Last month, Olivia Howard joined the UT Extension Office here in Union County as the full-time 4-H agent. Olivia was born in Kansas, lived in Michigan and moved to the Knoxville area when she was in 4th grade where her love for agriculture started.
This led her to pursue a degree in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee. Olivia’s experience in Extension started when she completed an internship with the Knox County Extension Office in summer of 2020 where she worked in agriculture and natural resources.
After completing her degree that following December, she returned to the Knox County Extension Office to serve as an agent-in-training, working in both agriculture and 4-H until starting her new position in Union County. When she’s not on the clock, Olivia likes to spend as much time as possible outdoors whether it’s working in her garden, exploring new places or hanging out in her hammock.
Now a month into her new position, Olivia has had the chance to meet with 4-H clubs and county officials but now she’s ready to get to work. She is a firm believer in 4-H’s slogan “Learn by doing” which is why she hopes to expand Union County’s 4-H program with new project groups, judging teams and day camps that provide the youth opportunities to learn marketable skills.
She hopes to start livestock and horse programs in the future after hearing of interest in them since being in the county. She would also like to get clubs back into the high school. Olivia believes career exploration and financial literacy are necessary to prepare our high schoolers for their next steps in life.
This is a new position in the office as a third agent solely serving 4-H duties. This is the first time ever that an agent has been assigned to 4-H and not been split across other program areas.
Split assignments will now be a thing of the past in our county as each of the three agents will take new plans into their solo program areas to thrive. Shannon DeWitt, County Director, will serve as the Agriculture Agent and Alyshia Victoria as the Family Consumer Science Agent. Beth Bergeron will continue as a Program Assistant and Ashley Mike will continue as the Administrative Associate. Look out Union County, this group of ladies will be out working hard in the community getting some new programs rolling!
Olivia is excited to serve Union County that’s why she welcomes your suggestions for new 4-H programs. As she continues to transition into her new position you will see more of her around the county. Feel free to introduce yourself and share any ideas you may have.
Contact her at Olivia@utk.edu or 865-992-8088, or just drop in the office for a visit.