Our Impact
Past Stakeholder Reports:
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.
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
In 2023-2024, Candler County 4-H reached 602 students in grades 4-12. These students participated in Project Achievement, Project S.A.F.E. Shooting Sports programs, Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging, Poultry Judging, summer camps and program, local educational activities and exhibited livestock.
Candler County 4-H is active in the Candler County School System participating in events such as Ag Day, FLEX Program, Trunk or Treat and more. Other partnerships with the Metter-Candler Chamber of Commerce included Candler Youth Leadership and Farm Tour.
Cloverleaf 4-H’ers in grades 4-6 learned about agriculture, earth sciences, healthy choices, presentation skills and elected 4-H club officers. Junior and Senior 4-H’ers in grades 7-12 learned about communication and leadership. All ages of 4-H youth participate in community service projects for the good of Metter and Candler County.
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AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
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Superior research and education continue to be the backbone of agricultural innovation in Candler County, where 禁漫天堂 Extension plays a vital role in supporting a diverse and thriving agriculture industry. In 2023, the county’s agricultural efforts yielded an impressive Farm Gate Value of over $42.7 million. With roughly 25,000 acres of row crops planted each year—including cotton, corn, peanuts, and soybeans—Candler County’s producers are at the forefront of Georgia’s agricultural productivity. The region also supports a wide range of specialty crops and livestock, including onions, watermelons, cattle, swine, poultry, and more, highlighting the diversity and resilience of local agriculture.
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Through the Candler County Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Program, local farmers and producers gained direct access to timely, research-based information through 10 production meetings and educational workshops held in 2024. These events, which drew 361 attendees, covered key topics such as cotton and peanut production, pest management, crop budgets, and forestry. Additionally, field days hosted by the ANR Program, including stops on the GA-FL Tobacco Tour, the Vidalia Onion Field Day, and a Forestry Field Day, welcomed 180 participants, giving producers hands-on opportunities to engage with the latest research and innovations.
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Community outreach remained a top priority, especially in youth education. In collaboration with 禁漫天堂 Extension’s 4-H and FACS programs, as well as the Candler County School System, the ANR Program organized an Ag Awareness Day for approximately 1,000 elementary students. This event introduced students to the many facets of agriculture, helping build a deeper appreciation and understanding of where their food and fiber come from.
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Local research efforts in 2024 further demonstrated the ANR Program’s commitment to agricultural advancement, with trials conducted on cotton, tobacco, citrus, and onions. The program also supported producers through diagnostic services, including 205 soil tests, 16 water tests, and other plant, forage, and animal waste analyses. By delivering trusted information and hands-on support, the Candler County ANR Program continues to strengthen the agricultural foundation of the community and drive progress across the region.
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FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
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Our FACS Extension program continues?to be a resource for child passenger safety education. In 2024, the Candler County Extension Office was awarded a mini-grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for a second year to offer child passenger safety education and car seats for families in need. Our FACS Agent was invited to attend the regional commodity production meeting in Metter to present information to 40 attendees about transporting children safely every time, including when riding around the farm. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 2,600 children under 13 are involved in a car crash every day (one child every 33 seconds). Motor vehicle crashes are also one of the leading causes of preventable injuries and death for children ages 1-14. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71-82% and booster seats reduce the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4-8 when compared to seat belt use alone. However, just because a car seat or booster seat is utilized, it does not necessarily suggest that it is used correctly. Latest research shows that nearly 60 % of car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly, exhibiting the need for enhanced education and accountability for adherence. The need for this program continues to grow as 29 seats were distributed (6 high back booster seats and 23 convertible seats) to families in need in both Candler and Evans Counties in the 2024 mini-grant year, meaning that 29 families left safer than they arrived.?
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