with chicken donated by the Georgia Poultry Commission; it's cheap and the profit goes to help sponsor activities in the Georgia 4-H program. 4-H Volunteers, Collegiate 4-H'ers, and Senior 4-H'ers may volunteer to work in the booth.

I am Georgia 4-H

The "I am Georgia 4-H" campaign was started in May 2010 by Collegiate 4-H member Richie Knight and 4-H Volunteer Nicole Batten. The purpose of the campaign is to promote Georgia 4-H throughout the state and for former and current members to share how 4-H has changed and affected their life in a positive way.

Leadership Day at the Capitol

The Leadership Day at the Capitol is sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs, the Fanning Institute, Georgia 4-H and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. Leadership Day is a time when leaders from all across Georgia come together to share best practices and success stories and identify ways to improve leadership efforts in Georgia. Combined with 4-H Day at the Capitol, it provides 4-H'ers an opportunity to learn about all the leadership opportunities offered in their communities, listen to great speakers, tour the state capitol and meet with their representatives.

Operation Military Kids

Operation Military Kids (OMK) is a branch of Georgia 4-H that reaches out to youth with a family member deployed in military service. During the summer, OMK, partners with the Georgia National Guard
Georgia National Guard
The Georgia National Guard is the National Guard of the U.S state of Georgia consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard...

 for a week of summer camp at the Wahsega 4-H center in Dahlonega
Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega is a city in Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242....

.

The youth that attend have families in the Georgia National Guard or currently deployed overseas. In 2009 the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay was announced the top military 4-H club of the year.

State 4-H Congress

Georgia State 4-H Congress is a four day event filled with competitions, interviews, tours, and relaxation. Delegates to State 4-H Congress must win first place or receive a sweepstakes scholarship in their project field from their respective district in order to attend. At State 4-H Congress delegates compete against other first place or sweepstakes winners in the project field in which they competed at District Project Achievement. After or before the delegates demonstration they must go to a panel of judges for an interview over their portfolio, a resume of their project work over the course of the year. Once the demonstration and interview are complete these two scores are tallied and it becomes the delegates overall score. If he or she wins first place in their project they will receive Master 4-H'er status.

The day after competition the delegates will begin their tours. They tour businesses and buildings that supported their project and provided funding for them to be able to participate during the week. Tours in the past have been at Turner Field
Turner Field
Turner Field is a stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, home to Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves since 1997. Turner Field was originally built as Centennial Olympic Stadium, it was completed in 1996 to serve as the centerpiece of the 1996 Summer Olympics...

, CNN Center
CNN Center
The CNN Center is the world headquarters of the Cable News Network . The main newsrooms and studios for several of CNN's news channels are located in the building...

, and the Crowne Plaza Perimeter-Ravinia Hotel
Crowne Plaza
Crowne Plaza is a chain of full service, upscale hotels catering to business travelers and to the meetings and conventions market. It forms part of the InterContinental Hotels Group family of brands, which include InterContinental and Holiday Inn and operates in 52 countries, usually located in...

 to name a few. The penultimate day of the week occurs at Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia is a theme park located west of Atlanta, in unincorporated Cobb County. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain, after the original opening in 1961 in Texas....

 where delegates to get relax with friends in the park all day. Before leaving to go back to the hotel they announce the new Master 4-H'ers at the park.

Georgia 4-H Communications Team

The Georgia 4-H Communication Team’s goal is to increase the use of computer technology including communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...

, computer programming
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...

, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...

, GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...

/GIS systems, graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...

, photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...

, podcasting
Podcasting
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...

, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...

, teaching and training 4-H'ers and adults, web development
Web development
Web development is a broad term for the work involved in developing a web site for the Internet or an intranet . This can include web design, web content development, client liaison, client-side/server-side scripting, web server and network security configuration, and e-commerce development...

, web and technology program delivery, wireless technology, writing
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...

, and videography
Videography
Videography refers to the process of capturing moving images on electronic media even streaming media). The term includes methods of video production and post-production...

 to better the Georgia 4-H Program. The communications team has also implemented the new 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology, 4-H SET, standards into activities for the communications team.

