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Decatur County 4-H students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the July 19-22, 2022 prestigious 79th Annual State 4-H Congress. Representing the Southwest 4-H District and Decatur County were Rachel Hayes (Sheep and Meat Goats) and Thomas Neal (Outdoor Recreation). They joined with over 350 high school age students from 95 counties in Georgia to compete in the 4-H Project Achievement State Competition.

Project competitions took place all day Wednesday, July 20th, as Rachel and Thomas delivered 10-12 minute demonstrations to their respective judges. The 4-H’ers also met with judges for interviews about their portfolio of project work, leadership and service activities. The announcement of winners took place on Wednesday evening and Thomas Neal took 3rd place honors and Rachel Hayes placed 1st qualifying her as a “Master 4-H’er.” She was honored in the “Parade of Winners” at the Annual Banquet on Thursday evening. Fifty project winners and more than 80 special events winners entered the banquet room filled with over 700 youth, donors and administrators present for the banquet.

Other Congress activities included tours within the Atlanta area, interaction with 4-H donors and UGA administrators, and opportunities for youth to interact with 4-H’ers from all over the state. These Congress delegates come from all corners of Georgia, and the opportunity to meet and spend time in Georgia’s capital is a unique experience for many competitors.

Georgia 4-H Congress is the premiere competitive and recognition event for high school age Georgia 4-H’ers. Coordinated by the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Georgia 4-H program, the 4-H Congress is financially supported by donors and contributors to the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

For more information about this or any 4-H activity, contact the Decatur County Extension office at 248-3033 or uge4087@uga.edu.