4-H

(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

Fewer young farmers could threaten industry

Makenna Reavis and Jacob Harper
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
For Travis Legg, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s a legacy.  Legg is a third-generation farmer who lives in Smithonia, where he has been producing cattle, poultry and hay since 1995, but he was introduced to the industry by his grandfather and dad.
Naomi McPeake (from left), Montana Barner and Abigail Whitney competed at the 4-H State Congress in Atlanta last month. McPeake was recognized as a Master 4-H’er and Whitney was second in her category. (Submitted Photo)

Naomi McPeake (from left), Montana Barner and Abigail Whitney competed at the 4-H State Congress in Atlanta last month. McPeake was recognized as a Master 4-H’er and Whitney was second in her category. (Submitted Photo)

Local Roundup: McPeake, Whitney, Barner shine at 4-H State Congress

News Staff
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Naomi McPeake was recognized as a Master 4-H’er and Abigail Whitney finished second in the Dairy Project at the 82nd annual 4-H State Congress in Atlanta in July.  McPeake had been awarded Showmanship Champion at the State Livestock Show in Perry, Georgia.
Xander Buska (from left) and Demarco Martinez, who are fifth-graders, and Jameson Duke, a sixth-grader, complete the live bird judging portion of the Area Poultry Judging Competition at the Oglethorpe County Extension Office on April 24. Their skills in handling the birds help them evaluate egg production traits, among other factors. (Photo/Lilly Stone)

Xander Buska (from left) and Demarco Martinez, who are fifth-graders, and Jameson Duke, a sixth-grader, complete the live bird judging portion of the Area Poultry Judging Competition at the Oglethorpe County Extension Office on April 24. Their skills in handling the birds help them evaluate egg production traits, among other factors. (Photo/Lilly Stone)

Eyes on the poultry prize: Youth put skills to the test

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
When some students begin their involvement with the poultry judging team, birds are already a part of their lives. For others, it comes later, in unexpected ways.
Marcus Eason, Oglethorpe County 4-H youth program director, holds a football to demonstrate where to measure and identify features on a live bird during poultry judging practice. The 4-H office hasn’t been able to secure live birds for practice due to avian flu. (Photo/Lilly Stone))

Marcus Eason, Oglethorpe County 4-H youth program director, holds a football to demonstrate where to measure and identify features on a live bird during poultry judging practice. The 4-H office hasn’t been able to secure live birds for practice due to avian flu. (Photo/Lilly Stone))

Don’t fumble the chicken: Cost of eggs forces 4-H poultry team to use football, not fowl

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
There were no feathers scattered across the floor, and a familiar clucking was absent during poultry judging practice at the Oglethorpe County Extension Office last week.
The Commercial Bank CEO Mike Sale (middle), meets with 4-H Americorps volunteer Kayla Latimer (left) and Oglethorpe County 4-H Agent Marcus Eason (right) to present a donation check to Oglethorpe County 4-H. The Commercial Bank gave the donation to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local business. (Submitted Photo)

The Commercial Bank CEO Mike Sale (middle), meets with 4-H Americorps volunteer Kayla Latimer (left) and Oglethorpe County 4-H Agent Marcus Eason (right) to present a donation check to Oglethorpe County 4-H. The Commercial Bank gave the donation to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local business. (Submitted Photo)

Bank's donation leads to 4-H scholarship fund

Sarah Myers
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The cost for a child to attend 4-H summer camp is the highest it has ever been, but a new Oglethorpe County 4-H summer camp scholarship fund has been created to help.
Members of the Oglethorpe County 4-H Horse Club interact with horses during the group’s first meeting at Echo Hill Farm last month. (ANDREA GUTIERREZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Members of the Oglethorpe County 4-H Horse Club interact with horses during the group’s first meeting at Echo Hill Farm last month. (ANDREA GUTIERREZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Saddle up: Kids learn to ride horses in new program

Andrea Gutierrez
Monday, December 12, 2022
For Ruth Wilson, co-owner of Echo Hill Farm, practice makes perfect, and riding horses is no exception.