Celebrations for the long-awaited 100th Tennessee 4-H Roundup and All-Star Conference are taking place at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus July 17-21, 2023. This year’s event  is centered around the theme “Encourage, Empower, Embrace,” with a focus on the Centennial Celebration and recognition of past Roundups with festive décor and an exciting schedule to honor the past and build excitement for the future of Tennessee 4-H.

The Roundup Planning Committee has been working tirelessly to ensure the event and all the festivities will be a huge success for hundreds of attendees and alumni.

Leading up to Roundup, 4-H’ers from all 95 Tennessee counties are challenged to complete 100 hours of service and participate in “100 Ways to Celebrate 4-H Roundup” through social media.

“Since the first Roundup, no matter the year, youth have had every opportunity to make the best better; the memories are indescribable, which makes them beyond special,” shares 4-H State Council President Hadley Brown.

Tennessee 4-H Roundup History

Back in 1923, the event was called the State 4-H Club Camp, where 196 boys and girls from 16 Tennessee counties attended agriculture and home economics courses. Since the first Roundup, the event has seen many changes, including being renamed to State 4-H Short Course during the Great Depression and reimagined during World War II as a special training session in food production, conservation, leadership, and wartime activities, when the UT campus was used as a U.S. Army Air Corps training base.

Renamed again in 1949 to State 4-H Club Roundup, the event was held on the UT Knoxville campus until 1979, when it moved to the UT Martin campus. These days, Roundup alternates between the two campuses, where it has been estimated that more than 38,000 4-H members have attended the annual event over the past 99 years.

“Roundup has grown and changed much over the past 100 years,” Brown says. “The event has lost some traditions, like matching uniforms, but become more inclusive and diverse in its program offerings.”

Around 350 4-H’ers are expected to attend the 100th Roundup, where they’ll compete in project and portfolio competitions for scholarships and trips to National 4-H Congress, attend community service activities, and honor everyone’s accomplishments at dances and banquets.

“I’m excited to be part of this year’s anniversary Roundup because it allows attendees to reflect on the past and celebrate the growth and future of the Tennessee 4-H program,” says Jamie Harris, assistant state 4-H leader.

Alumni Special Event

Along with the student attendees, approximately 300 alumni members will attend the 100th Roundup and participate in special alumni events. Past state 4-H leaders, state council members and special alumni guests will share with the 4-H students how they’ve grown and evolved during their time in the program.

On July 20, a Tennessee 4-H Alumni Special Event takes place at The Foundry with an alumni program at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Vol State Ceremony, in which alumni will participate. The evening will end with a fun concert where 4-H alumni Red River Boys will perform.

“We’re excited to see old friends and reconnect and celebrate the rich history of Tennessee 4-H Roundup,” says Brown. “Since the Red River Boys will perform, there will be lively dancing and hors d’oeuvres for snacking.”

The traditional Vol State Ceremony will follow the event by mixing the new and old 4-H’ers to share the highest honor of Tennessee 4-H, the Vol State Award.

Making 4-H History

“I’m excited to celebrate the 100th Tennessee 4-H Roundup and All-Star Conference along with hundreds of attendees and thousands of 4-H Roundup alum from across the state,” shares Justin Crowe, director and state 4-H program leader. “I know this Roundup will be special and unique and help showcase the efforts of those who came before us.”

With so many students in Tennessee growing up with 4-H, the 100th Roundup is a special event to be a part of and an essential piece of 4-H history.

“Roundup is a special event to every 4-H’er, but this being the 100th makes it all the more exciting. From meeting new people and competing in portfolios with my peers to coming together to celebrate our love and passion for the program as a whole is what it is all about,” explains All-Star Chief Maddie Smith.

Brown concludes, “4-H has always been a staple for positive youth development, and this Centennial Celebration is only a start to the impact it will have in the next 100 years, too!”