Whether it be your first experience in the 4th grade as Mr. Bill Morgan walked into your classroom or your last experience as you traveled to National 4-H Congress, 4-H has impacted many in our community.
Last week millions of members, supports, and alumni across the nation celebrated National 4-H week while those in Tennessee had something a little extra to celebrate.
On September 17 Governor Lee signed a proclamation stating that the week of October 3-9 be seen as 4-H week in the state of Tennessee.
The proclamation stating that 4-H is Tennessee’s largest organization as it supports 160,000 youth across the state yearly through allowing members to become confident, independent, resilient and compassionate leaders.
Along with this, Governor Lee recently signed a bill that ensures students in the Tennessee public school system will be counted as present for attendance purposes if participating in 4-H activities.
While this has not been an issue in our own school system many others in the state of Tennessee have not allowed excess excused absences for these education events and trips.
The traditions of 4-H in our community have shown true through the support received by county officials as well as the school system. Along with this, we can see a strong tradition of 4-H through the recent successes of some of our younger community members.
Kaleb Hanna is one of many students in our community that is showcasing these qualities as he finishes out his last year as an active member in 4-H through serving on the Tennessee 4-H State Council as well as being an active member in our community.
"If there is one thing that holds a special place in my past and has strengthened me to live a better life in my future, its 4-H," Hanna said. "That is why giving credit back to all of 4-H is important. The reason I say all of 4-H is to make sure we give credit to 4-hers, extension agents, parents, and leaders that truly make up this great organization."
4-H allows students from 4th to 12th grade in public school as well as home school programs to be involved in a variety of activities such as livestock shows and judging contests, fashion shows and sewing clubs, as well as nutrition health and fitness activities.
No matter your interests there is something for everyone, with the Tennessee 4-H program offering 27 project areas.
Students can showcase these project areas through demonstrations and portfolios that could lead them to numerous conferences where they are able to network with people from all across the state and even nation.
Mr. Bill Morgan, one of Union County’s retired extension agents is a leader for the homeschool 4-H club. This club allows students that are not in public school to still have access to the programming done during the school year by our community’s extension agents and volunteers.
Many of you may remember Mr. Morgan as he visited your classroom once a month or maybe encouraged you to show sheep at the Tennessee Valley Fair.
No matter your activity level in 4-H almost everyone has a story to share, many community members can look back on the first speech they ever gave in 4-H and how it has helped them grow into the leader they are today.
For more information about the Union County 4-H program and how to get involved you can call the office at (865)992-8038 or visit the Union County UT Extension Office located on Maynardville Highway.