Former Sumter County 4-H Agent receives the Ryles Rising Star Award

Atlanta, GA – Keri Gandy Hobbs, former Sumter County 4-H Agent and current Jackson County 4-H Agent, was awarded the Ryles Rising Star Award, a prestigious 4-H award for outstanding 4-H Agents with less than five years of experience at the 70th Annual Georgia 4-H Congress.

“In the 4 ½ short years Keri has been in Sumter County, she has not only turned around the 4-H program 100%, she has rapidly built an outstanding reputation as one of the best 4-H Agents in the state—both young and old,” stated Dr. Laura Perry Johnson, Southwest District Extension Director.

Extremely professional and optimistic, Hobbs is known by parents, youth, volunteers and Extension Staff across the state for her  loyalty to her profession and her strive “To Make the Best Better” with her sweet disposition and caring personality she inspires others to be better just by her example. In a short period of time, Hobbs has received numerous district, state, and national awards including but not limited to: SW District Innovation Award Winner, GAE4HA Professional Achievement Award and NAE4HA Power of the Youth Award.

“Keri’s innovative ideas have brought grant programs into Sumter County to further enhance our 4-H programming and therefore provide more opportunity for our 4-Hers,” said Bill Starr, Sumter County Extension Coordinator.

Hobbs’ dedication and sacrifices of long work hours is one of the reasons why Sumter County 4-H is seen as one of the premier 4-H programs in the Southwest District. During the 2011-12 school year, Hobbs had enrolled 974 4-Hers in almost 30 organized clubs and many specialty programs, making Sumter County 4-H the 2^nd highest 4-H program in Southwest District  with Sumter County only being the 9^th largest school system in the Southwest District.

Her perseverance and investment not only makes her a shooting and shining star for the Ryles Rising Star Award but also instills motivation in youth and adults alike to reach for the stars. 

Left to Right: Bill Starr, Sumter County Extension Coordinator pictured with Keri Gandy Hobbs, former Sumter County 4-H Agent being recognized for her contributions to Sumter County 4-H

Georgia Youth Summit

Georgia Youth Summit

The Georgia Youth Summit is a statewide leadership conference for teams of youth and adults, sponsored by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs that will be held Spetember 8-9 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center.

The Summit is designed to prepare the next generation of Georgia leaders by providing youth with knowledge, resources and encouragement to create positive change in their communities.

The primary objectives of the conference are to:

• Create an awareness of state/local issues.
• Enhance youth-adult partnerships on the local level.
• Equip youth to become active locally in the betterment of their community.

To apply to be a Youth Summit Delegate, Click Here.

NRA Foundation supports Sumter County 4-H

Sumter County 4-H is pleased to announce to have received a $690.17 grant funding from The National Rifle Association Foundation Inc. and has purchased archery equipment. This is Sumter County 4-H’s second grant from The NRA Foundation. The support of The NRA Foundation has enabled us to provide programming to Sumter County youth interested in shooting sports.


The funds are being used to continue offering Sumter County 4-H Project S.A.F.E Archery team, which is open to all Sumter County youth grades 7 through 12. Project S.A.F.E does not only provide a afterschool activity for the youth of Sumter County, but also allows those youth to nurture relationships, enhance responsibility and  learn and practice the art of archery in a safe, educational environment.


The Archery Team, led by Volunteer Coaches April Bowen, Jeff Gossett and assistant, Zack Hough will resume practice in late Fall to prepare for Spring Competitions. The Sumter County 4-H Project S.A.F.E. Archery Team is a part of Georgia 4-H’s Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education), which is curriculum designed to assist young people in personal development, establish a personal environmental ethic and explore life-long vocational and avocational activities.

Sumter County 4-H Job Announcement

Sumter County 4-H is in need to hire a full-time 4-H Agent! Do you know anyone who is interested in accomplishing Georgia 4-H’s mission of assisting youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing citizen? Please see link for specific description of the job, the experience and the educational requirements and feel free to forward the information to any candidates who meet the experiential and educational requirements. 

http://www.caes.uga.edu/unit/abo/hr/documents/6225SumterSW.pdf

Like a Good Neighbor 4-H is There!

 This year's State 4-H Council features tons of activities to keep 4-H green. Interested in exploring the world of technology, safety, leadership and civic engagement? Our workshops will have everyone up and moving! Pre-register by May 31^st to be part of the action in making decisions, exploring new ideas and creating a better community, country & world.  Send us an email at sumter4h@uga.edu or give us a call at 229-924-4476.

For more information: http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/statecouncil/

Sumter County 4-H Events

Upcoming Events:
May 18: Deadline to register for Horse Show.

May 22: Cloverleaf Project Achievement Celebration. (3 pm- 8 pm)

May 23: Homeschool End of Year Cookout (12- 1:30 pm)

May 23: Mandatory Camp Meeting for Campers and Parents (5 pm- 6 pm)@ Sumter County Agricultural Center (127 William Bowen Pointe - Americus)

May 25: Reception for Keri Gandy Hobbs (3 pm - 5:30 pm) @ Sumter County Agricultural Center (127 William Bowen Pointe- Americus)

June is Dairy Month

June 1: Deadline to submit pictures for photography contest.

June 1: Deadline to pre-register for Clovers & Company auditions.(3 pm- 8 pm)

June 4-8: Cloverleaf (5th - 6th grade) Camp @ Fortson 4-H Center.

Ongoing Events:

Can Hunger: Community members can drop-off non-perishable items at the Sumter County Cooperative Extension Office and help us fight hunger in our
community.

Six Flags Ticket Fundraiser: Purchase your Six Flags tickets from Sumter County Cooperative Extension office to benefit Sumter County 4-H. Tickets are $35 each, valid any regular operating day through Oct. 28, 2012. Cash only.

Empties for Cash: Bring your empty ink jet or laser toner cartridges to the Sumter County Extension Office to recycle to help the environment and benefit 4-H programming.












For more information
Email: sumter4h@uga.edu or call 229-924-4476

Join Us

Come join us as we celebrate Sumter County 4-H Agent, Keri Gandy Hobbs’s outstanding contributions to Sumter County 4-H. We wish her nothing but the best as she departs to serve as the Jackson County
4-H Agent.