Tackling the Digital Divide for Agricultural Producers in Ben Hill County, Georgia through 4-H Youth Instructors
Teaching & Educational Technologies
Holly Anderson
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Ocilla
Abstract
The Ben Hill County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources & 4-H program partnered with National 4-H Council for the 2022-23 Tech Changemakers Project in Agriculture Technology. The team is called Ag Tech Changemakers. Tech Changemakers is a national grant program empowering youth to teach adults about technology-related topics, in this case, all technology is agriculture related. Ben Hill County Extension was honored to be selected as one of the ten counties in the state of Georgia with an Agriculture and Technology Changemakers grant. Tech Changemakers is a unique, community-centered program that tackles the digital divide head-on. Empowering young people with the support needed to use their digital skills, Ag Tech Changemakers deliver adult skill-building workshops to create practical, real-world solutions to increase digital know-how and drive economic opportunity. This national program elevates teens as teachers to provide training on technology and digital literacy skills to assist adults in their community. Ben Hill County Ag Tech Changemakers offered multiple classes, workshops, and presentations to teach agricultural producers in their area about the advantage of adding technology to their operations. The goal for adult participation in Ben Hill County, Georgia was 250 individuals. To date, the team has presented to over 140 adults about the advantages of drones for crop scouting to peanut growers, weed and plant identification to civic clubs, homeowners, and city workers, and soil mapping for nematode control. The Ben Hill County Ag Tech Changemakers are currently planning a gardening workshop to teach gardeners about apps for irrigation, weed and disease identification, and optimum planting dates for various vegetables.
Authors: Holly Anderson, Laura Lee Hughes, Savannah Tanner, Kimberly Post
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Holly Anderson County Extension ANR Agent- Ben Hill County, UGA Extension , Georgia, 31750
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Laura Lee Hughes County 4-H Agent - Ben Hill County, UGA Extension, Georgia, 31750
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Savannah Tanner County Extension ANR Agent - Emanuel County, UGA Extension , Georgia, 30401
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Kimberly Post County Extension ANR Agent - Lanier & Clinch County, UGA Extension, Georgia, 31635