Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator
Junior and Senior 4-H members who have carried out a Leadership in Action project this year need to start work on their award application. The applications for Leadership in Action will be due on-line by 5 PM by April 3. Senior 4-H members submitting for the state level awards will need to take part in an interview which will be held in Statesboro on Tuesday, April 14. Please contact the 4-H office for more information about the Leadership in Action Awards.
4-H Photo Contest
Each year, Georgia 4-H offers five contests for members who are interested in photography. Photos must be submitted in digital file. The images cannot be altered and must be submitted as they were taken. Entries for the photo contest are due in the State 4-H office by July 31. Please start taking pictures early so you will have some great photos to select from for your entries into these contests.
The five contests include Focus on Agriculture and STEM (farming or science related); Focus on Camp and Environmental Education; Focus on Citizenship, Leadership, and Service; Focus on Healthy Living; and Focus on Volunteerism.
Remember, photos must be taken by the 4-H member or volunteer who is submitting them. Start now so you will have some great photos from which to choose. There are great opportunities to get photos year round in south Georgia, so take advantage of this opportunity and get some great photos to enter into this contest. Visit the Coffee County 4-H website under web links for the photo contest rules.
Camp Fundraiser
4-H members who are attending summer camp or summer activities can take advantage of a fundraiser to help offset their fees. We have a Coca-Cola Truckload Sale starting right away. Parents should come to the 4-H office to pick up order forms. 4-H members get $3 per case of drinks sold towards their event fee. Order forms and money are due back to the 4-H office by March 30, 2020. Drinks will be ready for pick up on Wednesday, April 15, from 2 to 4 PM.
Dairy Poster Contest
The theme for this year’s Dairy Poster Contest is “The Art of Dairy.” Posters can be 14″ x 22″ and prizes of gift cards are given for each age division (Cloverleaf, Junior, & Senior). Gift cards are $100 for 1st, $75 for 2nd, and $50 for 3rd.
Spring Conference
The Georgia 4-H Statewide Senior 4-H Conference (aka 4-H Prom) will be held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center on April 4-5. The registration fee is $80, but there is a $5 discount if paid before March 13. During the conference, there will be a College/Share Fair in which 4-H members can register to share their mini-booth exhibits or an exhibit about their 4-H project. This is a great way to build their DPA portfolio, especially in the area of sharing. After the 4-H dance, there will be a mechanical bull at the “after party”! 4-H members always have a great time seeing their old friends and making new ones at this event. If you are a Senior 4-H member, don’t miss the registration deadline if you are interested in attending this fun event.
Can Tabs
Everyone is encouraged to collect can tabs off aluminum cans to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities project. These can tabs help provide money to the Ronald McDonald House for their operating fees.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities offers free or low cost housing and meals to families of children receiving medical attention at larger hospitals in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah. By donating can tabs, you are helping to provide housing and meals for families who are burdened by hospital bills and do not need the extra burden of housing and meals for the family staying at the hospital.
Hopefully you will never have to use the Ronald McDonald House, but it is great that it is there in case you should ever need it.
If you would like to learn how you can become more involved with the Coffee County 4-H program, please contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402 or visit our website at http://coffee4h.org.