4-H Youth Development

Shelby County 4-H Youth Development empowers Future leaders to grow into confident leaders, creative problem-solvers, and engaged community members. Through hands-on learning, meaningful relationships, and real-world experiences, 4-H helps youth discover their passions while building skills that last a lifetime.

From STEM and agriculture to leadership, health, and civic engagement, Shelby County 4-H offers programs that meet youth where they are. Backed by the University of Tennessee Extension, our programs are research-based, inclusive, and designed to help youth thrive.

In 4-H, our future leaders don’t just learn. They do, lead, and belong.

SHELBY COUNTY'S MISSION TO YOU: To empower youth to form a sense of purpose through research-based education, life skills, and civic engagement to become better leaders of today and tomorrow.

Schedule a Field Trip with Us!

We welcome schools to visit our campus for a free STEM-focused field trip. Use the form to view your field trip options and request a trip!

Want to become a 4-H Member?

We’d love for you to join! Complete the form and don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletters to get the inside scoop on all programs and upcoming events.

Check Out Our 4-H Activities

4-H Poster & Digital Art Contest invites youth in grades 4–12 to create a poster that promotes 4-H. Cloverbuds (K–3) are welcome to participate! Posters are judged on theme, simplicity, and originality, and the top three county entries advance to regional competition. Digital entries follow the same guidelines and must be submitted as a PDF.

Review yearbook guidelines below to ensure your entries qualify!
Entry Deadline: December 12, 2025, at 4:30pm.

Poster Art Contest Download

4-H Public Speaking helps youth find their voice while building confidence, organization, and presentation skills. Participants have the opportunity to earn awards for their efforts and may advance to area and regional competitions, gaining recognition for their hard work along the way.

Review yearbook guidelines below to ensure your entries qualify!
Register by: January 22, 2026
Contest: January 29, 2026, at 5pm.

Public Speaking Contest Guidelines Download

The 4-H Piggy Bank Contest is open to all 4-H members, including Cloverbuds (K–3)! Youth will design and build a creative piggy bank that highlights the importance of saving money and planning for the future. Entries can be any shape or style! Not just pigs. It should be sturdy, transportable, and full of personality.

Review yearbook guidelines below to ensure your entries qualify!
Entry Deadline: January 27, 2026, at 4:30pm.

Piggy Bank Conteste Guidelines Download

Piggy Bank Entry Forms Download

4-H Project Showcase gives youth in grades 4–12 the chance to share what they’ve learned in their 4-H projects over the past year. Participants in grades 4–8 automatically advance to the Western Region 4-H Project Showcase. Like Public Speaking, this contest lets you present your project, but you must use a visual aid, such as a tri-fold display board, just like a science fair!

Review yearbook guidelines below to ensure your entries qualify!
Submission Deadline: April 2, 2026, at 4:30pm
Registration: April 9, 2026 @ 6pm.

Project Showcase Guidelines Download

Love taking pictures? Showcase your creativity by selecting 1–2 photos you’ve taken and mounting them on poster board or construction paper. Focus on imagination! Try different subjects, angles, and lighting to make your photos stand out!

Review yearbook guidelines below to ensure your entries qualify!
Submission Deadline: February 20, 2026, at 4:30pm

Photography Guidelines Download

Photography Entry Forms Download

4-H’ers will have the opportunity to enter a specific type of bread which is different according
to their grade level. Your bread should be dropped off by the submission deadline.

Review yearbook guidelines below to ensure your entries qualify!
Submission Deadline: April 6, 2026, at 4:30pm
Registration: April 16, 2026, at 5:30pm

Bread Baking Guidelines Download

The 4-H County Fair is held each summer for 4-H members to show off their creativity by participating in the following categories:

Horticulture
Arts and Crafts
Recycle Crafts
Poster Art
Exhibit
Culinary
Food Preservation
Clothing
Plant Science
Home Grounds
Pet Show

4-H Fair Guidelines Download

Want to raise your own baby chickens? 4-H members can apply and pay a small fee to receive one dozen chicks (breeds vary each year). Applications are due in February, and chicks arrive in March. Raise them through the summer and bring your top three to Agricenter’s Harvest Festival for the 4-H Show & Sale. The rest are yours to keep!

