Excitement filled the air on the campus of the University of Tennessee Knoxville from July 17 to 21, 2023, as more than 350 4-H’ers, volunteers and around 200 alums attended the annual Tennessee 4-H Roundup and All Star Conference, where everyone honored the 100th anniversary of the first Roundup.
Photo credit: Colby McLemore
The first year of the 4-H Roundup took place in 1923 and was called the State 4-H Club Camp, where 196 boys and girls from 16 Tennessee counties attended agriculture and home economics courses. Since 1923, the annual event has seen many changes, including being discontinued during the Great Depression and during World War II when the UT campus was used as a U.S. Army Air Corps training base.
In 1939, it was renamed Tennessee 4-H Short Course, then changed 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. Now, Roundup alternates between the two campuses, where it has been estimated that more than 38,000 4-H members have attended the annual event since 1923.
A Century Worth Celebrating
Much of the 2023 enthusiasm centered around honoring the past 100 years as historical facts were shared throughout the weeklong event. A special toast was given on Tuesday night by Charles Goan, a delegate to the 1959 Roundup, and Hadley Brown, the 2023 State Council President, where they recognized the event’s impact and promised to continue Roundup into the future.
Photo credit: Colby McLemore
With the theme of “Encourage, Empower, Embrace,” and a focus on honoring the old traditions while embracing the new ones, the 2023 Roundup had festive décor highlighting memories of former 4-H’ers and events leading to the centennial festivities. Historical photos and artifacts were also displayed in each decade of Roundup’s long history.
Committee Kudos
Working long hours since January 2023, the Roundup Planning Committee ensured that each aspect of the event would offer an unforgettable experience. The committee consisted of Roundup Centennial Celebration Committee Co-Chairs Martha Jo Tolley and Ryan Hensley, 4-H’ers, 4-H staff members from the county and state level, and retired staff members.
“The entire Roundup program was devoted to celebrating the event’s history,” Tolley says.
Photo credit: Colby McLemore
All committee members made a point of weaving aspects of the first 100 years of Roundup into the event.
“There were many symbolic touches that made the Roundup event memorable,” says Hensley, executive director of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
Everyone involved felt the success of the 2023 Roundup event.
Alumni All Together
“We received positive feedback from the event, and our alumni have requested that we have similar events more frequently,” Hensley says.
The final evening featured a celebration reception for former 4-H members and supporters at The Foundry on the Fair Site before the Vol State Ceremony.
“Delightful reception food and a brief program enhanced all the visits with old friends and many stories of Roundup memories shared during a time of reflection on past Roundup experiences,” Tolley says.
Photo credit: Colby McLemore
Following the program, participants joined current Roundup delegates for a concert by the Red River Boys, a group of former 4-H members from Robertson County who started their musical careers in the 4-H Share the Fun contest. They have performed at many past 4-H Roundup events and National 4-H Congress. The concert was then followed by the Vol State Ceremony.
“Vol State began at the 1947 4-H Roundup and continues today as the highest state honor a Tennessee 4-H member can receive,” Tolley says.
At the end of the ceremony, former Vol State members joined the newly honored members, standing in the outline of the state of Tennessee with candles held high as the song “Go Light Your World” echoed through the Tennessee Amphitheater at World’s Fair Park.
Celebrating the 100th Tennessee 4-H Roundup
Leading up to Roundup, 4-H’ers from all 95 Tennessee counties were challenged to complete 100 hours of service and participate in “100 Ways to Celebrate 4-H Roundup” through social media.
A total of 323 service projects were performed as part of the challenge.
“We calculated that 137,863 service hours were totaled for the past year,” says Jamie Harris, interim state 4-H leader. “This had an economic impact on the state of Tennessee of $3,662,727.”
Photo credit: Colby McLemore
Reflecting on the thousands of young people in Tennessee who have participated in the Roundup experience, the 100th anniversary Roundup set the stage as a valuable learning experience for future 4-H members and events.
“We are excited to begin working on the 4-H Strategic Plan, which will determine the focus of 4-H programming, including future Roundup events, for the next few years,” Harris says.
It will be hard to compete with the 100th anniversary event, but the committee and 4-H members are determined to keep Roundup thriving for years to come.
Thank you, Co-op!
We want to offer a special “Thank you!” to Tennessee Farmers Cooperative for sponsoring all the 100th Roundup Celebration Activities.
Centennial Club Donors
Benefactors who donate $1,000 or more to the 100th Roundup endowment are inducted into the 4-H Roundup Centennial Club.
Individuals:
Bill & Donna Bracy
Chris & Melissa Bryant
Louis Buck
Kenny Crenshaw
Justin & Julie Crowe
Cherry Lane Darken
Matt Fennel
Nancy M. Gerhardt
Charlie Goan
Deb Handy
Judith G. Hayes
Kevin & Lindsey Hensley
Ryan & Amanda Hensley
Cynthia House
Ernie & Julie Kleinlein
John W. Langley
Kim Harvey Looney
Larry Mangum
Cozette & Chris Manus
Carol Coley McDonald
George McDonald
Ruth Henderson McQueen
Shirley Miller
Alice Ann & Harry Moore
Greg Pershall
Michael & Maya Plaster
David & Carol Reed
Joyce & Owen Rogers
Nancy Rucker
Nancy Sims
Ruth Johnson Smiley
Steve Sutton
Glenn & Shannon Thackston
Brenda Voiles
Matthew & Krista Wade
John Charles & Susan Wilson
Organizations:
Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee
Smith-Wright Law, PLLC
Tennessee Pork Producers Association