Recent Posts

  • 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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  • The flower of common purslane

    When it comes to lawn weeds, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Weed prevention is what pre-emergence herbicide products do, but effectiveness of any herbicide product depends on several factors, including the timeliness of the application, the type of weed, and the species of turfgrass in your lawn. When to apply…

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  • A group of 16 4th-6th grade students and two adult leaders.

    Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety and can range from slight nervousness to panic. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health, 75% of people fear public speaking more than death. However, as youth prepare to enter the workforce, public speaking is an essential skill that they need in…

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  • A large tree and root ball being lowered into a hole

    Arbor Day is a national event of over 150 years’ standing. It originated in Nebraska in 1872, where pioneers arriving and settling in the treeless plains and prairies of Nebraska participated in an April event that resulted in the planting of over one million trees. The pioneers needed trees for lumber and fence posts, windbreaks…

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  • A small bright red bird is perched on a snowy branch

    To all our nature lovers, I’m issuing a challenge: Help us double Forsyth County’s participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count this February. Why count birds? Birds are fun to watch and make a nice addition of color, sound, and motions to our yards, but what’s the point of counting them? Monitoring birds can tell…

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  • An 8th grade male archer has just shot at the target

    The Georgia 4-H Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting, Awareness, Fun, and Education) Program continues to hit the bullseye with its impactful shooting sports program. On January 18, 2025, 761 archers from across the state gathered at the McGill Building on the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry to compete in the Georgia 4-H State Indoor Archery Match. This…

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  • A 4th grade student his holding a deer skull and antlers.

    Calling all young nature enthusiasts and future agricultural experts! Forsyth County 4-H is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Wildlife and Poultry Judging programs, offering an exciting opportunity for 4th-12th grade students to dive into hands-on learning this spring.

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