Our Impact
Making A Difference in Our County in 2024
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working hard for its constituents. The following are examples of Extension’s impact in the county over the past year.
Ag and Natural Resources? ? ?|? ? ?Family and Consumer Sciences? ? |? ? ?4-H Youth Development?
Ag and Natural Resources provided data from our CoCoRaHS rain gauge to Georgia state legislators following Tropical Storm Debby. Multiple farmers and landowners utilized ANR for drone damage assessments after both Debby and Hurricane Helene, confirming losses to insurance companies.
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FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Summary
Food Safety is an issue that concerns us all;? the individual consumer and the ?food service industry at large.? Knowing how to handle food safely is invaluable for decreasing the likelihood of sickness and also reducing loss of revenue and reputation due to foodborne illness.? To raise awareness of the importance of food safety in Lanier and surrounding counties, a major focus of my programming is devoted to food safety.
Situation
Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick by consuming contaminated food or beverages.? The CDC estimates that 48 million people every year get sick from a foodborne illness (or food poisoning), 128 000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die.? Lanier County alone has over 100 food service establishments.? Hospitals employ food service workers to prepare wholesome and safe meals to the most vulnerable in the population.? Churches are taking the charge to help others who are having issues with food security and need to know food safety principles in order to keep food safe.
Response
The ServSafe Manager Certification addresses ways to ensure establishments provide safe for to the citizens of Georgia.? After receiving certification as an instructor/proctor of ServSafe Manager and Food Handler programs in April 2024,? to date,? two ServSafe Manager certification courses have been taught and one Food Handler certification course was given to 5 hospital food service workers in Clinch County.? Two newspaper articles for the community newspaper and two monthly newsletters have been dedicated to the food safety topic.? In order to be as versatile and to give as many options as possible, the 成人影院 Extension Food Safety program is also available for programming.?? In collaboration with Family Connection, I am involved with a Food Security Grant,? in which the local food distribution center in Valdosta ?is a part of.? I am in the process of connecting with churches to provide food safety programs to those helping to distribute food safely to those in need across the South Georgia area.
Results
Four people have received their ServSafe Manager’s certification and five have received their ServSafe Food Handler Certification.? The reasons for desiring certification have been varied, but to be a part of someone’s larger vision and goals and to help them realize those goals has been rewarding and empowering.? ?Also to be a part of helping to take care of those who need food security by providing food safety instruction is very rewarding and empowering as well.? My impact will continue to grow as time goes on.
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4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
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Summary
In an effort to re-start the Lanier County 4-H program, attending trainings, consulting with PDC and Mentors, community outreach and fostering school relations has helped regenerate the participation of the program and create opportunities for new programs such as homeschooled youth club meetings and Young Engineers Club, as well as the Shotgun Team program.
Situation
Lanier County youth that are homeschooled do not have the benefit of a 4-H agent visiting their classroom to provide valuable educational lessons and 4-H activity opportunities.? ?Participation in all programs decreased during the vacancy of an Agent to head these activities.?
Response
Lanier County 4-H Agent, Grace Lawson, scheduled a 4-H Homeschool Club meeting at the Lanier County Extension Office activity room.? Only three students attended, but the parents had a very positive response and advised they would spread the word to the Lanier County homeschool community.? The club is scheduled to meet monthly students can participate in all that Lanier County 4-H offers.? ??
Impact
The Lanier County 4-H Homeschool Club is just beginning, but has the potential to grow and reach Lanier County youth that may be isolated and uninvolved in the community.? These youth will have the opportunity to participate in club meetings,? Summer and specialty camps, community service activities, fundraising,? judging teams, and SAFE teams, which has more than doubled? since? the previous season.? Lanier County 4-H’s goal is to provide positive youth development to all eligible Lanier County youth.