UGA Cooperative Extension
Troup County Extension Office:
4-H Youth Development
What Is 4-H?
4-H is a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change. 4-H's mission is to assist youth in becoming self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society through "hands on" learning experiences.
Who Can Join 4-H?
Any youth ages 9-19 is eligible to join 4-H. Being a member of 4-H is free. Many of the elementary schools in Troup County provide 4-H in their 5th grade classes. 4-H Clubs are offered at Callaway Middle and Long Cane Middle. A Homeschool 4-H Club meets once a month. Afterschool clubs are available for students that do not have 4-H Clubs at their schools. Contact the Extension Office for information about enrolling in 4-H.
News and Upcoming Events
Event |
Date |
Time/Location |
|---|---|---|
September 1 |
4:00-5:30, TBA |
|
September 6 |
Conyers |
|
Covered Bridge/GNF |
September 9 |
Extension Office |
September 15 |
4:00-5:00, Extension Office |
|
September 17-18 |
Butts Mill Farm |
|
September 22 |
4:00-5:00, Extension Office |
|
September 27 |
6:00-7:00 pm, Ag Building |
|
September 29 |
4:00-5:00, Extension Office |
|
Ambassador Training |
September 29 |
6:00-7:00, Ag Building |
National 4-H Week |
October 2-8 |
|
National Youth Science Day |
October 5 |
TBA |
October 6 |
4:00-5:00, Extension Office |
|
Health Rocks! Day |
October 13 |
TBA |
Rivers Alive Clean-up |
October 22 |
TBA |
Junior Conference |
November 5-6 |
Rock Eagle |
November 10 |
Conyers |
|
Christmas Parade |
December 1 |
TBA |
Portfolio Lock-in (7th-12th) |
December 2-3 |
TBA |
Fall Forum |
December 10-11 |
Rock Eagle |
Skating Party |
December 20 |
TBA |
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43 4-H'ers Participate in Science, Engineering, and Technology Day Camp, "Wild About 4-H "
The week of July 11-15, 43 4-H'ers participated in the third annual SET Daycamp. Throughout the week, 4-H'ers had the opportunity to build and crash cars to see if their egg survived, make flubber, build and launch model rockets, design and build a marble roller coaster, learn about water and solve a pollution mystery, and have fun with science. They also completed the National 4-H Health Rocks curriculum that teaches youth how to reduce stress and make good decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The last day of camp was spent at Callaway Gardens touring the Butterfly Center, visiting the Horticulture Center and enjoying the beach. The 2012 SET Daycamp is scheduled for June 25-29.
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45 4-H'ers Attend Camp at Jekyll Island 4-H Center
On June 27, 45 anxious 4-H'ers loaded the bus for a week-long stay at Jekyll Island 4-H Center. Throughout the week they swam at the beach, went to Summer Waves Water Park, visited St. Simons and climbed the lighthouse, and went biking through the Jekyll Island Historic District. They also enjoyed classes on seining, canoeing, the marsh, the maritime forest, and beach ecology. A great time was had by all!! The group was accompanied by volunteers Tina Brown, Amy Hicks, Kenny Manis, Perry Thornton, Elizabeth Thornton, 4-H Program Assistant, and Julie Lawrence, 4-H Agent.
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4-H BB Team Competes at District and State Matches
The Troup 4-H BB Team participated in several matches in the spring including the Jaycees Match in Newnan, the District Qualifying Match in Griffin, and the District Qualifying Match in Newnan. Four members of the team qualified to participate at the State 4-H BB Match at Rock Eagle, April 8-9. 
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Cloverleaf 4-H'ers Compete at District Project Achievement
Twenty-one Troup County 4th, 5th and 6th grade 4-H’ers competed at Cloverleaf District Project Achievement held in Douglasville on April 16. Project Achievement is a competition that promotes research, leadership, and public speaking skills. At Project Achievement, each 4-H’er presents a four-minute demonstration on a topic of their choice. The 4-H’ers spent weeks preparing and practicing for the competition in Douglasville. This year, Troup County 4-H won an Outstanding Participation Award for having a large increase in participants at the district level. This year’s participants and their projects were:
Tavian Banks-Crafts (6th), Chloe Beall-Poultry & Egg Science (2nd), Denver Beamon-Bicycle (1st), Cassidy Box-Companion Animal (3rd), Amy Channell-Crafts (1st), Saige Grantham-Plants, Soils, & Fertilizers (2nd), Cromora Harris-Arts (2nd), Ben Hays-Outdoor Recreation (1st), Brian Hays-Crafts (1st), Scott Hicks-Food for the Family(1st), Merci Jackson-Performing Arts Vocal (3rd), Sujin Jeon-Performing Arts Instrumental (1st), Laurel Jones-Marine Ecology (3rd), Jacob Kimball-Outdoor Recreation (3rd) , Lela Manis-Plants, Soils, & Fertilizers (1st), Maudie Morris-Workforce Prep (1st), Jenny Oh-Food for Health & Sport (1st), Rachel Pitman-Performing Arts General (1st), Hunter Potts-Wildlife (3rd), Addie Pruett-Between Meal Snacks (5th), and Savanna Scott-Wildlife (3rd).
