10/19/2026
How many times have you had the chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations? Our youth needs to engage in group activities and hands-on experiences for personal development, effective communication, building trust, and creating efficiency. This week we will be showcasing our Wayne County Extension Office.
Our Wayne County Extension Office is located at 1900 Sunset Boulevard. Every day in the office you will find two ladies, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Harris. UGA Extension Wayne County offers educational programs in the areas of horticulture and agriculture, as well as leadership and citizenship opportunities for youth. UGA Extension operates through a unique partnership with Wayne County, the University of Georgia, the State of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. UGA Extension provides updated unbiased research information that is backed up by specialists and a network of resources. Extension Agents have been working to assist Georgia residents since 1914 in Agriculture & Natural Resources, 4-H and Family & Consumer Sciences.
Rachel Stewart is our County Extension Coordinator and interim FACS Agent email: [email protected]
Donna Harris is our Wayne County 4-H Agent email: [email protected]
Open Position: Part-time 4-H Program Assistant
Open Position: Full-Time ANR Agent
Jennifer Anderson Administrative Assistant email: [email protected]
If you are interested in any of the open positions, please contact one of the ladies listed above or call (912) 427-5965.
The Wayne County Extension office offers:
ANR: Agriculture Natural Resources: Whether you would like to increase your crop yield, grow healthier roses, test the quality of your drinking water, or make sure that your creek is not polluted, we can help. Wayne County Extension partners with our UGA Soil, Plant & Water Lab in Athens, GA to provide a wide array of sample testing.
FACS: Family And Consumer Science: We provide training, research-based publications, and link families, businesses and communities to university faculty and resources. ServSafe Certification and Restaurant Safety Guidelines. Community Programs offer Help Topics include Food, Home, Family, Textiles, Health & Money.
4-H: As the youth development program for UGA Cooperative Extension, 4-H educates young people in every county across the state. The largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H, reaches more than 242,000 people annually through county Extension offices and 4-H facilities. Across our curricula and programs, the national 4-H essential elements below are embedded into the learning experience to promote positive youth development. 4-H provides monthly club meetings in all 5th & 6th grade Science/Social Studies classrooms. We also have a 4-H Junior/Senior Club that meets monthly with 7th-12th grade students to discuss, research and interject community service needs. 4-H also provides Teen Leader Certification which is unique to 4-H County, District and State Events.
The following questions were answered by the staff at the Extension Office:
How does the Extension Office help the community?
“UGA Extension faculty and staff play a key role in the success of this industry by sharing university-based research for Georgians to use on the farm and at home. Recommendations in areas including soil fertility, pest management, plant and crop varieties, water quality, and herd health and management focus on maximizing production and profits while minimizing environmental impacts. Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension agents also provide homeowners and communities with information on lawn care, landscaping, gardening, and water conservation through a variety of workshops. Some agents also work with schools on projects like community gardens and farm-to-school programs. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension specialists, agents, and staff assist in addressing real-life issues faced by Georgians of all ages. They provide programs and the latest information on obesity, chronic disease, food and financial insecurity, family stresses, unhealthy housing, food safety and preservation, nutrition, and more. To help promote the positive development and safety of preschool, school-aged, and adolescent youth, UGA Extension offers resources for parents, caregivers, and others. Extension professionals in this program area lead consumer economics training and programs such as ServSafe®, Relationship Smarts, and PRIDE, a parent and teen driving education course. As the youth development program of UGA Extension, 4-H is also part of a national network. Georgia 4-H reaches more than 170,000 fourth- through 12th-grade students across the state and helps students develop the knowledge, life skills, and attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. This mission is fulfilled through hands-on learning experiences in agricultural and environmental awareness, leadership, communication skills, citizenship, energy conservation, health, and food and nutrition. Georgia 4-H’ers are well known for sharing their knowledge and volunteering throughout their communities. At the school and county levels, students participate in club meetings organized by 4-H Youth Development Extension agents. At the state level, students participate in competitions, summer camps, and conferences. Some 4-H competitions and events are also offered at the regional and national levels. Research indicates that, as a result of participating in 4-H, members are more engaged in their academic studies, less likely to be involved in risky behavior, and more likely to graduate from high school and continue their education. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, disability, gender identity, s*xual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.”
If the Extension Office did not exist, what would happen to the community? What can the community do to help the Extension Office function better?
“Agriculture and Natural Resources: Agents provide soil testing, plant and crop advice, pest control recommendations, and workshops on gardening, landscaping, and water conservation. Recommendations in areas including soil fertility, pest management, plant and crop varieties, water quality, and herd health and management focus on maximizing production and profits while minimizing environmental impacts. 4-H Youth Development: Programs give young people hands-on learning experiences in leadership, civic engagement, agriculture, and STEM through club meetings, camps, and competitions. Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS): Experts share practical education on nutrition, food safety and preservation (such as ServSafe certifications), financial management, and healthy living. Community and Economic Development: Offices assist local governments and organizations with strategic planning, leadership training, and disaster recovery support. Our main purpose is to help enhance the livelihood of our community and its members. The main request that we have as Extension is to get feedback from our community in events, activities, learning sessions they feel are important and need to be addressed to help build and support of community.”
