Turning points 4-H alumni gather to celebrate, reconnect, and reminisce at Tennessee 4-H Annual Reunion

There was quite a diverse group in the room at the Tennessee 4-H Annual Reunion hosted by the 4-H Alumni & Friends. Some 128 alumni, volunteer leaders, parents, and grandparents turned out for the gathering at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon on Saturday, March 1. A silent auction along with three live auction items generated $7,639 for the 4-H program.

ProTrition Chief Executive Officer Joe Huffine presided over the event in his role as president of Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends. During his introduction, Joe shared memories of his own 4-H experiences, including serving as State 4-H Congress Governor in 1982, and taking his first airplane ride on the way to National 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1980.

Dr. Keith Carver also addressed the group, and as he referenced Joe’s remarks and shared his own experience, he called those moments “turning points.”

“I think all of you in this room have a 4-H turning point,” said Dr. Carver. “It was either a person, a program, or a competition that you all went through. But, like me, you had something that changed your life and made you proud to be associated with this green clover.”

Hearing those comments sparked a recollection of my own 4-H experiences. I first joined 4-H as a fourth grader in Union County. I entered a 4-H baking contest that first year, which ignited my interest in 4-H. The following year, Bill Morgan replaced Harold Julian, who retired, as our Extension agent, and if i could only pick one turning point, it would be meeting him.

Mr. Morgan, as I still call him today, led my 4-H friends and me to participate in activities like demonstration days, public speaking, judging teams, sheep shows, State 4-H Congress (I was there at the 1981 event when Joe was elected governor), State 4-H Roundup, and eventually National 4-H Congress in 1982 (this was my first plane ride, too) where I was named a National Winner in the entomology project. Some of those situations made me uncomfortable, but I did them anyway and became better for the experience.

Mr. Morgan became a fixture of my inner circle, providing advice and encouragement during my years as a 4-H member. My friends and our families were with him at 4-H events, and we logged many miles together in his beige Dodge pickup with a camper top. He introduced me to the photography project and laid the foundation on which my career would be built. Afterward, Debbie Johnson joined the 4-H staff as the home demonstration agent, and a few years later, they were married. They continue to influence the lives of 4-H members in Union County as volunteer leaders.

The effect of those learning experiences I accumulated in 4-H have been magnified over the years. My life has been richer because of my association with 4-H. And that relationship has instilled in me a deep desire to help ensure that other kids have those same opportunities. I’m proud to be a 4-H alumnus, advocate, donor, and Tennessee 4-H Foundation board member.

Story by Glen Liford,

Contact gliford@ourcoop.com