Extension agent Kayla Wall excels in 4-H, FACS

GEORGETOWN — University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent Kayla Wall couldn’t envision working anywhere other than Quitman County. She said she sees value in the Georgia 4-H program that helped her grow as a child in Randolph County.

“It was something that I knew I wanted to do,” said Wall, who has served as the 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Extension agent for four years. “I loved what 4-H did for me growing up because I was a shy child. It really helped me flourish socially. It was an easy decision to move back home.”

After graduating from Valdosta State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Wall worked at the Division of Family and Children Services for a couple of years before applying for the agent position.

There are 303 students in grades K-12 in the Quitman County School District.

“I am able to get every student, at some point, to be a part of 4-H,” Wall said. “It’s one of the benefits of working in a small school system.”

One program that has a tremendous impact on the school and community is Wall’s College and Career Ready Performance Index program. Wall coordinates the career lessons taught to elementary school students and helps fifth-grade students complete the state’s career portfolio requirement.

“The career lessons I have developed provide exposure to various careers,” she said. “My goal for each career cluster is to collaborate with someone from our community who is currently employed in that career and invite them to talk with the students about their career. I want the kids to see that, while we are small, we have a lot of potential right here in Quitman County.”

The Georgia Department of Education requires all fifth-grade students to complete a career portfolio that includes an essay and a visual display. Career portfolio requirements are in line with the 4-H District Project Achievement program.

“Through the CCRPI program, we are able to meet the needs of the school while preparing our fifth-grade students to compete in Project Achievement,” Wall said. “We really try to combine 4-H and (Family and Consumer Sciences) because our resources are limited due to our size, and we make the best of what we have.”

Wall says one of the favorite aspects of her job is interacting with students.

“I enjoy introducing topics and programs to students who may not get to have this experience anywhere else,” she said.

Wall credits her success to Krispin Peavy, the Randolph County 4-H agent who urged Wall, as a child, to step out of her comfort zone.

“She pushed me to take control of my situation and not waste my potential,” Wall said. “She was a tremendous help when I first started. It is a joy to work in the county neighboring hers and to work together to meet the needs of our area.”

Many programs that Wall implements in the community, with adults and youths, focus on healthy lifestyles and nutrition.

Andrea Scarrow, the FACS Southwest District program development coordinator, said Wall is an asset to the extension family.

“She’s able to apply her expertise in both 4-H and FACS to a county with diverse needs,” Scarrow said. “She’s the only extension employee in her county, which can be tough. We appreciate her willingness to help in a county that doesn’t get access to unlimited resources.”

Julie Jernigan is an intern for the UGA Tifton campus.