The communications team meets twice a year for retreats; they have been held at Rock Eagle
Rock Eagle Effigy Mound
Rock Eagle Effigy Mound is an archaeological site in Putnam County, Georgia, U.S.A. estimated to have been constructed 1,000 to 3,000 years ago. The earthwork was built up of thousands of pieces of quartzite laid in the mounded shape of a large bird...

, The University of Georgia Miller Learning Center in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...

, and Founder’s Lodge. During the retreats the tech team members are split into tracks: graphics
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...

 track, videography
Videography
Videography refers to the process of capturing moving images on electronic media even streaming media). The term includes methods of video production and post-production...

 track, web development
Web development
Web development is a broad term for the work involved in developing a web site for the Internet or an intranet . This can include web design, web content development, client liaison, client-side/server-side scripting, web server and network security configuration, and e-commerce development...

 track, and the GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...

/GIS track. These track groups are taught and led by Collegiate Advisors, past members of the tech team that volunteer their time. The Collegiate Advisors lead the track groups through projects presented during the weekend. These projects are community service projects which help the 4-H'er build their portfolio.

Need-A-Computer Program

The Need-A-Computer Program is conducted by the Georgia 4-H Communications Team. The program is open to Cloverleaf, Junior, and Senior 4-H’ers. The team receives a number of donated computers from various businesses and schools and later refurbishes them to distribute to children on a need basis. The program was founded by Collegiate Advisors Rachel and Amanda McCarthy. It started when Rachel and her father, Jim McCarthy, refurbished old computers and donated them to 4-H’ers in Walton County
Walton County, Georgia
Walton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2009, the population was 87,311. The county seat is Monroe.This county is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area ....

 that were in need of one.

The donated computers are desktop computers with a Pentium III
Pentium III
The Pentium III brand refers to Intel's 32-bit x86 desktop and mobile microprocessors based on the sixth-generation P6 microarchitecture introduced on February 26, 1999. The brand's initial processors were very similar to the earlier Pentium II-branded microprocessors...

 or higher, 850 mHz, 256 megabytes of RAM
Ram
-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...

, and a 20 gigabyte
Gigabyte
The gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units , therefore 1 gigabyte is...

 hard drive. All computers ship with a monitor, keyboard
Keyboard (computing)
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...

, mouse
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...

, and speakers
Computer speaker
Computer speakers, or multimedia speakers, are speakers external to a computer, that disable the lower fidelity built-in speaker. They often have a low-power internal amplifier. The standard audio connection is a 3.5 mm stereo jack plug often color-coded lime green for computer sound cards...

; computers are delivered at Fall Forum each year. In 2009, the Georgia 4-H TCommunications Team, received the State Farm Youth Advisory Team Grant
State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance is a group of insurance and financial services companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Canada....

 that has helped the team with refurbishing and distributing the computers.

Cyber Security Initiative

In 2010 the Georgia 4-H Youth Leadership Technology Team, later in the year changed to Georgia 4-H Communications Team, created a branch of the team called the Cyber Security Initiative (CSI). This small team travels around the state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

 to teach free classes on internet and social networking safety as well as cyber bullying.

Camping and counselor program

Summer camp has been a favorite experience of many 4-H’ers and adults, who were once 4-H’ers. At cloverleaf camp, 5th and 6th graders have the chance to swim, rock climb, canoe, take part in several workshops, and the infamous wet games. The wet games is basically a water war between the counselors and the campers; it involves games, buckets of water, and a large slip & slide.

Junior 4-H’ers (7th & 8th graders) also have the chance to go to camp. Their camp is more for the older child. They have the chance to go to the laser show at Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet amsl and 825 feet above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground at its longest point into Gwinnett County...

, Six Flags White Water
Six Flags White Water
Six Flags White Water is a water park located northwest of Atlanta, in unincorporated Cobb County. Originally opening in 1984 as White Water Atlanta, the park became part of the Six Flags family of parks in 1999...

, Thursday Night Thunder
Saturday Night Thunder
Saturday Night Thunder is a former ESPN program that showed USAC racing on Saturday nights. It began on Thursday nights with the name Thursday Night Thunder on ESPN2. It featured tracks around the United States, although it frequently featured tracks in the Indianapolis area. Various racing series...

 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...

, swim, and more. Senior 4-H’ers are 9th through 12th graders. They also have the chance to go to camp.

