UT Extension Maury County 4-H Youth Development agent guides youth toward lifelong skills and success
Where are you from, and how did your education and career lead you to UT Extension?
I grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee. As I got older, I started spending my extra time, and every day of my summers, on my grandparent’s horse and cattle farm in Franklin. I also began participating in horse shows. Horses were already a big part of my family’s life, and they became an even bigger part of my own. Without this background, I’m not sure that I would have ended up studying agriculture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
As for my journey to Extension… it may be more of a “road less traveled.” I was in 4-H in elementary school, but didn’t reconnect to it until college. Honestly, it was a few conversations with professors, and friends at UT Knoxville that led me to Extension.
What inspired you to dedicate your career to 4-H youth development and animal science education?
I have always had a love for animal science, horses especially. Growing up with our family farm, you could always find me out with the horses or checking the cows. It was a big part of my family heritage and something I greatly value. I think that was what inspired me to find a career path in Extension.
With more than 2,000 students in Maury County 4-H, what does a typical day look like for you?
The variety of Extension work really appeals to me because no two days are ever the same. Some days, I am teaching public speaking or delivering STEM programs during our in-school program, or leading judging team practices. Other days, I may be working at a regional or state event.
As a coach for multiple judging teams, what are some of the most common challenges students face, and how do you help them overcome those obstacles?
We are now in a world of instant gratification and feedback. It can be really hard to keep youth engaged within judging teams. I have found that setting goals for both individuals and as a team helps. Youth setting and accomplishing smaller goals that in the end lead to larger ones can make them feel a sense of mastery and accomplishment. Sometimes you have to really break it down to them. “Hey, today, we accomplished A, B, C. Next time, we can take what we did today, and accomplish goal D, and keep moving towards the larger goal.”
Motivation is another key factor. Helping youth stay motivated can be difficult since it isn’t always a plane of constant growth. There are ups and downs. Even as adults, we face this regularly. I have found that by keeping it fun, the youth stay more motivated and want to come back to practice. I feel like they learn best when they are having fun. Often, they don’t even realize they’re learning. Finally, pushing them through something that is uncomfortable, such as oral reasons, or interviews. It’s about confidence… but that takes time to develop.
UT Extension plays an important role in providing hands-on learning opportunities. Can you describe some programs in Maury County 4-H that contribute to this mission?
We offer a wide range of programs! It is all about “Learn by Doing!” Regardless of what interest a youth may have, 4-H can be tailored to meet their needs. Programs can range from livestock, gardening, baking, robotics, rocketry, photography, clothing design, and even performing arts.
In Maury County we offer a very unique Vet Science Day Camp. This camp has become very popular with students looking forward to participating every year. The students get to interact with live animals that our program partners, such as the Nashville Zoo, and Tennessee State Parks bring. Hands-on activities such as dissections, leg wrapping, and strawberry DNA allow the youth to make direct connections with these topics. When they do it themselves, or can touch it, it resonates with them differently. Same for our Spring STEM Nights when they build rockets, fly drones, etc.
The judging teams provide an opportunity for the youth to take a more in-depth dive into whatever the focus of that team is. The youth also learn about decision making, problem solving, how to prioritize, and if they give oral reasons… they learn about public speaking. These are skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.
I also think that clinics provide a unique chance for the youth to receive individual feedback, try to apply those new skills in that same setting, then seeing the improvement! A few years ago, I was part of a team that put on a state-wide Horse Showmanship and Trail Obstacle clinic. These can be intimidating classes for exhibitors. That day, you could see their confidence grow every time they tried those patterns with horses. A few months later, many of those participants had improved placings at the State 4-H Horse Show, some even won high point!
What is one fact about 4-H or Extension work you wish more people knew?
Extension is the best kept secret! We offer so many programs and services!
Looking back on your career so far, what has been one of your proudest moments working with Maury County 4-H?
From numerous judging teams and individuals earning trips to national contests, to teens winning scholarships, county programs being replicated across the state and country, and everything in between. There are so many moments to choose from!
What I am most proud of, however, is still a work in progress. I have a student with a significant visual impairment. She did Horse Bowl for the first time two years ago. This past year, she wanted to start Hippology, which is highly visual by nature. It consists of a written test, IDs, and two classes of horse judging. There was no 4-H horse curriculum readily available in a format that was understandable to this student. Through the use of a Swell-Form Machine, 3-D pen, varying textures (ribbons, yarn, twine, paper textures, wiki Stix, playdough, felt), Braille labeler, and by hand-brailing study sheets, I created study material, largely by hand, that she could use and understand. At the regional contest, she got a 47 out of 50 on her halter judging class, and had the highest overall score out of any of the Maury County Jr High contestants that day! She did the contest without being provided descriptions. She learned the material, in her own way, like all of the other students. There were some tears when I saw her scores. While we still have more things to figure out in supporting her growth within the horse program, a blueprint now exists should another 4-H agent have a similar student wanting to participate in a large animal project.
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of working with young people through 4-H, and what challenges do you encounter in your role?
I love when I can witness a student having that “ah ha” moment! It’s so exciting! Watching young people learn about specific topics and then put that information and those skills into practice is a truly rewarding experience for me.
I am also very fortunate that I get to work with my students for several years. In some cases, I get to work with an individual student for eight years. Watching how much their abilities and skills grow over that time. I have had students who cry in a 4th grade speech and then go on to deliver sets of oral reasons that are competitive at national-level contests, and win college scholarships!
For students or young professionals interested in Extension work or agricultural education, what advice would you give about starting in this field?
Even if you didn’t grow up on a farm or were involved in 4-H or FFA, Extension/Ag education is a great field. No two days are the same and you get to build strong connections and relationships with the people in your community.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues may not know?
Outside of work, you will find me on a horse, at a horse show, in Knoxville on game day, or travelling the world!! I have been to 24 different countries so far!
