What Georgia 4-H State Council Is
State Council is the annual constitutional meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council, held each summer at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton. It is where teen 4-H members elect the state officers who lead Georgia 4-H for the coming year, vote on any amendments to the 4-H constitution, and take part in workshops, competitions and training. The most recent edition ran June 26-28, 2026.
The weekend is built around leadership, service and personal growth. In past years more than 500 members in grades 8 through 12 have attended, and the 2019 meeting's theme was "Rooted in the Classics," focused on the council's original purpose and civic engagement.
Who Can Attend
Registration is open to 8th through 12th graders. Training is also offered for adults. The 2026 registration cost was $130 per person. Registration goes through the UGA Extension registration portal, and requests for reasonable accommodation or language access must be made at least three weeks before the program date.
What Happens During the Weekend
Electing the state officers
Delegates first vote for five statewide representatives. The two with the most votes become state president and vice president. Delegates then vote for district representatives from the Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest districts. State officers lead 4-H members and represent Georgia 4-H at state events, and the role has been described as one of the highest offices a 4-H youth member can hold.
Competitions and exhibits
Members compete in events such as Performing Arts and Food Fare, and present research-based exhibits. Recent exhibit topics have included nutrition for the athlete, finance, how music affects the brain, and butterflies versus moths. Results from State Council competitions are announced at State 4-H Congress in July. Districts also compete for the Iron Clover Award, given to the district that excels in competitions; the Northeast District won it in 2019 for the second year in a row.
Workshops and service
Programs include workshops, seminars and hands-on sessions on public speaking, team building, preparedness, democracy and community service projects. At the 2019 meeting, members made hurricane emergency plans and started home preparedness kits, and thirteen adult leaders became certified forestry judging coaches.
Awards and recognition
Key Awards recognize consistent growth in 4-H involvement, at Level I and Level II. The weekend has also included a citizenship ceremony for members turning 18, who pledge to stay engaged voters, plus a Georgia 4-H Foundation reception honoring current and former state and district board members and Clovers and Company alumni.
Key Dates
| Edition | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2024 | June 21-23 (theme "4-H: A Route to Your Destiny") |
| 2026 | June 26-28 |
The council meets every year, normally in late June. Watch the Georgia 4-H and UGA Extension calendars for the next dates and the registration opening.
Where
Rock Eagle 4-H Center, 350 Rock Eagle Road, Eatonton, GA 31024.
Questions
Is State Council only for officers?
No. Any 4-H member in grades 8 through 12 can register. Delegates vote in the elections.
What does it cost?
Registration was $130 in 2026.
Can parents or leaders come?
Adult training is offered. Adult leaders have earned coaching certifications at the meeting.
Who do I call?
Georgia 4-H state office, 706-542-4444, or your county Extension office. The 2026 event page listed Ginny Siverhus at 706-821-2350.
Official Links
- Georgia 4-H State Council at Rock Eagle: 2026 dates, cost and registration
- Georgia 4-H: State Council 2019 report: officers, awards and activities
- Georgia 4-H State Council Shapes Future Leaders: 2024 weekend report
Georgia UGA Cooperative Extension: The Essentials
UGA Cooperative Extension has personnel in all 159 Georgia counties and describes its help as free and research-based, per the Extension overview. It is a collaboration between the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Three program areas
Agriculture and Natural Resources covers soil fertility, pest management, crop varieties, water quality and herd health. Family and Consumer Sciences covers nutrition, food safety and family finances. 4-H serves more than 170,000 students in grades 4 through 12, per the programs page.
How it helps
Expect workshops, field days, newsletters, phone and in-person consultations, and on-site visits to farms, businesses and homes on request.
Next steps
Use the "Find Your Office" link on the Extension site to reach your county office.
Local programs differ by county.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- 20th Annual Briarpatch Classic Dairy Heifer Show
Twentieth annual dairy heifer show at the Putnam High School livestock facility in Eatonton.
Eatonton, GA Official event details - Briarpatch Classic Dairy Heifer Show
The 20th annual Briarpatch Classic dairy heifer show takes place February 13, 2027, at the Putnam High School livestock facility in Eatonton.
Eatonton, GA Official event details - Blue Ridge Cattle Classic
Two-day junior cattle show at the Union County Agricenter in Blairsville, part of the Georgia 4-H and FFA winter show circuit.
Blairsville, GA Official event details - Rockin The Ridge Market Hog Show
Market hog show for 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the Fannin County Ag Facility in Blue Ridge, run by the county FFA Alumni.
- Syrup City Harvest Classic Cattle and Pig Show
Three-day cattle and pig show in Cairo, the Syrup City, scheduled for November 13-15, 2026. Held each year as part of the fall youth livestock circuit.
Cairo, GA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.