UGA Cooperative Extension is a collaboration between UGA CAES and UGA FACS.

UGA Extension Office

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Your Cooperative Extension office, a department of Columbus Consolidated Government, provides the Columbus community with many services.

Our Home Visiting programs provide parenting support and education to over 700 families in the Columbus area.  We also provide training to professional childcare providers, helping those professionals provide quality care and education to many children in Columbus.

Our agents provide classes to individuals and other agencies throughout Columbus. Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program teaches families how to save money on food and how to make good, inexpensive and nutritious family meals. Family and Consumer Sciences provides classes on living with chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

In 2024, the Muscogee County Extension Home Visiting Program achieved accreditation from Healthy Families America, recognizing its commitment to delivering high-quality support for pregnant families, infants, and young children. This year, the program screened 575 families and provided direct services to 132 participants, strengthening early childhood development and family well-being. Muscogee County 4-H expanded its reach, doubling the number of schools served, fostering youth leadership and education. Additionally, the Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program contributed 2,025 service hours — valued at $67,817.25 — dedicated to environmental education, water quality monitoring, home garden support, and other community-driven initiatives.


Upcoming Events

  • Oct 22 Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program Part 2: Small Ruminant Production Develop the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for successful sheep and goat production. Topics include animal selection and nutrition, pasture management, predator control, herd health, parasite management, meat production, and more. There will be a hands-on lab on October 22nd from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Athens. We highly recommend taking Part 1: Small Business in addition to this course. Part 1 will take place September 22nd-October 1st at the same location.
    • Lincolnton, GA
  • Oct 22 Honey Bee Control and Removal Training Gwinnett County Extension is offering the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission approved 8-hour training required to obtain a Honey Bee Control and Removal (HBR) license through two half day sessions. Attendance at these sessions is required to satisfy one requirement for the license. For questions, please contact the Gwinnett Extension office directly at 678-377-4010. Fee:$42
    • Lawrenceville, GA - (118.0 Miles)
  • Oct 23 - Oct 25 GA 4-H SAFE Certified Coaches Training https://georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/healthy-living/recreation-leisure/project-safe-shooting-sports/
    • Eatonton, GA - (112.0 Miles)

Diagnostic Services

We offer several diagnostic services through UGA labs, including soil tests, water quality tests, and disease and insect identification. For more information about these services, please contact our office.


Information on soil and water testing

  • Soil Testing for Home Lawns, Gardens and Wildlife Food Plots (C 896) Developing and maintaining productive soils begin with soil testing. Soils tests provide information on the soil's actual nutrient status. Test results are used to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth of lawn, garden, and other types of plants.

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status, and is an Equal Opportunity Institution.