Special Newsletter for 4-H Alumni Members and Supporters

Phyllis Ferguson Is the 2025 Friend of 4-H

Since the early days of its existence, the Tennessee 4-H Foundation has bestowed the annual Friend of 4-H Award to an outstanding community member who has dedicated their time, energy and resources to furthering the 4-H mission and promoting the organization.

This year, Phyllis Ferguson of Rockvale was honored for her lifelong participation in 4-H, from fourth grade all the way through her collegiate and professional careers.

“I was so honored, grateful and humbled to receive this because there are so many people out there that do so much for Tennessee 4-H, and I’m just one of all of those,” says Ferguson, executive vice president for the Tennessee Pork Producers Association and the Tennessee Feed and Grain Association.

Meet the 2025-2026 Tennessee 4-H Congress Officers

At the 2025 Tennessee 4-H Congress in March, a new group of officers was elected to serve on a state level and lead the 2026 event.

Speaker of the Senate
Kaylin Osterhaus, Lincoln County

Governor
Harrison Crenshaw, Franklin County

Speaker of the House
Mehak Patel, Franklin County

MEET THE OFFICERS

Empower 4-H to help youth locally and across the state to develop their unique talents through “learning by doing.”

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The Tennessee 4-H Alumni and Friends Reunion is Fun for All Ages

The longstanding tradition of hosting the Annual Alumni and Friends Reunion was a resounding success in the spring of 2025. Held at the Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair fairgrounds in Lebanon, this year’s reunion brought together more than 140 attendees from all across the state.

Mark your calendars for the 2026 event – February 21

Mason Valentine Is Johns Hopkins’ Newest Tennessee
4-H’er

Sevier County 4-H'er Mason Valentine credits his 4-H experience in high school to what really led him to where he is today – studying music for new media at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

“If I’m honest, I applied here somewhat off a whim, based on a suggestion from my teacher,” Valentine says. “She knew they had a great film scoring program, which is what I hope to do, and I looked into the college more and then applied and was blessed to get a full ride here – a very lucky chance I’m thankful for.”