Senator Larry Walker Recognized for Transformative Support of Georgia 4-H

Georgia State Senator Larry Walker III has been honored with the 2025 Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award, one of the organization’s most prestigious distinctions, recognizing his long-standing commitment to youth development, agriculture, and civic leadership.

Presented annually at State 4-H Congress, the Green Jacket Award highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy and sustained contributions to Georgia 4-H programming. This year’s selection of Sen. Walker comes as no surprise to those familiar with his unwavering support of the state’s largest youth leadership program.

“Georgia 4-H is one of the most impactful youth programs in our state, and I’m truly humbled to receive this recognition,” said Sen. Walker. “I believe in investing in our young people, especially in ways that connect them to public service, agriculture, and leadership opportunities. I’ll continue to proudly support 4-H and all it stands for.”

Over the past several years, Sen. Walker has played a visible and impactful role in Georgia 4-H’s mission. As Senate host for Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol for five consecutive years, he has helped create unique civic experiences for thousands of 4-H’ers, giving them direct access to the legislative process and encouraging public service engagement at a young age.

In 2022, his leadership extended to the State 4-H Council’s Citizenship Ceremony, where he administered the oath to Georgia’s newest voters—an act that underscored his belief in cultivating civic responsibility among the next generation.

Sen. Walker’s influence isn’t limited to symbolic gestures. His legislative work has had a lasting material impact on the program’s future. In the Fiscal Year 2023 amended state budget, he played a key role in securing $3 million in funding for cabin replacements at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This investment ensures the longevity of one of the most iconic 4-H facilities in the country and reflects Walker’s understanding of the importance of youth spaces that inspire learning and growth.

His advocacy has also extended to higher education and agricultural advancement. Walker has championed initiatives supporting the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and has helped build legislative momentum behind the UGA Grand Farm initiative—a forward-looking project focused on agricultural innovation.

A proud native of Perry and graduate of the University of Georgia, Sen. Walker is deeply rooted in Georgia’s agricultural traditions. His personal and professional life reflects a steady commitment to the values that 4-H holds dear: leadership, community, and service. He and his wife, Adrienne, live in Kathleen and are active members of Perry Methodist Church, raising three sons with the same values he so often champions in public life.

As Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor, Sen. Walker’s influence reaches far beyond his district. Yet his recognition by Georgia 4-H reflects something greater than political leadership—it underscores the power of public service when it’s used to build futures, one young leader at a time.