Dr. Dwight Loveday

During the past week as I moved to the State 4-H Office and encountered individuals of the Tennessee 4-H family, I have had several 4-H memories come to mind. One of my most cherished is the time I spent with Dad in the barn brushing my 4-H calves and listening to John Ward call the UT football games on the radio. Little did I know the impact the Tennessee 4-H program would have on boy in Blount County. 4-H shaped my areas of interest, gave me a career path and expanded my friendships. Today, some of my best friends are the people I met in 4-H.

Growing up, my 4-H agents were very special people to me. I would do anything to help Mrs. Trotter and Mr. Deere. But, they were really helping me – giving me opportunities to learn and grow through 4-H. When you stop and think about our roles in 4-H, we have an awesome task to plan and implement those educational opportunities that will allow a very diverse audience to acquire skills to be successful citizens.  I look forward to working with you as members of the Tennessee 4-H team.

I also want to thank Dr. Richard Clark for his three years of service to Tennessee 4-H. Richard is taking leadership of a new program called Next Chapter. This a cooperative program among 4-H, Herbert College of Agriculture and UTK Office of Admissions. Next Chapter will allow 8th -12th grade 4-H members to explore careers and learn skills that will help them be successful in college.

Again, I look forward to working with you in making Tennessee 4-H as good as it can be.