Coronavirus disrupts 4-H events, office operations

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator

Last week, Governor Kemp extended the state's public school closure through Friday, April 24. That being said, Georgia 4-H has also had to cancel or postpone many of our 4-H events such as target sports competitions, poultry judging contests, Junior and Senior 4-H Spring Conferences, and so on. 

Even though life must go on, 4-H has many online activities for kids. My coworkers around the state have been busy putting together education opportunities that 4-H'ers (and even non-4-H'ers can enjoy). We have also been holding 4-H meetings with our older 4-H members through the internet. It's amazing what you can accomplish with modern technology.

Our staff encourages everyone to stay home, wash your paws (hands) frequently, avoid gatherings of people (10 or more), and let's put this virus behind us.

Our office is closed to the public, but we have staff members who are manning the office and answering phone calls. We are still receiving some lab samples at this time, but due to limited staff at the labs in Athens, there are limitations as to what can be sent. Basic water and soil tests are still being run at this time. Our County Agricultural Agent, John McLemore, is still making farm visits as needed as well, but please practice safe social distancing practices in these situations such as no shaking hands, stay 6 feet or more apart, etc.

If there is something our office can assist you with, please contact us at (912) 384-1402. We will be glad to assist if at all possible.

Fun Recipe

Here's another easy recipe by UGA Extension's SNAP-Ed program. The list of ingredients includes two and one half cups strawberries, one and one half cups of nonfat plain yogurt, two tablespoons honey, and one tablespoon lemon juice. (Can use frozen berries in place of fresh strawberries.) Blend ingredients together in a blender, pour into popsicles molds or paper cups and use wooden or plastic sticks for the handle. Place in freezer until frozen. (Helpful trick: use a soda straw and push up through the tip of the strawberry to quickly remove the stem.)

More fun recipes that our 7th and 8th grade 4-H members use for food labs at District Project Achievement (DPA) can be found at https://georgia4h.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Recipes.pdf.

Leadership in Action

Junior and Senior 4-H members who have carried out a Leadership in Action project this year need to start work on their award application. The applications for Leadership in Action are due on-line by 5 PM on April 3 (this Friday). Senior 4-H members submitting for the state level awards will need to take part in an interview which, at this time, is scheduled to be held in Statesboro on Tuesday, April 14. Please contact the 4-H office for more information about the Leadership in Action Awards.

Dairy Poster Contest

The theme for this year's Dairy Poster Contest is "The Art of Dairy." Posters can be 14" x 22" and prizes of gift cards are given for each age division (Cloverleaf, Junior, & Senior). Gift cards are $100 for 1st, $75 for 2nd, and $50 for 3rd. Poster entries are due in the Coffee County Extension office by 4 PM on Friday, April 24.

Spring Conference

The Georgia 4-H Statewide Senior 4-H Conference (aka 4-H Prom) scheduled to be held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center on April 4-5 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. 4-H members who have paid their registration fee will receive a full refund. 

Can Tabs

Everyone is encouraged to collect can tabs off aluminum cans to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities project. These can tabs help provide money to the Ronald McDonald House for their operating fees.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities offer free or low cost housing and meals to families of children receiving medical attention at larger hospitals in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah. By donating can tabs, you are helping to provide housing and meals for families who are burdened by hospital bills and do not need the extra burden of housing and meals for the family staying at the hospital. Hopefully you will never have to use the Ronald McDonald House, but it is great that it is there in case you should ever need it.

Please continue collecting can tabs through the current COVID-19 crisis and bring them to the Extension (4-H) office after social distancing restrictions have been lifted.

If you would like to learn how you can become more involved with the Coffee County 4-H program, please contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402 or visit our website at http://coffee4h.org.