Our Impact
4-H Youth Development
The 4-H program in Twiggs County is a collaboration between Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Cooperative Extension and University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension. Twiggs County 4-H operates under the leadership of FVSU 4-H and maintains consistent participation numbers every year. The FVSU 4-H program’s mission is to empower youth to reach their full potential while working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The program provides positive youth development and experiential learning opportunities for youth in various areas including leadership, healthy living, financial literacy, agriculture, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). At the end of the 2024 school calendar year, FVSU 4-H collaborated successfully with UGA 4-H to facilitate traditional in-school club meetings for students in fourth grade through middle school (and high school participants). The FVSU 4-H agent delivered in-school club meetings, and summer educational programs to 254 Twiggs County public, private, and homeschooled audiences. 4-H participants, elementary through high school, participated in leadership and public speaking activities by participating in District Project Achievement events on the district and state levels. They also participated in weekend leadership conferences, and residential 4-H summer camp.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Through a partnership with Fort Valley State University of Georgia, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agent provided nutrition education, food drives, healthy living activities, healthy recipes and materials for adults and youth through various programs and activities. As a result, consumers are more likely to make better food choices for themselves and their families. The agent participated in numerous Walkathons the local Health Department,The City of Jeffersonville, Jeffersonville Mayor, Twiggs County Commissioners, the Department of Family and Children Services, and the Middle Georgia Council (Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts), local churches, Twiggs County Public Schools and local volunteers. The FACS Program provided research -based healthy living information, recipes, breast cancer awareness, and medication dispenser bottles. By improving the overall health habits of county residents, fewer hospitalizations and medications will be required, reducing healthcare costs for individuals, taxpayers, small businesses and corporations.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Twiggs County’s economy, contributing significantly to the county’s overall farm gate value. Cotton continues to lead in acreage, followed by peanuts, corn, soybeans, and other row crops. These commodities play a vital role in supporting the local agricultural economy and rural livelihoods. Derrick Bowen serves as the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agent for Twiggs and Bleckley Counties and provides coordinated programming and support across both counties, ensuring consistent delivery of research-based information and Extension services throughout the two-county area.
In 2025, Bowen conducted multiple on-farm research trials across Twiggs and Bleckley counties, including work in soybeans, cotton, peanuts, and corn. These trials focused on variety evaluation, seeding rate optimization, pest and disease management, and production efficiency. By implementing these projects across both counties, results were more representative of local growing conditions and directly applicable to producers throughout the region. Findings were shared through Extension blogs, social media, local presentations, and individual consultations, allowing for timely and practical adoption of improved management practices.
Bowen also organized winter production meetings serving producers from both Twiggs and Bleckley counties. These meetings delivered the latest updates on crop production, pest control, and disease management from University of Georgia specialists, while offering pesticide Continuing Education Units (CEUs). These joint meetings strengthened regional collaboration and ensured producers in Twiggs County had access to the same high-quality educational opportunities and research updates.
Peanut maturity clinics were conducted during the growing season, assisting producers in both counties with optimal digging decisions to maximize yield and grade. In addition, Bowen provided routine Extension services including soil and water testing, pest identification, and crop troubleshooting, maintaining strong engagement with agricultural producers and homeowners across the two-county service area.