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:
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:
| Ray Bales – Knox County | Lisa Harville – Smith County |
| Patty Chrisawn – Carter County | Karla Williamson – Giles 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.
Lisa Harville of Smith County is the 2026 recipient. Lisa has a servant’s heart and embodies what it means to pledge her hands to larger service through the volunteer work that she does at the local, regional, and state level for Tennessee 4-H. Lisa has been an active member of the Smith County Ag Committee, Smith County 4-H Advisory Committee, 4-H VOLS State Committee, 4-H Strategic Plan Committee for Volunteerism, Smith County FCE County Council, and the UT-TSU Extension Advisory Council for FCS. She is always willing to step up and serve in roles where she can use her knowledge, experience, and innovative ideas to contribute to the success of the Smith County Extension Office and Tennessee Extension as a whole.
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.
The Hutson Family of Henry County are the 2026 recipients. Tommy and Crystal both grew up participating in 4-H. Crystal competed in club activities such as poster art, public speaking, and baking contests. Tommy was active in his 4-H club and in the beef project, showing cattle at many fairs and shows. Hannah, an active Honor Club member, was actively involved through public speaking, poster art, photography, bread baking, and leadership. Hannah was also in the swine project, but later transitioned to showing cattle. Jack has served in numerous regional and state leadership roles, including State 4-H Council. Jack has also been declared a state winner in the beef project and earned a trip to National 4-H Congress. The Hutson family stays actively involved in several community programs and is generous with their talents, time, and resources. They work together, support one another, mentor younger members, and remain deeply committed to the success of the 4-H program. This family truly embodies those qualities that 4-H represents: leadership, community service, and hard work.
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.
Carrie Shehane has been named the 2026 Tennessee 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year. Carrie has been an active 4-H volunteer for the Wilson County program for the past eight years. She has taught classes, helped with 4-H camps, provided leadership to project groups, and so much more. Carrie is passionate about promoting Family and Consumer Sciences to Wilson County 4-H members. She has served in a leadership role for the County 4-H Sewing Club, teaching an impressive multi-level sewing class in which youth advance through different experience levels to grow their skill set.
Greg Hensley, from Loudon County, has served the county 4-H Program for more than 25 years. Greg has made countless positive impacts on the lives of 4-H Youth. Among the many things he has accomplished, he has volunteered to lead the sheep and swine project groups and has trained the Loudon County Meats Judging team to the national contest. Greg is dedicated to the mission of Extension at all levels, county, region, state, and national. He has been a part of many committees as a volunteer, including the 100th Roundup Committee, the 75th Congress Committee, and as the Eastern Region representative on the State 4-H VOLS Committee. He has also participated in the National 4-H Volunteer Conference at Rock Eagle where he led a session with Dee Wolters entitled, “How to Be the Volunteer Your Agent Wants.” If you participated in Congress as an Eastern Region delegate in the last 22 years, Greg has been bringing the evening snacks so that delegates do not go to bed hungry.
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 Hartsfield Family of Lawrence County has been named the 2026 recipient of the Brown/Gilliam Legacy Award.
The Hartsfield family has been deeply involved in Lawrence County 4-H for three generations. Grandparents C.A. and Patty Hartsfield were active 4-H members in their youth. Patty credits her mother, Emma Nola, with ensuring she completed her 4-H projects each year. C.A. was heavily involved in livestock projects and was a member of the Honor Club and 4-H All Stars, thereby establishing a foundation for lifelong involvement. The Hartsfield family has consistently supported 4-H beyond the county level; and has truly spent a lifetime making the best better through sustained leadership, service, and multigenerational commitment to 4-H.
The Tennessee Extension Vol Star Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by UT Extension. It honors volunteers that show:
Commitment – demonstrated dedication to Tennessee Extension and consistency in volunteer work
Impact – exhibited positive influence on the community and fellow volunteers
Leadership – demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate others
Innovation – demonstrated creativity and initiative in volunteer efforts
Award winners are nominated by their county; and winners are recognized at the Region and State level.
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lisa Harville | Smith |
| 2025 | Julia Finchum | Jefferson |
| 2024 | Junelle Sellers | Knox |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tommy and Crystal Hutson Family | Henry |
| 2025 | Jason and Lisa Harville Family | Smith |
| 2024 | Thomas and Alicia Langford Family | Dyer |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Carrie Shehane | Wilson | Volunteer of the Year |
| 2026 | Greg Hensley | Loudon | Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer |
| 2025 | Lisa Harville | Smith | Volunteer of the Year |
| 2025 | Wayne Rich | Jefferson | Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Hartsfield Family | Lawrence County |
| 2025 | Carmichael/Spurlin/Prince/DeBusk Family | McMinn County |
| 2024 | Hilliard Family | Crockett County |
| Year | Name | County |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Junelle Sellers | Knox |
