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.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
In 2020 Oconee County Agriculture has a farm gate value of 75 million dollars for commodities such as poultry, ornamental horticulture, forages and livestock etc. Local agriculture production continues to be in the forefront for being profitable and sustainable. Currently, agricultural programing highlights from extension program development team members continue to assist local farmers with beef cattle education with emphasis on managing forages – summer and winter annuals, genetic herd improvement and the beginning farmer program. In addition, Oconee Co. well water quality and testing is a significant issue in the county and many residents have benefited from testing (UGA Soil & Water Lab) with corrections being implemented to meet EPA standards. Furthermore, agricultural awareness education (Third grade Ag Day, Oconee Co. Business Expo, Livestock shows etc.) has done an excellent job in helping our local community in transition to understand that agricultural economy provides quality food and fiber to meet consumer needs, on the local, state and national levels.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Nutrition education allows consumers to make wise decisions when making choices involving their health. With over 30% of adults in Georgia being obese, nutrition education is extremely important for the younger generation. If young people can start healthy habits at their age, this will bleed into their adult lives. 326 eighth-grade students received nutrition education on the effects of overconsuming added sugar. Over consuming sugar can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and many other life-altering diseases. 97.5% of students stated they learned something new from this lesson. 26% stated they would change their future sugar habits based on the lesson. The majority of the other students stated they would more than likely change their habits in the future.
Financial stability has an impact on overall well-being. Our goal is to help citizens gain financial stability in any way we can. Taxes have a huge impact on financial stability. We are able to help Georgia citizens get their taxes done for free, through the Voluntary Income Tax Program at the University of Georgia. Through this program, 54 Georgia Citizens had their taxes completed at the Oconee County Office. In these 54 returns, the clients received a total of $50,680 in federal refunds and $19,594 in State refunds. University of Georgia students were able to complete the returns, which also helped further their education.
4-H Youth Development
Oconee County 4-H continued a tradition of excellence in 2024 and again found the meaning of the 4-H motto of “Learn by Doing.” Oconee County 4-H’ers have earned Master 4-H’er Status a total of 12 times within the past year. This is the highest honor a 4-H’er can achieve. Oconee 4-H’ers have earned Master 4-H Status in a variety of subject matters from Horse Quiz Bowl and being selected as 4-H National Conference Delegate to Project Achievement and Scholarship. Master 4-H Status is awarded to a 4-H'er who placed first in the State at a contest and showed their “true mastery” of their subject.
Oconee County 4-H was generously supported by groups, businesses, and community members over the past year. Walton EMC, Oconee County Rotary Club, The M&K Foundation, and The Commercial Bank assisted with funding 4-H projects like summer camp scholarships and Project Achievement through generous donations. The Georgia 4-H fundraising campaign, $4 for 4-H, reached record breaking numbers in our county with 85 total donations. Those 85 donations led to a direct impact of over $3,144.00 in direct support to our 4-H’ers judging teams.
Over 530 5th and 6th Grade Oconee County 4-H’ers competed in our School Project Achievement Contest, where they presented on any topic for 4-6 minutes. An estimated 43 hours of unique and student-interest focused presentations were given over the course of the 3-week long contest. 4-H'ers represented 9 different public schools, private schools, and home school groups.
Oconee County 4-H was one of the leaders in 4-H Summer Camp participation over the past year. Two hundred and twenty-seven Oconee County 4-H’ers attended 4-H Cloverleaf Camp at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Oconee County and nineteen Junior 4-H’ers attended Junior Camp at Burton 4-H Center, where they won the Captain’s Bell Award.