Volunteer Update

The Tennessee 4-H Volunteer Jam is scheduled for Feb 28 - March 1, 2025 in Lebanon, at the Wilson County Fairgrounds.

Registration is open now and is available at this website. A detailed schedule with a list of workshops and educational displays is also available. Make sure to participate in this wonderful opportunity of learning and fun...and spread the word!

4-H is based on a positive youth development (PYD) approach that recognizes all youth have interests, abilities, and strengths that participation in 4-H programs can enhance. Research shows that participation in high quality 4-H programs increases thriving in youth, and thriving youth achieve important developmental outcomes, such as academic motivation and achievement.

Youth learn life skills through group and individual experiences in 4-H projects, activities, and events. The challenge for volunteers is to strengthen life skills development during these learning and leading experiences. When volunteers plan for reinforcing skill development, it allows youth to apply what they have learned to other situations. The more opportunities a youth takes part in, the greater the influence on the life skill development. The result of “learning by doing” is youth who are equipped to live positive and productive lives.

Learn more about how 4-H Volunteers, like you, can strengthen life skill development in youth.

32 4-H Shooting Sports instructors, most of them volunteers, were certified on January 25 at Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia. Instructors were certified in the disciplines of Archery, Rifle, and Shotgun. 4-H Shooting Sports is not, necessarily, about building champion shooters; but more importantly, about building champion youth.

A number of 4-H Shooting Sports dates have been scheduled. Here are the dates:

• State 4-H BB and Air Rifle Jamboree - March 21-22 - Murfreesboro
• State 4-H Archery Jamboree - April 11-12 - Cookeville
• State 4-H Shotgun Jamboree - May 3 - Nashville
• Tennessee 4-H Target Smart Camp - May 26-30 - York 4-H Center, Crossville
• National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships - June 22-27 - Grand Island, NE
• Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match - June 29-July 3 - Rogers, AR
  

Contact your County Extension Agent for more information on 4-H Shooting Sports. All Extension youth shooting activities must be done by a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports instructor.

The Reunion, happening at the Farm Bureau Expo Center on March 1 in Lebanon, is for Alumni and Friends of 4-H. One does not need to have been a member of 4-H.

At this year’s event, we will be recognizing National 4-H Congress Delegates from 1975, 1985, 1995, and 2005.

2025 registration is just $30 and includes lunch. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the organization. This year’s reunion is held in conjunction with Volunteer Jam 2025.

WIth the theme, "Beyond Ready," 4-H members will be descending upon our state capital, Nashville, as well as Murfreesboro on March 9-12, to take part in Tennessee 4-H Congress.

This year's Congress will feature a return to the General Jackson Riverboat.

Contact your County 4-H Office for more information on this major state 4-H event.

For all deadline dates, County Offices may establish earlier deadlines:

• State 4-H Congress Registration Due - February 3 - Your County Office
• State 4-H High Council Meeting - February 7-8 - Lebanon
• National Wild Turkey Federation Conference - February 12-15 - Nashville
• State 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology - February 14-15 - Knoxville
  
• 4-H Volunteer Jam! - Feb 28 - March 1 - Lebanon
• Tennessee 4-H Alumni and Friends Meeting - March 1 - Lebanon
• Tennessee 4-H Foundation Annual Meeting - March 1 - Lebanon
• Agribition Livestock Judging - March 8 - Lebanon
  
• Tennessee 4-H Congress - March 9-12 - Murfreesboro and Nashville
• 4-H Beekeeping Essays Due - March 15 - State Office
• State 4-H BB and Air Rifle Jamboree - March 21-22 - Murfreesboro
• Senior 4-H Project Portfolios Due - April 1 - State Office
• State 4-H Archery Jamboree - April 11-12 - Cookeville
• State 4-H Sheep Conference - April 26 - Crossville
• Tennessee 4-H Chopped Challenge - April 26 - Murfreesboro
• 4-H College Scholarship Applications Due - May 1 - State 4-H Office
• Knoxville Spring Junior Cattle Show - May 2-3 - Gray, TN
  
• State 4-H Shotgun Jamboree - May 3 - Nashville
• 4-H Target Smart Camp - May 26-30 - York 4-H Center, Crossville
• State 4-H All Star Camp - May 31-June 1 - York 4-H Center, Crossville
• State 4-H Meats Judging - June 3 - Knoxville
• State 4-H Livestock Judging - June 4 - Knoxville
• State 4-H Wildlife Judging - June 4-5 - Location TBD
• 4-H Academic Conference - June 10-13 - Knoxville
• National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships - June 22-27 - Grand Island, NE
• 4-H Electric Camp - June 24-27 - Knoxville
• State 4-H Horse Show - June 24-28 - Shelbyville
• Tennessee 4-H Roundup - July 21-25 - Knoxville
  

Email: dsarver@utk.edu
Website: https://4h.tennessee.edu/volunteers/
Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
Phone: 865-974-2128
Facebook: facebook.com/Tennessee4H

Volunteer Update is a publication of Tennessee 4-H for 4-H Volunteers. Managing editor is Daniel Sarver, Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee. If you are receiving this newsletter via direct email (not forwarded to you), you have a subscription. Subscriptions are free! To subscribe, click on the "Subscribe" button below.