Tennessee 4-H alumni and friends across generations gathered on March 2, 2024, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Lebanon to reminisce, reflect and reconnect at the TN 4-H Alumni Reunion.
“Most people, including myself, that had the 4-H experience growing up look back on that as making quite an impact on our lives,” says Kathy Finley, a member of the planning committee. “We like the opportunity to reminisce on that and share that experience with others. It’s a sense of pride and of recognizing what 4-H did for all of us that were involved.”
The reunion has become an annual event since 2016 when the Tennessee 4-H Alumni and Friends organization was formed. Reunion attendance has steadily increased every year since, with people seeing it as a chance to reunite with those who share the common bond of 4-H. The 2024 reunion consisted of 110 attendees.
See more: TN 4-H Alumni & Friends Annual Reunion
“Attendees present included those across the span of the last 60 years and as far back as those who were 4-H members in the 60s,” Finley says.
Delegates from the 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004 National Congresses were recognized. Members of the State 4-H Council were also present.
Volunteer Jam
For the second year, Tennessee 4-H volunteers hosted Volunteer Jam the day before and the morning of the reunion. Volunteer Jam brought together 4-H volunteers and professionals to share ideas and present training in the form of workshops allowing volunteers to return to their counties and easily recreate programs.
Approximately three dozen participants attended this year’s Volunteer Jam.
“Your organization is only as strong as your volunteers,” says 4-H Alumni & Friends President Corinne Gould. Gould considers herself raised on 4-H and is now assistant commissioner for public affairs with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture – a role where she is fortunate enough to attend 4-H events. “Attending events as a part of the Department of Agriculture, I look around and think about what it was like to sit in those chairs as students years ago,” Gould says. “But I also think about the volunteers in the room and those who have gone above and beyond to invest in these students. 4-H would not be what it is without that base.”
Restructured Program
This year’s reunion program had a revitalized format.
“We did not have a keynote speaker, as in years past,” Finley says.
“Instead, we had Middle, West and East regions gather to discuss smaller reunions.” Gould adds, “We would really like to see regional groups form to strengthen regional and county-level outreach to encourage participation among former 4-H members and supporters.”
This includes but is not limited to growing membership in Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends and support of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
See more: Giving Societies for Alumni
A silent auction is typically held in conjunction with the event, and this year’s auction held an extra special surprise. At the last minute, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Keith Carver, offered the experience of an afternoon with him and his wife on their boat. President-Elect Joe Huffine stepped into the role of amateur auctioneer, and the package was auctioned off for a total of $1,250. Overall, the silent auction combined with the live auction raised a total of $6,000, almost double the amount of last year’s event. Money raised goes back to support events and activities of the 4-H Alumni and Friends organization.
Aside from electing officers, another item of business at the gathering was recognizing the 4-H Alumni Leadership Award recipients. This year’s recipients were Glenda Booker and Rhedona Rose. Booker worked as an Extension agent for 4-H Youth Development in Wilson County until she retired from UT Extension at the end of 2002. Since that time, she has continued to volunteer with regional and state All Stars and the Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Trou
pe. Rose is perhaps best known for 37 years of contributions and leadership at the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. She spent the last 13 years serving as the organization’s executive vice president and assumed the responsibilities of the chief administrative officer in 2017. Her tireless work to shape policy will continue to benefit Tennessee’s farmers and citizens for generations to come.
Mark your calendars – the next reunion for 4-H Alumni and Friends is scheduled for March 1, 2025.