Opinion: "Let’s fight for 4-H"

By PEGGY KING 

UGA has proposed the unthinkable. The University is considering the complete elimination of the 4-H program. For 100 years, Georgia young people have been learning leadership and countless other skills through their 4-H projects.

Now UGA wants to take all that away from the state’s youth. Georgia has one of the strongest 4-H programs in the nation, Sandra McKinney, Crisp Family & Consumer Science agent says, and “Crisp County has one of the strongest programs in the state.Many adults and youth in the local community have fond memories of their 4-H experiences and will tell anyone that 4-H has helped shape their lives.

“This came as a complete surprise to us. We are shocked.”

Not only is UGA suggesting the dissolution of the 4-H program, but it also proposes to sell five 4-H facilities in the state including Rock Eagle. This indicates that there are no plans to re-instate the program when the economy improves.

Our young people have so many negative influences in their lives today. 4-H is a positive influence that is worth fighting for.

While this proposal has gotten no further than the University at the present time, it is our legislators who ultimately will decide what gets cut fromthe state budget.

We encourage everyone in the tri-county area to let their state senators and representatives know that they strongly oppose the complete elimination of 4-H.

The names and telephone numbers of those leaders appear at the bottom of this page.

If you have any ties to UGA, you may also want to contact the University, and let the Board of Regents know how you feel.

Let’s not allow a state institution like 4-H to disappear.