State Project Winners 2011

Beef
Level 1- Sarah Ramsey, Hancock County
Level 2- Stephen McBride, Coffee County

Clothing and Textiles
Level 1- Augusta Betterton, Putnam County and Kelly Burgess, Williamson County
Level 2- Ariel Chism, Rutherford County, and Cheyenne West, Claiborne County

Communication/Public Speaking
Level 1- Tori Bryant, Lawrence County
Level 2- Hamilton Spivey, Warren County

Companion Animals
Level 1- Sara Stewart, Wilson County and Kaitlyn Asmar, Maury County
Level 2- Aaron Helms, Lincoln County and Rachel Clack, Putnam County

Computers and Technology
Level 1- Maranda Vandergriff, Knox County
Level 2- Austin Duke, Rutherford County

Consumer Education/Economics
Level 1- Daniel Van der Merwe, Knox County and Justin Spivey, Warren County
Level 2- Amanda Ratliff, Sumner County and Graci Weber, Knox County

Dairy
Level 1- Ben Jordan, Marshall County
Level 2- Kaylee Penick, Cheatham County

Electric
Level 1- Joseph Phillips, Overton County
Level 2- Chelsea Bell, Madison County

Engineering/Safety Science
Level 1- Reggie Eskridge, Shelby County and Aaron Waldrup, Knox County
Level 2- Mac Britton, Warren County and Scott Southard, Warren County

Entomology
Level 1- Kade Parker, Blount County

Food Science
Level 1- Savannah Horne, Knox County and Ellen Woods, Coffee County
Level 2- Beth Thew, Roane County

Tennessee 4-H Roundup 2011

Day 1 was a success and Day 2 is well underway!  We would like to congratulate all nominees for the 2011-2012 State 4-H Council, as well as to wish all project competitors luck tonight at the awards banquet.  To see more pictures, please visit Tennessee 4-H on facebook; To see a complete play by play, visit our twitter!

2011 Tennessee Junior High 4-H Academic Conference

160 4-H'ers attended Junior High Academic Conference on the UT Knoxville campus June 7-10, 2011. Participants received intensive training in their 4-H project areas under the supervision of university scientists and specialists and explored related career opportunities. The conference provided a variety of rewarding and fun-filled experiences in classroom, outdoor and laboratory settings.

In addition to their valuable educational experiences, 4-H'ers also took a trip to Dollywood, swam at the UT aquatic center, had a dance, and participated in service projects that benefitted eleven sites across East Tennessee.  To celebrate their achievements and hardwork, participants were honored at a 4-H graduation ceremony attended by University of Tennessee faculty, staff, and guests.  A listing of all project group photos may be found here. 

For more information on Academic Conference, please see the website.

Citizenship project participants made a field trip to McGhee Tyson Airforce Base in Alcoa, TN

 

Citizenship Project participants

Students in the Dairy Foods Group had the opportunity to study in the Food Science department at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Forestry participants study wood samples under the microscope.

Participants take to the fields as part of their project studies.

4-H'ers help to beautify the UT Gardens as one of their service projects.

Nate Crilly, Senior 4-H member and state public speaking winner, gave the Keynote address at the Graduation Banquet.

Special thanks to all of the sponsors, agents, and volunteers who made this week possible! Junior High 4-H Academic Conference is a wonderful event filled with education and memories that the participants will always remember.

Would you like to share your club/county/region event on the State blog, facebook, or twitter?  Email details and pictures to TN4H@hotmail.com or contact Abby Bryant, State Office student assistant at 865.771.9517 

Tennessee 4-H Service Learning Institute

Thirty-nine Tennessee 4-H'ers joined in Lebanon, TN June 3-5 for the TN 4-H Service Learning Institute (SLI.)  The participants took part in a weekend full of fun and intensive training and were able to bring experience, memories, and a pretty cool T-shirt back to their home counties. 

After a few rounds of Speed Meet (similar to speed dating) the 4-H'ers dove into the weekend headfirst by partipating in workshops, classes, activities, and fieldtrips.  Workshops were conducted on a variety of topics, some of which were Finding Your Service Skills, The Three Types of Service,  Meaningful Service, and Community Service vs. Service Learning with curriculum by Learn and Serve, the National 4-H Council, and Tennessee 4-H State Staff.  Additionally, participants enjoyed many hands on activities and games designed to teach them more about service learning.  After receiving their diplomas for completing the Service Learning Institute, participants were broken into groups geographically based on their hometown, and then challenged to design a Service Learning project in which they would use all of the skills and knowledge that they had accumulated throughout the weekend.  Many community needs were addressed by the groups, and their final projects will be taking place within the next few weeks up until the beginning of the school year in August.  Be sure to check back and see all that this dedicated group of 4-H'ers has accomplished in their communities!

