禁漫天堂 Extension agents, staff and trained volunteers keep local communities informed through county Extension offices. We offer reliable information and programs in the areas of agriculture, food, families, the environment, and 4-H youth development. Let us help you learn, grow, and do more!
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.
In 2024, Monroe County Extension/ 4-H reached a total number of 9,461 contacts through in and out-of-office programs, activities, site visits, and club meetings. 71,015 contacts were reached through virtual programming and social media.
Family and Consumer Sciences
In 2024 the Monroe County FACS Agent had over 6,400 face-to-face contacts and over 10,000 indirect contacts through programming, office interactions, professional association interactions, and other activities participated in or organized by the FACS Agent. In 2024 nineteen food handlers received ServSafe Manager Certificates through the instruction of the Monroe County FACS agent; The approximate savings for the county in foodborne illness costs from this success was $69,654. Thirty-nine adults and eight college students participated in Discovering Money Solutions in 2024; participants reported increased ability to talk with their partners about finances and that their top three most important reasons to participate were achieved. The FACS of Life Vodcast produced by the Monroe County FACS Agent saw a 29% increase in views in 2024 from the previous year and a 19% increase in impressions. Additionally, in 2024 the FACS Agent for Monroe County successfully launched the Diabetes Prevention Program, Prevent T2, and fulfilled training for Health Extension for Diabetes to meet the community's needs for diabetes education and prevention.
4-H & Youth Development
Monroe County 4-H aims to offer a variety of hands-on learning experiences for youth in agriculture and environmental education, healthy living, STEM, and leadership. Monthly in-school club meetings are offered to 417 fourth-graders, 327 fifth-graders, 341 sixth-graders, and 49 seventh and eighth-graders. 4-H’ers are able to participate in a variety of after-school special interest clubs and activities including: County Council, Poultry Judging, S.A.F.E. Shotgun Club, Project Achievement, Outdoor Adventure Club, Livestock exhibition, Cooking to Share, Green Thumb Club, Food Challenge, and monthly community service projects.
In 2024, Monroe County 4-H’ers achieved remarkable success across a variety of projects and competitions. At Cloverleaf District Project Achievement (DPA), 12 participants proudly represented the county, with 8 earning top honors—4 first-place and 4 second-place finishes in their categories. At Junior/Senior District Project Achievement, Monroe County had the highest percentage of winners in the Northeast District, with all participants placing: 2 earned first place, 2 earned second, and 4 placed third in their respective categories.
Two of our dedicated Teen Leaders advanced their leadership journey by being selected as Next Gen Forest Ambassadors. Our Food Challenge Team, the Klassy Kitchenettes, impressed judges by placing 3rd at the district level and 9th at the state contest. Additionally, two 4-H’ers placed 1st in the State Market Lamb Record Book Contest for their outstanding record books.
Monroe County youth also shined at the Georgia National Fair. In the Minibooth Exhibit category, all four participants placed, earning 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 8th place ribbons. Other impressive fair results included: 3rd place in the Recycling Project, 5th in Graphic Design, 1st in Decorated Agricultural Product, 5th in the Terrarium Project, and 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the Public Speaking Contest.
Agricultural and Natural Resources
During 2024, Monroe County Extension processed the following Agriculture and Natural Resources testing services:
Animal Waste: 0
Feed and Forage: 5
Greenhouse: 0
Microbiology (Bacteria): 24
Plant Tissue: 1
Soil: 392
Water and Pond: 63
For a total of 485 samples processed.
Although 2024 began without an Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agent in place, the Monroe County Beekeepers Association and the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association remained active and engaged thanks to the commitment of their dedicated members. Their efforts were supported by the County Extension Coordinator and the Jasper County Extension ANR Agent, who provided valuable assistance throughout the year. A search for a new ANR Agent was conducted over the course of 2024, and we were pleased to welcome a new agent at the start of 2025.