Senior Camp is designed around teenagers. They get to go whitewater rafting, dances, workshops, and much more. Seniors also have the chance to go to cloverleaf camp as a teen leader, where they get to help counselors and leaders. There are also some special interest camps like Wilderness Challenge and Marine Resource.

Rock Eagle 4-H Center is the largest 4-H center. It is centered on the Rock Eagle, which is an eagle made out of rock, which was made by the Native Americans. It has 54 cabins, an auditorium, a chapel, and dining hall. During the summer, Rock Eagle holds 1,000 campers every week for seven weeks. The camp can hold a maximum of 1200 people at any one time. Not only is the camp home to many 4-H’ers, but it also houses many other organizations, when 4-H’ers are not there. Rock Eagle holds many events other camp, like State 4-H Council, Fall Forum, Jr. Conference, Jr. Rally, District Project Achievement (DPA), and more.

Cabin number 37 is the G. C. Adams cabin and was funded by many donations from Newton County citizens. In 1952 the Covington Women’s Club led a project to raise $10,000 to fund the cabin.

Over 9,000 children ages 9–19 annually attend one of Georgia 4-H's Camps' for a week, each summer.

Georgia 4-H has 5 separate 4-H Centers each with its own camping program. Every camp is a world unto its own, with a theme full of high adventure, friendship and fun.

The 5 Georgia 4-H Centers are
  • Wahsega 4-H Center located in Dahlonega, Georgia
    Dahlonega, Georgia
    Dahlonega is a city in Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242....

  • Burton 4-H Center
    Burton 4-H Center
    Burton 4-H Center is one of five 4-H centers in Georgia. It offers both day programs and one-week residential programs. Students from all over Georgia attend the Burton 4-H Center which specializes in marine science education...

     located on Tybee Island
  • Jekyll 4-H Center located on Jekyll Island
    Jekyll Island
    Jekyll Island is an island off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, in Glynn County; it is one of the Sea Islands and one of the Golden Isles of Georgia. The city of Brunswick, Georgia, the Marshes of Glynn, and several other islands, including the larger St. Simons Island, are nearby...

  • Fortson 4-H Center located in Hampton, Georgia
    Hampton, Georgia
    Hampton is a city in southwestern Henry County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,987. Census Estimates for 2005 show a population of 4,743. Hampton mailing addresses also dip into eastern Clayton County and northern Spalding County.The Atlanta Motor...

  • Rock Eagle 4-H Center located in Eatonton, Georgia
    Eatonton, Georgia
    Eatonton is a city in Putnam County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,480. The city is the county seat of Putnam County. It was named after William Eaton, an officer and diplomat involved in the First Barbary War...

     and known as the largest youth center in the world


Note: In 2004 Camp Fortson was officially opened to replace camp Truett-Fulton.

The camping program and counselor program are considered highly effective. The Georgia 4-H Counselor Alumni Association represents 4-H counselor alumni who continue to support Georgia 4-H.

Notable alumni

  • Arch Smith, State 4-H Leader (2011-present) and University of Georgia
    University of Georgia
    The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

     College of Agriculture and Environmental Science
    University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
    The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is a college within the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States.-History:...

     senior public service associate faculty member.
  • Lee Berger
    Lee R. Berger
    Lee Rogers Berger is a paleoanthropologist, physical anthropologist and archeologist and is best known for his discovery of Australopithecus sediba and his work on Australopithecus africanus body proportions and the Taung Bird of Prey Hypothesis.-Background:Berger was born in Shawnee Mission,...

    , State 4-H President 1984, National Geographic Explorer and Paleoanthropologist. Winner of the 1st National Geographic
    National Geographic Society
    The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...

     Prize for Research and Exploration
  • Carol Buffard, actress, played the lead role in Junie B. Jones, the Musical
  • Bob Burton, CEO of Flowers Inc. Balloons and burton + Burton, famous for the "greeting card balloon"
  • Bo Ryles, State 4-H Leader and Director of 4-H 1994-2009. Clovers and Company Director and Co Director 1983–present.
  • Maxine Burton, president of Flowers, Inc. Balloons and burton + Burton, famous for the "greeting card balloon"
  • Rosalyn Carter, former first lady and wife of President Jimmy Carter
    Jimmy Carter
    James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...

