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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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Jun 13 Food Preservation Class - Water Bath Canning and Steam Bath Canning Salsa Ready to learn how to can your own delicious Salsa? Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 9 AM - 12 PM for a hands-on class covering boiling water bath canning and steam canning! $25 Registration Includes: * 3 hours of hands-on instruction * Recipe for homemade Strawberry Jam * 1 jar of your very own canned salsa to take home * A UGA Canvas tote bag Space is limited to 8 participants per session, and registration is required!
- Cairo, GA - (123.0 Miles)
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Jun 13 Salsa Canning Class Join us for a fun and hands-on class to learn how to preserve summer's bounty of tomatoes and peppers in a salsa that you can enjoy all year long! RSVP required by June 5th. Contact the Candler County Extension Office at 912-685-2408 to secure your spot!
- Metter, GA - (169.0 Miles)
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Jun 16 Summer Foodie Camp Looking for a summer activity that is both fun and educational? Stir up some fun at Summer Foodie Camp! Join Ms. Zoe and Ms. Terri for two days of cooking, learning, and fun. This hands-on camp for Grades 4–8 will help youth build confidence in the kitchen while learning about healthy eating and kitchen safety. June 16–17, 2026 10 AM–5 PM Early Bird Registration: $75 through May 25 at 11:59 PM Regular Registration after May 25: $90 Space is limited. Registration will be confirmed once payment is received. Register at bit.ly/FoodieCamp26 and select Summer Foodie Camp for Club Name.
- Marietta, GA - (104.0 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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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.