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Towns County
海角官方首页 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 2024 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 which is a non-resistant variety.

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 海角官方首页, 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

The Towns County 4-H program serves over 230 4-H’ers in grades 4th – 8th. These students are able to participate in in-class programs and after school programs, thanks to our partnerships with the Towns County Board of Education, Towns County Schools , Chatuge Gun Club, and Brasstown Valley Stables. Many of our 4-H’ers have participated in Project Achievement, S.A.F.E. BB Team, and Horse Club.?

In-School Programs

Our in-school programs consist of monthly meetings in each 4th through 6th grade class. Our 4-h’ers learn about careers, agriculture, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). At the end of the school day 4-h’ers can join in on some fun in our after-school clubs.

After School Programs

Our after-school programs include Horse Club and S.A.F.E. BB Team. Towns county after-school programs had over 25 4-H’ers joined. The Horse Club program teaches 4-H’ers Grade 4th through 8th horse id, habits of horses, horse care, and riding techniques. Our S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) BB Program teaches gun safety and marksmanship skills grades 4th through 9th.?

Cloverleaf Summer Camp

At the end of the school year Towns County 4-H’ers have the chance to sign up for Cloverleaf Summer Camp. Each camp engages 4-Hers in fun and environmental education. All 4-Hers have the opportunity to learn about ecology, wildlife, and more!

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