Tennessee 4-H Foundation News Archives

Spence Endowments Honor 42 Years of Volunteerism

B.D. and Marcella Spence dedicated their hands to larger service to the benefit of 4-H youth across Tennessee. They were the kind of couple who lived the 4-H Pledge by example. Those who knew the couple say it’s only fitting that their memories are kept alive with two endowments for Marshall and Maury county 4-H’ers honoring their service to the organization. Contributing to Camp Scholarships The B.D. and Marcella Spence Endowment provides scholarships for 4-H camps, including Pioneer Camp, Ag in the

Hannah Lewis2024-06-18T09:44:01-05:00

2024 Tennessee 4-H Congress Recap

Franklin County was highlighted at this year’s 77th annual Tennessee 4-H Congress, as the newly elected Tennessee 4-H Governor, Speaker of the House and Speaker of the Senate all call the county home. Jadian Keith, Calli Alonso and Summer-Grace Kelly, this year’s newly elected Congress officers, also comprise a unique all-female ticket. The event, held March 10-13, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Nashville SE in Murfreesboro, was this year’s premiere Citizenship event, connecting ninth and 10th graders across the state. Students from

Hannah Lewis2024-06-18T09:49:24-05:00

2024 Tennessee 4-H Congress Award Winners

During the 2024 Tennessee 4-H Congress held March 10-13, 4-H’ers from across the state came together to compete in various competitions, enjoy fellowship and participate in usual Congress activities. Congratulations to all adult and youth winners. Adult Awards 4-H Salute to Excellence and Volunteer of the Year Mike Glasgow from Cheatham County, who also won the U.S. Southern Region component for this award. 4-H Salute to Excellence, Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Melissa Graf from Jefferson County Brown/Gilliam Family Legacy Award The Hilliard Family,

Hannah Lewis2024-06-13T12:07:55-05:00

Meet New 4-H Alumni President Joe Huffine

Incoming president of Tennessee 4-H Alumni Joe Huffine is a lifelong 4-H member. He grew up on his family’s farm in Jonesboro and joined 4-H as a student. “I started showing cattle in the fifth grade,” he recalls. “At the end of the show season, my parents asked if I wanted to do it again the next year.” He replied with an enthusiastic yes, but his parents told him that he would be responsible for buying his own heifer. By the time

Hannah Lewis2024-06-13T10:58:05-05:00

Mattie Smith Advocates for Agriculture in D.C.

One of Mattie Smith’s favorite memories of growing up on her family’s farm in Ten Mile is of bottle-feeding an orphaned calf. Her agriculture background and 4-H career led her to Washington D.C. to advocate for agriculture. “I remember getting up at 5:30 in the morning, and I’d ride my bicycle across the road to my grandparents’ house, to the barn, and I would have a warm milk bottle waiting on me to feed it,” says Smith, a now 18-year-old 4-H’er. “Then

Hannah Lewis2024-06-13T10:44:29-05:00

Tennessee Farmers Cooperative CEO Receives Friend of 4-H Award

As chief executive officer of Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC), Shannon Huff is “incredibly humbled” to receive the Friend of 4-H Award but says he “feels bad about accepting it” because his company is the longtime and significant supporter of 4-H. “The award should be shared by everyone at the company,” Huff says. The Tennessee 4-H Foundation annually honors outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting 4-H Youth Development by contributing time and resources to help young people enrolled in

Hannah Lewis2024-06-13T10:29:11-05:00

4-H Alumni Reunion Reunites the Generations

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

Hannah Lewis2024-06-13T10:21:10-05:00

Katie Collins Wins National 4-H Youth in Action Award

Dickson County 4-H’er and past 4-H State Council member Katie Collins is the first Tennessee 4-H’er to win the national 4-H Youth in Action Award. Collins has been active within 4-H since fourth grade. Her love for agriculture began on her family’s dairy in Dickson. She remained active into high school and wanted to share that passion with young people in the area, so she created the “See Yourself in Agriculture” program. Through her project, she mentored local middle school 4-H’ers interested

Hannah Lewis2024-04-22T14:42:52-05:00

Macon County Wins 2023 National Consumer Decision Making Contest

Congratulations to Macon County 4-H for their national win in the Consumer Decision Making Contest in 2023. Team members include Ella Flynn, Delaney Turner, Graycee West, and Logan West, and coached by Michaela Pedigo brought home the gold from the National Consumer Decision Making Contest. “We competed in Consumer Decision Making as well as the Family and Consumer Science Skillathon and actually won both on the state level,” says Delaney Turner, who won 1st place individual as well. “We were better as

Hannah Lewis2024-05-09T14:48:03-05:00

National Winners in 2023

In 2023, Tennessee 4-H'ers big successes from individual awards to national recognition. Congratulations to all! National Chicken BBQ Lilly Waggoner, DeKalb County (8th) National Winners Youth in Action Award Katie Collins, Dickson County National Beekeeping Essay Paige Costello, Carroll County National Consumer Decision Making Macon County 4-HDelaney Turner, Graycee West, Ella Flynn, Logan West National Consumer Decision Making, High Individual Delany Turner, Macon County Southern Region Horse Public Speaking John Everett, Knox County National Top 10 Teams National Horse Judging

Hannah Lewis2024-05-10T15:32:27-05:00