Recent Posts

  • A 4th grade Asian girl holds a live chicken.

    For more than a century, 4-H has helped young people across Georgia build confidence, character, and competence through hands-on learning opportunities. In Forsyth County, youth continue to thrive through judging teams that offer real-world applications of science, agriculture, and critical life skills. Whether they are evaluating eggs and broilers or identifying native wildlife and analyzing…

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  • A black and gray snake, with its tongue sticking out

    As spring advances, I’ve heard and seen the return of many migratory birds. Bats are active as insects emerge from overwintering in the soil, leaflitter, rotting logs, hollow plant stems, and other hidey-holes. Frogs and toads are calling. The warmer temperatures also lure snakes from their tunnels, causing dismay for many people. Fear is a…

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  • This summer, Forsyth County 4-H is bringing excitement, education, and exploration to local youth through a series of unforgettable summer day camps that span across north Georgia—from the University of Georgia’s campus in Athens to the rivers of Dahlonega. Designed for students in 4th through 12th grades, these unique experiences are more than just fun—they…

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  • Your Money, Your Future

    A small glass cup filled with coins with a happy green sprout growing from it.

    As we enter graduation season, thousands of recent grads will enter the workforce. High school students from the eight high schools throughout Forsyth County and college graduates, both local and out-of-state, will collect their very first paycheck through summer jobs, paid internships or full-time employment. College graduates will be eager to find the fastest track…

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  • Brown and White eggs in a bucket.

    There’s a shortage of eggs in the U.S. and egg prices are high. Several factors contribute to higher prices for eggs, including: High demand – annual egg consumption in the U.S. is around 93 billion eggs.  Lower production – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks since 2022 reduced laying flocks by 8 percent, and Hurricane…

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  • Power equipment helps us complete lawn care tasks in less time and with less labor. Unfortunately, this convenience carries increased risk of injury to lawn mower operators, by-standers, and youthful “helpers.” Using data from 96 hospitals, the Consumer Product Safety Council’s 2018 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) report estimates that over 91,800 people in…

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  • Wildfires and weather

    Photo of fire consuming pine trees

    We tend to think of hazardous weather in terms of wind, snow, ice, rain, and floods. Dry weather can cause drought, which is bad news for lawns, crops, and occasionally waterway navigation. But dry weather can also set up the conditions for wildfires. This is why the weather app on my phone has sent a…

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  • Three elementary students have an up-close experience with a brown cow.

    Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County We believe every young person in 4-H has the potential to achieve something incredible. With the right support, hands-on learning, and a little encouragement, kids can tackle big challenges and chase their dreams. But today’s youth are facing hurdles inside and outside of the classroom. Anxiety and…

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  • Two rows of middle and high school students posing on a stage.

    Each year, students in 7th through 12th grade take part in a public speaking contest called Junior/Senior Project Achievement. To enter, they create a two-page Portfolio highlighting their work in a specific area, leadership activities, community service, and other achievements from the past year. This helps students gain valuable experience in writing resumes and prepares…

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  • An unopened juice box showing best before date.

    Checking expiration dates is second nature for many consumers, a routine part of deciding what’s safe to eat. But those dates often indicate peak quality rather than actual safety, leading people to throw away perfectly good food out of caution — wasting both meals and money in the process. Between 30% and 40% of the food…

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