UGA Cooperative Extension is a collaboration between UGA CAES and UGA FACS.

Translation Disclaimer

 close

Users agree that automated translations may not effectively convert the intended design, meaning, and/or context of the website, may not translate images or PDF content, and may not take into account regional language differences. Any person that uses the translated site does so at that person’s own risk. UGA Extension is not responsible for any damages, costs, liability, or risk associated with any use, functionality, and/or content of the website translations.

For more information, visit the Language Translation page.

Union County
UGA Extension Office

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.

Download Our Annual Report (PDF)

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Union County Extension conducted a trial on sweet sorghum for syrup varieties. The 2025 trial was conducted at the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center. Sorghum aphid resistant varieties from the USDA-ARS were planted in May. As the season progressed sorghum aphid counts were conducted to evaluate resistance. As varieties matured they were harvested and evaluated for sugar content and yield. The resistant varieties were evaluated against Top 76-6 and Dale which are non-resistant varieties.

The Master Naturalist program is designed to educate adults on the natural world around them. In Union County this training covers: soil health and management, history of natural resources, tree identification, watershed management, ecology, nuisance animal management, hemlock woolly adelgid management and research native plants, ornithology, mushrooms, pollinator gardening, mushrooms, fisheries, mountain bogs, aquatic invertebrates, salamanders, and invasive species. Speakers come from UGA, University of North Georgia, US Forest Service, Young Harris College, US Fish and Wildlife Services, Mountain True, and more. Trainees had the opportunity to go on field trips and get first-hand experience with rare and endangered species.

The Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) program has approximately 60 volunteers that maintain 30 projects. Annually MGEVs volunteer the equivalent of 2.5 employee hours. MGEVs make thousands of contacts annually and help answer homeowner questions related to plants through their Ask a Master Gardener booth at the Union County Farmers Market. They maintain demonstration gardens that educate the public on things they can plant in their own yard and make the county a more beautiful place.

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Union County 4-H is busy at work with tons of fun activities and educational events. During the summer, youth participate in events like the Len Foote Hike Inn hike, sewing club, pickleball camp and a variety of residential camps for 4th - 12th graders. With over 700 students served in Union County’s in-school programming, fourth through sixth graders participated in a variety of hands-on learning activities from elephant toothpaste to DIY flashlights!

Union County’s 7th -12th graders attended Teen Leader programs, Ambassador Leadership programs, Supervising Cloverleaf Dances, Public Speaking competitions for District and State events, as well as several community service activities throughout the year. Union County 4-H’s competition teams, such as Poultry Judging and Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging excel, with some students placing top in the competitions.

The SAFE shooting sports have demonstrated excellence through their various competitions, including BB, Modified Trap, and Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays (aka Savannah Team).