Podcasts about h congress

The 78th Annual Tennessee 4-H Congress wrapped up by electing three new officers. The new officers are Kaylin Osterhouse – Speaker of the Senate, Harrison Crenshaw – Governor, Mehak Patel – Speaker of the House of Representatives. The new officers explain what it means to them to be elected to their positions and what they hope to accomplish in their year of service.

Wilson County 4-H member Bryce Ferrell participated in the 2024 Texas 4-H Congress in Austin. Ferrell was among approximately 300 youth and 4-H chaperones attending the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program, held at the State Capitol July 14-17. Texas 4-H Congress is a four-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members in grades nine through 12, in which 4-H members assume the roles of legislators, lobbyists, and press corps to gain a firsthand understanding of how the legislative process works. Each participant writes and submits their own bill to be taken through the legislative process that week. Bills that are written...Article Link

CTL Script/ Top Stories of April 13th             Publish Date: April 12th               From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast    Today is Saturday, April 13th and Happy 77th Birthday to singer Al Green. ***04.13.24 – BIRTHDAY – AL GREEN*** I'm Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia.  Cherokee Schools Students Place at Regional 4-H Competition Cherokee County Seniors Named Georgia Scholars Cherokee Schools Students Earn Honors in Adobe Express Challenge   We'll have all this and more coming up on the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast, and if you're looking for Community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!    Commercial: CU of GA   STORY 1: Cherokee Schools Students Place at Regional 4-H Competition Cherokee County School District students excelled at the regional 4-H Competition, with one student, Kallie Reynolds from Creekview High School, advancing to the statewide contest. The 4-H program, supported by the UGA Cooperative Extension Office, fosters skill development, teamwork, leadership, and community service. Reynolds qualified for the State 4-H Congress in the Sheep and Meat Goats project area. Numerous students from grades four through twelve earned top honors in various categories, showcasing their talents and achievements. These achievements reflect the dedication and excellence of Cherokee County students in the 4-H program. STORY 2: Cherokee County Seniors Named Georgia Scholars Eight Cherokee County School District high school seniors have been named Georgia Scholars, recognized for their excellence in academics and community involvement. The Georgia Department of Education program honors seniors who excel academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and demonstrate leadership. Among only 177 seniors statewide, four students from Creekview High School, two from Etowah High School, and two from Sequoyah High School received this honor. Each Georgia Scholar will receive a seal for their diploma. State School Superintendent Richard Woods commended these students for their achievements and contributions to their communities. The Cherokee County school board and Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis will acknowledge these students at an upcoming meeting.   STORY 3: Cherokee Schools Students Earn Honors in Adobe Express Challenge Nine Cherokee County School District students were honored in the Adobe Express Challenge, sponsored by the CCSD's Technology and Information Services division. Participants demonstrated creativity and digital skills by creating digital snow globes with animations, music, narration, and background effects. Winners were awarded certificates and ribbons. First place in the K-2 category went to Parker Hott and in the 3rd-5th grade category to Bryce Gilbert. Natalie Pollard secured first place in the 9th-12th grade category. These students showcased impressive innovation and creativity in their entries, earning recognition for their talents.   We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.    Back in a moment  Break:  DRAKE   STORY 4: Woodstock Employees Receiving Pay Raises This Month Woodstock City Council unanimously approved $212,048.80 for fiscal year 2024 merit pay raises for full-time and part-time employees. These raises, included in the city's $93 million budget, will take effect this month and cover salary, social security taxes, and retirement contributions. The merit increases are based on performance evaluations from the previous year, with eligible employees receiving varying raises depending on their performance compared to peers. City Manager Jeff Moon stated that 184 employees received merit increases, with only those hired before July 1 being eligible. STORY 5: Cherokee County Fire Apparatus Operator Promoted to Sergeant Gerald Wright, a firefighter with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, has been promoted from fire apparatus operator to sergeant. His promotion ceremony was held at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex, and he assumed his new role on March 31. Fire Chief Eddie Robinson expressed gratitude to Wright's family and friends for their support and recognized the contributions of fire service retirees and veterans. The department expressed confidence in Wright's capabilities and wished him success in his new role. Commercial: INGLES 5   STORY 6: Overnight Work on I-575 Starts April 14. What to Know Starting April 14, the Georgia Department of Transportation will begin resurfacing work on Interstate 575 southbound, from mile post 20 to the start of the interstate in Cobb County. The right southbound lane will close from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting. The project aims to resurface all lanes in this section and is scheduled for completion in late 2024. Work will occur overnight from Sunday to Saturday. Motorists should anticipate delays, drive cautiously, and reduce speed in work zones. For real-time updates on work status and traffic conditions, individuals can call 511, visit 511ga.org, or download the Georgia 511 app. STORY 7: Holly Springs Looking At Using Federal Funding for Road Repairs and Other Projects Holly Springs is considering allocating its remaining $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for various projects, including roads, stormwater infrastructure, and public safety operating expenses. The City Council discussed a resolution on April 8, with plans to vote on it on April 15. The city received a total of $5,766,604 in ARPA funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury, with half awarded in 2021 and the other half in 2022. The funds must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026, according to city documents. City Manager Rob Logan stated that previous ARPA funds were used for public safety and stormwater projects, emphasizing the need to encumber the remaining funds for expenditure within the specified timeframe.     We'll have closing comments after this.    COMMERCIAL: CURIOSITY LAB BIKE RACE   SIGN OFF –   Thanks again for listening to today's Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast. . If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Get more on these stories and other great content at tribune ledger news.com. Giving you important information about our community and telling great stories are what we do.     Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? 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Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.   Produced by the BG Podcast Network   Show Sponsors: ingles-markets.com drakerealty.com cuofga.org peachtreecornersga.gov/385/Curiosity-Lab-Criterium-2024     #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversationsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New 4-H officers were elected at the Tennessee 4-H Congress. Jadian Keith was elected as Governor, Cali Alonso Speaker of The House, and Speaker of The Senate Summer-Grace Kelly Speaker of The Senate. All three are from Franklin County. It's the first time all three officers are from the same county.