Participants take notes as they participate in one of the sessions during the Service Learning Institute

Community mapping

Daniel Allen, State Council Jr. Rep, leads a workshop on service learning

Speed meeting!

 

During a visit to the State map at Centennial Park, Knox County 4-H'er Graci Webber shows where she calls home

Visiting Second Harvest Food Bank

Entering the freezer... -40 is COLD!!!

 During one activity, 4-H'ers designed puzzle pieces depicting their personal skills that they could use in service to others

As a special treat, Justin Crowe, State 4-H Staff, offered up multiple 4-H items up for auction at the end of the weekend.  Participants bid on items with clover bucks they earned throughout the weekend for good deeds to others.

Eastern Region Fashion and Design Conference

If you thought 4-H just had activities for kids who enjoyed farming, you're wrong!  Although 4-H does have many farm related projects, there are 27 to choose from, including (but not limited to!) clothing and textiles, computers and technology, and photography.  There are many ways to become active in your chosen project, no matter what it is.  If your chosen project has anything to do with fashion, crafting, or sewing, you'll want to be sure to attend Fashion and Design Conference.

100 4-H'ers attended this year's Eastern Region Fashion and Design Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Extension staff and adult volunteer leaders facilitated workshops, crafting sessions, and even a fashion show for the 4-H'ers in attendance.  Also included in the program was a fieldtrip to Joann's fabrics, a dinner out in Pigeon Forge, and a trip to the popular Titanic museum. 

The concluding fashion show showcased the talent of 4-H'ers in two categories: Fashion Sense and Construction.  Fashion sense entries consisted of outfits that the entrants bought and styled.  Construction, however, included only clothes that the talented participants made themselves.  After the show, awards were given out in each grade and category for the top three participants.  See a complete list of winners here.   

  

 

Photos courtesy of Tessa Lollar and Eastern Region 4-H

A special Thank you to all Eastern Region 4-H agents and volunteers who worked to hard to make this event a success!  

Would you like your event featured on the Tennessee 4-H blog, twitter, or facebook?  Email pictures and details to TN4H@hotmail.com! 

Join the social media network!

Tennessee 4-H is starting to jump into social media and we're actively looking for content to publish on our blog, facebook, twitter, flickr, and youtube accounts (whew, that's alot!)  If you or your county has something you would like published, send us an email at TN4H@hotmail.com.   Although we're looking for 4-H'ers in action (service projects, camps, conferences, etc), Alumni memories, and promotions for upcoming events, it can be anything! 

By using social media to share the activities of your 4-H club, you can inspire other 4-H'ers (and potential
4-H'ers) all across your community, country, and world! 

If you have any questions, contact Abby Bryant, State 4-H Student Assistant at 865.771.9517  or send us an email! 

2011-2012 Performing Arts Troupe

Congratulations to the following 4-H'ers who will be working together to form the 2011-2012 Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe:

Performers:

Tara Austin - Blount County

Crystal Bagci - Overton County

Savannah Beals - Washington County

Alexis Case - Marion County

Bleu Eves - Cheatham County

John House - Cannon County

Bethany Jones - Crockett County

Brennan Lytle - Warren County

Shelby Pendarvis - Cheatham County

Katherine Tritt - Haywood County

Amber Upton - Henry County

Ashley Upton - Henry County

Costume coordinators:

Lynsey Jones - Knox County

Elisa Vandergriff  - Knox County

Technical coordinator:

Ethan Davenport - Sumner County

Tennessee is fortunate to have annually have such a talented group of teens that is willing to serve our state as performers, costumer coordinators, and technical coordinators on the 4-H Performing Arts Troupe!  After a rigorous training session at the beginning of each year, the troupe performs multiple shows throughout the season.  Annual performances start with the opening show at TN 4-H Round-up in July, and continue through fair season, culminating at TN 4-H Congress in the Spring.  The dedicated troupe also makes various appearances during the year at private and public events.  To learn more about the TN 4-H Performing Arts Troupe, visit their website, or call the state office at 865-974-2128.

Note: All images depicted are of the 2010-2011 cast members.