  • James M. "Bucky" Cook, Former President of Heavenly Ham
  • Nikki DeLoach
    Nikki DeLoach
    Ashlee Nicole DeLoach is an American actress known as Nikki DeLoach.-Life and career:DeLoach was born in Waycross, Georgia. DeLoach was a member of the Georgia 4-H Performing Arts group Clovers & Company from 1991 to 1994. She then joined the The New Mickey Mouse Club in 1993.In 1998, she became a...

    , former member of Clovers & Company is from Blackshear
    Blackshear, Georgia
    Blackshear is a city in Pierce County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,283 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Pierce County.Blackshear is part of the Waycross Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

    , Georgia
    Georgia (U.S. state)
    Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

    .
  • Nancy Grace
    Nancy Grace
    Nancy Ann Grace is an American legal commentator, television host, television journalist, and former prosecutor. She frequently discusses issues from what she describes as a victims' rights standpoint, with an outspoken style that has won her both praise and condemnation...

    , Hosts her own primetime legal analysis program “Nancy Grace” on CNN Headline News
    CNN Headline News
    HLN, formerly known as CNN Headline News and CNN2, is a cable television news channel based in the United States and a spinoff of the cable news television channel, CNN. Initially airing tightly-formatted 30-minute newscasts around the clock, since 2005, the channel has increasingly aired long-form...

     as well as “Closing Arguments” on Court TV.
  • Bill Gentry of the Atlanta country music club Wild Bill's, located in Duluth
    Duluth, Georgia
    Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia and an increasingly more affluent and developed suburb of Atlanta. Unincorporated portions of Forsyth County also have Duluth as a mailing address, though this area is outside city limits...

    , Georgia
    Georgia (U.S. state)
    Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

    .
  • Hillary Lindsey
    Hillary Lindsey
    Hillary Lindsey is a country music singer-songwriter. As a songwriter, she has written songs with or for Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, and Tim McGraw. One of her compositions, Underwood's Number One hit "Jesus, Take the Wheel",...

    , songwriter.
  • Tommy Irvin
    Tommy Irvin
    Tommy Irvin served as Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture from 1969 until January 2011. He was elected to his 10th and final four-year term in November 2006. Irvin did not seek re-election in 2010...

    , Former State Representative for Habersham County
    Habersham County, Georgia
    Habersham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818, and named for Colonel Joseph Habersham. As of 2000, the population was 35,902. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 42,272. Clarkesville is the county seat.Chartered in 1823, the...

    , Georgia
    Georgia (U.S. state)
    Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

     and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture.
  • Jennifer Nettles
    Jennifer Nettles
    Jennifer Nettles is an American country music artist. She is known primarily for her role as lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland alongside Kristian Bush. Before Sugarland's inception, she also fronted Atlanta, Georgia-based bands called Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band...

    , Grammy Award winning country singer and member of the group "Sugarland."
  • Otis O'neal, Extension Agent and founder of Ham and Eggs Show
  • Kathy S. Palmer, Chief Superior Court Judge of the Georgia Middle Judicial Court.
  • Walter Reeves
    Walter Reeves
    For the football player of the same name see Walter Reeves .Walter Reeves was a U.S...

    , The "Georgia Gardener" and host of the "Lawn and Garden Show with Walter Reeves"
  • Tom Rodgers, Head of Georgia 4-H between 1978–1993 and recipient of the Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Wayne Shackelford, Former Georgia Commissioner of Transportation and recipient of the Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Tommy Walton, University of Georgia State 4-H Leader 1955-1980.
  • Herschel Walker
    Herschel Walker
    Herschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...

     NFL running back 1986-1997, winner of the 1982 Heisman Trophy
    Heisman Trophy
    The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...

  • Paul Wood, President of Georgia EMC
  • Waco O'Guin, actor and producer of MTV
    MTV
    MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....

    's Stankervision
    Stankervision
    Stankervision is a sketch-comedy program, created by Waco O'Guin and Roger Black, that aired on MTV2. It premiered July 8, 2005 as part of the channel's "Sic 'Em Friday" programming block. Stankervision is a repackaged version of "The DAMN! Show", a sketch comedy show that was created in Athens,...

     and The DAMN! Show
  • Trisha Yearwood
    Trisha Yearwood
    Patricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood , is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA...

    , multi-platinum and multi-grammy award winning country music artist from Monticello. Her father was a county agent as well.

External links

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