Eight Decatur County Cloverleaf 4-H’ers traveled to Dougherty County to participate in District Project Achievement on March 14.

4-H’ers had the opportunity to choose from more than 60 project areas for their demonstration, proving that 4-H is more than cows and cooking by offering such an array of opportunities for the youth. Some of today’s projects include international, veterinary science, air science, computers, water conservation, photography, public speaking and performing arts, just to name a few.

Competition for Cloverleaf 4-H’ers began with the County Project Achievement contest and then 4-H’ers were selected to proceed to the district competition.

Each student provided a three- to five-minute speech and used posters and other visual aids to guide them with their demonstration. The demonstrations were observed by judges and other spectators; 4-H’ers were then scored and placed accordingly.

First-, second- and third-place winners were recognized at the closing assembly.

Decatur County 4-H shined with three first-place titles, two second-place titles and one third-place finish.

Results are as follows:

Joey Sloan, homeschool, was first place in fresh water fish and shellfish.

Anders Austinson, homeschool, was third place in history.

Shelby Lane, homeschool, took first-place honors in general recreation.

Brianna Salem, Lillian E. Williams Elementary School, placed second in health.

Tyler Allen, West Bainbridge Elementary School, took second-place honors in outdoor recreation.

Tianna Miller, Lillian E. Williams, was eighth place in sports.

Elisa Everson, Lillian E. Williams, took fourth-place honors in sports.

Bethanie Robinson, Elcan-King Elementary, was first place in beef production.

In 1905, 4-H work originated in Georgia with the Boys’ Corn Clubs and about five years later, the Girls’ Tomato Canning Clubs were added.

4-H has come a long way and today offers much more. Since then, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service’s 4-H and youth program has helped thousands of Georgia youth “learn by doing” to “make their best better.”