CLARKSVILLE, TN – After the Covid-19 pandemic closed schools, Montgomery County 4-H, the youth development component of the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Extension Service, had to adapt.
Being accustomed to having relationships with in-school and after school clubs, 4-H agents had to begin the process of cancelling in-person contests, events, and programming efforts to adjust to a virtual platform. Approaching the 2023 year and beyond, the goal of the Montgomery County 4-H program agents Kevina Green and Katie Kimbro, is to regain participation and expand their programming to more schools across Montgomery County, therefore reaching more youth.
4-H is the largest youth organization in the country. It is a club for grades 4th-12th grade that teaches life skills through hands-on, real-life scenarios. Historically rooted in rural youth programs and agriculture, 4-H, which has been around since 1910 in Tennessee. The program has seen several advances in programming and now, while still addressing rural youth needs, also spans 29 different project areas that range from communication, financial literacy, STEM, and mental health to animal sciences, outdoor recreation and creative arts and design.
Currently, Montgomery County 4-H agents have regained 8 CMCSS school clubs, 2 home school clubs and 5 private school clubs, retained a Virtual Club, and started a Community Club for youth where no 4-H meetings are currently being held. They are also implementing contests, judging events, and special interest programs.
Recently, Green and Kimbro conducted the first two local contests of the year, the Poster Contest and Public Speaking Contest. The poster contest saw 123 poster entries from local clubs advance to the county contest.
The top 3 winners advancing to the Regional Poster Contest were as follows:
- Alicen Gray, 5th Grade, Cumberland Heights Elementary School
- Abbe Blaine, 6th Grade, Clarksville Academy
- Liviyah Johnson, 10th grade, Tristar Homeschool Co-Op
In Public Speaking, 206 speeches at the local level were evaluated. Blue award winners advance to the County Public Speaking Contest, which will be held at the end of January. 4th-8th graders winners will then advance to Sub-Regional Competition, while 9th-12th graders will advance to Regional Competition.
For more questions about Montgomery County 4-H, please contact the UT/TSU Montgomery County Extension Office at 931-648-5725. You can also check out our Facebook page by liking UT TSU Montgomery County Extension to keep updated with our programs and events. Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.