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Published on 08/21/14

Georgia Representative Terry England receives 4-H Green Jacket Award

By Sharon Dowdy

Georgia Representative Terry England was presented the Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award last month for his support of the youth development program.

Sponsored by Georgia EMC, the green jacket award is presented annually to an individual who has exhibited outstanding support of the Georgia 4-H program. Georgia 4-H is operated by University of Georgia Extension and delivered to Georgia’s children through local Extension offices across the state.

During the annual Georgia 4-H State Congress event held July 22-24 in Atlanta, England was presented a green 4-H blazer and an etched glass award.

England chairs the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee and co-chairs the Agricultural Education Advisory Committee.

“In order to have a strong 4-H program, you have to have a tremendous program; strong public support from the state, federal and local government; and strong private support,” said Georgia 4-H State Leader Arch Smith, minutes before presenting the jacket to England. “Representative England embodies all three of those things. He is a great friend of 4-H. He has always been a supporter of youth development programs, education and agriculture in Georgia. He has supported 4-H in his role as a public official. He is a 4-H donor, and he has been willing to find time to help with our educational program activities.”

Smith thanked England for leading this year’s Georgia 4-H State Council, where he spoke to Georgia 4-H’ers about the importance of citizenship and voting.

“He came up through the FFA organization and has become a true believer that 4-H is just as important to the success of developing young people,” Smith said. “My fondest moments have been spent with him in his office/barn/shop where we stand and talk about the old John Deere tractor from the 1950s that he’s working on restoring. Terry England is a down to earth public servant who has supported 4-H, and he is truly a friend to the 4-H’ers of Georgia.”

After donning the green 4-H jacket, England accepted it on “behalf of the Georgians who have supported 4-H and Georgia Extension.”

“My 10 years serving in the general assembly has been a lifelong dream and to stand here and wear this jacket and know our governor received it last year and our chancellor and my speaker received it recently…I don’t feel deserving of it,” England said.

As a student, England was active in the Winder-Barrow County High School chapter of FFA. “My friends in 4-H received the same energy and the same drive that I was receiving wearing my blue corduroy jacket,” he said.

For more about the Georgia 4-H program, go to www.Georgia4H.org.

Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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