Columbus's congressman is helping lead a bipartisan push in Washington to honor 4-H, the youth program that got its start in Georgia more than a century ago.

U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., whose 2nd Congressional District includes most of Columbus, joined the other co-chairs of the Congressional 4-H Caucus to introduce a resolution naming Oct. 4-10 as National 4-H Week. The co-chairs are two Republicans, Glenn "GT" Thompson of Pennsylvania and Andy Harris of Maryland, and Democrat Angie Craig of Minnesota.

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the country, with about 6 million members and 35 million alumni, according to the caucus. It's run through the Cooperative Extension System at land-grant universities. In Georgia, that's the University of Georgia.

A Georgia original

Georgia was one of the earliest homes of 4-H. In 1904, Newton County school superintendent G.C. Adams started a corn club for boys in Covington, and girls' canning clubs soon followed. Those clubs grew into Georgia 4-H.

Today, Georgia 4-H reaches young people in every county in the state.

"Georgia is proud to be an early home for 4-H, starting in 1904, with programs reaching every county in our state and preparing young people to lead in agriculture, science, and civic life," Bishop said.

Bishop, an Eagle Scout, said programs like 4-H give young people "positive role models and supportive environments." As the top Democrat on the House subcommittee that writes the agriculture budget, he said he remains "committed to investing in programs that uplift rural communities."

More than farming

4-H still has deep roots in agriculture, but members today work on projects in science, health, public speaking, leadership and citizenship too. The name stands for the four parts of the 4-H pledge: head, heart, hands and health.

"American agriculture has come under great pressure, and fostering a love of agriculture in young people is crucial for America's future," Craig said.

National 4-H Council President and CEO Jill Bramble said 4-H and Cooperative Extension have spent nearly 125 years helping young people "discover what they're capable of, explore career skills and opportunities."

How Columbus kids can join

4-H in Columbus is run by the UGA Cooperative Extension office in Muscogee County. It's open to students in grades 4 through 12.

In Georgia, 4-H members can:

• Compete in Project Achievement, where students research a topic of their choice and present it to judges. It's split into Cloverleaf (grades 4-6), Junior (grades 7-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) levels.
• Go to summer camp at one of Georgia's 4-H centers, including Rock Eagle near Eatonton, Camp Jekyll on the coast and Wahsega in the North Georgia mountains. Activities include canoeing, archery, wildlife programs and ropes courses.
• Build leadership skills through clubs, community service and state and national events.

Muscogee County 4-H also works with local schools and recently doubled the number of schools it serves, according to UGA Extension.

To get involved, contact:
UGA Extension - Muscogee County 1111 1st Ave., 1st floor, Columbus, GA 31901 706-225-4200 [email protected] 4-H agent: Megan Shockley

Information about the 2027 summer camps will be posted in early 2027, according to the Muscogee County Extension office.