Our Impact
Sonya Jones is being presented the Williams H. Booth award.
Making A Difference in Our County
Extension in Pulaski County has continued to make a significant impact through innovative programming and collaborative efforts in 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), and Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS). Through research-based education, hands-on learning experiences, and strong community partnerships, Pulaski Extension strengthened youth leadership, supported agricultural advancement, and promoted healthier families and communities across the county.
Pulaski 4-H continued to provide high-quality educational experiences through school enrichment, leadership development, agriculture education, STEM initiatives, healthy living programs, and civic engagement opportunities. Youth participated in experiential learning programs that expanded career readiness, leadership capacity, and life skills while exposing them to agriculture, nutrition, STEM, and community service. Pulaski 4-H sees over 400 youth in over 20 monthly club meetings partnering with the local Board of Education for in school educational lessons helping reinforce Georgia Performance Standards. The Pulaski 4-H program also received statewide recognition when the county’s 4-H Agent was awarded the prestigious William H. Booth Award, presented by Georgia 4-H and Georgia EMC. This highly respected honor recognizes her for outstanding career achievements in 4-H programming, innovative educational efforts, inclusive learning environments, and leadership contributions at the county, state, and national levels. The recognition highlights Pulaski County’s continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and youth development through meaningful and impactful programming.
Agriculture remains one of Pulaski County’s leading industries, and Extension programming continued to provide critical support for local producers. The ANR Agent continued cotton variety trials, completed peanut pest management surveys, and collected Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus ratings to support research-based recommendations for growers. In addition, the Agent showcased Pulaski County’s agricultural work through invited poster presentations at the Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting, the Epsilon Sigma Phi Annual Meeting, the Beltwide Cotton Conference, and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents conference. Topics included collaborative research on cotton yield loss due to storm damage, peanut pest management, Farm to Fork programming, and work with the UGA AgWET team.
Pulaski County agriculture was also recognized at the state level through multiple producer achievements and award recognitions. Local peanut producers were honored through the Georgia Peanut Achievement Club for outstanding peanut yields. At the Georgia Cotton Commission Mid-Year Meeting, a Pulaski County grower received the annual Cotton Quality Award, while an area gin was also recognized for ginning the winning cotton crop. Additionally, the ANR Agent was nominated by the County Extension Coordinator and 4-H Agent for the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals Outstanding Support by an ANR Professional Award. The ANR Agent was recognized not only as the Southwest District winner, but also as the overall state winner for outstanding support and collaboration with 4-H programming and youth development efforts.
Family and Consumer Sciences programming also expanded in 2025 with the addition of a new FACS Agent who has already begun strengthening community partnerships and broadening educational opportunities focused on nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease prevention. Through research-based programming, community members are gaining practical knowledge and skills that support healthier lifestyles and improved well-being. Available educational programs include food safety training, home food preservation, and other resources designed to meet local needs. As trusted sources of evidence-based information, FACS Agents help individuals and families make informed decisions that positively impact their health, homes, and communities.
Together, the integrated efforts of 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Consumer Sciences demonstrate Pulaski County Extension’s ongoing commitment to improving lives through education, innovation, and service. Through collaborative partnerships and impactful programming, Pulaski County Extension continues to strengthen agriculture, develop future leaders, and enhance the quality of life for citizens across the community.