ATLANTA- Twelve Spalding County 4-H’ers joined more than 400 4-H youth, leaders, and volunteers from across the state for 4-H Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 1, in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants from Spalding County included: Jhaycee Barnes, Deron Brown, Baily Champion, Kaylee Collins, Isaac Daugherty, Mark Dover, Jalen Favors, Shelby Lane, Alyssa Laud, Jabri Nash, Marcoyia Sutton, and Korre Trimble.

4-H’ers visited the Georgia State Capitol to meet with their representatives and senators, tour the capitol building, and observe the legislative process. State 4-H President Mason McClintock of Bacon County addressed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly, thanking them for their continued support of 4-H and pledging Georgia 4-H’s commitment to work to improve Georgia’s communities. “Getting personally involved with government and the democratic process are essential steps to becoming an engaged citizen,” said Rebecca Heard, Spalding County 4-H Agent with the University of Georgia Extension program. “I’m so excited we were able to provide our 4-H’ers with an opportunity to engage in our participatory democracy to better understand the value of their voices and beliefs.”

Following the Capitol tour and visit, 4-H’ers enjoyed a luncheon sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. The Honorable Governor Nathan Deal, First Lady Sandra Deal, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, and Dr. Sam Pardue, Dean and Director of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, encouraged the 4-H’ers to continue serving their counties and communities though 4-H participation.

Resolutions in the House and Senate recognized several 4-H members for their outstanding achievements in leadership and citizenship, as well as 4-H’ers who have excelled in contests at the national level. The day’s activities concluded with a picture of the entire delegation with a number of representatives and senators. Georgia 4-H thanks Georgia’s leaders for their warm welcome and continued support of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Extension, and Georgia 4-H.

For information on getting involved in Spalding County 4-H, please contact the County Extension Office at (770)-467-4225.