Volunteers are a key component “to making the best better.” Volunteers help make the best 4-H experiences possible!
There are many opportunities to volunteer. Explore this website and contact a County Extension Office to find out how to get involved.
4-H Professionals’ resources are found at the bottom of this page
4-H Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities for 4-H volunteers to serve, learn, and socialize. Here are a few:
“Volunteer Jam” at the 2024 Tennessee 4-H Alumni and Friends Reunion
This event featured educational workshops and displays on March 1-2, 2024 in Lebanon. You can view the schedule of events here.
4-H VOLS State Committee
The 4-H VOLS State Committee is a leadership group of 4-H volunteers selected to promote the importance of 4-H volunteerism as an integral part of the Tennessee 4-H Program. The current members are:
| Lisa Harville – Smith County | Junelle Sellers – Knox County | Dee Wolters – Maury County |
| Greg Hensley – Loudon County | Karen Smith – Jefferson County |
Volunteer Recognition
Tennessee 4-H Youth Development recognizes that volunteers are essential to delivering the mission of our program. The Tennessee 4-H Volunteer Awards and Recognition program provides various opportunities to recognize the many outstanding volunteers that serve in our organization. Learn more about recognition opportunities in Tennessee 4-H below.
This program gives recognition to an outstanding volunteer leader who has served five or more years. Each county may submit one nominee to the region. Each region will select two nominees for state competition. Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kant of Blount County sponsor this recognition. The state winner will receive a trip to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.
Obtain a nomination form – F 842: Adult Volunteer Leader Recognition Application (PDF) (Word).
In 2023 two outstanding families received the Hale Master 4-H Family Award!
The Brown Family of Sumner County is the recipient of the 2023 Hale Master Award 
The Sanders Family of Tipton County is the recipient of the 2023 Hale Master Award
The purpose of the William and Ruth Hale Master 4-H Family Award is to give deserved recognition to 4-H families at the county, region, and state levels who have shown consistent leadership ability and exceptional participation in all phases of 4-H Club work.
Eligible families must have one member actively involved in 4-H activities on the local and county levels (in such roles as 4-H member, volunteer leader, donor, etc.) and must have been actively involved in 4-H Club work for no less than five years, including the current year.
Obtain a nomination form – F 840: Adult Volunteer Leader Recognition Application (PDF) (Word)
Each year, the Tennessee 4‑H program awards two outstanding individual volunteers through National 4-H Council’s 4‑H Salute to Excellence Award Program. These two award winners are simultaneously nominated for regional (U.S. Southern) and national consideration. The Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award is given to an individual who has spent 10 or more years as a 4‑H volunteer while the Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who has volunteered for 4‑H less than 10 years.
Mike Glasgow has been named the 2024 Tennessee 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year (Mike has also been declared the U.S. Southern Region winner for this award!). Mike is a dedicated 4-H volunteer in Cheatham County. Mike is a lead 4-H Rifle Instructor for the county and also serves on the State 4-H Shooting Sports Committee as a Level 2 instructor. Mike was instrumental in working to secure an NRA grant to obtain much-needed equipment for the county program. Mike, as a youth, was a very active 4-H member, serving as a camper and a teen leader, and ran the rifle range every year at camp, in addition to being in the 4-H beef project. Mike has the ability to work, not only with youth, but he is also very good at helping plan and conduct a variety of events. He continues to serve as a camp volunteer, and works with the county “On My Own” program. Simply put, he is a huge part of the county and state 4-H program.
Melissa Graf has been named the 2024 Tennessee 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer. Melissa is a volunteer in Jefferson County where she has served as a horse project group leader. Melissa has volunteered countless hours to prepare youth for horse bowl and hippology competitions since 2013. Melissa has led the county monthly horse project group meetings for 19 years which promoted educational, fellowship and citizenship opportunities for youth. Melissa developed “The Horse Academy” from a course she attended in Kentucky. The youth she has coached and trained have won many competitions and even won more opportunities to compete on a national level. She empowers youth with life skills through the horse project.
The Brown / Gilliam 4-H Legacy Award was established by George and June Brown of Coffee County to recognize outstanding 4-H families that have demonstrated consistent leadership, service and involvement with the Tennessee 4-H Program over several generations.
The Hilliard Family of Crockett County has been named the 2024 recipient of the Brown / Gilliam Legacy Award.
