Jasper 4-H Supporters Honored

Jasper County Extension Secretary Janice Arnold and “The Monticello News” editor Kathy Mudd were recently honored during the awards brunch at the GAE4-HA (Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents) state meeting in Athens. Both were nominated by Jasper County 4-H Agent Kasey Hall. Volunteer leader Dominique Ford also attended the awards program as a special guest.

Mrs. Arnold received the Outstanding Secretary award for the Northeast District, and she was also recognized as the state award winner. In her application, Mrs. Hall summarized Janice’s day to day 4-H responsibilities in the office, and then she elaborated on some of the many ways that she goes above and beyond those duties to help support the Jasper County program.

Janice is probably best known locally for her involvement with our Cloverbuds program. It is a special pre-4-H club for students in the first through fourth grades that meets monthly after school. She and Dominique Ford first started the group in Jasper County, and it is currently in its 12th year. Cloverbuds has been extremely popular here since its inception, and there has usually been a waiting list for the program participants each year because the membership has to be capped because of transportation limitations.

Many of those who were once involved in Cloverbuds have gone on to become active 4-H’ers when they reached the fourth or fifth grade, and several of the more recent club “graduates” have continued as Junior and Senior 4-H’ers who compete in DPA (District Project Achievement) and additional events and contests.

In addition to her dedication and success with co-coordinating our Cloverbuds program, Janice is to be commended for all of the assistance she provides our 4-H’ers as they’re getting ready for DPA. Her forte is helping them make their posters that they use during their presentations at the district public speaking contest. Her commitment to DPA doesn’t remain just at the office either.

For many years, she has faithfully volunteered as a project judge at Cloverleaf and Junior/Senior DPA. Janice has also been a leader at Cloverleaf Camp for three years, and she has volunteered to help with judging the 4-H exhibits and contests at the Georgia National Fair. She always attends our camp and DPA parent orientation meetings and helps at our Cloverleaf Officer Trainings, as well. In recent years, Janice has also accompanied the Jasper County 4-H’ers to several district and state level competitions including Challenge Bowl, Cotton Boll/Consumer Judging, and Poultry Judging.

Kathy Mudd was selected as the Northeast District recipient of the Outstanding Support by Public Media award. As the publisher and editor of “The Monticello News,” she was praised in her application for the integral role she has played in supporting the local 4-H program by faithfully printing over 50 articles and pictures submitted throughout the year by the 4-H Agent, volunteer leaders, and 4-H’ers.

These submissions feature our 4-H’ers who have participated in different district and state competitions (such as DPA, Poultry Judging, Challenge Bowl, livestock shows, and archery and shotgun matches) or have attended various conferences and activities across the state (including 4-H Day at UGA football game, Cloverleaf Conference, summer camp, and State Council). Kathy has helped to recognize some of the valuable work our 4-H’ers are doing through service projects like community trash pick-ups, making blankets for the children’s hospital, and planting a community garden. Through her support, the outreach and visibility of the Jasper County 4-H program has greatly increased on the local level.

While Janice and Kathy serve in different capacities through their work, both of them are tremendous assets to Jasper County 4-H, and they are greatly appreciated! While Janice may help 4-H’ers prepare visual aids for DPA, plan a Cloverbuds field trip, or accompany 4-H’ers to a competition, Kathy helps bring community recognition to these events and to the 4-H’ers for their achievements and participation through her faithfulness in printing the articles and pictures submitted to the local newspaper. Together they truly help Jasper County 4-H shine