Events and Activities: 
TEAMS:
Wildlife Judging
Learn all about Georgia wildlife and show off that new knowledge at the state competition! Practice begins in August. State competition is in November. This team is for 4-H Seniors (9th-12th grade) only! $20 fee is required.
Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging
Do you like to shop? Join Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging and you’ll learn how to shop smarter. You’ll also have the opportunity to put your creativity to use, as you create an advertisement for cotton. Practice begins in August. Competition is in October. This team is for all 4-H’ers (5th-12th grade). $20 fee is required. Call 229-924-4476 to sign up.
Challenge Bowl
Join our Challenge Bowl team and you’ll learn some fun 4-H trivia. You’ll also go to the Georgia National Fair to compete in the Challenge Bowl Competition! Practice begins in August. Competition is in October. This team is for all 4-H’ers (5th-12th grade). FREE to participate!
This fun opportunity is for 7th-12th grade 4-H’ers. Learn the art of archery, practice your skills with others, and compete in tournaments across the state. Introduction meeting is in November. Practices and competitions are held in spring. $100 fee is required. (Fundraiser opportunities are available).
Learn about chickens, poultry, and eggs! Practices and competition are held in spring. This team is for all 4-H’ers (5th-12th grade). $20 fee is required.
INDIVIDUAL CONTESTS and COMPETITIONS:
National Agricultural Day Contest
The Agricultural Council of America (ACA) is calling 9th to 12th grade students to submit an original essay of 450 words or a two-minute video about the importance of agriculture. For more information visit: http:///www.hpj.com/agdayessay
4-Her's, investigate plants in your community that benefit from honey pollination, determine the results of that pollination, and report it in an essay. For more information, visit: http://www.georgia4h.org/beekeeping/ This year all entries must be submitted electronically; all entries should be emailed to jbrown10@uga.edu.
All 4th, 5th and 6th graders are invited to enter in this creative contest. Students will describe the process of deciding on, designing and implementing a project. The project can be anything from a recycling program, to a community garden, to any type of program to reduce waste.
Georgia National Fair
From cooking BBQ to making scarecrows to singing a song, the Georgia National Fair will have a contest for you. Fair is in October. Local deadline to enter is September. Please visit www.georgianationalfair.com for complete rules and regulations. NOTE: Local deadline differs from deadlines listed on website.
Exchange Club Fair of Southwest Georgia
Design a mini-booth, scare crow, or other creation. You even have the opportunity to win cash prizes!
Sweet Potato Sales Fundraiser/Contest
Sell sweet potatoes and earn money for 4-H events and activities. Begin selling your sweet potatoes in September. Orders are due in October. Sweet potatoes are $10 for 10 lb. bag. The 4-H’er who sells the most sweet potatoes will be announced in newsletter.
Peanutrition Contest
Make a healthy, delicious peanut dish! This contest is open to 5th-8th graders, and FREE to enter. Recipes due in November.
Project Achievement
This exciting competition allows youth to research a topic of their interest, prepare a presentation on that topic, and present that presentation to a panel of judges in a fun competition against their peers. Youth ages 7th-12th grade also prepare a portfolio, which displays their 4-H involvement, community service, and activity related to their topic area.
Cloverleaf (5th & 6th grade) Project Achievement is one day competition in spring, with preparation held in March. Junior and Senior (7th-12th grade) Project Achievement is a two day competition, held in February. Winning seniors (9th-12th grade) have the opportunity to attend State Congress in Atlanta. This event is FREE for participants in Sumter County.
Vidalia Onion Sales Fundraiser/Contest
Sell onions and earn money for 4-H events and activities. Begin selling your onions in March. Onions are $10 for 10 lb. bag. The 4-H’er who sells the most onions will be announced in newsletter.
Watermelon Growing Contest
Grow a watermelon in your backyard and have a chance to win this fun contest! Entries are due in June. Ideal time to plant is March – April. Please visit http://georgia4h.org/public/edops/nationalfair/pumpkincontest/watermelon/index.htm for complete rules and regulations. NOTE: Local deadline varies from state deadline listed on website.
