Our Impact
Candler County Annual Report
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working hard for its constituents. The following are examples of Extension’s impact in the county over the past year.
Need a different format for viewing or printing. Please contact our office at 912-685-2408 or email us at uge3043@uga.edu
Making A Difference in Our County
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working hard for its constituents. The following are examples of Extension’s impact in the county over the past year.
UGA Cooperative Extension in Candler County includes all three program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family andConsumer Sciences and 4-H. These three programs collaborated in 2025 to host several local programs.
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
In 2024-2025, Candler County 4-H reached 697 students in grades 4-12. Cloverleaf 4-H’ers in grades 4-6 learned about agriculture,science, healthy choices, presentation skills and elected 4-H club officers. Junior and Senior 4-H’ers in grades 7-12 learned about communication and leadership. All ages of 4-H youth participate in community service projects.
Outside of school, 96 students participated in Project Achievement with four mastering in their projects at State 4-H Congress, 34 students participated in Project S.A.F.E. Shooting Sports programs,16 in Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging, 15 in Poultry Judging with the Senior team placing 2 at State, 11 in LifeSmarts, 84 attended summer camps and 303 students participated in additional summer programs. During these programs, 71 adult volunteers contributed 1,167 hours of service.
Candler County 4-H is active in the Candler County School System literacy and agriculture events and partners with the Metter-CandlerChamber of Commerce to provide the Candler Youth Leadership program.
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Organic Vidalia onion production in Georgia lacks research-based variety recommendations. To address this need, Candler County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent Ross Greene established the first organic Vidalia onion variety trial in Georgia. The top variety increased net returns by $3,820 more per acre, with yields ranging from 660 to 914 boxes, representing a direct economic impact of up to $764,000 across approximately 200 acres and strengthening profitability and long-term sustainability within the entire Vidalia onion industry.
Metter Elementary School Ag Day: This program provided hands-on learning for over 1,100 students. As Georgia’s largest industry, the importance of agriculture must be communicated to our youth. Students learned about livestock, forestry, fruitsand vegetables, native and invasive species and farm equipment.
Candler County Farm and Agri business Tour: This program engaged 45 youth and adult participants in an educational tour highlighting the diversity of agriculture and agri businesses in Candler County. Participants visited Food Lion, Growers Supply& Gin and field stops to observe cotton and peanut harvesting and Vidalia onion seed beds.
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Candler County’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agent has established a presence in Metter Elementary School through the implementation of the Georgia Department of Education’s Harvest of the Month program in K-2 classrooms. Students are given the opportunity to learn from our FACS agent about how different Georgia Grown fruits and vegetables get from the farm to their plates and what nutritional properties they offer. In partnership with the Candler County School Nutrition program, a recipe sample is provided using the featured Harvest of the Month item to give students a risk-free environment to try fruits and vegetables in a new way. Our FACS Agent has also incorporated a literacy component by matching a book with the fruit or vegetable, and reads it to students as part of the lesson. Our FACS program has also partnered with local pharmacies to provide health education events for teachers during national health awareness months.
Candler County Community Baby Shower: This program provided 67 local families with educational information and common childhood supplies. Through partnerships with local organizations and community partners, participants were able to learn about postpartum care, government assistance resources,local healthcare providers, literacy education, vehicle safety and more.
Need a different format for viewing or printing. Please contact our office at 912-685-2408 or email us at uge3043@uga.edu