4-H Youth Development

4-H Pledge

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking.
My HEART to greater loyalty
My HANDS to larger service
And my HEALTH to better living for
My Club, My Community, My Country and My World

Head - Heart - Hands - Health

Overview & Mission

Washington County 4-H is one the largest youth organizations in the county working with 4,685 members in grades 4-12 enrolled. 4-H is a nationally recognized program offered in each state through the land grant universities. In our case, we are a part of The University of Tennessee Extension. Our local 4-H program is focusing on Workforce Preparation with our mission to offer educational programs for youth to better equip them with the skills necessary to make them productive citizens in the future. The 4-H program has made a tremendous impact on the youth of our nation for over 100 years and many here in our own community have benefited greatly from their participation in the 4-H program.  All 4-H projects and activities are based on a model to develop life skills in teamwork, achieving goals, responsibility, leadership, citizenship, communication, positive self-esteem, and ethical decision making, building relationships and making healthy lifestyle choices.  We offer a variety of 4-H programs to help youth learn and grow through hand-on learning.

4-H CLUBS (4TH  – 12TH GRADES)

Our 4-H program partners with Washington County Schools to deliver educational programming and projects that meet TN education standards and teach life skills. We also offer after school programs with both Washington County and Johnson City School systems and serve as guest speakers. Our programs help students learn how to set & achieve goals, enhance their communication/public speaking skills, experience STREAM activities, learn teamwork and many other skills.

For our high school youth a financial management enrichment program entitled “On My Own” is also offered.

4-H HONOR CLUB

Honor Club gives 6-12 grade youth the opportunity to build their citizenship and leadership skills. Students also have the opportunity to serve and get involved beyond the county level. All-Star Conferences, TN Congress, Roundup and Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference are just a few opportunities that our honor club youth can take advantage of to meet new people while enjoying fun trips. Honor Club meets the second Monday of each month August through May at the Washington County Extension Office from 5:30pm – 6:30pm.

Information on Contest, Camps and Project Groups

Star Student: https://tiny.utk.edu/washcostarstudent

Piggy Bank Contest: https://tiny.utk.edu/washcopiggybank

Environmental Essay Contest: https://tiny.utk.edu/washcoenvessay

Demonstration Contest 4th-5th grade: Demonstration Handout 2026

Exhibit Contest 6th-8th grade: 4 H Flyer Interactive Exhibits 2026

Wildlife Judging 2026: Wildlife Judging 2026

Junior 4-H Camp 4th-6th grade: Jr camp flyer 2026

Jr High Camp 7th-8th grade: 4 H Jr. High Camp Flyer

Sewing 4-H Round-Up 4th-8th grade: Sewing Round-Up Application 2026

Fair Fun Factory 4th-8th grade: 26 Fair Fun Factory

ER Culinary Camp 6th-12th: Culinary Camp Brochure 2026 (4) (1)

ER Quilt Camp 6th-12th grade: 2026 4 H Quilt Camp Brochure

ER Target Smart Camp 6th-8th grade: Target Smart Camp 26

ER Electric Camp 6th-8th grade: 4-H Electric Camp

ER Fashion & Design Conference: Fashion & Design Conf 26

Quilting camp day 1 final project
Quilting camp day 1
Quilting camp day 2 finished project
Intro to Quilting Day 2

Intro to Quilting participants display their work
Intro to Quilting participants day 3
Poster of Rooster crowing cock-a-doodle-doo 4-H is for you.

Handmade Poster winner Sadie Collins

Picture of 4-H Honor Club members making ornaments with young children for a service project.

Honor Club service project, making ornaments with youth

Picture of 4-H Environmental Essay winners

4-H Environmental Essay winners 2025

Pictures of 4-H Jr. Camp participants

4-H Jr Camp Participants 2025

4-H Bread Baking at the Appalachian Fair

Contact Information

Picture of Laura Garland 4-H Agent

Laura Garland

4-H Agent I

Phone: 423-753-1683

Email: lgarland@utk.edu

Picture of Makayla Phipps, 4-H/ANR agent

Makayla Phipps

4-H/ANR Agent I

Phone: 423-753-1846

Email: mphipps@utk.edu

Picture of Barbara Nuckols, 4-H Program Assistant

Barbara Nuckols

4-H Program Assistant

Phone: 423-753-1682

Email: bnuckols@utk.edu

Picture of Sarah Ballance, FCS/4-H Program Assistant

Sarah Ballance

FCS/4-H Program Assistant

Phone: 423-753-1680

Email: sballance@utk.edu

Jamison Walker

4-H Program Assistant

Phone: 423-753-1682

Email: jwalk203@utk.edu