Sunday at the Museum Lecture Series

Guest Speaker: Arch Smith

Topic: History of Rock Eagle

The lecture will take place in the theater at The Plaza Arts Center. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. Stay after to tour the museum and enjoy refreshments.

Speaker Bio:

Arch D. Smith - Retired State 4-H Leader

Arch Daniel Smith II grew up in rural Warren County on his family’s cotton and cattle farm. He attended school in Warren County and began participating in the Georgia 4-H program in fifth grade. Arch began his collegiate studies at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and later transferred to the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics in 1977. During his tenure at UGA, Arch held leadership roles in many organizations, including student senate, Ag Hill Council, and Collegiate 4-H Club. He worked as a summer camp counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center from 1973 to 1976, serving in leadership roles during his final two summers.

Upon completing college, Arch returned to Warren County to expand and manage his family’s farm. He participated in numerous civic leadership roles, including service as a member of the Warren County Board of Commissioners.

Arch began his career with the Cooperative Extension Service as a Carroll County Extension agent in 1985. While in Carrollton, Arch earned a Master of Public Administration from West Georgia College and State University. In 1988, he was selected to serve as the Rock Eagle 4-H Center Coordinator, an Extension 4-H Specialist position. He became the Associate State 4-H Leader for Facilities and Residential Programs in 1995; in 1998 he took on additional responsibility as the Georgia 4-H Foundation Executive Director.

Arch was asked to serve as Interim State 4-H leader in 2008 and was appointed as the eighth State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H the following year. Arch provided leadership to a beloved program that serves more than 200,000 young people in a typical year. He was responsible for the staff training of Georgia 4-H agents, program assistants, and volunteers; he also oversaw all personnel and budget issues of the state 4-H office, the five 4-H centers, and the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Under Arch’s guidance, the Georgia 4-H centers improved their outreach to Georgia citizens and the 4-H program. Special points of pride during his tenure include the construction of a new dining hall and new residential cabins at Rock Eagle 4-H Center and the acquisition of Fortson 4-H Center. Arch has directed more than $70 million in major improvements, expansions, and additions at Georgia’s 4-H centers.

Arch led Georgia 4-H to increase its reach at the local level by creating programs for volunteer development and certification. Under his leadership, resources were provided at the local level for increasing curriculum and private and grant funding, which resulted in nearly 50 part-time positions added in county Extension offices. During his thirteen years as executive director, private giving increased significantly.

Arch is a graduate of the National 4-H Executive Institute for Fund Development and was a member of the 1990 Leadership Georgia class. Additional notable recognition throughout his career includes his time as Chair for the Southern Region Program Leaders Network 4-H Committee and the first Chair of the National 4-H Program Leaders Working Group. He also served as one of five state 4-H leaders on the Extension Council on Policy - 4-H Committee, the group that determines national 4-H policy. Arch was recognized by the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia with the Distinguished Professional Award in 2008 and received the CAES Alumni Award of Excellence in 2011. Georgia’s Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) recognized Arch with the Presidential Citation and with the Allene McGill Award for Distinguished Public Service; he holds the faculty rank of Senior Service Associate at the University of Georgia. Most recently, Arch was presented the 2025 Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award.

Arch retired as State 4-H Leader on August 1, 2022. Three months into retirement, he accepted a request to return to CAES and serve as Interim Southeast District Extension Director. After 19 months in this role, he was named the Interim Associate Dean for Extension on June 1, 2024. He served as interim dean until March 31, 2025. The next day, Arch returned to the Georgia 4-H state staff to assist with the operations of the Georgia 4-H Centers.

Arch is married to the former Brenda Taylor of Atlanta. They have two children, Kristen and Daniel, both graduates of The University of Georgia. Their family lived at Rock Eagle 4-H Center for over 26 years and were actively involved in the Eatonton community. In 2005, Arch was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Eatonton Putnam Chamber of Commerce. Arch and Brenda currently live in Monroe, Georgia.