Master Cattlemen’s Program Continues In Chattooga County

Cattle producers from Chattooga County and the surrounding area are taking part in an eight-week educational program designed to provide practical information on managing and improving beef cattle operations.

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Chattooga River Cleanup Planned Monday During Fall Break

The Chattooga River Group is teaming up with Chattooga County Extension for a river cleanup Monday, October 5, as part of the Rivers Alive program.

The cleanup begins at 10 AM at the river in Trion, with participants meeting at the end of Park Avenue.

Organizers say Monday’s cleanup is specifically for landlubbers, meaning volunteers will work from land and will not be kayaking or getting into the river.

Adults interested in participating are asked to contact Cindy Rivers McGraw at 706-466-9014. 4-H members who would like to participate should contact Kyle Krueger at the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744.

While volunteers work on the cleanup, other members of the Chattooga River Group will be on the water. They plan to kayak the Blue Leg section of the river from Trion to Summerville, where they will install river signage in cooperation with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

The cleanup coincides with Fall Break for local students, providing an opportunity for families and young people to take part in a community environmental project.

Rivers Alive is a statewide program that encourages volunteers to help clean and protect Georgia’s waterways.

Retirement Drop-In Today For Longtime Chattooga County Extension Agent Rebecca Thomas

Friends, former 4-H members and community members will have an opportunity today to help celebrate Rebecca Thomas as she retires following 30 years of service with University of Georgia Extension in Chattooga County.

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Commissioner Allen Makes Appointments To County Board Of Assessors And RC&D Board

Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen has appointed two local residents to boards that play roles in property taxation, conservation, agriculture and community development.

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Pickled Okra Workshop Coming To Chattooga County Extension Office

Residents interested in learning the proper way to preserve one of the South’s favorite vegetables will have an opportunity this week at the Chattooga County Extension Office.

A Pickled Okra food preservation workshop will be held Thursday, September 24, from 5 until 7 PM at Chattooga County UGA Extension Service / 4-H, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville. The class is part of a series of hands-on food preservation workshops offered this year.

The workshop costs $25 per person, and participation is limited to 15 people. Payment is required to secure a spot in the class. Those interested in attending should contact the Extension Office at 706-857-0744 to check availability and register.

UGA Extension’s food preservation programs focus on research-based, tested methods for safely preserving food at home. Extension offers instruction in areas including canning, freezing, drying, jams and jellies, and pickled foods.

The Pickled Okra class wraps up this year’s local food-preservation workshop series, which has also included jams and jellies, canning tomatoes and salsa, and cowboy candy

Chattooga County 4-H Plans SAFE Sports And Judging Team

Chattooga County 4-H is inviting local young people and their families to learn more about opportunities to participate in SAFE Sports and judging teams during an upcoming open house.

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Rebecca Thomas To Be Honored For 30 Years Of Service With UGA Extension

The University of Georgia Extension in Chattooga County will honor Rebecca Thomas later this month as she retires following 30 years of dedicated service to local youth, families and the community.

A retirement celebration for Thomas will be held Tuesday, September 29, from 1 until 5 PM at the Chattooga County Ag Center, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

Organizers are inviting friends, former and current 4-H members, families and community members to drop by during the afternoon for refreshments and fellowship while recognizing Thomas’s three decades of service.

During her career with UGA Extension, Thomas has been a familiar face to generations of Chattooga County residents, particularly through her work with Chattooga County 4-H. The retirement celebration will recognize what organizers describe as her extraordinary journey of leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment to the youth, families and communities she has served.

The celebration is open from 1 to 5 PM on September 29, allowing visitors to stop by throughout the afternoon to congratulate Thomas and wish her well in retirement.

Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program Coming To Chattooga County

Cattle producers from across northwest Georgia will have an opportunity to expand their knowledge of herd management, nutrition, marketing and other areas of the cattle industry when the 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program comes to Chattooga County this fall.

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Chattooga County Extension To Host 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program

The Chattooga County Extension Office is now accepting registrations for the 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program, an educational series designed for cattle producers looking to expand their knowledge and improve herd management.

The program will be held Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

The registration fee is $100, which includes all in-person sessions, educational materials, a UGA Beef hat, and meals. The registration deadline is September 8.

The Master Cattlemen’s Program is offered through UGA Extension and covers a variety of topics related to beef cattle production and management.

Those interested can register online through the UGA Beef Team website or contact the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744 for additional information or assistance with registration.

Chattooga County Extension Encourages Producers To Have Hay Tested

Chattooga County Extension is encouraging livestock producers to have their hay and other stored forage tested while this year’s hay crop is being harvested.

Forage testing provides information about the nutritional value and overall quality of hay, helping producers make better decisions when developing feeding programs for times when fresh grass is unavailable. Hay quality can significantly affect livestock health, growth, performance and the amount of supplemental feed needed during the winter.

University of Georgia Extension specialists say appearance alone cannot reliably determine the nutritional value of a particular supply of hay. A laboratory analysis can measure factors such as crude protein, fiber, digestibility and total digestible nutrients, allowing producers to build a feeding plan around the actual needs of their animals.

A representative sample is important for accurate results. UGA recommends using a clean forage probe and collecting samples from multiple randomly selected bales rather than simply pulling hay from the outside of a bale.

With hay now being cut and stored across the area, Chattooga County Extension says this is a good time for producers to test their forage and begin planning for the upcoming winter feeding season.