University of Tennessee (UT) Extension announced on June 19 that senior level 4-H members can now apply for college credit in 10 project areas through a unique agreement with the UT Herbert College of Agriculture. The approved projects represent coursework in the Department of Animal Science and the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communications. 

Appropriately, the collaboration was announced during the 99th annual 4-H Roundup, which was held July 18-22 at UT Martin. Roundup is a five-day event during which senior level 4-H’ers present their project portfolios to panels of experts who judge the presentations and the effort put forward in each project. The top-tier projects in certain categories earn student scholarships.

“I am more than thrilled to be able to announce this new collaboration between our Herbert College of Agriculture and UT Extension,” said Carrie Castille, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture. “I believe this is the first time that the dedication and in-depth knowledge of our 4-H’ers have been recognized on the college level. As a 4-H’er in my youth, I can tell you that every acknowledgment is valued as students launch their academic careers.”

While the agreement is the first of its kind, it simply affirms what those of us who have long been associated with the program have already known. 

I was an active 4-H’er as I was growing up in Union County. I took part in the entomology, photography, and sheep projects, gave speeches and demonstrations, and learned about leadership and citizenship. I competed on numerous judging teams, like crops, soil, forestry, and wildlife. And I was fortunate to be recognized as a national winner in the Entomology project and to attend National 4-H Congress. 

Since that time, I have gained a much greater appreciation for the lifetime value of the skills I learned through my 4-H work and how important they are to all those 4-H’ers who participate. In my case, the seeds of my career in agriculture were sown and cultivated during my 4-H experiences. My love of photography grew out of my 4-H project work, and I learned skills like writing and public speaking through those activities as well. 

Those valuable learning opportunities and the benefit they provide youth are why organizations like Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC) and many others so generously support the mission and activities of groups like 4-H and FFA. Throughout my career in the ag industry, I’ve worked with many colleagues whom I first met when we were in 4-H together. When you talk to others, it’s amazing how many of us share this common thread.

I’m blessed to have had the opportunities I enjoyed in 4-H and to have had the support and guidance of so many caring leaders like Bill and Debbie Morgan, who both served as Extension agents in Union County during my 4-H career. 

It’s also a great privilege to work for a company like TFC that recognizes the value in these programs and actively invests in them. It’s reassuring that the Herbert College of Agriculture recognizes this value as well.