Family Footsteps Lead to 4-H Leadership Roles

Officially, Jim Jenkins joined 4-H when he was in fourth grade. Unofficially, Jenkins feels like he’s always been in 4-H.

That’s because the Rogersville resident has three older siblings who were 4-H’ers, including his sister, Laura Grace, who served as State Council president. His cousin, Jennifer Lawson, has worked in the Hawkins County Extension Office “for as long as I’ve lived,” Jenkins says. He says it was Lawson who taught him no job or activity was too small or insignificant.

“She would text my mom and ask if I could come by and help with an Honor Club meeting or remind my mom of a poster contest coming up to make sure I participated,” Jenkins says. Early participation led to Jenkins’ love for all things 4-H. His early and ongoing interest in the forestry, wildlife and fisheries project was influenced by his father, whom Jenkins calls a “huge outdoorsman and someone I look up to.”

As he grew older, Jenkins gravitated to leadership positions, where he excelled at both the regional and state levels. From Eastern Region All Star Council Upper 8 area scout, Eastern Region chief to his term as State Council president in 2021-2022, Jenkins says 4-H has “been my life for the last four years.”

The pinnacle of leadership almost didn’t happen, however. When the COVID-19 pandemic moved 4-H activities online, Jenkins had already decided to run for the State Council position of Speaker of the House.

“I wasn’t sure at the time if I wanted to do anything more after that,” recalls Jenkins, who describes himself as a ‘go up and talk to people’ person rather than someone who enjoys using social media to connect. “During that time of disconnect when we couldn’t gather together, I was afraid 4-H wasn’t going to be the place where I could really flourish.”

Fortunately, his sister, Laura Grace, opened his eyes to what 4-H can do for young people, no matter what form that takes.

All in the Family

“Her encouragement really made me want to stay involved,” Jenkins says. “We got through the pandemic and now we’re back and better than ever.”

Jenkins is moving forward as well. The 2022 graduate of Cherokee High School is a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), studying food and agricultural business with long-term plans of attending law school.

“After that, I’m thinking of either practicing law or maybe trying to work for the Farm Bureau in policy,” Jenkins says. He plans to get involved with UTK Collegiate 4-H and FFA. Visible at 4-H Roundup or 4-H Congress, collegiate members “were always hard at work helping the adults and the 4-H’ers have the best time they can at these events,” Jenkins says.

From fourth grader to fourth-year collegiate, urban setting or rural chapter, 4-H is for everyone, Jenkins says. “4-H is a great opportunity for everyone to learn new skills and to learn new things about themselves. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without 4-H.”