Our Impact
Youth Ag Awareness Campaign
Summary
In Seminole County, Georgia, agriculture is the largest industry. The UGA Seminole County Extension/ 4-H implemented an Agricultural Awareness Campaign that would introduce 4-H aged youth in Seminole County to agriculture career possibilities through over twenty different programs in 2023.
Situation
Agriculture based businesses, in Seminole County, Georgia, account for ~49% of Seminole County’s total income and employ approximately 17% of the county population. Making agriculture the third largest employer following government and goods producing industries. Furthermore, over 70% of the county’s land mass is dedicated to crop production. With the average age of a principle farm operator at 58.5 years, this provides excellent career opportunities for agriculturally focused youth within the community.
Response
The UGA Seminole County 4-H came together to implemented an Agricultural Awareness Campaign that would introduce 4-H aged youth in Seminole County to agriculture career possibilities through over twenty different programs in 2023. These programs included: Seminole County Farm Tour, 4-H Crop Scouting School, UGA Tifton Campus agriculture research tour, 4-H Land Judging Contest, 4-H Poultry Judging Contest, 4-H Cotton Boll Consumer Judging Contest, 4-H DPA Ag Relate Projects, several Seminole County Livestock Shows, 5th Grade Farm Knowledge Bowl, Program on Cotton at 5th grade club meeting, Program on Peanuts at 5th grade club meetings, Lesson on Poultry in Georgia at 5th grade club meetings, and Lesson on Dairy at 5th grade club meetings.
Impact
The UGA Seminole County Ag Awareness Campaign consisted of twenty educational programs for 4-H aged youth within the community. Through the twenty programs the Agricultural Awareness Campaign had over 1600 direct contacts with youth in the community, and over 650,000 indirect contacts with the community through thirty-six newspaper articles and over one hundred post on the UGA Seminole County Facebook page. Of these programs all participants were evaluated and all rated programs as excellent.
Farm Bowl 5th grade Student: “The Farm Bowl is an awesome experience! I felt like I spent the day on the farm after playing the games at Farm Bowl. We milked cows, lassoed calves, rounded up pigs and rode horses. We also got to see live farm animals! It was so much fun! I have always watched other fifth graders participate in Farm Bowl! I am so glad I am actually old enough that participate now!”
Ag Lesson 5th grade Teacher: “Ms. Cindy does an amazing job throughout the year teaching our students about agriculture. It is so important that students know about and understand agriculture due to it being such a huge industry in our area. She always finds a way to bring in the local community and farmers in her lessons as well as promote Georgia 4-H and The University of Georgia! The students are excited to attend club meetings each month! She also includes the students in so many different activities and helps them be involved in our small community in so many ways, just like she is! We are blessed to have Ms. Cindy at SCES and in Seminole County! She is a great asset to our community and 4-H!”
Cotton Variety Trial
Summary
Choosing the correct variety of cotton is a major contributing factor for overall production and profit. The Agent conducted a 14-variety research trial to identify the best cotton variety for local producers.
Situation
Cotton is gown on 26,000 acres in Seminole County and is one of the major row crops produced here. This commodity produces over 18 million dollars in sales and keeps the community thriving. To combat rising input prices and smaller profit margins, variety selection is important to remain efficient. Local producers need every advantage to stay profitable and they are committed to the research required to do so. The participating grower cooperator has worked collaboratively with the Agent and Dr. Camp Hand, UGA Cotton Specialist, for 2 consecutive years to determine the best variety of cotton for Seminole County.
Response
The Agent established and evaluated a replicated commercial field cotton variety trial that compared 14 varieties that were subjected to in-field conditions throughout the season. The Agent scouted the test plots throughout the season for insects and diseases and made notes of differences in varieties. The harvest data from trials was used to determine the best options for local growers and used in the statewide cotton variety study.
Impact
The lowest producing variety was PHY 545 with a yield of 1,124 pounds and the highest was DG 3799 at 1,582 pounds per acre. There was over a $400 economic difference in the lowest and highest producing varieties in the trial when assuming $1 per/pound. The variety selection completed prior to planting could potentially increase the profits of a 1,300-acre farm by over $500,000. For Seminole County, If the county acre average increases by 40 pounds, we see a 1 million dollar rise in the commodity farm gate value, when applied to total cotton acreage of 26,000.