March 24, 2022 12:15 pm

Regular Meeting - Sydni Ingram with UGA EXTENSION and NATURAL RESOUCESAdd Guest

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. THOMAS COUNTY 4-H AT A GLANCE The Thomas County 4-H Program is grounded in the belief that young people learn best by doing. In our county, 4-H members complete hands-on projects in areas like civic engagement, agriculture and health and science, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult volunteers and mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Thomas County 4-H’ers are fortunate because they can concentrate on one focus area of their choice or they can try a variety of programs throughout their 4-H experience. Through participation in Georgia 4-H Project Achievement, 4-H’ers choose a project area of interest, research that topic, then write and present to a group of their peers. Through this experience, 4-H’ers develop public speaking, leadership, record keeping and many other skills. This opportunity empowers young people with skills that will last a lifetime. Challenging, encouraging, exploring and discovering is what the Thomas County 4-H Program is all about. AGRICULTURE: Sydni's Ag Update Sydni’s Ag Update is a radio program conducted by the Thomas County Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent which airs on WPAX/WTUF, Georgia’s third oldest radio station which has been on air since 1922. This program covers agricultural news and information for growers, agribusinesses, and the general public. There is so much agricultural news for the public to sift through that there should be an unbiased voice for the community to hear. There are also nearly 300 licensed pesticide applicators in Thomas County who are presumably directly involved in the production of an agricultural product. With 44,451 Thomas County residents, this means that less than one percent are directly involved in production agriculture. Growers, agribusinesses, and community leaders need timely information on various topics in order to make critical management decisions. Radio reaches over 95% of almost every portion of the population, making it a far-reaching educational opportunity. To increase agricultural awareness through the radio program, the agent worked with Chris Hurst, one of the radio station employees at WPAX/WTUF to produce these programs. Currently the program reaches throughout several counties in South Georgia and North Florida and represents a total Farm Gate value of $1,388,215,194. From its start in April of 2019, the relationship grew and so did UGA Extension’s reach within the area. Since that time FACS and ANR have been able to share programs weekly. Sydni’s Ag Update has had an estimated audience of 20,000 listeners each week.

Rotary Club of Thomasville
The Plaza Restaurant
217 South Broad Street
Thomasville, GA 31792