UGA Extension - Banks County

03/13/2026

03/11/2026

Set a timer for 10 minutes, grab a drink, and sit on the same team for a few questions that keep you connected when life gets busy. This is not about fixing everything in one talk. It is about staying in touch before stress turns into distance. 🫂

Save this for your next date night (or a random Tuesday), and tag your person so you actually do it. What is the best time for a check-in for you two: mornings, after dinner, or Sunday nights? 📆

03/08/2026

This past weekend, 20 Banks County 4-H'ers competed in their projects at Junior/Senior Northeast District Project Achievement. Along with their presentations, competitors also submitted a portfolio to be judged detailing their 4-H and project involvement this year. We are so proud of the work they put in this past year to prepare for District Project Achievement!

Banks County 4-H was recognized for having the largest percentage of increase in participation (by 233%) and largest increase in participation (by 14 youth). Our program was awarded two gift certificates to use at any Northeast District Sponsored 4-H Event! 🎉

Our Junior Competitors were:
•Logan Ayers, Performing Arts Instrumental (5th Place)
•Draven Broome, Computer Information Technology & Data Science (2nd Place)
•Maddie Chandler, Performing Arts Dance (2nd Place)
•Joshton Haynes, Companion & Specialty Animals (1st Place)
•Lucy Hulsey, Cat Care (1st Place)
•Zoey Layfield, Performing Arts Dance (3rd Place)
•Madi Murray, Food Labs: Pizza (1st Place)
•Katelyn NGO, Safety (2nd Place)
•Frances Simpson, Food Labs: Better Breakfast (3rd Place)
•Millie Simpson, Arts (1st Place)
•Stanleigh Simpson, Workforce Preparation & Career Development (2nd Place)

Our Senior Competitors were:
•Kylie Ballenger, Workforce Preparation & Career Development
•Eden Bless, Performing Arts Drama (4th Place)
•Hunter Hook, History (4th Place)
•Zoie Kelly, Veterinary Science (2nd Place)
•Delilah Murray, Performing Arts Dance
•Fiona Rose, Food for Health & Sport (3rd Place)
•Elijah Thomason, Food Lab: Festive Foods for Health (1st Place)
•Emmaleigh Thomason, Health
•Katie Wofford, Health

🎓Banks County Senior, Zoie Kelly, received recognition on Saturday evening at the Graduating Senior Banquet where she received her 4-H graduation cords. We are so proud of Zoie and wish her the absolute best in her future endeavors!

🎉Banks County 9th grader, Eli Thomason, placed 1st in Festive Food for Health and will advance to State Congress this summer to compete again for Master 4-H status! Eli cooked Mexican Street Tacos and Mexican Street Corn for his project on Saturday! 🌮🌽

🌟Banks County 7th grader, Zoey Layfield, was selected to serve as a board member for Northeast District! Each year at DPA, Georgia 4-H holds elections for Junior and Senior District Boards. Students develop a campaign strategy, run for office during DPA weekend. Zoey will represent Banks County and Northeast District at conferences, meetings, and events! We are so proud of you Zoey! Shout out to 4-H Educator, Ms. Madison, for helping prepare Zoey for campaigning!

We are so proud of this wonderful group of 4-H'ers! 🍀

03/06/2026

Help us wish our Banks County 4-H Junior and Senior competitors 🍀GOOD LUCK🍀 as they head to Rock Eagle this weekend to compete at District Project Achievement! We are so proud of this awesome group!

03/02/2026

Interested in starting beekeeping?
Join us for a FREE Beginners Beekeeping Class hosted by Banks County Young Farmer! Guest Speaker: Shawn Jones, Commerce Beekeepers Club President
Monday, March 2, 2026
6:00 meal/6:30 meeting — BCHS Ag Center
1486 Historic Homer Hwy, Homer, GA
To sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer or contact:
Kipp Jackson • 706-658-7305 • KJackson@banks.k12.ga.us

Interested in starting beekeeping?

Join us for a FREE Beginners Beekeeping Class hosted by Banks County Young Farmer! Guest Speaker: Shawn Jones, Commerce Beekeepers Club President

Monday, March 2, 2026
6:00 meal/6:30 meeting — BCHS Ag Center
1486 Historic Homer Hwy, Homer, GA

To sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer or contact:
Kipp Jackson • 706-658-7305 • KJackson@banks.k12.ga.us

02/25/2026

Safe Storage & Thawing Tips ❄️

Store raw meat on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator, thaw foods safely, and keep leftovers no longer than 3–4 days. These steps help protect your family from foodborne illness.

https://www.foodtalk.org/en/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=safety

02/23/2026

FoodTalk.org has been made especially for those who want FREE ideas on how to keep their families healthy by making nutritious food choices on a budget!

02/20/2026

FoodTalk.org has been made especially for those who want FREE ideas on how to keep their families healthy by making nutritious food choices on a budget!

02/18/2026

🌟Support Our Local 4-H Youth🌟

We are excited to share that 20 outstanding students from Banks County have the opportunity to attend District Project Achievement through Georgia 4-H on March 6-8, 2026 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This event helps youth build confidence, leadership, and public speaking skills as they represent Banks County at the district level.

The cost to attend is $120 per student, and we are seeking community sponsorships to help make this opportunity possible for every participant. We are $1,613 away from having each competitor sponsored!

🍀Sponsorship Options🍀
- Full Sponsor: $120
- Half Sponsor: $60

All sponsorship payments can be made directly to the Banks County Extension Office.

If you, your business, or your organization would like to support these hardworking 4-H'ers, please comment below, send us a message, email Macy Glenn at macy.dalton@uga.edu, or contact the Extension Office at 706-677-6230 for more information.

It has been 10+ years since we have taken this many students to Junior/Senior District Project Achievement! We are so appreciative of any support we can receive from our community!🍀

02/10/2026

02/04/2026

FoodTalk.org has been made especially for those who want FREE ideas on how to keep their families healthy by making nutritious food choices on a budget!