In nearly 20 years showing dairy cows at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair, the Franks children have won quite a few prizes.
![Meridith Franks, feeding a cow on her family's Burke County farm, is a 4-H member. State budget cuts could eliminate the program. "It would be boring not having something to look forward to other than school and home," the teen said Thursday. Jackie Ricciardi/Staff](http://aug-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/feed/msms/photos/4025350.jpg "Meridith Franks, feeding a cow on her family's Burke County farm, is a 4-H member. State budget cuts could eliminate the program. "It would be boring not having something to look forward to other than school and home," the teen said Thursday. Jackie Ricciardi/Staff")
As 4-H members, they also have earned scholarships and gained valuable leadership skills through the program. The youngest of four, Meridith, 15, said her participation in the program has given her confidence in public speaking and a place to make friends.
"It would be boring not having something to look forward to other than school and home," she said Thursday afternoon as she fed a cow named Polish on her family's farm in Burke County.
Students such as Meridith soon could have one less academic and extracurricular option if a proposal to eliminate Georgia's 4-H program is approved by state lawmakers.
That would severely hamper activities such as the livestock show at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair, in addition to academic programs the 4-H sponsors in classrooms across the state.
Other special activities such as horse and archery clubs and summer camps also could be on the chopping block.
The elimination of 4-H would save Georgia about $6.5 million a year. But the proposal has drawn public outcry, with supporters lobbying state legislators to spare the popular program.
Those efforts began almost immediately after the University of Georgia, which administers the program, released a list March 1 of possible cuts. Since then, parents and participants have inundated lawmakers and 4-H officials with letters and e-mails.
"If nothing else, you have to feel good about what you're doing," said Arch Smith, the interim state leader for 4-H. "We've just had tremendous response from people from every nook and cranny of the state."
Statewide, 4-H reaches more than 156,000 students and seeks to foster leadership, public speaking and decision-making skills.
Smith said 4-H's total yearly budget is about $25 million, but that includes money from county government, grants and other private sources.
The elimination of the state funds would cut all 116 state-funded jobs -- the people who raise most of that additional money.
The proposal to eliminate 4-H came as a surprise to Sid Mullis, the director of the University of Georgia Extension Service office for Richmond County.
"We knew there were more (cuts) coming, but we certainly didn't expect it to be a devastating proposal like we saw," Mullis said. "That was very shocking and depressing when I saw that."
Columbia County's 4-H program has 2,729 students enrolled and reaches students in each school starting in the fifth grade.
Richmond County's program has about 1,600 children enrolled and also begins in the fifth grade. Teachers and students can opt to participate.
Burke County's program enrolls more than 500 students.
Victoria Franklin, a 10-year-old at Bayvale Elementary School in Richmond County, said she has learned a lot by participating in 4-H this year.
"4-H is teaching us stuff we need to know," she said. "At first, I didn't know about all of the food groups. I think they should keep it because 4-H is helping us."
Her classmate, Keila Nicolas, 11, said one of her favorite activities this year was studying germs.
"I liked learning about the germs and how to wash my hands real good," she said.
Shirley Williamson, the county extension agent for 4-H in Columbia County, said she doubts legislators will get rid of 4-H but added that additional budget cuts will hamper educational efforts and possibly eliminate some popular Columbia County programs.
For example, the 4-H clubs in Richmond and Columbia counties offer specialty clubs such as horse club, archery, shotgun target and beekeeping.
"These are programs we may not be able to manage even though they are 80 percent volunteer led," Williamson said.
Peyton Sapp, the county extension coordinator in Burke County, said more funding cuts would mean eliminating jobs.
"On a local level, we're minus a 4-H agent already," he said. "We may have to rely more heavily on volunteers. ... Anything is on the table at this point."
500: Participants in Burke County
1,600: Participants in Richmond County
2,729: Participants in Columbia County
$6.5 million: State funds allocated yearly for 4-H; the group's total budget is $25 million
I know this is out of context, but I have to comment on this picture, taken by Jackie Ricciardi...what a great photo! Always been a fan of pictures that really "tell a story", and this is one of them. And it almost looks like a painting. Well done. Uh, as far as the 4-H programs, I hope they find a way to continue them.
Life would not be boring if she got more cows. A dairy farm, livestock is not boring work. She could start her own business? Reliance on "a funded program" is a big part of what is wrong with America. She cannot be "proud of her accomplishments without a trophy". I was a member of the 4H when in school. But it was definitely not "my life's work". I was not lost without 4H. I would deem myself "blessed" to have a farm with cows, horses, chickens, etc. Blessed to live on a farm!!!!
I learned to wash my hands in 4-H. I would have never known this process without 4-H. Augusta-RC is a "special needs child". We need about a dozen more "federal tax dollar support non-profit groups" for those who haven't learned to "wash their hands or face, tie their shoe laces or Velcro same.
$25 Million total: 156,000 children participating = $160.26 total per child.
$6.5 Million actual tax dollars: 156,000 children participating = $41.67 per child.
I have long contended that 4-H is the best and least expensive dollar spent per child of any educational program in the state. 4-H services "good" kids who are voluntarily participating in educational and intellectually challenging programs in an effort to become more responsible members of society.
