No 4-H In Georgia? As budgets shrivel, that's on the table.

The University of Georgia, facing a budget crisis that's all-too-familiar in other states right now, will have to cut $300 million from its next fiscal year, and ag programs will take a hit if initial proposals take effect.

The most incendiary proposal, so far: eliminate 4-H, which is administered by the university's extension service.

Other proposals include closing half the state's county extension offices and shuttering 3 experiment stations and the state's botanical gardens. Students would see a $1,000 annual tuition hike. Every other janitorial position would be cut from the university system, and non-tenured instructors could find their positions eliminated.

Josh White, executive vice president of the Georgia Cattlemen's Association (GCA), said this week that ag is taking a "disproportionate" share of the cuts. GCA and other farm groups are rallying to keep 4-H intact and minimize other reductions.

Some state legislators say that UGa administrators floated the idea of dumping 4-H, in fact, as a ploy to fire up emotions and rally constituents to press the lawmakers for more funding.

The proposed cuts come a week after Mississippi State University brought out proposals to eliminate a number of ag degrees and merge several departments.

- Owen Taylor