Attend the 4-H Picnic at the Fair

On Aug. 22, 2022, the Tennessee 4-H Foundation hosted the inaugural Picnic at the Fair in conjunction with the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair. This unique event was created to bring the 4-H community together for a fun day at the fair while also raising funds for 4-H camp and educational conference scholarships. Over 350 guests attended and helped to raise over $35,000, which provided each county in the state with a camp scholarship to award to a deserving 4-H member.

Picnic at the Fair

The Tennessee 4-H Foundation created a special committee to plan and organize the event, which is made up of industry and commodity group leaders from across the state. The fair’s main role, in this event, is to support and provide the space for the event as well as tables and chairs for setup, along with admission to the fair. The event also is able to take place thanks to its sponsors, which include Farm Credit Mid-America, the Tennessee Poultry Association, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the Tennessee Pork Producers Association, just to name a few.

“The inaugural event would not have been possible without our sponsors. With the sponsorship and tables purchased, a 4-H camp scholarship was provided to each county across the state,” explains Phyllis Ferguson, Executive Vice President for the Tennessee Pork Producers Association and co-organizer of the event. “We are excited to have raised this amount of funding for the first year of the picnic and look forward to even more dollars raised to assist our 4-H program this year.”

Dan Strasser, Director of Special Programs for Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, also helps organize the event.

“Special events like the 4-H Picnic at the Fair bring in members from across the state and increase awareness about 4-H and the amazing opportunities it provides,” Strasser says. “It also brings in much-needed funds to allow more youth to access the beneficial programs 4-H offers.”

Fair Fun and Funds

With over 140,000 young people enrolled across all 95 counties, Tennessee has the highest 4-H enrollment rate of any state in the nation, and 4-H is the largest youth development organization in Tennessee. Having the support of partner industry and commodity groups like Tennessee Farm Bureau only helps strengthen the program and secure its future impact.

“Tennessee Farm Bureau has remained a staunch and avid supporter of Tennessee 4-H throughout Farm Bureau’s more than a century history,” Strasser says. “The world is better because of Tennessee 4-H, and our hope is to support their mission of providing research-based Extension educational experiences that will empower young people to gain knowledge, develop life skills and form positive attitudes to prepare them to become capable, responsible and compassionate adults.”

Hosting the event at the annual state fair has been beneficial for both the fair and Tennessee 4-H.

“This event has shown the commitment the fair has to support our 4-H youth, the program’s growth and its outreach to as many as possible. It provides a fun place for everyone to enjoy time with others that value the 4-H program and gives them a chance to enjoy the fair at the same time,” says Helen McPeak, executive director for the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair. “There are many sponsors that want to support 4-H, and this gives them the opportunity to do even more for the great organization that provides so much for our youth.”

Fundraising and Fellowship

The event not only helps raise funds for 4-H youth but also gives 4-H alumni a chance to reconnect and reminisce with old friends.

“When you think of 4-H memories, so many of us remember days at the fair exhibiting livestock, having entries in the various agriculture and home economics areas, and participating in contests held at county fairs across the state,” Ferguson says. “A way to reflect on this is by attending the Picnic at the Fair and remembering those fond memories along with making new memories while supporting camps for Tennessee 4-H.”

Big Things in 2023

This year, both the Tennessee 4-H Foundation and the Tennessee State Fair have some exciting plans for the Picnic at the Fair. The event will take place on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. and will conclude with a tour of the fairgrounds and entry into the fair for the opening night. Participants can expect a fun day of great food and entertainment, all while supporting an important cause for 4-H’ers across Tennessee.

“The fair and 4-H have truly partnered to offer competitions, exhibits and events for youth who are part of 4-H clubs across the state. We want these experiences to provide not only valuable learning opportunities and fun but also great memories that will last them a lifetime,” says McPeak. “We appreciate all the planning and organizing efforts along with the common goal of supporting our Tennessee youth to grow and learn in many aspects of their lives.”

We hope that you will make plans to attend this year’s 4-H Picnic at the Fair!

Learn more: tn4hfoundation.org/picnic