Jackson EMC believes in making an impact in the lives of local youth.

Since 1969, Jackson EMC has proudly supported local FFA and 4-H clubs. Jackson EMC's involvement in these clubs stems from our deep roots in the rural areas of Northeast Georgia and also because these groups work to instill area youth with leadership and teamwork skills. We sponsor events such as the Wiring Contest, the Quality Beef Show and the 4-H Foundation, as well as sponsoring the winner's trip to national conferences.

Jackson EMC has been involved with the Wiring Contest for more than 35 years, supporting it each year at the chapter, area, district and state levels. The competition is designed to promote electrification programs for agriculture students, and it is sponsored by the electric cooperatives and FFA chapters in the state. There are three separate portions to the contest: a problem-solving multiple-choice exam, a wiring problem and a presentation.

In the first part of the competition, contestants complete a 30-item problem-solving activity within a 45-minute time limit. This portion of the contest is worth 30% of the overall score. Next, contestants complete an assigned wiring problem. Wiring materials are provided, but contestants furnish their own tools. This portion of the contest is worth 60% of the overall score. Contestants then use effective communication skills in describing actual electrical wiring tasks. All participants use the same topic and materials and props are provided. A panel of judges scores each contestant on this phase of the contest, which is worth 10% of the overall score.

Any active FFA member enrolled in a 10th, 11th or 12th grade high school agriculture education class in Jackson EMC's service area is eligible to participate. Chapters are limited to one contestant per chapter. The top three individuals in the district contests may participate in the state competition during the same year; however, students who have participated in the state contest are ineligible to participate in this contest again. Contact your school's FFA advisor for more information and a complete listing of rules.

Jackson EMC has sponsored the Quality Beef Show for more than 40 years to show its support for the agriculture industry and to encourage leadership skills and competitive spirit among area youth. FFA and 4-H club students spend countless hours preparing the cattle to look their best. This includes shampooing, moussing and hair drying; polishing hooves; trimming hair; and braiding tails.

Exhibitors may not enter more than two heifers or steers per class and no more than four head in the entire show, which is held each winter. Heifers are shown by breed and steers are shown by weight. The top two heifers in each breed class compete for Grand and Reserve Champion of their respective breeds, and the top two steers from each class compete for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Steer of the Show.

An expert judge evaluates the cattle during the event and awards the 22 trophies and prize money at the end of the competition.

Any active FFA or 4-H club member can participate in the event. For a complete listing of all the show classifications and the rules and regulations of the competition, please see your 4-H or FFA club advisor or contact Ruth Joiner at Jackson EMC at 706- 367-6401.

Representing Future Farmers of America chapters (FFA) and 4-H clubs from six Northeast Georgia counties, 76 young people gathered to compete for awards, ribbons and cash prizes at Jackson Electric Membership Corporation’s 40th Annual Quality Beef Show. Together, they entered 121 animals in the competition held at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School Livestock Center in Jefferson.

A steer shown by Jennifer Martin, of the Jackson County 4-H, won Grand Champion Steer honors, and another shown by Brandon Porter, of the Franklin County FFA, won Reserve Champion Steer.

In showmanship, Landis Seagraves, of the Jackson County 4-H, won the Novice category; Jennifer Martin, of the Jackson County 4-H, won Junior; Steven Cooper, of the Jackson County FFA, won Intermediate; and Kim Chandler, of the Madison County FFA, won Senior.

In the heifer competition, breed champions and the youth showing them are as follows:

Angus – Samantha Allen, of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion; and Christa Royster, Jackson County 4-H, Breed Reserve Champion.

Chi Influence – Joshua Waters, of the Hall County 4-H, Breed Champion; and Katie Mealor, of the Banks County 4-H, Breed Reserve Champion.

Hereford – two heifers shown by Cody Smith, of the Jefferson FFA, won both Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion.

Limousin – Taylor Schieszer, of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion; and Jason Schieszer, of the Jackson County 4-H, Breed Reserve Champion.

Shorthorn – Cody Parr, of the East Jackson FFA, Breed Champion; and Kayla Boswell, of the Banks County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Simmental – two heifers shown by Steven Cooper, of the Jackson County FFA, won both Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion.

Other Breeds – Cindy Cooper, of the Jackson County 4-H, won both Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion.

Commercial – Courtney Cash, of the Jackson County 4-H, Breed Champion; and Steven Cooper, of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Young people competing in the Quality Beef Show use the experience and judge’s feedback to help prepare for the upcoming statewide competition in Perry. “There is no entry fee for this competition. The kids have the opportunity to win prizes and get pointers from the judge to help them improve their animals and skills, so everyone comes out a winner,” said Randall Pugh, Jackson EMC president/CEO.

Each year since 1969, Jackson EMC has sponsored the Quality Beef Show to honor the contribution the agriculture industry makes to Northeast Georgia’s economy, as well as to encourage leadership skills and a competitive spirit among the area’s young people.

A non-for-profit electric cooperative, Jackson EMC was organized by area residents in 1938 to bring power to a then-rural area. Now the largest electric cooperative in Georgia and one of the largest in the United States, Jackson EMC provides electric and other services to 204,000 members in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Franklin and Oglethorpe Counties.