Our Impact
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.
4-H Youth Development
Carroll County 4-H organized a week-long Livestock camp for 4-Hers aged 6-16, collaborating with various community partners to offer enriching an educational experience. Census data from 2022 shows that there are 39,264 farms in Georgia. In 2017, 42,439 farms were reported. That is a loss of 3,175 farms in the past five years. The average age of the U.S. farmer is 58.1 years up 0.6 years from 2017. People between the ages of 35-64 account for 53% of U.S. producers. People 65 years and older make up 38% of U.S. farmers. People under 35 years account for 9% of U.S. producers. National statistics show producers are older in Southern states and younger in Midwestern states on average. The average age of Georgia farmers is 59. In Georgia, there are 35,365 producers between the ages of 35-64 the 2022 census shows. There are 26,686 producers 56 years old. The 2022 census shows Georgia has 5,031 young producers under age 35. These statistics show that young people are not entering the farming industry. Similar data proves the same is also true at the local level.
This has been a 5% decrease since 2012. In 2023 the county documented 806 farms out of the 806 farms 402 farms are cattle farms. In 2023, we were the #2 county in the state for cattle production. It is important to pass the legacy of farming on to the next generation. The National Library of Medicine published an article in 2021 that highlights “how youth livestock programs provide intangible benefits through life skills development.” There is proven need for enhanced animal science and agricultural awareness education for youth.
To enhance agricultural awareness, particularly in animal science, Carroll County 4-H organized the third annual livestock camp. This year, the program expanded to encompass small ruminants, specifically sheep and goats, in addition to swine and cattle. Registration was available for children aged 7 to 16. This year, we permitted 4-H members aged 13 and older who participated last year to serve as group leaders. The program had 28 children in attendance. Subjects addressed at the livestock camp include cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. Each day, the children clean up after their animals and provide them with food and water. They acquired skills in managing them on a lead and performed showmanship techniques. The camp also addressed internal and external parasites, the procedure for conducting a fecal sample, body scoring, animal selection, hoof trimming for small ruminants, washing and grooming, and showmanship protocols in the ring. The culminating event on the last day of camp welcomed parents to observe the campers' performance in a show. The Polk County Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent attended on the last day to aid in the livestock camp show. He engaged the campers by discussing their management practices of the animals and judges’ campers on showmanship as if at an authentic show. Carroll County 4-H collaborates closely with Cattlemen’s Association, Carroll County Agricultural Agent and educator, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agent, and several local enterprises to conduct the livestock camp. Our Agricultural Agent, Ms. Paula, educated the campers about sheep and several breeds of goats. She additionally instructed hoof clipping. Ms. Victoria, the FACS agent, conducted a Food Talk regarding the advantages of each type of meat associated with the species that were featured. The campers were also supplied tiny samples for various meats.
A pre-evaluation was given to campers that highlighted the basic identification of meat, dairy, or hair and campers showed 2 species in a showmanship class. The average pretest score was 74%. The average post test 80%. Twelve campers returned from the previous year, which is a retention rate of 42%.
Family and Consumer Sciences
The Empowering Parenthood Expo was an educational event that brought together parents from all walks of life. The expo was filled with informative workshops, engaging panel discussions, and interactive activities designed to support and empower parents in raising children.
In 2020, nearly 700 people in Georgia reported experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms, but the actual number of cases is likely much higher due to underreporting. Between 2015 and 2020, there were 28 suicides in Georgia involving individuals who were pregnant at the time of death, within 1 year of death, or not otherwise specified, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Georgia also has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the country. A study conducted by the Nurse Practitioners Association in Women’s Health found that while there isn't a specific cause for postpartum depression and "baby blues," women with limited resources, little to no education, or living in poverty are at a higher risk. Less than 15% of parents are diagnosed within the first year of their babies' lives. In Carroll County, 35% of pregnant women in 2022 were first-time moms. With the maternal mortality rate at its highest and Carroll County welcoming new parents every year, Carroll County Extension decided it was time to gather the community to address this issue. of pregnant women in 2022 were first-time moms. Therefore, with the rate of maternal mortality being at the highest it has ever been, and Carroll County gaining new parents every year, it was time for Carroll County Extension to gather the community to combat the issue.
