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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
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Jan 7 2026 Annual Blueberry Update Make plans to join us for the 2026 Annual Blueberry Update on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for updates on disease, insect, horticulture, and water management. Speakers scheduled are Dr. Jonathan Oliver (UGA Plant Pathologist), Dr. Ash Sial (UGA Entomologist), Dr. Zilphina Rubio Ames (UGA Horticulturalist), and Jason Mallard (Area Water Agent). Cost to attend is FREE. Lunch will be provided. REGISTRATION DEADLINE is January 5, 2026. Location: The Blueberry Warehouse, 199 Tobacco Lane, Alma, GA 31510 CCA credits, Commercial (Cat. 21), and Private (Cat. 10) pesticide credits have been applied for. For questions, or details on becoming a sponsor of this meeting, please contact the Bacon County Extension Office at 912-632-5601. Register online by clicking into the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxfFXT69qy0u9pLmOP4x_4cntibmZNJoCSzSvwOPVBIeg_VA/viewform Or scan the QR code on the flyer to be directed to the registration page.
- Alma, GA - (161.0 Miles)
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Jan 8 - Jan 9 Livestock Judging Certified Coaches' Training 4-H Training
- Calhoun, GA - (140.0 Miles)
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Jan 9 - Jan 11 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
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Testing for Water Quality (C 858-2) The quality and safety of drinking water is of great concern to many Americans today because of an increased interest in health and environmental quality. This new focus on water quality has led many Americans to consider testing their water. This publication is intended to help you understand water testing and to identify the tests needed.
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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.
University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran, Disability Institution. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact the Muscogee County Extension office at 706-225-4200 and muscogee.extension@uga.edu, at least three weeks prior to the program date.