Extension Service and 4-H
For more than 100 years, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has provided THIS free, reliable, research-based information based on latest the scientific research in language that anyone can understand.
The Haralson County Cooperative Extension Service, backed by the resources of Haralson County, the University of Georgia, and the United States Department of Agriculture, provides educational programs, information, and actual assistance to residents of the County. Education and information is also provided by telephone consultation, site visits, newsletters, news articles, radio and collaboration with other community agencies. Publications and lab services are other delivery methods for education and information.
Extension was started as a way to bring agricultural research to farmers, and that's still a lot of what the statewide service does. But Extension also provide information for teachers, homeowners, lawn care workers, and families as well as special programs for young people. And who better knows how to help than someone close by? UGA Extension has personnel in all 159 Georgia counties, and county agents, specialists and trained volunteers are there to take your call.
Congress established the Cooperative Extension Service in 1914 to deliver information from land-grant colleges and universities to all Americans, particularly those who lacked access to formal education. The "College on Wheels" carried University of Georgia faculty and exhibits of interest across the state from 1908 through 1917.
Although agriculture and society have changed dramatically during the past 100-plus years, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension continues to fulfill its basic mission.
County Extension agents help keep farmers abreast of the latest agricultural technology, research and marketing strategies. Some agents help parents cope with the pressures of balancing home, work and children; others help keep families healthy with information on nutrition and food safety.
Learning for Everyone
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension's educational programs have statewide significance:
- In schools through 4-H
- In cities with efforts such as Master Gardeners and Urban Gardening
- In rural areas by helping farmers with crop, conservation and financial information
- In homes by providing food, nutrition, child development and financial literacy information
- In the wild by working with residents to protect the environment
- In the food service industry by providing information and training relating to safe food handling and preparation
Through county Extension offices, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences helps Georgians become healthier, more productive, financially independent and environmentally responsible. Learning for Every Day Through the cooperative funding of federal, state and county governments, Extension agents are in almost every county in Georgia.
Most counties have agents who specialize in agriculture and natural resources, youth development and family and consumer sciences. Agents complete specialized training to help them meet the needs of the communities they serve. Some specialize in horticulture; others, in row crop or livestock production. Some agents work to help families deal with rural development issues or raise healthy children in urban settings.
If you'd like to learn about building a safer environment for your children or protecting the environment we all share, avoiding chronic diseases like diabetes with healthy food or training food handlers in your cafeteria, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is the place to start.
What is 4-H?
Four-H is a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change!
The mission of Georgia 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. This mission is accomplished, through "hands on" learning experiences, focused on agricultural and environmental issues, agriculture awareness, leadership, communication skills, foods and nutrition, health, energy conservation, and citizenship.
Exploring and discovering, encouraging and challenging, that's what Georgia 4-H is all about. As a program of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension System, 4-H is part of the nationwide Extension network.
4-H'ers are known for sharing their research-based knowledge and technology to people where they live and work. 4-H combines federal, state, and local expertise and resources.