Each year 4-H Students from across the state gather in nashville for 4-H Congress. The three day event gives students the opportunity to learn about state government and the election process.

During the 76th Tennessee 4-H Congress, UT President Randy Boyd was honored with the Friend of 4-H Citation.

Three New 4-H Officers were elected at the 76th annual Tennessee 4-H Congress in Murfreesboro. The three new officers talk about what it means to them to be elected and how they plan to make a difference in their position over the next year.

For the first time all 95 counties were represented at 4-H Congress this year. Lake County attended for the first time. Those students explain what it means to them to make history. The post Lake County Attends 4-H Congress For First Time appeared first on Tennessee Farm Bureau.

2022 marks the 75th year for Tennessee 4-H Congress - where young people learn about our government. We hear from delegates past and present in this edition.

4-H members from across Tennessee have been in Murfreesboro this week for 4-H Congress. Three new state 4-H officers were elected during congress. They explain what it means to them to be selected for these positions. The post New 4-H Officers appeared first on Tennessee Farm Bureau.

Friday Matt chatted with the 2020 Jackson County Fair queen, who was recently the winner of the 2021 Ohio 4-H Personal Development Achievement Award, was a delegate to the National 4-H Congress and was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame! Later Matt & Josh were counting down the Rolling Stone Magazine top 500 songs of all time when Ben Davis Jr. stopped by and offered to give playing an old Neil Young tune a shot! You can see Ben performing live tonight at Stockroom601 in Jackson! It's is going to be a great show, don't miss out!

Friday Jen is joined by the 2020 Jackson County Fair queen, Elizabeth Fannin who was recently the winner of the 2021 Ohio 4-H Personal Development Achievement Award, was a delegate to the National 4-H Congress and was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame! We are also hoping a guest appearance from Ben Davis Jr how will be performing at Stockroom601 as part of a belated St. Patrick's Day celebration!

