Agriculture and Natural Resources
From Pesticide Education to Livestock Programs
Farmers across the county rely on the use of pesticides to be able to effectively produce row crops, forages or other types of agricultural products. Some pesticides are labeled as a restricted use product that requires a pesticide license to buy and apply. These licenses are issued by the Ga Department of Agriculture and require a certain number of Continuing Educational Units (CEU) to be renewed. Travis taught a 1-hour course for thirty-four participants about pesticide use and factors that contribute to the effectiveness of pesticide applications. It is important that pesticides are being applied following label directions to make sure the product stays on target and has maximum effect.
Travis teamed up with the Hart and Franklin County agents to put on a joint meeting where he presented the same 1-hour pesticide course for seventeen participants.
Travis has also been active helping with the livestock judging team and livestock shows that have been going on this past fall showing season.
Family and Consumer Sciences
During the third quarter of 2025, Family and Consumer Sciences programming in Madison County focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, improving food safety knowledge, and building community engagement through a variety of educational programs and outreach events.
Food Safety Education
A three-part Food Safety Series was offered at the Madison County Senior Center. Participants learned about safe food handling practices, proper cooking and storage temperatures, and consumer food safety at home. These sessions helped older adults gain confidence in preventing foodborne illness and maintaining kitchen safety.
Health and Wellness – Lunch and Learn Series
A Lunch and Learn session was held at the Madison County Government Complex, focusing on strategies for lowering cholesterol and improving heart health. Participants also received blood pressure checks, supporting their awareness of cardiovascular health.
Community Outreach – Back to School Rally
FACS Extension hosted an educational table at the Madison County Back to School Rally, engaging with more than 300 community members. Reusable water bottles were distributed to promote hydration and healthy habits as families prepared for the new school year.
Youth Development – 4-H Healthy Living Day Camp
In collaboration with 4-H, I led a Healthy Living Day Camp where youth learned hands-on skills for cooking healthy meals at home. Campers prepared rainbow pizzas while learning about the importance of including colorful fruits and vegetables in their diets.
Food Preservation Education
A Food Preservation Class was offered to teach the basics of safe home canning. Participants learned proper food preservation techniques and prepared apple preserves as a hands-on activity.
Walking for Wellness Program Launch
IThis quarter marked the start of the Walking for Wellness program, an 8-week community walking series held at the Madison County Recreation Department. The program encourages physical activity, wellness, and social connection by providing a supportive group environment for participants to walk together and stay accountable to their health goals.
4-H and Youth Development
Madison County 4-H: Where Fun Meets Leadership!
Overview of last quarter’s 4-H Programming
During the third quarter of 2025, Madison County 4-H provided a variety of educational, leadership, and service opportunities for youth and adult volunteers. Programs aligned with Georgia 4-H’s mission to empower youth to reach their full potential through hands-on learning experiences that build leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
Between July and September, more than 600 youth and adult participants were engaged through summer camps, competitive events, school programming, and community service initiatives.
Summer Camping Program
Senior 4-H Camp – Camp Jekyll
June 30 – July 4 | 3 youth, 1 adult
Senior Camp offers high school members a week of coastal exploration, leadership activities, and marine science education at the Camp Jekyll 4-H Center. Madison County participants gained leadership experience and participated in environmental education classes focused on Georgia’s coastal ecosystems.
Cloverleaf 4-H Camp – Rock Eagle 4-H Center
July 7 – 11 | 24 youth, 1 teen leader, 2 adults
Cloverleaf Camp serves 4th–6th grade members and provides educational and recreational activities designed to foster teamwork and self-confidence. Campers participated in canoeing, archery, nature study, and group leadership activities at the 1,400-acre Rock Eagle 4-H Center, one of the largest 4-H facilities in the nation.
Leadership and Community Outreach
Back to School Rally Supply Packing – July 21 | 8 youth, 2 adults
4-H members assisted in assembling school supplies for local students, demonstrating community service and civic engagement.
New Teacher Breakfast – July 28 | 7 youth, 2 adults
Volunteers assisted in welcoming new Madison County educators by serving breakfast and providing hospitality on behalf of the 4-H program.
Lake Tailgate Community Event – July 28 | 5 youth, 1 adult
4-H members participated in community outreach, representing the program and sharing information about upcoming opportunities.
Educational Day Camps
Agriculture Day Camp – July 15 | 2 youth, 3 adults
Participants explored agricultural concepts and careers through hands-on learning experiences that highlighted the importance of Georgia’s agricultural industry.
Healthy Living Day Camp – July 16 | 5 youth, 2 adults
This program promoted nutrition, fitness, and wellness through interactive lessons supporting Georgia 4-H’s Healthy Living initiative.
Camp District Project Achievement (DPA) – July 18 | 5 youth, 3 adults
Youth developed and presented projects in various subject areas to strengthen communication, public speaking, and research skills—core components of Georgia 4-H’s leadership development framework.
Competitions and State Events
State 4-H Congress – July 22–25 | 2 youth, 1 adult
Madison County representatives attended Georgia 4-H’s premier leadership and recognition event, where youth showcased project achievements and participated in workshops and state-level activities.
Food Challenge Practices – July 29 – September 19 | 9 youth, 3–4 adults
Teams met regularly to develop culinary and food science skills in preparation for state competition. Emphasis was placed on teamwork, nutrition education, and time management.
Food Showcase – September 20 | 9 youth, 3 adults
- Senior Team: 1st Place – Earned Master 4-H’er recognition
- Junior Team: 3rd Place Finish
- This competition challenged teams to prepare and present a dish using a set of mystery ingredients. Madison County’s first-place win represented a major achievement in the Healthy Living program area.
AgTech Training – September 10–11 | 4 youth, 2 adults
Participants attended statewide training to explore agricultural technology innovations and STEM applications in modern agriculture.
Mission Make-It – September 13 | 2 youth, 1 adult
This STEM-focused event encouraged problem-solving and design thinking through hands-on challenges in technology and engineering.
Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging Practices – September 4 – October 30 | 7 youth, 2–3 adults
Teams began preparing for fall judging contests emphasizing consumer decision-making, financial literacy, and communication skills.
School and Club Programming
4-H Kickoff & Parent Orientation – September 2 | 7 youth, 4 adults
The annual kickoff meeting introduced families to upcoming 4-H activities and provided information on volunteer opportunities and project enrollment.
Homeschool Club Meetings
- August: 29 participants
- September: 9 participants
5th–12th Grade Club Meetings
- August: 299 participants
- September: 272 participants
Monthly meetings delivered standards-based programming in leadership, communication, and civic engagement, ensuring continued youth involvement throughout the school year.
Madison County 4-H continues to offer diverse and meaningful opportunities for youth development and community involvement, setting a strong foundation for continued success!
