Women To Watch: Tammy Cheely
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – “I’m a product of Georgia 4-H. Bottom line. I was the 4-Her that the 4-H van never left the county that I wasn’t on it. Whether it was livestock judging, football game it made no difference,” explains UGA Cooperative Extension Coordinator and ANR Agent Tammy Cheely.
Now, Tammy Cheely is using what she lived and learned to lead others in all things agriculture.
“We have three types of programming. AG and natural resources, which is what I do, so it’s depending on where you are farming, beef cattle, row crops, hay also people’s yards, garden and anything related. We also have agents that work in family consumer sciences which is nutrition, budgeting, taxes health all those kind of things and then 4-H and youth development. So, the 4-H club is based in our office.”
From inside the office to the fields, Tammy Cheely has provided key education and resources.
This includes helping to create the farm to school program in Warren County.
“We’ve got a greenhouse and a deer fence and we’re building beds and all sorts of things for pre-k thru 12th grade. Our intent being that our 4-H programming and school programming will be based around the garden. Plus, the garden will produce produce for the school kids and also for the community.”
Her life and career endeavors have earned Tammy Cheely awards and even the position as the President of the Georgia Cattleman’s Association.
Her expertise on beef cattle is sought after around the country and led her to new pasture when she was chosen to help in Equator.
“I’ve been here almost 30 years, so it’s very hard for me to keep coming up with new things for people that I’ve been helping for 30 years. These people I didn’t know and these people are also so far behind what we do that everything was impressive to them. I was just touched by how responsive and appreciative they were it was almost like when I first started as an Extension Agent here years ago.”
Joe Newton of the Georgia Cattleman’s Association says Tammy Cheely is a key component of the state agriculture business.
“Our day to day business decisions most of the time are based on Tammy’s passion and vision for our industry. Not so much for the industry but for us individually. It’s a very hard business to make a living in. It’s a very fulfilling business. But, Tammy is the guiding light for what we do and how we plan our programs.”
That’s why Tammy Cheely is one of our Women to Watch.
“It’s needed because we have a big country to feed. But, it’s a hard business and if you don’t love it you don’t stay in it. But, you can’t stay in something just because of love. So, you have to figure out how to make it be profitable,” she reflects.
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