Tennessee 4-H Congress is meeting in Middle Tennessee this week. They also selected three new officers. The new officers explain what it means to them to be elected. The post New Tennessee 4-H Officers Elected appeared first on Tennessee Farm Bureau.

Peyton, Theresa, and Emma join us on CloverCast: Sunburnt to look at National 4-H opportunities. Featured opportunities include National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, and Citizenship Washington Focus. While they share their experiences and memories, they will also share information that can help you on your way to participating in these events yourself! Be sure to tune back in on August 1st to hear about 4-H at County Fairs. Resources (things mentioned in the show):National 4-H Congress: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/national-4-h-congress National 4-H Conference: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/national-4-h-conference Citizenship Washington Focus: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/cwf More Iowa 4-H programs: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/program-listState 4-H Recognition Day: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/recognition-opportunitiesLearn more about State 4-H Council: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/statecouncilGoals of our podcast:1. To provide a safe opportunity for State 4-H Council members to engage with other 4-H’ers around the state in lieu of the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. 2. To reach current 4-H’ers and potential 4-H’ers through thoughtful, informational, and personal discussion centered around 4-H learning opportunities and experiences.3. To provide State 4-H Council members the opportunity to grow themselves personally and professionally as they take part in and learn about each step of the podcast production process.

Ellen Graves is back in the 4-H-4-U-2 studio to talk about the powerful positive impact that 4-H and Social Media has on the youth of today. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now, your hosts, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford. John Long: And welcome back to another podcast of 4-H-4-U-2. I'm your host, John Long. Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie Rutherford. John Long: Cobie, we have been sitting here talking for seemingly like an hour to our next guest as a precursor to our show. This is our second podcast with Ellen Graves. How you doing today, Ellen? Ellen Graves: Doing good. John Long: Same as you were about 10 minutes ago, I guess. Ellen Graves: That's right. John Long: We pretend like there's been some lack in time, anyway. So yeah. Cobie Rutherford: I wish we'd been recording the whole time. We had some- Ellen Graves: That's not for people to hear. John Long: It wasn't anything bad, but it was just like, so not on topic with what we're going to talk about today. Ellen Graves: Right. Cobie Rutherford: It wasn't research based... Ellen Graves: But y'all were helping make the guest comfortable, right? So that's part of it. John Long: That's right. Just setting up the whole thing. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. Celebrities, and favorite people, and movies. John Long: Movies, yeah. Ellen Graves: Movies, yeah. Cobie Rutherford: All good stuff for sure. Ellen Graves: Yeah, for sure. John Long: But you made mention of one thing I guess we could lead in with, is about your end course. In the South, we say daddy. So your daddy, go ahead and tell us today cause I thought that was really cool 4-H connection. Ellen Graves: Okay, yeah. Yeah. So I was telling y'all that in this job I figured out that 4-H is such a great organization to be a part of and I wish I had done it when I was growing up. I was not, unfortunately, in 4-H and I totally wish I had been. But when I got this job, my dad started to regale us of stories when he was in 4-H back in the 60s and early 70s, and because of 4-H he was able to get on his first plane ride ever and go to national 4-H convention in Chicago, maybe. And so, 4-H gave him that first opportunity in his life to get on a plane. And so he's always remembered that. And he won a lot of contests in forestry especially in 4-H and he just loved it so much. And so I think it's cool that I get to work with 4-H now. John Long: And I said the same thing on an earlier podcast. I was not in 4-H, I really wish I had been. Ellen Graves: Yeah, I mean I don't think people realize, and I know when I got this job, I think I thought like a lot of people did that, "Oh, it's for kids like showing pigs or cows, horses maybe, but I'm not really into that." John Long: Which we do, which we do. Ellen Graves: Right. And that's a very important part of 4-H. You can learn so much through that. But for 4-H has something literally for everybody. And I think one of the biggest things that I think of now is the leadership skills that it gives you, public speaking. Those are things I wish I had done when I was