Georgia 4-H

What is Georgia 4-H?

Georgia 4-H helps youth to acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directive and productive members of society. The program sets the stage for youth and adults to learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.

Mission

Georgia 4-H has a mission 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 and a focus on agricultural and environmental issues, agriculture awareness, leadership, communication skills, foods and nutrition, health, energy conservation and citizenship.

Georgia 4-H is all about exploring and discovering, encouraging and challenging. 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.

Members of 4-H are known for sharing their research-based knowledge and technology with others where they live and work. Georgia 4-H combines federal, state, and local expertise and resources.

Environmental Education

Environmental education programs are administered by UGA Cooperative Extension at six 4-H centers across the state.

These programs offer teachers and students a combination of resources in the forms of nature and equipment to aid in the learning process. Programs can be customized to meet specific objectives as requested by visiting schools.

Program Objectives

  • To develop an awareness, knowledge and appreciation for the natural environment
  • To cultivate curiosity, critical reasoning and evaluation skills
  • To develop positive relationships between students and their teachers
  • To make the school program more meaningful by applying knowledge and skills required in the classroom to real-life situations
  • To provide experiences in scientific processes, such as observing, measuring, classifying, etc.
  • To develop self-confidence and physical fitness
  • To develop an appreciation for the local and natural history of an area

4-H Youth Development News

Georgia 4-H'ers and Georgia 4-H leaders were welcomed to the Georgia State Capitol on Feb. 25 by state representatives and senators, who posed with the group on the Oglethorpe steps. CAES News
Georgia 4-H’ers connect with civic process during 2025 4-H Day at the Capitol
Leadership came to life for the largest-ever Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol delegation in Atlanta as 4-H’ers engaged with the civic process. Elected officials joined nearly 800 youth, staff, volunteers and supporters on Feb. 25 to celebrate the impact of 4-H in Georgia. State Sen. Larry Walker and Georgia Rep. Rick Jasperse served as legislative hosts for the 4-H delegation. County 4-H groups explored and toured the Capitol building, and many 4-H leaders arranged direct meetings with senators and representatives from their districts. Georgia’s current slate of elected officials includes many 4-H alumni, parents and supporters who welcomed students to the place where government comes to life.
Ben Hill County 4-H'ers (L to R) Ruby Witt, Thomas Holt, Nandini Patel, and Landon Sinyard along with their coach Laura Lee Hughes (Right) brought home a national title at the National 4-H Consumer Decision Making Contest in San Antonio. CAES News
Ben Hill County 4-H captures top prize in national consumer science contest
Ben Hill County 4-H captured a first place win in the National Consumer Decision Making division at the Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference on Jan. 17 in San Antonio, Texas. The winning team members included Thomas Holt, Nandini Patel, Landon Sinyard and Ruby Witt, with support from coach Laura Lee Hughes, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H agent and county coordinator for Ben Hill County.
Romanian scholars (from left) Horia Ciocan, Drago? S?c?leanu, Paula Moraru ?tefan B?trîna and Igori Balta visited the Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega, Georgia, to learn about youth development programming offered by UGA Extension. CAES News
Romanian scholars adapt lessons from UGA Extension to benefit small farms
Building on the strong foundation established with the first cohort of Romanian-American Foundation Fulbright Scholars at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, a second slate of scholars recently completed a four-month fellowship with UGA Cooperative Extension to gather insight and inspiration for establishing extension services in the eastern European nation.