Since 1974, the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals has recognized the outstanding support and personal involvement in Georgia 4-H programming efforts with the Friend of 4-H Award. Given to an individual, group of people, or business/organization, this award signifies important contributions in helping to fulfill the Georgia 4-H vision and mission. GAE4-HYDP solicits nominations annually from its members and votes on the recipient(s) each spring.
2025 Recipient: Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agriculture Center
Previous Winners Include
| Year | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agriculture Center |
| 2024 | UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources |
| 2023 | Gary Black Former Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture |
| 2022 | Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) |
| 2021 | Doris Belcher Retired 4-H Extension Agent |
| 2020 | George Lee Retired, 4-H Program Development Coordinator |
| 2019 | Don Bower FACS Professor Emeritus and Extension Specialist |
| 2018 | Governor Nathan Deal State of Georgia |
| 2017 | Ronnie Silcox Retired, UGA Animal and Dairy Science Professor |
| 2016 | Allen Nasworthy Fortson 4-H Center Director Beverly Sparks Director of CES; Associate Dean CAES |
| 2015 | Gale Cutler Georgia EMC |
| 2014 | Bo Ryles Retired, State 4-H Leader |
| 2013 | Gail Hanula UGA FACS Specialist Rep. Johnny Bulloch Georgia House of Representatives |
| 2012 | Wanda Barrs Chairwoman, State Board of Education |
| 2011 | Mike & Karen Garrett Retired, President, Georgia Power; 4-H Foundation |
| 2010 | Scott Angle Dean, CAES |
| 2009 | Horace Hamilton Kroger Cabin Campaign |
| 2008 | Rep. Bob Smith Georgia House of Representatives Jim & Renee Williamson Saint Simons Island Donors |
| 2007 | Bill Edwards Associate State 4-H Leader |
| 2006 | Mel Garber Director of CES; Associate Dean CAES Robert & Maxine Burton Burton 4-H Center Benefactors |
| 2005 | Paul Wood President and CEO, Georgia EMC |
| 2004 | Robert & Regena Whitaker Founders, Camp Fortson Wayne Dollar President, Georgia Farm Buraau |
| 2003 | Rep. Richard Royal Georgia House of Representatives |
| 2002 | Herman Talmadge Family |
| 2001 | Lt. Gov. Mark F. Taylor State of Georgia |
| 2000 | Frank Carter Georgia 4-H Foundation Trustee |
| 1999 | Pat Barkaloo Tift County Extension Agent Rep. Ann Purcell Georgia House of Representatives Rep. Billy Ray Georgia House of Representatives |
| 1998 | Thomas F. Rodgers State 4-H Leader |
| 1997 | Wayne Shackelford Commissioner, GA Department of Transportation |
| 1996 | Six Flags Over Georgia |
| 1995 | Charles Inman Georgia State Fair |
| 1994 | Edmund Taylor Gas, Inc. Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees |
| 1993 | Mort Ewing President, Georgia Farm Bureau |
| 1992 | Rep. Frank E. Stancil Georgia House of Representatives |
| 1991 | Harold Darden Associate State 4-H Leader Martha H. Jones State Home Economics Leader, State 4-H Staff Tommy Walton State 4-H Leader |
| 1990 | Oglethorpe Power Corporation |
| 1989 | Edgar Rhodes Chairman, Board of Regents |
| 1988 | Tom Murphy Speaker of the House |
| 1987 | Margy De George Georgia Power |
| 1986 | Rep. Charles Allen |
| 1985 | Olin Ginn Georgia Power Nat Harrison Coca-Cola Frank Bunch Chevron |
| 1984 | Fred Greer Citizens & Southern Bank; 4-H Foundation Trustee |
| 1983 | Frances Tegeder Atlanta Gas Light |
| 1982 | Para Lee Brock The 4-H Hour |
| 1981 | Georgia Power |
| 1980 | Georgia Bankers Association |
| 1979 | Bobby Carroll Georgia House of Representatives |
| 1978 | Charles Kent Chairman, Association of County Commissioners |
| 1977 | Julius Benton Savannah Sugar |
| 1976 | Georgia Association of Superintendents |
| 1975 | No Award |
| 1974 | Pat Lahatte Atlanta Journal |
