The success of 4-H is due to partnerships and teamwork between volunteers and Extension agents. Volunteers are mentors and leaders and are key elements to sustain our motto – “to make the best better.” Volunteers make the best 4-H experiences possible!
Volunteers provide opportunities by:
- Teaching project subject matter and new skills for youth to gain knowledge, and
- Providing opportunities and experiences for youth to master skills learned.
With each trained volunteer comes a wealth of knowledge and skills providing a diverse and quality program for youth in the county 4-H program.
Application to be a 4-H Volunteer
As an educational organization, our first responsibility is to offer a safe and nurturing environment for youth we serve. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for youth, volunteers, and agents. To apply to be a 4-H volunteer, please contact your county Extension office.
Development and Training Opportunities
4-H volunteers are always learning and using new concepts and resources to provide fun and educational experiences for youth. There are a number of opportunities for you as a volunteer to learn and continue your development. Your county Extension agent will offer information and advice on learning opportunities. Some of them are:
- Tennessee 4-H Shooting Sports Program
- The Tennessee 4-H Shooting Sports Program is a volunteer-led program that teaches life skills through shooting sports. Youth learn safety and shooting techniques in various disciplines. This program is affiliated with National 4-H Shooting Sports. “4-H Certified” means that you are versed in the areas of youth development AND shooting sports. If you want to lead a group of young people in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, you must become certified through a Tennessee 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop.
- More information on the job description.
- More information on the 4-H Shooting Sports.
- The Tennessee 4-H Shooting Sports Program is a volunteer-led program that teaches life skills through shooting sports. Youth learn safety and shooting techniques in various disciplines. This program is affiliated with National 4-H Shooting Sports. “4-H Certified” means that you are versed in the areas of youth development AND shooting sports. If you want to lead a group of young people in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, you must become certified through a Tennessee 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Workshop.
- National 4-H Volunteer Conference hosted by the Volunteer Conference of Southern States
- 4-H volunteers from across the country connect during this four-day conference to focus on innovative programs, curriculum for clubs, best practices, networking, and leadership/personal development to support their roles as 4-H volunteers. The event is planned in partnership with volunteers and staff to create a program best suited to volunteer needs. Other highlights include speakers, curricula showcase, focused tracked sessions, and planned engagement in conversations and sharing.
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.
Each year, the Tennessee 4‑H program awards two outstanding individual volunteers through the 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.
Matthew Hibdon has been named the 2021 Tennessee 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year. A Warren County 4-H alumnus, Matthew serves 4-H youth on the local, state, and national level. From judging county and regional public speaking contests to reviewing statewide project portfolios to helping clean up a room after a judging contest, Matthew approaches each volunteer role with the same enthusiasm.
Consumer Decision Making is a special project for him since his county team won the national contest at Western National Roundup when they were in high school. When he was a Collegiate 4-H’er, Matthew started volunteering with the contest in Denver and was asked to join the FCS Classic Committee when he completed graduate school. Since 2015, he has served as Chair of the FCS Classic Committee and has served as an event staff coordinator who liaises with other contest superintendents before, during, and after Roundup.
Harold David McDaniel has been named the 2021 recipient of the Tennessee 4-H Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award. David signed up to volunteer for Knox County 4-H in 1970 after he returned home from the Vietnam War. He specifically signed up to assist with the 4-H Horse and Pony Club. He coached horse judging teams, conducted 4-H horse shows, and raised funds for the club. As time passed, he began to volunteer in other 4-H program areas, such as the 4-H poultry club.
David mentors new volunteers to help them find their niche in the program. He is always actively recruiting new volunteers and encourages them to get involved for the “experience of a lifetime.” David is loved and respected by hundreds of 4-H members and their families. He is known for his willingness to serve in any capacity. His children are 4-H alumni and still actively volunteer with Knox County 4-H as does his wife, Jeanette. He is the longest active 4-H volunteer in Knox County serving for 50 years.
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. County winners will receive a Charline Hamilton Powell Leader Recognition certificate and the state winner an engraved plaque. 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).
This year two outstanding families received the Hale Master 4-H Family Award!
The purpose of the Hale Master 4-H Family Recognition 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.
The Master 4-H Family application and one letter of recommendation from one county Extension agent for the applicant’s home county must be submitted for each entrant. No family may be recognized two consecutive years on the county level. A family may receive the state recognition only one time.
Obtain a nomination form – F 840: Adult Volunteer Leader Recognition Application (PDF) (Word)
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Amelia Sturgill | Fentress |
| 2018 | Mitzi Dorrs 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 |
| 1984 | Don Rose | Washington |
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
