Annual 4-H Roundup, All Star Conference Taking Place at UTM

The annual Tennessee 4-H Roundup and State 4-H All Star Conference is beginning its second century of service to statewide youth this week at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Tennessee 4-H Youth Development is hosting the 101st roundup July 15-19.

Since 1924, Tennessee 4-H members have gathered annually on a campus of the University of Tennessee for 4-H Roundup. The event serves to recognize 4-H members for their outstanding project work and leadership accomplishments.

The State All Star Conference is a part of the Roundup program. All Stars conduct service-learning projects and recognize outstanding service projects.

These statewide events are sponsored by the University of Tennessee Extension and 4-H awards donors.

More than 300 high school students from across Tennessee are taking part in the festivities, and they will be joined by Extension agents and volunteer leaders.

The students attending the 4-H Roundup assemble a portfolio within their project area to submit to Roundup organizers.

“We have a committee that judges portfolios and selects finalists based on their involvement in their project area, citizenship and leadership,” said Kari Beth Neville, agriculture and 4-H Extension agent with the Weakley County Extension Office.

“Those finalists compete at the Roundup via an interview. They do an in-person interview – typically with two or three judges – where they showcase the size and scope of their project. 4-H members compete against other finalists from across the state who are also in that project area. These interviews are a great way for 4-H members to gain experience in interviewing and communicating.”

Project areas range from livestock, including beef and sheep, to leadership and outdoor recreation.

A formal banquet and awards ceremony where the winners are announced was held on July 16. Those who win in their project area are awarded a scholarship that is applicable to college study.

Seniors and juniors who win their project area are given the opportunity to go to the National 4-H Congress, to be held Nov. 29-Dec. 3 in Atlanta.

The Tennessee 4-H Roundup and State 4-H All-Star Conference is also featuring workshops and a fun-filled day on the UT Martin campus with inflatables, snow cones, cotton candy and more fun activities.

For more information about Tennessee 4-H, call Tennessee 4-H Youth Development at 865-974-2128 or visit 4h.tennessee.edu.