The project is for youth in 4th – 12th grades from beginner to experienced small livestock caretakers. Participants and their parent(s) / guardian(s) are required to pick chicks up when notified they have arrived at Agricenter. Participants will be responsible for providing cage, feed, heat lamp, etc. for the chicks. If chickens will reside in a subdivision, please be sure to check with your local division management regarding small livestock on property.
If interested in participating in Chic Chain, please reach out to your agent or Khalaya at kcoope53@utk.edu

Tennessee 4-H Roundup is a capstone experience for high school members, designed to recognize achievement and inspire future growth. Throughout the week, participants present their project work through portfolios and interviews, take part in workshops, service projects, leadership activities, and explore future opportunities at a career fair. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding 4-H’ers, new state council officers are elected, and the prestigious Vol State honor—the highest level of recognition a Tennessee 4-H member can receive—is presented during this event. Whether competing or attending for the experience, youth leave Roundup with new skills, lasting friendships, and memories that celebrate their 4-H journey.

For more information and guidelines, click here.

This is an opportunity for students to learn about Agriculture as a leading industry and how it can impact our lives. Agriculture connects every part of our world – from the ground beneath our feet to the open skies above us.

Art entries are due to Agricenter International by close of business March 13, 2026.

There are cash prizes for both winning students and TEACHERS of 1^st place winning students.

For more information and guidelines to make sure your entries qualify, click here.

The Shelby County Extension and Memphis Area Master Gardeners unite as a team to host Jr. Master Gardener Plant Camp for girls and boys, ages 8-11 (entering grades 3-6). The youth have the opportunity to learn about nature, while having fun and being introduced to the amazing world of plants! Activities include daily “hands-on” projects, educational discussions and games, “on-site” field trips, make-&-take home projects, and daily theme-related snacks. Each child takes home a camp shirt.

For more information and camp registration, click here.

Meet Our Team

Kyla Szemplinski

Extension Agent I, Shelby County

kszempli@tennessee.edu

Sydney Grayson

TSU Extension Agent I, Shelby County

sydlgray@tennessee.edu

Kelly Ravlija

Extension Agent I, Shelby County

krav@utk.edu

Khalaya Cooper

Administrative Support Assistant II, Shelby County

kcoope53@tennessee.edu

Timothy G Roberts

Extension Agent III, Shelby County

trobert6@tennessee.edu

Monthly Newsletter

Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the inside scoop on programs, activities, and highlights.

Email Khalaya Cooper at kcoope53@utk.edu to request subscription.

Join Our 4-H and Community Clubs

The 4-H Horse Program is for youth who love horses, whether they own one or not. Open to grades 4–12, members can participate in hands-on activities, learn about horse care, and compete in a variety of local, regional, and state competitions. Please note: this program does not include horse riding lessons.

For more information, reach out to Agent, Kyla Szemplinski at kszempli@utk.edu or 901-752-1207.

The Shelby County 4-H Honor Club is open to all 6th-12th grade 4-H members. The club meets the 1st Tuesday of each month. The main goal of this club is to increase leadership and citizenship opportunities.

For more information, contact Kelly Ravlija at krav@utk.edu or 901-752-1207.

The Farm Park 4-H Club provides general 4-H programs and activities. They meet every third Thursday of the month at 1pm at the Bobby Lanier Farm Park in Germantown.

For more information, please contact Susan Tyree at FarmPark4H@gmail.com

The New Leaf 4-H Club provides general 4-H programs and activities. They meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Germantown Library at 5:00 P.M.

For more information contact Kyla Szemplinski at kszempli@utk.edu.

4-H Form and Materials

2025-2026 4-H Yearbook Download

We’re proud to be part of shaping and strengthening the future leaders of our communities through 4-H experiences that inspire growth, confidence, and leadership.

– Your Shelby County 4-H Team

Your Shelby County 4-H Team

SHELBY COUNTY'S MISSION TO YOU: To empower youth to form a sense of purpose through research-based education, life skills, and civic engagement to become better leaders of today and tomorrow.

Schedule a Field Trip with Us!

Want to become a 4-H Member?

Check Out Our 4-H Activities

Meet Our Team

Monthly Newsletter

Join Our 4-H and Community Clubs

4-H Form and Materials

We’re proud to be part of shaping and strengthening the future leaders of our communities through 4-H experiences that inspire growth, confidence, and leadership. – Your Shelby County 4-H Team

We’re proud to be part of shaping and strengthening the future leaders of our communities through 4-H experiences that inspire growth, confidence, and leadership.

– Your Shelby County 4-H Team