In April of 2024, Carroll County hosted the first Empowering Parenthood Expo targeted to give new and expecting parents the resources, education, and tools they need in the new chapter of their lives. Carroll County brought together a committee to host this expo. The committee comprised 5 well-known organizations in the community including UGA Extension. This committee planned an expo that would allow the parents to leave empowered to combat any struggles they may face in their new life chapter. We invited 4 keynote speakers that were made up of an OBGYN, pediatrician, mental health expert, and a lactation consultant to speak on different topics such as the 4th trimester, postpartum depression, the birth experience at the hospital, and options to feed your baby. Along with the keynote speakers, we wanted to offer hands-on breakout sessions for the parents to become more educated and get hands-on experience in different topics. Lastly, we wanted to give the parents all of the resources that are available to them in our community. Therefore, we invited 40+ vendors to be a part of our big day, to offer their resources to the parents during their time as a new parents. Along with the keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and vendors; we also had a kid's craft area, raffle drawings for free prizes, swag bags, and food trucks to give a welcoming aroma to the parents.
In April 2024, the UGA Extension Carroll County organized the inaugural Empowering Parenthood Expo, which saw an attendance of 126 new and expecting parents. The event comprised three keynote speakers, eight distinct breakout sessions, and 35 vendors offering their services. Participants were provided with research-based information, an opportunity to address pertinent queries, and a platform to forge connections within the community of new parents. An overwhelming 95% of the attendees expressed their intention to apply the knowledge gained to their parenting journey. One participant stated, “I really enjoyed having one central location with so many helpful resources and local vendors in one spot. It took so much guesswork and googling off my plate and I was able to make connections and pick up so many valuable resources in one day.” A pediatrician speaker delivered a comprehensive presentation on postpartum care, which resonated with the audience, as evidenced by one attendee's remark on the importance of acknowledging the postpartum experience. The Empowering Parenthood Expo significantly contributed to equipping new parents with the confidence and essential resources required for their transition into parenthood.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture is the number one industry in the State of Georgia and the farm gate value in Carroll County alone is over $224 million dollars. Research says in the near future, there will be more ag-related jobs than there will be qualified employees. Because of this and the importance of agriculture to the greater Carroll County community, the Ag Career Expo has been held nine times with approximately 2,685 students from Carroll, Haralson, and Heard Counties attending. Students had the opportunity to visit thirty local ag-related businesses, organizations, and colleges to learn more about the career opportunities for their future.
Although students have various opportunities to attend a career day event at their school, representation of agricultural-specific careers was limited or nonexistent. With our various contacts and connections with the ag industry, representatives from farms, agribusiness, ag organizations, and colleges, UGA Extension Carroll County planned a day for students to be exposed to many career opportunities related to agriculture. Students need to see that agriculture was just not about owning a farm and working the land. They needed to see how other career paths such as veterinarian, food processor, soil scientist, educator, forester, etc. were related to the agricultural industry and were a viable and interesting career path.
Students attended the one-day event and had the opportunity to visit each booth for 10 minutes to talk and listen to a person involved in an agricultural career. Invited to speak to the students included representatives from: UGA Extension, AgSouth Farm Credit, veterinarians, Farm Bureau, tractor and equipment dealers, food processing such as Pilgrim’s Pride, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Commission, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, Carroll EMC, food manufacturing, Cargill, Kroger, and many more. Also, in attendance to speak to the students included various colleges from Georgia and Alabama that offer a degree related to agriculture. Students received information about each career and college to make an informed decision to choose a potential future career or college to attend.
2,685 students from Carroll, Haralson, and Heard Counties have attended nine different Ag Career Expo events since 2016. 78.6% of the students increased their knowledge about agriculture by attending the event and said it changed their view on agriculture as a career opportunity. 64.3% of the students said the Ag Career Expo influenced their decision on a career path in agriculture. 42.9% said the Expo was very helpful in planning their career path.