Discover Tennessee 4-H Alumni’s New 4-H’ers Under 40 Program

Making the best better doesn’t quite stop even after you’ve officially graduated school and started a career of your own. For the 16 members of the inaugural class of 4-H’ers Under 40, making themselves, their communities and workplaces better has remained a key component of their adult life and why the new 4-H’ers Under 40 program was recently started.

“There are many colleges that do 40 under 40 programs,” says Christie Henderson, UT Extension assistant for 4-H Youth Development. “We thought, ‘Why not do a 4-H’ers Under 40 program?’ We’re hoping it’s a great way to get our younger alumni crowd involved.”

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The new program aims to highlight alumni members under the age of 40 who were and are active in 4-H and their community. The inaugural class was recognized at the Tennessee 4-H Alumni Reunion in early 2025, and a new class will be named each spring based on online nominations.

“We are really hoping to highlight some of the alumni who are great at giving back,” Henderson says.

Part of the giving back aspect comes into play with a service project the class is working on together. After meeting once per month for the first six months of the program, the group decided to do a 4-H mentoring project where they plan to mentor current 4-H’ers.

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“They are working to get 4-H’ers at the senior level who might be going to college or who are interested in a career and need someone to talk to and get advice from,” Henderson says. “They are working to get a system set up where they can get matched with a 4-H’er based on their profession and likes, then support and mentor them as needed.”

Under 40 and Thriving

For any current 4-H’ers interested in the performing arts, 4-H’er Under 40 Polly Gregory will be a valuable contact to have. As one of the inaugural class, Gregory credits her time in the Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe for getting her where she is today.

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“I grew up being moved and inspired by movies and putting on fashion shows for my friends and family,” says Gregory, who was an active member of the Robertson County 4-H club. “When I learned there was a job that combined them, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life, and the Performing Arts Troupe helped me develop that passion and desire.”

She took the insight gained through the troupe and, after attending George Washington University, moved to Los Angeles to work as a costume designer. Since then, Gregory has worked as a costumer for Oscar-nominated movies such as Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro.

The part of Gregory’s career she is most proud of is her work with the Emmy Foundation and their yearly internship programs, which are designed to help students who otherwise have no connections to the entertainment industry forge a career path. As the 2015 costume design intern, Gregory knows how helpful the program was to her and wants to return the favor by helping the next generation of storytellers get their start in Hollywood.

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And even though she is far away on the West Coast, Gregory is proud to continue being involved in the organization where it all started and is honored to be a part of the inaugural class of 4-H’ers Under 40.

“While online experiences can never fully replace the joy of a face-to-face meeting, I consider myself so lucky to be able to live in LA and pursue my dream while also continuing to be active in the 4-H community that helped shape me into who I am today,” Gregory says.

Learn more about the 4-H’ers Under 40 program at tn4hfoundation.org/under40.