The Hilliard family is a true supporter of the Crockett County 4-H Program. They can regularly be found at almost every 4-H event and contest. Chris and April encourage their boys to be involved, but also encourage other youth to attend events and contests since they work so closely with many of them. Chris, April, and Mr. Jack have all served as judges for public speaking events. They have helped with the local Nursing Home Parade, 4-H Ag Day, judging team trainings, Outdoor Meat Cookery, Honor Club, and multiple service projects. April serves on the 4-H Advisory committee. Mr. Jack has served as a certified 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer. He also coordinates an aluminum can drive, and the money collected helps to fund camp scholarships for junior members. AJ and Jackson have been involved in nearly every 4-H event that was offered to them since the start of 4-H. AJ additionally served as a teen leader during his time in 4-H and Jackson currently is an Honor Club officer. The entire family is ready for Orry to get to 4th grade so he can be involved in judging teams and events as well.
Along with all of the assistance they give to the local program, the family has contributed to other events above the county level. Chris and April have both assisted with the Regional Horse Bowl and Hippology Contests. They have all helped with Regional All-Star Fundraisers. Mr. Jack served on the 4-H Volunteer Committee and attended Congress for many years. Both boys have also served on judging teams that advanced to the state contests, including Horse Bowl and Hippology, Consumer Decision Making, and Horse Judging. AJ and Jackson have cumulatively attended Electric Camp, Academic Conference, Congress, Round Up, and several summer camps. AJ also appeared in the National 4-H Council Carla Hall cooking video, attended the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit, and the National 4-H Agriscience conference.
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Karen Smith | Jefferson |
| 2022 | LaDonna Jones | Robertson |
| 2021 | Dee Wolters | Maury |
| 2019 | Amelia Sturgill | Fentress |
| 2018 | Mitzi Dorris King | Robertson |
| 2017 | Missy Beasley | Sumner |
| 2016 | Karen Franklin | Rutherford |
| 2015 | Hunter Mantooth | Robertson |
| 2014 | Barbara Stewart | Williamson |
| 2013 | Tina Passman | Henry |
| 2012 | Denise Routzahn | Robertson |
| 2011 | Elaine Lovelace | Fayette |
| 2010 | Rebekah Lemley | Robertson |
| 2009 | Namoi Riggins | Robertson |
| 2008 | Greg Hensley | Loudon |
| 2007 | Marissa Lemley | Robertson |
| 2006 | Linda Harris | Campbell |
| 2005 | Donna Morris | Hamblen |
| 2004 | Becky Nichols | Bedford |
| 2003 | Mary Lee Lemley | Robertson |
| 2002 | Mary Mantooth | Robertson |
| 2001 | Hazel Bratcher | Meigs |
| 2000 | Nora Strasser | Marshall |
| 2000 | Linda Vanzant | Giles |
| 1999 | Ann Rossi | Davidson |
| 1998 | Sherrill Teal | Coffee |
| 1997 | Nancy Grieve | Campbell |
| 1996 | Reva Johnson | Sumner |
| 1996 | Kris Beard | Blount |
| 1995 | Wanda Williams | Lincoln |
| 1994 | Sally Smith | Davidson |
| 1993 | Lou Goins | Cannon |
| 1992 | Cindy Delvin | Davidson |
| 1991 | Pat Martin | Bedford |
| 1990 | Delores Johnson | Hawkins |
| 1989 | Sue Welch | Lincoln |
| 1988 | Carol Edwards | Davidson |
| 1986 | Kay James | Robertson |
| 1985 | Don Rose | Washington |
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Steven and Jill Brown Family | Sumner |
| 2023 | Joel and Angelia Sanders Family | Tipton |
| 2022 | Jerry and Alicia Cantrell Family | Dyer |
| 2022 | Griffis-Blackwell Family | Madison |
| 2022 | Alan and Brooke Walton Family | Tipton |
| 2021 | Chris and April Hilliard Family | Crockett |
| 2021 | Michael and Kim Pierce Family | Dickson |
| 2021 | Randy and Diane Taylor Family | Madison |
| 2020 | Patrick and Laura Fritz Family | Tipton |
| 2020 | Tim and LaDonna Jones Family | Robertson |
| 2019 | Dan and Tammie Browning Family | Sevier |
