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 2025, Rabun County Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)
reached over 3,052 participants. There were 1,291 consultations
conducted and 58 site visits were performed. ANR also made a
significant contribution to six ongoing research projects.
Fundraising and volunteer efforts resulted in more than $77,000 in
tangible and in-kind support for Extension-affiliated projects in
2025. There were 2,348 volunteer hours logged, and 199 diagnostic
soil and water tests were performed in 2025. These activities
strengthened agriculture, supported landowners and provided
research-based guidance to residents, farmers and community
partners. The program continued to promote sustainable practices,
environmental stewardship and informed decision-making across
Rabun County communities throughout 2025.
4-H Youth Development
The 4-H program provides lessons monthly to over 300 elementary school students.
The lessons include science, language arts and history. Youth also participate in 4-H
through school club meetings and after-school activities like summer camp,
4-H Night at Medieval Times and our county trunk-or-treat. Specialty clubs
such as County Council, as well as competitions like Project SAFE Shotgun,
District Project Achievement, District Trivia and State Congress, also provide
opportunities for involvement. Rabun 4-H took 29 students to 4-H Cloverleaf
summer camp at Camp Burton on Tybee Island this past summer and two
students to Junior 4-H camp at Fortson 4-H Center. These programs help
youth develop leadership, teamwork, communication and decision-making
skills while building confidence, responsibility and a stronger connection to their
community and fellow 4-H members.