Tennessee’s Legislature Supports 4-H in More Ways Than One

In 2021, leaders of the Tennessee State Senate and House of Representatives were influential in making positive changes for Tennessee 4-H’ers and rural counties. Throughout their careers, 4-H’ers have many opportunities to compete, attend conferences, and grow in their skills and leadership abilities.

However, occasionally these activities take place during the school day. In many school districts, active members would have to take an unexcused absence to participate and often were not even afforded the chance to make up their work, which meant participating in a 4-H activity could negatively affect a student’s grades.

With the passing of House Bill 0332/ Senate Bill 0203, that fear is alleviated, as 4-H’ers in every county now receive an excused absence for all official 4-H events.

“Sometimes, it is essential that 4-H’ers miss school because it allows them to attend important events that are unforgettable experiences,” says Landin Brock, active 4-H’er from Loudon County. “These events are educational and help students develop real-life skills and forge lasting friendships.”

Bills Backing 4-H

Throughout the school year, events include contests like livestock judging, outdoor meat cookery, livestock shows, farm days, 4-H Congress and more.

“One example of a valuable trip that I experienced during school was Tennessee 4-H Congress where I learned about how the Tennessee General Assembly operates by stepping into the shoes of a legislator and having a mock legislative session in the actual state senate chambers,” Brock says. “In addition, I was able to meet my own legislators and experience Nashville. This provided me with a rich educational experience in the field of civics.”

House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, led the charge in getting this bill and other pro-4-H actions through in 2021. As a former 4-H’er, Lamberth appreciates the work of 4-H and sees the value of students participating.

“4-H was a big part of my educational journey, and what young people learn in 4-H is oftentimes above and beyond what they get in a classroom,” says Lamberth. “If you’re participating in 4-H and having to miss class, that shouldn’t count against you.”

Loads of Legislative Support

The state Legislature also supported 4-H and UT Extension in 2021 by adding room in the budget for the addition of 32 new agents. This means all 95 counties will have at least three agents in their Extension offices – 4-H, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS).

“If you don’t have a well-staffed Extension office, you can’t have a robust program for the community,” Lamberth says. “These additional agents have been a huge goal of mine for several years, and those 32 positions are something I personally pushed hard for. I am so glad the Governor’s office and the rest of the Legislature got behind that effort and fully supported it.”

Additional staff will help those who work in the offices as well as the programs because with more hands on deck, the better the programs become.

“Having once been an agent with a split 4-H/Adult Family & Consumer Science position, I can tell you that it is difficult for an agent to do both and do both well,” says Amy Fellhoelter, former 4-H agent in Loudon County. “There just aren’t enough hours in the day. Being able to focus on overseeing a youth development program is very different than answering farmer and homeowner questions and developing programming for adult audiences.”

Thanks to the support of Lamberth and other legislators, 4-H will continue into the future better than it is today.

“It is exciting to know that our legislators recognize the importance of the 4-H program,” Fellhoelter says. “It is a real testament to all the great 4-H, FCS and Ag Extension programs being conducted all across the state. Our programs have a strong tradition of excellence in Tennessee, and it is great to know that this has been noticed and noted by those making decisions at the state level.”