| 2019 | Mark and Nancy Shedden Family | Knox |
| 2018 | Kelly and Teressa McDonald Family | Madison |
| 2018 | Laura and John Whitfield Family | Sullivan |
| 2017 | Craig and Missy Beasley Family | Sumner |
| 2017 | William and Ting Steptoe Family | Sullivan |
| 2016 | Nolan and Jean Blick Family | Robertson |
| 2016 | Steve and Beverly Walker Family | Macon |
| 2016 | Roger and Rose Moore Family | McNairy |
| 2015 | Matt & Barbara Stewart Family | Williamson |
| 2015 | Jim & JoAnn Pope Family | Loudon |
| 2014 | Lewis & Bethany Betterton Family | Putnam |
| 2014 | Tim & Dee Wolters Family | Maury |
| 2013 | Michael & Mary Ann Mills Family | Coffee |
| 2013 | Alan & Judy Cobb Family | Robertson |
| 2012 | Jimmy & Janice Jackson Family | Knox |
| 2012 | Mark & Carol McBride Family | Coffee |
| 2011 | Brent & Linda Willis Family | Coffee |
| 2010 | Vitto & Lisa Raffo Family | Marshall |
| 2009 | David & Jane Doan Family | Sullivan |
| 2009 | Dale & Denise Woods Family | Coffee |
| 2008 | Greg & Debbie Hensley Family | Loudon |
| 2008 | Wayne & Debbie McDonald Family | Putnam |
| 2007 | Mark & Lagene Lee Family | Rutherford |
| 2006 | Frank & Susan Fitzgerald Family | Macon |
| 2005 | John & Mary Mantooth Family | Robertson |
| 2005 | David & Debbie Bates Family | Hickman |
| 2004 | Jimmy & Mary Lee Lemley Family | Robertson |
| 2004 | George & June Brown Family | Coffee |
| 2003 | Joyce & David Britton Family | Warren |
| 2003 | Roger & Sandra Elder Family | Blount |
| 2002 | Neal & Deborah Pillion Family | Meigs |
| 2002 | J.W. & Dorothy Locker Family | Giles |
| 2001 | Robert & Margaret Elliott Family | Robertson |
| 2001 | Ronnie & Sherrill Teal Family | Coffee |
| 2000 | Leonard & Naomi Riggins Family | Robertson |
| 2000 | Tom & Becky Brown Family | Coffee |
| 1999 | Jimmy & Jane Johnson Family | Shelby |
| 1999 | Charlie & Glenda Johnson Family | Sevier |
| 1998 | Hugh Kyle & Delores Johnson Family | Hawkins |
| 1998 | Charles & Joy Gleghorn Family | Lincoln |
| 1997 | Norman & Becky Lee Family | Monroe |
| 1997 | Carol Smotherman Campbell Family | Rutherford |
| 1996 | Jim & Pat Murphey Family | McNairy |
| 1995 | Tom & Sandra Fortune Family | Johnson |
| 1995 | John & Fay Rosson Family | Davidson |
| 1994 | Steve & Donna Willis Family | Coffee |
| 1994 | Gershon & Joyce Klotwog Family | Davidson |
| 1993 | Robert & Wanda Luneack Family | Coffee |
| 1993 | Hank & Cindy Delvin Family | Davidson |
| 1992 | Cordell & Sally Smith Family | Davidson |
| 1992 | Ben T. Powell Family | Knox |
| 1992 | Darrell & Lou Goins Family | Cannon |
| 1990 | Richard & Sherry Shadden Family | Washington |
| 1989 | Brenda Oliver Family | Trousdale |
| 1987 | Sam & Ina Ruth Hart Family | Bledsoe |
| 1987 | Eddie & Linda Coleman Family | Henderson |
| 1986 | Dennis & Lucy Oldham Family | Trousdale |
| 1986 | Phillip & Sue Welch Family | Lincoln |
| 1986 | Mike & Mary Coward Family | Shelby |
| 1985 | William & Mary Hart Family | Washington |
| 1985 | Fred Willis Family | Coffee |
| 1984 | Laughlin & Berry Ann Youree Family | Rutherford |
| 1983 | Caron & Kris Beard Family | Blount |
| 1983 | Talley Family | Davidson |
| 1983 | Bill & Ruth Hale Family | Bradley |
| Year | Name | County | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mike Glasgow | Cheatham | Volunteer of the Year (U.S. Southern Region Winner) |
| 2024 | Melissa Graf | Jefferson | Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer |
| 2023 | Karen Smith | Jefferson | Volunteer of the Year |
| 2023 | Dee Wolters | Maury | Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer (U.S. Southern Region Winner) |
| 2022 | Mary Gauerke | Sumner | Volunteer of the Year |
| 2022 | Terry Hallum | Dyer | Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer |
| 2021 | Matthew Hibdon | Warren | Volunteer of the Year |
| 2021 | David McDaniel | Knox | Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer |
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Hilliard Family | Crockett |
