Can You Spare $4 for 4-H?
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
4-H Clubs across the state are asking community members if they can spare $4 to support the 4-H programs, as the annual $4 for 4-H campaign is held on Wednesday, April 1, through Saturday, April 4.
4-H is a national program that provides youth with numerous opportunities and experiences to participate in hands-on learning in the focus areas of agriculture, science, civic engagement, leadership, health, and wellness. The program’s mission is to assist youth in gaining knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will help them to become successful and productive citizens in the future.
In Georgia alone, over 110,000 young people were impacted through Georgia 4-H agriculture and science programming; over 140,000 students participated in civic engagement and leadership programming; and over 45,000 4-H’ers took part in the health and wellness programs. Over 8,000 students took advantage of Georgia 4-H’s many overnight summer camps, which take place across the state at Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega, Fortson 4-H Center in Hampton, Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island, and Georgia 4-H at Camp Jekyll and 4-H Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island.
4-H Clubs are not made up of merely public school students, but private school students and homeschoolers are welcomed into the program. According to a recent study by Georgia 4-H, most of the 4-H participants are from rural areas and small towns, and programs are possible because of over 5,000 adult volunteers who dedicate over 140,000 hours to the Club and over 1,500 teen volunteers who dedicate over 35,000 hours to the program.
Locally, the Montgomery County, Toombs County, Treutlen County, and Wheeler County 4-H programs thrive with numerous activities and opportunities for the youth in the surrounding areas. Toombs County 4-H currently has 1,081 club members in 4th through 12th grade. The Club recently had 99 participants compete in the District Project Achievement competition, where students research a topic and speak on it to a panel of judges in a formal presentation. Over 100 Toombs County 4-H’ers attended overnight camp last summer, 43 students participated in various judging teams for competitions, and 53 young people participated in shooting sports. Many leaders have also come out of the 4-H Club, as 9 Toombs County 4-H’ers served as Junior or Senior Officers – 4 of which were vice presidents – on the regional board of directors within the past 5 years. The Club has also produced state officers, as 4 students have served on the state board in the last 5 years, including one vice president and president. These accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the work of Toombs County 4-H Agent Riley Wimberly and the numerous volunteers and teen leaders, who have logged 1,000 volunteer hours currently in 2026.
Montgomery County 4-H may not have as many members as Toombs County 4-H, but the Club continues to thrive throughout the community! Currently, the Club has over 400 active members, who take part in various activities, such as shooting sports, poultry judging, District Project Achievement, community service projects, camp, and more. The 4-H Club is extremely active in the community, providing wholesome family fun through projects, such as their Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, where Montgomery County 4-H Program Assistant Julie Waller, Montgomery County Extension Agent Lauren Stanley, and Montgomery County 4-H Administrative Assistant Leanna Connell hid several large wooden eggs throughout the community and offered prizes to those who completed the hunt. The group also is responsible for decorating the community for Christmas, and works to ensure that the local nursing home has visitors and is included in community events. The Club thrives on helping students develop confidence through District Project Achievement competitions and supports students in their endeavors, such as when 4-H’er Hartley Williamson sought and received a grant to provide Montgomery County residents with trees to replace those lost in the damage from Hurricane Helene. Overall, the Club produces engaged citizens who are always enthusiastic and willing to volunteer in their community.
Treutlen County 4-H has a similar mission, as Club members become involved in their communities and work to develop skills to help them succeed in the future. Recently, Treutlen County 4-H’ers visited the Cauley House nursing home in Soperton to dye eggs with residents and take part in an indoor Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt with residents; this activity helps to remind students of the joy that comes from giving back to the community and the importance of connecting with all individuals around them. The Club also often completes activities that help with various skills and abilities, such as when they recently completed a blindfolded obstacle course to learn more about communication skills. Treutlen County 4-H’ers attend various camps and compete in contests, such as the recent BB Shooting Competition, while also taking advantage of unique opportunities, such as the Clovers and Company performing group. In fact, Treutlen County 4-H’er Jayleigh Horton was recently able to represent Georgia 4-H by performing with the state Clover and Company at the Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum. The Club, led by Treutlen County 4-H Agent Paige Posey, thrives in helping students to discover their passions, teaching them to give back to the community, and cultivating skills that will help them be successful throughout the remainder of their lives.
Wheeler County 4-H prides themselves on letting students explore the world around them through hands-on activities and on helping students to become the best individuals that they can be. The Club provides several opportunities for students to gain more knowledge about concepts throughout society, and even makes learning fun through tools such as “the blender bike,” where students pedal a bicycle to create healthy smoothies and drinks. Wheeler County 4-H’ers also compete in several events, such as the District Project Achievement, Poultry Judging, and more. Several of the Senior Wheeler County 4-H’ers serve as senior officers, helping them to cultivate leadership skills that will transfer into various areas of the remainder of their lives. Overall, Wheeler County 4-H, led by Wheeler County 4-H Agent Nicole Thornton, is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about the world around them, cultivate leadership skills, and become their best selves.
During the $4 for 4-H campaign, donors can select any county – including Montgomery, Toombs, Treutlen, or Wheeler Counties – to support with their donation. Donations can be made online on the Georgia 4-H Foundation website. Call your local University of Georgia County Extension Office for more information.
BLENDER BIKE – The Wheeler County 4-H Blender Bike is one of the Club members’ favorite learning tools, as students use fresh fruits and a modified bike to create healthy smoothies.
COMPETING IN VARIOUS CONTESTS – Montgomery County 4-H’ers learn about several topics in agriculture, health, and other subjects, then use that knowledge to compete against fellow 4-H’ers from across the region and state.
DYING EGGS WITH RESIDENTS – The Treutlen County 4-H Club recently spent time dying Easter eggs and completing an indoor scavenger hunt at the Cauley House nursing home.
