Recent Posts
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As the calendar turns to October, green clovers begin to pop up in storefronts, schools, and community centers across the country. That’s because October 5–11, 2025, marks National 4-H Week, a time dedicated to celebrating the impact of the nation’s largest youth development program. This year’s theme, Beyond Ready, emphasizes how 4-H equips young people…
Posted in: 4-H -
Originally crossbred to improve honeybee health in Brazil, Africanized honeybees instead became incredibly defensive. They were accidentally released in the 1950s, and the so-called “killer bees” were spotted in the U.S. in the mid-1980s, creating panic across the southern states. There have been new sightings of the bees in the Southeast, but are they really…
Posted in: ANR -
The new school year is in full swing. Have you found yourself in a rut sending the same packed lunches day after day? Figuring out creative, healthy ideas to pack for lunch can be challenging. We can get into a routine of sandwiches, chips and some fruit. A turkey sandwich, baked potato chips, and some…
Posted in: FACS -
Every Summer, 4-H participants dive into intensive study sessions starting in July to prepare for the District Forestry Field Day competition. The contest is divided into Junior and Senior divisions, with younger students learning to identify 44 tree species, 17 timber pest insects, and 14 common diseases. They also develop skills like pacing to estimate…
Posted in: 4-H -
Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County The weather is cooling off, and many of us have outdoor activities on our minds. Fall is a beautiful time of year for exploring our local parks, hiking trails, and visiting community green spaces. However, for some people, enjoying the outdoors is not as simple as lacing…
Posted in: 4-H -
Heather N. Kolich, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County Sometimes, I walk through a store and just shake my head. In July, Halloween merchandise filled the center aisles of local shops. Before Labor Day, Christmas items took over entire store sections. Do we really need to prepare for the next season months in advance? When…
Posted in: ANR -
Mental health conditions have been on the rise since the pandemic (XX). One out of five adults in the U.S. has one or more forms of mental illness. Depression and anxiety are the most common conditions, and links have been found between these conditions and healthy diets. Many people look to trendy supplements and shakes…
Posted in: FACS -
Stories like Mackenzie’s show how powerful a caring adult can be in a young person’s life. Research proves it too. Youth with supportive mentors often do better in school, feel more confident, and dream bigger about their future (Raposa et al., 2019). These gains may seem small on paper, but in real life they mean…
Posted in: 4-H -
School is back in session and autumn is only a few weeks away. If you have a warm-season lawn, now is the time to get it ready for winter. Proper care in late summer and early fall helps bermudagrass, centipedegrass, and zoysiagrass lawns enter dormancy at the appropriate time, protects against cold injury, prevents winter…
Posted in: ANR -
Relishes and pickles are a great way to enjoy the bountiful array of fruits and vegetables long after the summer growing season is over. Pickled products are not just for cucumbers anymore and add a tang of flavor to meals and snacks. Peaches, chow-chow, okra, hot peppers, and green beans can be pickled for a…
Posted in: FACS