"Tennessee 4-H: Your Voice is the Driving Force"
Erica Burton, Macon County

         The most powerful force on the planet may very well be the human voice. Through its use, civilizations have been built, kingdoms have been demolished, barriers broken and rights have been both established and denied. Through the human voice, history has been recorded and passed down, science and mathematic principles built upon and philosophies shared. And though every organization passes on its own beliefs and standards, few hold at its core a goal aimed at the betterment of its world and its members by developing the abilities and harnessing the voice of its membership. 4-H is one of those few.

         4-H teaches its members how to harness these skills, to hone them into a force that can open new doors of knowledge, opportunities for growth and life skill that will be applied in the lives of its members for years to come. Unlike other leadership development programs, the promotion of 4-H comes from within, through the voices and accomplishments of its members. 4-H is a foundation for the future, a guide that provides its members the chance to find their own voice through the development of skills in leadership, learning and service.

         Developing our voices through leadership is an area of emphasis in 4-H. Through judging teams, 4-H teaches us to make solid decisions and sound reasoning. Through public speaking and demonstrations, 4-H allows us to develop critical thinking and teaching skills so that our voice reaches out and calls the next group of leadership seekers to action. These skills allow us to grow confident in our values and beliefs and to carry these abilities forward in our lives.

         Learning, the quest for self improvement and personal achievement, is another area in which the voice of 4-H is heard. Clover Bowl, History Bowl, judging teams and other competitions are used as platforms for learning. 4-H members are exposed to agricultural and livestock qualities; local, state and national histories; life skills and solid consumer practices. Through 4-H, the voices of the past and present combine to clear the pathways to the future.

         Perhaps the least heard but the most important is the voice of service. It is not often heard so much as seen. 4-H teaches that it is not enough to represent your community, but that you must give back. Through service learning, community actions and volunteer work, 4-H members’ actions sound loud and clear a beacon of strength and promise for the future.

         As for me, 4-H gives voice to things I care about like protecting the environment, helping the individual farmer and animal conservation. 4-H gives voice to these causes and more, making us and our world better. It does this through us, its members. Now more than ever 4-H needs all of us. Our organization needs our voices to be loud and clear to let others know how important 4-H is to our future. Always remember that we belong to 4-H, 4-H belongs to us and that your voice is always the driving force.