CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 02/07/23

Gordon County 4-H’er selected as National Ambassador for 4-H Tech Changemakers

By Josie Smith
Hannah Jones smiles in a headshot while wearing a green 4-H blazer
Gordon County 4-H’er Hannah Jones has been selected as a National Ambassador for 4-H Tech Changemakers. This is the third year in a row that Georgia 4-H has been represented in this role. (Photo by Josie Smith)

Hannah Jones, high school junior from Gordon County, has been chosen as one of three national spokespeople for the 4-H Tech Changemakers initiative.

Through the 4-H Tech Changemakers program, 4-H teens teach digital skills to adults to help bridge the digital divide and create economic opportunities. Jones will play a key role in creating awareness for the program’s mission and increasing support for its efforts.

Teen leaders in the program, known as Tech Changemakers, facilitate hands-on workshops for adults with a focus on workforce-related technology. These short courses and events provide practical solutions to increase digital skills and knowledge while creating a connection between generations.

Jones has been a Tech Changemaker in Gordon County since 2018 when Georgia began participating in the grant. Last year, she helped her county reach over 440 adult participants. The 2021-22 statewide cohort surpassed previous record impact numbers by reaching 5,488 adults during the program year, working cooperatively to conduct needs-driven educational programming.

As a national ambassador, Jones will represent National 4-H and Georgia 4-H through multi-platform media engagement, including an upcoming radio tour with RFD-TV. This year-long appointment will allow her to share the core values of Tech Changemakers with widespread audiences.

“Hannah is a gifted young woman with an extraordinary capacity to turn great ideas into tremendous impact,” said Kyra Wharton, National 4-H Council specialist for the Ambassador program. “She is an exceptional communicator who has created meaningful opportunities as a 4-H Tech Changemaker. I look forward to watching her shine as a National Ambassador.” 

Jones is a member of the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors and was elected by her peers as the Northwest District representative. She has been an active 4-H’er since fifth grade and has earned Master 4-H’er status as a state winner in the Workforce Preparation and Career Development project area.

“Hannah has been a leader in our county for years and now she helps train youth at state and regional conferences,” said Allie Griner, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H agent in Gordon County. “She is passionate about Tech Changemakers.”

Beyond 4-H, Jones is involved with the Student Government Association at Gordon County High School and plays varsity tennis.

Jones is the third national Tech Changemakers ambassador chosen from Georgia. Jenna Dekich from Catoosa County served during the 2022 grant cycle and Emily Momberg from Catoosa County served in the 2021 grant cycle.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 225,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about Georgia 4-H, contact your local UGA Extension office or visit georgia4h.org.

Josie Smith is the public relations coordinator for Georgia 4-H.

Authors:
Josie Smith
Experts/Sources:
Allie Griner
Seth McAllister and farmer Mark Daniel discuss crop production and agritourism. CAES News
UGA Extension supports agritourism through expert advice and collaboration 10/24/24 Emily Cabrera
On a sunny day with bright-blue skies, I arrive at Mark’s Melon Patch in Sasser, Georgia, and immediately spot the familiar white University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pickup truck, the Terrell County Extension logo prominently displayed on the door. Seth McAllister, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Terrell County, greets me with a broad grin and a firm handshake. Terrell County alone has 60,000 acres of row crops, half in cotton. But what McAllister loves most about his role as an Extension agent is the diversity of his work.
Ropes course at Georgia 4-H camp CAES News
Campers create lasting memories of summer at Georgia's 4-H centers 10/07/24 Josie Smith
By the end of his first week at 4-H summer camp, fifth grader Cooper Hardy already had many memories of new and exciting experiences. “That was the first time I got in a canoe,” Hardy said. “It was a big deal for me.” Now, 10 years later, Hardy serves as a Georgia 4-H camp counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia. It’s a dream he’s held since the first time he set foot on the sprawling, wooded 1,500-acre campus as a camper.
Caroline Hinton is the director of experiential learning for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. (Photo by Peter Frey/UGA) CAES News
Director of experiential learning herds students toward new fields of education 10/02/24 Averi Caldwell
Caroline Hinton wants to foster a love of learning for all students who walk through her door. As the director of experiential learning for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Hinton helps students connect with their fields of study outside of the classroom. “I find joy and excitement in getting to watch students experience different parts of agriculture and find a place in our state’s own agriculture industry,” she said.
The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel saw some damage from the winds and rain of Hurricane Helene. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA) CAES News
UGA weathers Hurricane Helene 09/27/24
The University of Georgia’s main campus was fortunate to emerge relatively unscathed after Hurricane Helene barreled through the state early Friday morning. However, the impact was more significant at our extended campus locations. While the UGA Griffin campus reported no major damage, UGA-Tifton was hit much harder, with dozens of downed trees and power outages, as well as flooding in several buildings. Damage to farm operations across south Georgia appears to be extensive.
Honorees at the 2024 State 4-H Congress included 4-H Green Jacket Award winner Jay Morgan, Master 4-H’er Vidhi Patel, Warnell Associate Dean for Outreach Nick Fuhrman for Warnell accepting the Friend of 4-H Award on behalf of the college, Georgia 4-H State President Kingston Ryals, William H. Booth Award winner Patrick Willis, and Ryles Rising Star Award Laura Mirarchi. CAES News
Outstanding youth, supportive adults celebrated at Georgia 4-H State Congress 08/14/24 Josie Smith
Accomplished 4-H youth and the adults who empower them gathered at the 81st Georgia 4-H State Congress in Atlanta July 23-26. The weeklong event for top 4-H’ers features state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action competitions and recognizes youth development professionals and community supporters contributing to the success of 4-H in Georgia. More than 200 youth delegates competed in 50 Project Achievement areas and eight youth delegates competed in the Leadership in Action contest during annual event.
Local 4-H students helped install more than 500 plants in the 400-square-foot plot below the mural. (Photo by Sara Ingram) CAES News
Public art helping to revive rural communities 07/26/24 Margaret Blanchard
In Buena Vista, a vibrant mural at the corner of North Broad Street and Fifth Avenue catches the eyes of passers-by with its bright blue border. Funded by Flint Energies, the mural tells the story of the longleaf pine forests that once dominated Marion County and the turpentine industry, flora and fauna that the trees supported — from gopher tortoises to bobwhite quail.