Moore County 4-H proves that good things can come in small packages
I
t has been said that good things come in small packages. In Moore County, situated in the rolling hills of south central Tennesse with just over 6,300 residents spread across 130 sq. miles, Extension Agent Lorie Burtts thinks that saying definitely holds true. 4-H has a very long tradition in Moore County and is still privileged to go into the classroom from 4th through 8th grade on a monthly basis. There are 440 youth actively involved in 4-H and over 40 adult volunteers that contribute their time and resources to 4-H programs. Since joining TSU as a Moore County Cooperative Extension Agent in March, Ms. Burtts has led or been an integral part of many events, including: practices, farm visits and competitions related to Horse Judging; practices, farm visits, field days and
69 Extension Impacts, 201 3
Lorie Burtts, Moore County Extension Agent competitions related to Livestock Judging; instructing and judging programs in the classroom; orientation, dispensing chicks, making follow-up farm visits, and other activities related to the Chick Chain project; meeting with the Tennessee Association of Extension 4-H Workers (TAE4-HW); hosting the County Farm Day for First Graders; serving as a judge in the Area Project Fair; leading the Trap Team and working toward an Archery Team in the county; coordinating Camp Woodlee, a fifty-eight year weekend camp tradition; coordinating Camp York junior camp in Crossville; organizing and participating in county, regional and state-level horse shows; and organizing state and regional Beef Expos. Of the 4,200 plus contacts that Ms. Burtts has made since March, she is perhaps most proud of the Horse Project youth.
Moore County 4-H has an ongoing partnership with the Moore County Horseman’s Association where each 4-H member who participates in a 4-H horse show earns money toward their own scholarship. $100 is awarded at the County, Regional, State and Southern Region 4-H Horse Shows. If a 4-H member begins showing in the fourth grade he or she has the potential to earn over $2,700 in scholarship money from the Horseman’s Association by the time he or she graduates. This is an excellent example of how the Moore County community supports the hard work and dedication of the 4-H program. For more information on the Moore County Horseman's Association scholarship program or any other Extension programs in Moore County, please contact Lorie Burtts at lburtts@tnstate.edu.