Published on 01/12/22

Rock Eagle 4-H Center to make critical facility improvements as recipient of Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund

By Josie Smith

Rock Eagle 4-H Center entrance — The $2.2 million in state funding “will support vitally needed improvements to the facility to increase safety and expand learning experience opportunities,” according to a press release from the governor's office. (Photo by UGA)

Rock Eagle 4-H Center was announced as a recipient of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER II) in a press release from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office on Jan. 10. The release stated that the $2.2 million in funding “will support vitally needed improvements to the facility to increase safety and expand learning experience opportunities.”

Georgia 4-H, part of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, will use this critical funding to make improvements to the largest 4-H facility in Georgia. Rock Eagle 4-H Center serves as an important destination for youth as they experience hands-on education in a variety of areas including leadership, communication skills, healthy living, civic engagement, workforce development and agricultural and environmental sciences.

Including Rock Eagle 4-H Center, six 4-H facilities across Georgia collectively serve over 100,000 guests in a typical year.

“The ability to use funds like GEER II, especially following the many impacts of COVID-19, is appreciated and essential in keeping our facilities safe and up-to-date,” said Melanie Biersmith, associate 4-H leader for facilities and residential programs. “We look forward to stewarding these funds to keep this important facility open and continue to impact the lives of Georgians.”

As GEER II funds are released to UGA, Georgia 4-H will work with UGA’s Office of University Architects to implement the approved plans for improvement.

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 in a typical year through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, including information on how to reserve the center for educational opportunities with groups and organizations, visit rockeagle4h.org.

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

Authors:

Josie Smith

Experts/Sources:

Arch D. Smith

Georgia Simmons at the office of U.S. Sen. Warnock

CAES News

Georgia 4-H alum, CAES student spends semester serving at the nation's Capitol 12/03/24 Josie Smith, Cooper Hardy

Third-year University of Georgia student and Banks County 4-H alum Georgia Simmons has been in the center of the political action this fall with the Georgia 4-H Washington DC Intern Program. Simmons, an environmental resource science major in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, works in the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. As an intern on his staff, she interacts directly with policy experts and lawmakers, participating in the legislative process while earning a semester of credit hours.

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.

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.