UGA Cooperative Extension

Greetings from the Glynn County 4-H Advisory Council & Alumni

TO MAKE THE BEST BETTER- IT'S NOT JUST A MOTTO; IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

The "Awesome" Glynn Co. 4-H Advisory Council
Picture (L-R, F-B): Nancy Neylans, Elizabeth Cheney, Venus Holmes, Robi Gray, Mary Parker, Deborah Jones, Yvette Pressley, Matthew Permar, (back) Tammy Kavanaugh, Teresa Mason, Angela Campbell, Randal Morris, Jack Prince, Melanie Biersmith, Lea King, Doug Haymans, David Boland and Cynthia Beggs (not pictured)

Officers
Chairman: Matthew Permar
Vice Chairman: Jack Prince
Recording Secretary: Billie Jo Hagan
Reporting Secretary: Lea King
Treasurer: David Boland
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Below: Honorary Georgia Master 4-H'er, Matthew Permar

Above: Rudolph Beggs, Glynn Co. 4-H Scholarship 2008 Recipient: Nathan Potts
(Rudolph Beggs Family, Nathan Potts, Nancy Neylans, Matthew Permar)
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A Little History...

In 1917, during the throes of World War I, Glynn County welcomed new University of Georgia Cooperative Extension workers. These part-county part-university employees were immediately given offices in the county courthouse and began making impact in the lives of the locals through nutrition education and drainage recommendations- to prevent malaria outbreaks.

In 1923, agent Madge Merritt completed the landscaping project of the courthouse grounds which became a state showplace. The following year, Mrs. Merritt spent 4 months planning the pageant for the opening of the new road to St. Simons Island.  This pageant incorporated 400 locals in a historical outdoor play and of course, the 4-H float was decorated in green and white flowers. Mrs. Merritt also made the recommendation for cabbage palms and sea myrtle to be planted along the route.

During WWII, Glynn County Agents assisted residents by supporting the war effort and continued to offer valuable home gardening, canning, and sewing demonstrations at a time when the dollar required significant stretching. They even involved 4-H youth by promoting the recycling of scrap metals and in 1944, 4-H member Elaine Clark launched a Liberty ship as a reward for collecting the most scrap iron. 

(Picture: Elaine Clark)

From the 1930s through the early 1950s, African American agent, Wesley Myers’ primary work was teaching African American families how to start and maintain poultry houses for personal and commercial use. His dedication provided increased funds in those homes, was a supplement to the family dinner table, and was a documented “money making” success. 

(Picture: Wesley Myers)

(Picture: 4-H Float, City Hall)

For decades, our community has benefited from the work of Glynn Co. Extension Agents, Bernice Grant, Eston Hardin, and Rudolph Beggs (to name a few) and by 1973, there were over 3600 Glynn Co. 4-H'ers! Prior to the budget cuts of the 1990's, there were 6 agents providing quality educational programs through Glynn Co. 4-H. The Glynn Co. 4-H Advisory Council is dedicated to continuing this legacy and seeing it on - for the next generation.

Interested in contacting the Glynn Co. 4-H Advisory Council or meeting 4-H Alumni?
Please call Robi Gray robigray@uga.edu or call (912) 554-7575

Glynn County 4-H Alumni

Visit the Georgia 4-H Web site at www.georgia4h.org.