Justin Fellenbaum, a native of Pickens County, stepped into the county’s extension agent role on Tuesday, covering both agriculture, natural resources and the 4-H Club.
The position has sat empty for nearly two years owing to a combination of Covid complications and budget cuts. This has caused a large amount of shrink in the program across all areas and the gaps left behind could not be filled fully by volunteers. It’s inside those gaps that Justin plans on rebuilding. His main focus now is to grow the 4-H program back to what it used to be and to be available for whatever agricultural needs that people would like met across the county.
“I started with 4-H in 5th grade and stayed with it all the way thought high school graduation,” said Fellenbaum. “Ever since I joined 4-H this is what I wanted to do. I loved the friends, the activities, and I’ve always been an outdoor person, so I love the agricultural side as well.”
He looks to Rick Jasperse, our current member of the Georgia House of Representatives and former Pickens County Extension Agent, as an example of something to work towards and hopes to lift the program up to the levels he remembers from his time in 4-H.
Justin attended Abraham Baldwin College, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture, then earned a Master’s of Science from the University of Tennessee in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. He will be working at the Extension Office located on Veterans Memorial Boulevard (in the building shared with the chamber of commerce) on weekdays if you have 4-H or agricultural questions.
Be First to Comment