Photography Contest
Show off your superb photography skills in the Georgia 4-H Photography Contest. Local deadline is in June. Please visit http://georgia4h.org/photocontest/default.htm for complete rules and regulations. NOTE: Local deadline varies from state deadline listed on website.
Leadership in Action
Sumter County 4-H is proudly represented by Morgan Bowen, 2011 State Leadership in Action winner. We would love for you to design and implement a service project so that you can enter Leadership in Action and have a chance at being the next state leader! Local deadline to enter is March. Please visit http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/leadershipinaction/ for more information. NOTE: Local deadline varies from state deadline listed on website.
Pumpkin Growing Contest
Grow a pumpkin for the chance to win a cash prize! Entries are due October. Ideal time to plant is June - July. Please visit http://georgia4h.org/public/edops/nationalfair/pumpkincontest/watermelon/index.htm for complete rules and regulations. NOTE: Local deadline varies from state deadline listed on website.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Get Movin' Monday's
Be on the lookout for our Get Movin’ Monday’s series. During these times, you can join us each Monday for a fun activity that the entire family can enjoy.
UGA Recruitment in Tifton
High school students (11th-12th grade) and their parents are invited to Tifton, where they can learn more about UGA, college admissions, financial aid, and many more aspects of college. Event and registration deadline are in September.
National 4-H Week
Celebrate 4-H in a week filled with fun activities! National 4-H Week is always the first week of October.
Weekend in the Classic City
High school students (9th- 12th grade) are invited to join peers across the state for a weekend in Athens, Georgia. The youth will enjoy fun weekend filled with valuable information on the transition between high school and college. Registration deadline is in September. Event is held in October. For more information please visit: http://www.georgia4h.org/collegiate/wicc.htm.
Junior Conference
Juniors can spend a weekend at Rock Eagle, meeting new friends and building leadership skills. This event is for 4-H Juniors (7th & 8th graders). Fee is approximately $65. Event is held in November. Registration deadline is in October. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the exhibit fair. For application, click here.
Fall Forum
Seniors can spend a weekend at Rock Eagle, meeting new friends and building leadership skills. This event is for 4-H Seniors (9th-12th grade). Fee is approximately $70. Event is held in December. Registration deadline is November.
Operation Desert Support
Started by 4-H’er, Morgan Bowen, this service project allows you to sew and decorate Christmas stockings to send to deployed troops overseas. You can also donate stocking stuffers or money for shipping. Volunteer workshops are held throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.operationdesertsupport.com.
Step up and Lead Conference
Cloverleaf 4-H’ers (5th & 6th graders) will enjoy a day filled with motivational speakers and exciting interactive workshops.
Georgia's five 4-H centers -- Burton 4-H Center, Fortson 4-H Center, Jekyll Island 4-H Center, Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Wahsega 4-H Center open their doors to campers looking for an exciting summer experience. We look forward to a week full of adventure, friendship and fun. Enthusiastic and well-trained camp counselors, Cooperative Extension employees and certified volunteers work together to provide campers with unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.
State Council
Senior 4-H’ers (Rising 9th-12th graders) can take part in making decisions, exploring new ideas and creating a better community, country & world. This event is held each summer at Rock Eagle
State Congress
Qualifying Senior 4-H’ers (Rising 9th-12th graders) may join us in Atlanta for a week filled with project competition, special events recognition, scholarship recognition and volunteer recognition. It is a one of the premiere events of Georgia 4-H!
Want to be included in our 4-H email blasts?
Contact klgandy@uga.edu with “List-serv Addition”
in the subject line to be added to our list-serv.
Questions?
For more information about Sumter County 4-H Youth Development Programs, please contact Keri Gandy Hobbs, 4-H Agent, klgandy@uga.edu or call (229) 924-4476.
Visit the Georgia 4-H website at www.georgia4h.org.
