Tennessee 4-H Foundation News Archives

Officers Elected at the 76th Annual 4-H Congress

At the 76th Annual Tennessee 4-H Congress in March 2023, delegates from across the state cast their votes for this year’s new officers. As the premiere citizenship event for freshmen and sophomores, Congress is a valuable learning experience for students interested in politics and beyond. The new officers are Governor MaeLee Williamson, Speaker of the House Alex Snodgrass and Speaker of the Senate Grace Huff. At Congress, the officers had a chance to meet with students from across the state. Delegates were

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T12:35:02-05:00

Meet 4-H Alumnus Josh Webber

For Josh Webber, Chief Operating Officer of Property and Casualty Operations at Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee, 4-H was a gateway to travel, friendships and a steady professional career. Early Influences “I was a nontraditional 4-H candidate,” Webber says. Growing up in Cookeville, Webber didn’t have an agricultural background. It was through a close friend from a farming family that he started to take an interest in agriculture. Then, in 7th grade, Webber entered an essay contest sponsored by the Tennessee Arabian

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T12:31:19-05:00

Discover 4-H Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are integral to all parts of Tennessee’s 4-H program – from county to regional and state events, and in all 29 program areas. “Adults often think working with youth will be difficult and require lots of time. Some may even think youth won’t be interested in what they have to offer. However, it is quite the opposite,” says Tonya G. Bain, Western Region Extension area specialist. 4-H focuses on life skills from livestock to leadership, community service to communication and fashion

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T12:40:51-05:00

4-H Members Learn Lifelong Skills at the Fair

In Tennessee, 4-H and the fair are synonymous with summer, from Ferris wheels and funnel cakes to 4-H members highlighting their skills and keeping everything running smoothly. In 2021, the Wilson County Fair and the Tennessee State Fair joined their efforts to make one outstanding fair called the Wilson County Fair - Tennessee State Fair. Combining two fairs offers growth opportunities and steps up the competition. All county fair participants are asked to bring their winning entries from the prior year to

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T15:50:30-05:00

4-H Programs Continued Through Covid

In 2020, for the 111,000 4-H’ers across 95 counties in Tennessee, the COVID-19 pandemic left an impact that changed how the organization operated in the 2020-21 year – and will continue to operate moving forward. Emily Barton has been a 4-H Extension agent for six years in both Carter and Hawkins counties and, before that, was a member in grade school. She says 4-H helped her break out of her shell and find a group where she felt comfortable being herself. When

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T15:22:38-05:00

Katie Collins is a Role Model for All 4-H’ers

Katie Collins has lived in the same house in Charlotte, Tennessee, since the day she was born. She grew up surrounded by 800 acres as part of a century farm family. The Daniels Dairy farm, started by her mother’s side of the family, has been in operation for over 100 years and manages about 200 cows. Some of their land is also used for soybeans and corn. Collins loves being outside among the animals, riding her four-wheeler, and spending time with friends

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T15:15:00-05:00

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

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T14:50:57-05:00

UT’s Herbert College of Agriculture Bears the Name of 4-H Alumni

The University of Tennessee announced the naming of the Herbert College of Agriculture after James L. (Jim) Herbert and his wife, Judi, made a transformational gift to the college. Their generosity will serve to enhance programs and benefit students and faculty of the former College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for generations to come. From an early age, Jim was involved in 4-H and agriculture. He grew up on a farm in Shelby Co Photo credit: Adam Brimer / University

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T14:44:45-05:00

Tennessee’s Legislature Supports 4-H in More Ways Than One

In 2021, leaders of the Tennessee State Senate and House of Representatives were influential in making positive changes for Tennessee 4-H’ers and rural counties. Throughout their careers, 4-H’ers have many opportunities to compete, attend conferences, and grow in their skills and leadership abilities. Photo credit: Michael D. Tedesco However, occasionally these activities take place during the school day. In many school districts, active members would have to take an unexcused absence to participate and often were not even afforded the

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T14:32:21-05:00

Electric Camp Inspires Young Scientists and Engineers

STEM has become a trendy buzzword in the education world in recent years, but Tennessee's 4-H Electric Camp was sparking excitement in STEM subject areas long before it was cool. A fun and educational tradition among 4-H members since it began in 1992, 4-H Electric Camp happens every June on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville. “The overall goal of the 4-H Electric Camp is to improve young 4-H members’ knowledge and excitement in STEM subjects such as electricity, energy conservation,

Hannah Lewis2023-07-18T13:58:20-05:00