To honor their hard word in their animal science projects, 4-H'ers are recognized as Youth Animal Science All Stars by winning champion animal, showmanship, skillathon or premier exhibitor at the State 4-H beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, goat and horse shows. 

Meet three 4-H'ers who were recently recognized as All Stars and learn more about their projects.

John Allen, a retired UT Extension agent and National 4-H Council employee, counts himself blessed that 4-H has been such a vital part of his life and welcomes the opportunity to give back to the organization.

Throughout his 19-year career with the Council, Allen launched the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, a national judging event in West Virginia; the Salute to Excellence awards program; and a planned giving program, all of which are going strong today.

Then, Allen gave back to Tennessee 4-H through helping establish the Tennessee 4-H Alumni and Friends program. 

For many Tennessee 4-H’ers, the organization has been a family tradition for generations. The children compete in making cookies, projects and events, as their parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents before them did. Meet the Teals and the Elliotts, whose 4-H families who have passed on the love of the organization to their children.

For AJ Teal of Coffee County, 4-H has been a part of life for at least three generations. Today, in addition to helping his kids with their 4-H projects, Teal and his wife, Valerie, created the Coffee Country Dairy Club, which leases dairy cattle to a few 4-H’ers every year.

For the Elliott Family in Robertson County, fourth generation of 4-H'ers, Meredith and Bailey, are starting their steer projects. Their father, Robert B. Elliott, is proud that his daughters are carrying on a tradition that began in the 1920s.

Before they hang up their green blazers at Tennessee 4-H Roundup and All Star Conference, meet the leaders of the 2025-26 Tennessee 4-H State Council.

Empowering Tennessee 4-H members to be beyond ready for their future careers, the Tennessee 4-H State Council serves as the state’s youth representative body. The council develops strong leaders today and equips emerging leaders for tomorrow. Follow the link to learn more about the 23 members representing each region of Tennessee.

Contact us

Tennessee 4-H Foundation
205 Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle
Knoxville, TN  37996

Phone: 865-974-2233 | Fax: 865-974-1628

Tn4HFoundation@utk.edu