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Troup 4-H Poultry Judging Team Places 1st at Area Competition
In their second year of competition the Troup 4-H Poultry Judging Team placed 1st at the Area competition in McDonough on April 12. At the competition the 4-H'ers judged live birds, ready-to-cook birds, graded exterior and interior quality of eggs, candled eggs, and identified cuts of meat. Fourteen 4-H'ers participated in the event.
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Ten 4-H'ers Compete at Jr/Sr DPA
Ten 4-H'ers represented Troup County 4-H at Jr/Sr DPA, March 11-13. These 4-H'ers put a lot of effort into their projects over the last year and did an excellent job at competition. The 4-H'ers prepared an 8-10 minute presentation about their project and completed a portfolio of the project activities they had completed in the last year. Participants were:
Chardonnay Cheek , Dog Care, (5th place)
Tyler Holloway, Outdoor Recreation, (4th place)
Jessice Jackson, Conservation of Natural Resources, (1st place)
Brittany Madden, Performing Arts Vocal
Jasmine Massengale, Fashion Revue, (5th place)
Markisha McGhee, Performing Arts Vocal
Jessica Moore, Performing Arts Instrumental, (4th place)
Shekira Parham, Food Fare , (1st place)
Andrea Parmer, Companion Animal Science, (1st place)
Tianna Williams, Muffins, (2nd place)
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County Project Achievement a Huge Success!!!!!!
On February 24, Troup 4-H held its County Project Achievement Competition for 4th-6th grade 4-H'ers. For this competition, competitors choose a topic and prepared a 4-6 minute demonstration on their topic. They presented their demonstrations at the competition held at West Side Magnet School. All 42 competitors did an excellent job impressing the judges with their knowledge on the subjects they chose. All competitors will now continue on to District Competition that will be held in Douglasville in April. Special thanks to the many parents and volunteers that helped make this night a success and to West Side Magnet School for use of their building!!!!!
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Horse Quiz Bowl Team Performs Well at Competition
For the last few months, six Troup County 4-H'ers have worked diligently learning all there is to know about horses in preparation for the Georgia 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl competition that was held on January 15 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. The team did an excellent job in Troup County's second showing at this double elimination competition, winning two of the four rounds they competed in. The team was able to correctly answer questions such as: How many liters of blood are in a mature horse? What is encephalitis? and What part of the hoof supports the weight of the horse? Congratulations to all the members of the Troup County 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Team!!!!
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4-H BB Team Competes at Ole Mill Invitational
On Saturday, November 27, twelve members of the Troup County 4-H BB Team participated in the Ole Mill Invitational BB Match in Griffin, Georgia. The team is in its second year of competition and nerves were high at their first match of the season. The 11-12 year old team consisting of returning members from last year’s team placed 2nd in their age division. The 10-and-under team made up of first year shooters also place 2nd in their age division. Rookie, John Reed Batchelor had an excellent showing in his first match, placing 5th individually in the 10-and-under age division.
The 4-H BB Team practices weekly from September to April in preparation for the State BB Match that will be held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, April 8-9. The team is open to any youth age 9 years to 8th grade. There are currently 20 shooters from Troup and the surrounding area that participate on the team.
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Troup 4-H'ers Attend Junior Conference
On November 6-7, six Troup County 4-H'ers attended Junior Conference at Rock Eagle 4-H Center with Meriwether County 4-H. This conference is for 4-H'ers in the 7th-8th grades. While at the conference, 4-H'ers participated in Health Rocks! workshops and participated in several service projects including making baby blankets for needy children and stuffing stockings for soldiers. Troup County also delivered 300 lbs of poptabs that were collected by 5th grade 4-H'ers for the Ronald McDonald House.
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4-H'ers Compete at Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging Jamboree
Four Troup County 4-H'ers attended the Area Cotton Boll and Consumer Jamboree in Conyers on Monday, November 8. They judged classes of umbrellas, gift cards, tennis shoes, and breakfast cereal. They also prepared a 30-second commercial about cotton. They did an excellent job representing Troup County. Eight other 4-H'ers trained for the competition but were unable to attend due to a last minute date change.
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4-H Rivers Alive Clean-up at West Point Lake
On Saturday, October 9, seventeen 4-H'ers and parents turned out at West Point Lake to pick up trash for Rivers Alive. Volunteers spent two hours combing the shores of the lake and picked up over 515 lbs of trash in just a quarter-mile of shoreline!! The 4-H'ers kept a tally of the items they found, including over 400 tennis balls!!!
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Troup 4-H'ers take 3rd Place at District Forestry Judging Competition
Seven Troup County 4-H'ers attended District Forestry Judging in Rockdale County on Tuesday, September 7. Participants competed in Tree ID, Insect and Disease ID, Pacing, and Tree Volume Estimation. Eleven 4-H'ers spent many weeks preparing for the competition and traveling to several state parks to test their skills. The Troup County Team placed 3rd overall at the competition!! This is only their second year of competition.
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Contact
For more information about Troup County 4-H Youth Development Programs, contact Julie Lawrence at kennedyj@uga.edu or call (706) 883-1675.
Visit the Georgia 4-H Web site at www.georgia4h.org.
