A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

William H. Booth Award

Each year, along with the Georgia Electric Membership Corpor­ation (EMC), GAE4-HYDP presents the William H. Booth Award. The award recognizes outstanding Georgia extension agents working in the 4-H program. It is an honor to acknowledge both peer recognition and career achievement.

William (Bill) Booth was a rural electric pioneer who was a charter member of the board of directors and general manager of Jackson EMC in Jefferson, Ga. It was Booth who first suggested that Georgia’s 41 EMCs take a hand in sponsoring statewide 4-H and youth events. Each district elects one GAE4-HYDP member with 7+ years experience to be the district nominee.  Nominees complete a rigorous application and interview process, and the state winner is named each year at State 4-H Congress in July.  GAE4-HYDP established guidelines for awarding the William H. Booth Award on an annual basis.

2025 Recipient: Sonya Jones, Pulaski County

(L-R) Melanie Biersmith, State 4-H Leader; Sonya Jones, Booth Award Recipient; Andy Paul, Georgia Farm Bureau

Previous Winners Include

YearRecipient
2025Sonya Jones
2024Patrick Willis
2023Cindy Meadows
2022Sheila Marchant
2021Kevin Tatum
2020Cheryl Poppell
2019Brandi McGonagill
2018Kate Whiting
2017Stephanie Myers
2016Cherry Hovatter
2015Dorothea Graham
2014Shirley Williamson
2013Zona Medley
2012Deron Rehberg
2011
Ann Wildes
2010Jennifer Grogan
2009Rebecca Thomas
2008Melinda Miller
2007Sandra McKinney
2006Lynn Youngblood
2005Jule-Lynne Macie
2004Judy Ashley
2003Phil Torrance
2002Teresa Harvey
2001
Diane Sumner
2000
Kathy Baldwin
1999Connie Page
1998Clyde Taylor
1997Susan Branan
1996Sally Black
1995Ginny Atkins
1994Rachel Guthrie
1993Helen Barrett
1992Lorraine Payne
1991Marilyn Poole
1990Diane Moore
1989Emma Thornton
1988Beth Epling
1987Mary H. White
1986Doris Belcher
1985Dawn Perry
1984Barbara Carter
1983Irene DuBose
1982Jeanette Brooks
1981Patt Bell
1980Pat Barkuloo
1979Gene Anderson