Local 4-H’ers Selected for Academic Conference

Five 4-H’ers from Jefferson County will receive intensive training in their project area(s) at the University of Tennessee.

Alexa Fanti, Kayleigh Fanti, Sammie Porter, and Hannah Sealock from Dandridge and Beau Larrance from New Market are delegates to the State Junior High 4-H Academic Conference in Knoxville, June 10-13.

They will be among 160 youth selected on the basis of their 4-H project work. They will study under the supervision of university scientists and specialists during the four-day program.

The conference is conducted in classroom, outdoor and laboratory settings.

“Participants get an in-depth look at college course work required in the areas of animal science, plant and soil science, and family and consumer science,” said Steve Sutton, Director of 4-H Youth Development with the University of Tennessee Extension.

“The program also explores career opportunities in the fields related to the members’ project interests,” he said.

In addition to subject matter training, the conference features an opening program by the Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troupe, recreational activities on campus, service-learning activities in the Knoxville community, a graduation banquet and an afternoon at Dollywood.

The event is sponsored by the gifts from donors with an interest in agriculture, family and consumer sciences and other related areas.

The 4-H program is the youth development component of UT Extension and is also the state’s largest youth organization. With more than 184,500 members statewide, 4-H is available to young people in every Tennessee county.