Interestingly, we don’t hesitate to spend countless more tax dollars trying to manage “bad” kids who could care less whether they finish school or ever become productive citizens; and there is never consideration for cutting funds for ISS, OSS, Hearing Officers, Security Officers, Detention Centers, YDC, etc. etc. etc. When cuts to these programs are discussed the answer is, “Well, the law says you have to provide services for these young people whether they want it or not.”
I participated in 4-H from elementary school all the way through my senior year in high school, and I cannot remember a single program that had more of a positive impact on my life. 4-H has a rich heritage and history of over a half century in our state and has provided opportunities for children from rural areas who are already at a disadvantage compared to their urban piers. Its state leader, referenced in this article, is a product of this same program from my home county, and we could not be prouder or him or how 4-H has grown under his leadership.
How many state programs require only 25% of their operating funds from tax dollars? 75% of the cost of the 4-H program is raised locally through the private sector, participation fees paid by 4-H members, or local taxes. I know the state leaders are looking at ever program in an effort to balance the budget, but I certainly hope this program will be spared the axe.
the idiots now running the state of georgia are not serious about educatimg our children, nearly all the extra curricular educational/academic programs have been cut but not one single sporting event has been cancelled and athletic busses run day and night transporting kid to non-academic events. shameful!!!
It goes without saying that the public education system in America is without challenge, one of the deepest, darkest, black holes we have in this country. The education system is daily devouring the hard earned dollars of the few remaining viable, productive, working Americans. The time has come to return the ill gotten BOE properties to the people from whom they were confiscated in the first place. We need to bring an end the incessant waste of public education at every level to include state funded colleges of every description. The monies taken from Americans at the point of federal and state guns to support severely misguided “educators” driving these failed systems must be returned to the people. With the return of that stolen money parents who care enough to want to educate their children can apply those funds in a manner that they choose. Parents will then no longer have to be hostages to severely myopic, misguided and potentially subversive educators. Public education, like all other American “entitlement” programs is a waste that bleeds away the very life blood of our nation. While the original concept of public education was a good one, today’s self serving “educators” have now corrupted the model, turning it to their perverse personal purposes: The people supporting it have very little if any “real” input. I state all this simply to comment on the article regarding the possible cuts to the 4H program. It appears to me that most of the people commenting are suggesting that 4H is a waste of tax dollars. “jamesnewsome” on the other hand did an excellent job of pointing out what 4H actually costs the taxpayer. The return for the dollar invested, known as value, is very credible with regard to 4H functions. Can the same be said for public education, EBT, public housing, socialized medicine, Medicaid, DFACS, section 8, so called “free breakfast / lunch” programs and a host of other foolhardy spendthrift programs draining the American life blood? I think not. If you want to talk about waste then examine the multitude of foolhardy entitlement programs have come to looked upon as “normal” in this country. America is at a crossroad, we can continue on like we are and wind up a third world nation at best or we can make some hard and painful choices and put the country back on track. Oh yeah and continue to eat well thanks to many of those people who participated in 4H programs during their youth. The choice is ours, production or entitlement.
4-H has been one of the most influential character building programs for youth nationwide- a program started in Georgia over 100 years ago. If we are to cut it from the budget, how will other states react? They will cut theirs too. This state is a leader in 4-H, and our 4-Her's certainly do not deserve to have this program taken from them.
As for this comment:
Friday, Mar. 12 6:27 AM
Life would not be boring if she got more cows. A dairy farm, livestock is not boring work. She could start her own business? Reliance on "a funded program" is a big part of what is wrong with America. She cannot be "proud of her accomplishments without a trophy". I was a member of the 4H when in school. But it was definitely not "my life's work". I was not lost without 4H. I would deem myself "blessed" to have a farm with cows, horses, chickens, etc. Blessed to live on a farm!!!!
I simply think that she meant 4-H gives her something different to look forward to. It gives her something not as monotonous, not that 4-H is her life and would bored without it. The Franks' family has over 300 cows on their dairy farm and most of those are the kids animals. This girl and her family do not have to have trophies to feel accomplished. Their 3 oldest children have put themselves through college on the money made through exhibiting, marketing and selling offspring of these cattle. Not many people now-a-days can say they finished college and weren't knee-high in debt.
They, like any other farm, are a business in every since of the word. They just don't have the typical 9-5 hours most businesses have. Their hours are endless.
I remember spending a week at the Rock Eagle 4-H camp as a kid. It was great fun and gave me the opportunity to meet kids outside my small rural community, which was a rare treat. Thanks, 4-H, and I hope you make it through the budget cuts!
The Franks allow other children to come and learn about the farm and showing cattle also. This is a wonderful family and 4-H is an awesome program. You can tell when a child has had training in 4-H by the confidence displayed when they are in public whether it be performing or speaking. This program is most definitely worth keeping.
Scorehouse- you asked this- "what is the total amount of union dues paid by our tax dollars via teacher and state employee salaries? start there" Well, in the CSRA, the amount of teacher union dues is ZERO- because the teachers in the CSRA are not part of a union.
Where do people come up with this stuff?
Scorehouse- when was the last time you heard a discussion about the RCBOE engaging in collective bargaining, or having a grievance filed against them, or a Local union meeting occurring? You haven't heard that, because there is no teacher's union. RCBOE can't even renew a contract for the Superintendent, and you think that they could bargain with a union?
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