Cara Sanders

This year’s academic conference marked the 30th anniversary of the Tennessee Junior High Academic Conference. With a goal of recognizing outstanding 4-H members and leaders, providing academic training, and offering special opportunities for career exploration, the annual meeting of the minds allowed junior high students to experience 4-H like never before. Under the direction of Steve Sutton, Tennessee 4-H worked with individuals from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Ag Research to create

Like most rising seniors, Grace Harville is busy with a wide array of activities, including 4-H, playing the piano, singing, and serving as the president of the Tennessee chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). What sets Harville apart from her classmates is that she’s the chef behind Smith County Chamber Corner’s popular show, “Seasoned with Grace.” The show, which is broadcast through DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC), features Harville making a variety of recipes from her kitchen, including everything

On July 1st, Dr. Richard Clark stepped down as UT Extension Assistant Dean and Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communications (ALEC) Department Head to pursue a new adventure by serving in a leadership position within the 4-H ‘Next Chapter’ Program, which aims to inspire and encourage members to continue their education beyond high school, promote higher education options and develop readiness skills amongst youth. Though we are sad this chapter is coming to a close, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Dwight Loveday.

The legacy and impact of the late Mary Jo Brinkmann is carried on today through a scholarship given in her honor by her husband Bob Brinkmann. Since 2001, the scholarship has been awarded at every 4-H Roundup, and so far 17 people have been on the receiving end. Mary Jo Brinkmann grew up on a farm right outside of Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Before her passing in October of 2000, Mary Jo served as an Extension agent for over 30 years. The very

4-H’ers around the state play a vital role in the success of the Tennessee 4-H Club. Emily Nave, a junior at Cannon County High School in Woodbury, is an outstanding example of what it means to be a 4-H member and the qualities one must possess to be successful. When Nave attended her first 4-H Club meeting in fourth grade, she was already familiar with the program – her mother served as an adult leader and her older sister was in 4-H

Katie Lee, a native of Madisonville, Tennessee, is proof that the skills learned in 4-H Club as a youth carry over into adulthood and can help a member fulfill his or her dreams. A participant of the clothing project, Lee is now runs a successful blog, Pearls and Twirls, and is the co-owner of My Kind of Lovely, a popular boutique and one-stop shop for clothing and gifts. Lee joined 4-H as a fourth grader at Madisonville Intermediate School and continued to