Join us for the Georgia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference in 2023!
The purpose of the GAFCS Annual Conference is to increase engagement and foster relationships between family and consumer sciences professionals and students in the state of Georgia through educational sessions and networking. Visit this site regularly for conference updates.
Awards/Scholarships
Awards/Scholarships are presented annually to deserving GAFCS members.
Theme
The conference will focus on sustainability in food, fashion, and the field of family and consumer sciences.
Event Details
Friday, March 3, 2023
8:00am-3:30pm
The conference will be held face-to-face in Statesboro, GA at the Bulloch County Extension Office at 151 Langston Chapel Road Bulloch Center for Agriculture, Suite 600 Statesboro, GA 30458.
Optional Pre-Conference Event
Georgia Southern University Libraries' and School of Human Ecology have an exhibit celebrating Textiles, Merchandising, & Interiors that you don't want to miss through the end of March! Check it out before the conference at the Zach S. Henderson Library or visit https://georgiasouthern.libguides.com/frankiewelch.
Hotel Information
THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST OF HOTELS. OTHERS ARE AVAILABLE.
***This is a busy time of year. Please make your reservations early.**
HAMPTON INN BY HILTON (Room Block)
Booking link for room block: https://bit.ly/3HKKowX
350 Brampton Avenue
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 489-8989
HOLIDAY INN-University Area
455 Commerce Dr
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 489-4545
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
427 S Main Street
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 205-5999
HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON
1576 Brampton Avenue
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 259-1900
COMFORT INN & SUITES
17870 GA-67
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 225-9345
Being a college town, Statesboro also has lots of great AirBNB options to choose from, so be sure to check those out as well!
Registration
Registration opens: Sunday, January 15, 2023
Last day to register: Sunday, February 26, 2023
2023 Annual Conference Registration
General Program Outline
Opening Session: Rachel Stewart, UGA Extension Tatnall County
Special Welcome from UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and County Extension Coordinator in Tatnall County, Rachel Stewart. UGA Extension serves as an integral partner in disseminating research-based information and works closely with FCS educators throughout the state. Given that the Bulloch County Extension office will be our host site for the conference, it will provide the opportunity for FCS professionals to experience first-hand the impact that Extension provides.
Educational Session #1: Post-Secondary Update
Georgia is fortunate to have multiple institutions with Family and Consumer Sciences-related degree programs including the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, and Georgia Southern University. The department heads and deans of these respective institutions will provide updates on the efforts to recruit more students into family and consumer sciences degree programs, as well as give insight to creating appealing opportunities for students to join GAFCS student affiliates.
Educational Session #2: Sustain Southern
Georgia Southern University’s Leadership and Community Engagement Department offers a unique opportunity to support sustainability efforts on campus. Founded in 2008, the center originated as an Office of Sustainability in the College of Science and Technology and transitioned into the Center for Sustainability in 2009. Sustain Southern hosts a popular tri-annual Sustainability Seminar Series with internationally recognized sustainability experts, bringing in as many as 1,000 attendees to each event. The series, along with other events like “No Impact Week”, attracts Georgia Southern students as well as sustainability enthusiasts from the region. Annually, the Sustainability Programs at Georgia Southern reach thousands of students and community members through afterschool gardening programs at 5 local elementary schools, hosting campus farmers markets, and partnering with the Georgia Southern Museum to offer a traveling museum exhibit. Sustain Southern administers a grant program that supports sustainability advances on campus and has allocated more than $1,100,000 towards campus sustainability improvements since 2014.
Lunch + Business Meeting + Recognition Session
Educational Session #3 Peanuts: Georgia's Most Sustainable Crop
Peanuts and peanut butter provide a nutritious and delicious addition to many dishes. America’s most popular nut is both beneficial to one’s health and the planet, serving as a nourishing snack for malnourished children across the globe while maintaining the smallest carbon footprint of any nut. Leslie Wagner of the Southern Peanut Growers Association serves to educate American consumers about the U.S. peanut industry and its products and how they are promoting sustainability in their efforts.
Educational Session #4: Insights from a Collaborative Textile Waste Workshop and Installation
The project uses a workshop exploring innovative solutions to textile waste led by Fashion and Interior Design faculty for all Georgia Southern students to learn how to convert discarded textiles into an upcycled new material. The culmination of the materials created will be then installed on campus in the School of Human Ecology display case as a three-dimensional piece to increase sustainability awareness with signage explaining the piece and crediting sustainability grant, as well as being tied to a social well-being issue. The form of the final installation piece created out of the material creation process will be related to the Sustainability and Green Initiatives on campus. This will encourage thinking about the campus as a sustainability laboratory. A project-based approach will empower participants to then learn to be more sustainable in a process where they explore the given problem and then create solutions to the sustainability issue. The project will initiate discussions amongst participants concerning global issues associated with sustainability and the life cycle of textile products. This will also help participants to think critically about usage of and repurposing textiles. Therefore, the benefits of this project are to provide information to participants about textile waste, practical techniques to reduce textile waste (through innovative upcycling), and ultimately assisting to reduce textile waste on campus.
Closing Session: 2022 IFHE World Congress Report
Georgia had the privilege of hosting the 2022 International Federation of Home Economics (IFHE) World Congress. Committee members include: Dr. Karen Jones, Joanne Cavis, CFCS, Dr. Don Bower, Dr. June Thomas, Dr. Virginia Richards, and Helen Carter. They have an exciting report to share and will be something you don't want to miss!
Poster Presentation
We would love to have you submit a poster presentation! This is a great opportunity to showcase your work and is open to professionals and students. To participate in the poster presentation, please complete the registration form: https://forms.gle/GMkq25CvYakz5s6J7
*Note: Please bring your own tabletop easel or wall putty to display your poster. No easels will be provided on the day of the conference.
FAQs
- What do I need to wear?
Wear your red or blue!
- Who will be there?
Family and consumer sciences professionals, retirees, alumni, and students from across the state of Georgia and beyond.
- Who do I contact if I have a question?
Send an email to georgiafacs@gmail.com.
- What activities should I expect?
The conference will provide opportunities for networking, panels, and educational sessions. Be prepared to have fun and make connections! A final agenda will be added to this website at least one day before the event. Check you're email closer to the date.
