Head, heart, hands and health : 4-H Tennessee

Nicole Wake, the new director of development for the Tennessee 4-H Foundation, is living proof that the programs transform lives. As a former college admissions executive, Nicole was passionate about helping young people succeed. While working as a recruiter on the other side of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus, it felt like kismet when she saw the job posting for the newly created role at 4-H.

Nicole grew up in eastern Kentucky and was the recipient of a 4-H scholarship herself. That program changed her life and set her on the path she’s on now—as a leader, a shaper of futures and an advocate for youth. Although most people associate 4-H with agriculture, programs for Tennessee youth also include robotics, engineering, public speaking and leadership. The organization’s goal is to prepare and empower young people for the future, instilling skills in them to help them succeed and giving them access to tools like broadband. They also help adults find opportunities for employment through access to digital-skills training and broadband connectivity.

One initiative Nicole is excited about is the Discover Box program, which sends hands-on science and engineering activities directly to students. By putting technology and problem-solving into the hands of young people across the state, the program helps spark curiosity and introduces career pathways they may never have considered. Other science, technology, engineering, arts and math initiatives are underway, thanks to an infrastructure investment funding state-of-the-art STEM labs, expanded lodging capacities and upgraded technology across 4-H centers.

The Tennessee 4-H Foundation functions primarily as the fundraising arm of Tennessee 4-H. Nicole’s role at the Foundation is to secure the support that keeps Tennessee 4-H growing, building relationships with corporate partners, foundations, alumni and individual donors. The funds raised by the Foundation are used to support youth programs, leadership conferences, scholarships and other resources that help students succeed. In contrast, the 4-H Centers are directly responsible for delivering youth programming. They organize and manage the educational and developmental activities that engage young people in the 4-H experience.

Sponsors help expand STEM and leadership opportunities for young people, especially in underserved communities, while getting recognition through state and nationwide marketing efforts. One such opportunity is the annual 4-H Picnic at the Fair, where proceeds fund camp scholarships for youth across Tennessee. This year’s event will be held at the Farm Bureau Expo Center during the Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair, and each ticket includes admission to the fair. Get tickets here: https://tn4hfoundation.org/picnic/

Supporting 4-H can take many forms, though, outside of corporate sponsorship. The Foundation is always seeking volunteers and advocates to spread awareness about the programs and their offerings. You can make a financial donation directly through the Tennessee 4-H Foundation website. Or, you can simply bring your friends and family to one of their events.

For Nicole, every donation is personal because she knows firsthand what that support can mean. “We never want a child’s circumstances to become a barrier to their success,” she says. “Someone invested in me when I was young. Now I have the opportunity to help make sure today’s kids have those same life-changing experiences.”