growing up and I wish I had been in 4-H for those things. John Long: Yeah, for sure. Cobie Rutherford: So we do a lot of promotional social media with 4-H contests with 4-H different events. Do you think that one day these 4-H’ers will use social media platforms as almost a resume builder to go back and say this is what all I've done? Ellen Graves: I think that's a cool idea. I've actually never even thought about it that way, but... John Long: See, here we go again. Ellen Graves: I know, look at y'all. But yeah... John Long: Write all this stuff down. Ellen Graves: I know, these are good ideas. A lot of 4-H’ers I think do use that because you can scroll back to two years ago if you'd been on there long enough and you can see all those posts you did, whether you were at Club Congress or at the state fair, Dixie National, and you really preserve those memories. And I think the cool part about social media is that you preserve the memories and that emotion that you were feeling at that time in your life. You know, looking back years later, you might feel different about it. But the cool thing is when you scroll back, you remember how you felt right in that moment. And I think that's a really cool thing. John Long: And a few things. If you think life doesn't move fast... Ellen Graves: Yeah, it does. John Long: Hey, scroll back... Ellen Graves: That's right. Preach it. Yeah. John Long: Yep, that's right. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. I think you was just talking about your dad when he was on the plane taking that trip to National 4-H Congress and yeah, I thought, "Well, what was going through his mind if he'd been able to capture that on social media?" Ellen Graves: Right. Cobie Rutherford: That'd have been huge to go back and look at. Ellen Graves: Oh, I know. John Long: We had a lady, I can't remember her name, I'm sorry. But anyway, she got to go to DC when she was just a young girl on a train. And that was a big deal for her. Ellen Graves: Yeah. John Long: So it's similar to, you know. Ellen Graves: Right. Well, and I think too, like we're talking about my dad back in the 60s but even nowadays I mean, kids in 4-H get so many opportunities to go out of the state, see other parts of the world, meet other kids their age from all over. And you're doing that through an organization that you know, and love, and trust. John Long: That's right. Ellen Graves: And so I think just the opportunities alone for travel is something that a lot of other organizations for youth cannot offer. John Long: That's exactly right, exactly right. Cobie Rutherford: And I think a lot of youth that are going to the national contest right now, all over the country, I think about what kind of experience they're getting. You know, they competed at our State Congress and horticulture judging or consumer judging or whatever it was. And now they're getting to go to a national trip that I mean even John, you mentioned shooting sports on an earlier podcast. John Long: Right. Cobie Rutherford: What else would take you to Grand Island, Nebraska and have a chance to see that part of the world. John Long: Exactly. Cobie Rutherford: Other than shooting sports or, you know maybe livestock. John Long: Livestock, yeah, for sure. Ellen Graves: Yeah, and I mean those 4-H'ers that get to go on those trips, it helps them understand there's a whole world out there. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: There's so many opportunities and possibilities for their lives that maybe they just hadn't thought of yet. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so, I mean, you can't put a price on that. 4-H does that for kids. So I think, I don't know, it's just awesome. John Long: And I think that's important too, to remember the actual experience because, and we'll go back to the podcast we had, part one of Ellen Graves, but when information is so readily available, I mean, look, you don't have to climb to the top of Everest. They got a 360 degree view of Everest, whatever you want to call it. Everything is right there. But if you're not there, if you don't sit there and are able to look at the Grand Canyon face to face, you can't really appreciate it from that standpoint. And I think that goes the same for these trips and everything, you know what I'm saying? Ellen Graves: Oh yeah, for sure. John Long: Social media takes us to certain places, but it will never- Ellen Graves: It can only take you so far. John Long: That's correct. Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Ellen, I like how you mentioned a while ago that social media allows us to capture memory but also an emotion. Can you elaborate some more on that? John Long: Yeah, I wish she would, because I did this, which I'm combing through my beard right now. Go ahead. Ellen Graves: Yeah. So, I think I get the unique opportunity to see a lot of posts out there about 4-H from our 4-H'ers, from our volunteers, from their parents. And I think one post in particular really sticks out to me, is we have a 4-H'er named Savannah and her mother, we follow her mother, her mother posted a collage picture of Savannah when she was just a kiddo, going to Project Achievement Day. And then she posted a picture from years after that where Savannah was wearing a green jacket and was there as a State Council Officer. And so just look at that post visually and then see in the caption that mother described the transformation that her daughter had gone through and the confidence that she had gained. I mean, makes me look at 4-H and I appreciate my job through their eyes. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: You know, cause I look at a lot of stuff obviously from my angle, from a professional angle, from my work angle, but to see that emotion and that memory through a parent's eyes of her child growing and becoming a great young lady, that's something that I was able to think about because of social media. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so I think that's one example. Was that a good answer? John Long: That is very good. Cobie Rutherford: That was really good. John Long: I was going to say it's a virtual record book. Ellen Graves: Yeah, yeah. John Long: You know, like a 4-H record book. I mean, you see that progression. Ellen Graves: Right. And I mean I think 4-H has done a really good job of trying to meet our folks where they're at on social media. So like one of the new things that we've done lately is create a Facebook group for 4-H volunteers. And so they have a space underneath our Facebook page where they can discuss internally what their plans are, updates about different things. So it's a virtual gathering space because as y'all know, our volunteers are stretched throughout the state. So this is a place where we can use technology to help kind of fill in those gaps. John Long: Yeah. And we did that on the national team this year too. Ellen Graves: Oh, that's cool. John Long: There's a Facebook page that a parent had started just for a means of saying, "Hey, this is where we're at and this is what we're doing." Ellen Graves: Right. That's right. John Long: So yeah, that makes perfect sense for sure. Cobie Rutherford: And I like all the new components of social media, like on Facebook or Instagram where you can almost go live, well you can go live, at any place you're at and share your experiences of what you're doing in that moment. John Long: Yeah. Ellen Graves: Yes, yes. And Cobie, give a shout out to him, he is like a master at going Facebook live, Instagram live. He's like so confident about it. So shout out to you. Cobie Rutherford: Oh my gosh. The first time I did that, I was live at the livestock show going around and talking to the people before- Ellen Graves: It's that adrenaline rush, isn't it?. Cobie Rutherford: It is. It was before they walked into the ring for the championship drive at Dixie or State Fair one. And then all of a sudden this calf kicked this kid. John Long: Oh no. Ellen Graves: Oh no. Drama. John Long: No music track. Ellen Graves: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: And then someone let out a descriptive word at that calf. John Long: Oh. Ellen Graves: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: That was probably not social media... Ellen Graves: Right. Appropriate. Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: So I quickly deleted that. Ellen Graves: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: And did not share and then started over again. Ellen Graves: Right. You got to have fast fingers, sometimes on social media. John Long: Yeah, for sure. Ellen Graves: But I do think Facebook live, Instagram live, just going live in general and gives us the opportunity to be authentic in a way that we've never been able to do before. John Long: Yeah, yeah. Ellen Graves: Because when you think about it, that's just the structure of media. People obviously place so much emphasis on television because they had the ability to go live. Cobie Rutherford: Right. Ellen Graves: Whereas now that power is also in the hands of everyday people. And we can argue whether that's good or bad, but I know in 4-H we're using it for good. John Long: Yeah. Ellen Graves: And so I think being able to open up that window to people, being really transparent with them, is a great tool for us. John Long: I've only been Facebook live one time. Ellen Graves: Yeah. John Long: And it was that... Ellen Graves: I worry about you sometimes, John. That's all we can do, one time. John Long: I'm just like, "Oh no, let me get my finger up here." Arthritis. But I was in a tree stand and I just said, "I'm going to try this." And it was like, "Okay well here I am, what do I do now?" Ellen Graves: Some people are more natural at it than others. John Long: Yeah, yeah. I guess I'd like it if I did it more but I don't. Ellen Graves: Practice makes perfect. Cobie Rutherford: I feel like I need to do a real enthusiastic voice when I do Facebook live. I'm like, "Hey y'all!" John Long: Trying to drum up some excitement. Cobie Rutherford: I know. John Long: "This is Cobie Rutherford." Ellen Graves: Well that's why I like being behind the camera because y'all know my philosophy with the accounts that I manage is like, I never want to make it about me, you know like ever, even though I'm the person behind it kind of operating it. John Long: Yeah. Ellen Graves: But that's the funny part, I think, about working with 4-H'ers is that these kids are so naturally inclined to be not nervous in front of the camera. Ellen Graves: Whereas people, even my age, y'all's age, have kind of a nerve nervous element to going live or getting on video. And so these 4-H'ers have really just embraced it because it's all they've ever known. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so that makes for great social media, so that's good for me. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: Yeah. And I think it helps them kind of watch their actions too. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. Ellen Graves: Right. John Long: Because now they know that if they do something down the line that anybody anywhere can flip up a camera and video them. Ellen Graves: That's right. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, and I think... John Long: And it is all over the place. Cobie Rutherford: Right. And that's, yeah. Like you said, because if something happens or, you know what I mean? John Long: Right. Cobie Rutherford: It's a different, I don't know, I don't want to say media, but it's a different... Ellen Graves: But it's a different world because people have the technology at their fingertips to record anything, so- John Long: Isn't that crazy? Ellen Graves: Yeah. John Long: And I remember wanting a video camera. Ellen Graves: Yeah. John Long: That thing was huge as, you know, and now it's in the palm of your hand. Ellen Graves: Your hand. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: And take just as good video. Ellen Graves: It does. Cobie Rutherford: What I see is like, and Ellen, please comment on this. Do you see a lot of youth when they're trying to create content, they're trying to put things out there to get likes or make impressions. How important are those to a lot of youth and do a lot of youth take them more serious than they should? Ellen Graves: So I think that's a great point to bring up. And honestly, when you think about it, we're still really young in the progression of social media. So I know there's a lot of research that has been done, that's going to continue to be done about the effect mentally that social media has on young people and even people our age. And I mean just from, this is Ellen's opinion, my viewpoint on it is that yeah, I think people do take stock in how many likes a picture gets. Because I always tell 4-H'ers in my workshops I do with them is that whether you know it or not, you are a social media strategist. Because like for example, on Instagram, you're thinking about, "Okay, what picture do I want to put up from my camera roll? What filter do I want to use? What kind of caption should it be? This kind of caption or should I make it funny? What hashtag should I put? What emoji should I put with it?" You know, so people are going through the same thought process because they want that post to succeed. Right? John Long: And if anybody heard the first one, it's called clout. Ellen Graves: Oh yeah. John Long: I don't even know what that means. Ellen Graves: You're becoming a social media strategist. John Long: I'm sorry, I'm sorry to interrupt you, I had to throw that in there. Ellen Graves: No, it's fine. No, it's fine. And so, I do think that whether young people admit it or not, they do think about that. And it's funny you should bring this up. I actually saw a headline the other day that Instagram is starting to test and roll out a feature where the likes are hidden from public view. So if you put up a picture of yourself, you can see, "Okay, I got 50 likes on it." But someone looking at it from the public's perspective would not know how many likes, and that's an interesting thought because they saying they're basically eliminating the peer pressure of like, "Oh, well 100 people have liked this, so I should too." Or, "Only 20 people liked it, so I'm not going to like it, that's lame." You know? And so I think that's going to be really interesting to see if that actually does come to pass or if it's just something they're testing. So, yeah. John Long: So it kind of gives them an idea of like making an informed decision instead of a snap decision based on what everybody else has done. Ellen Graves: Right. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. And it's kind of like you judge yourself against others. John Long: Yeah. Oh yeah. Cobie Rutherford: You know, I can put a picture of me and one of my cows or, I'm just being facetious here, but you know somebody else could. And I'm like, "Wow, they got more likes with their cow than I did with mine." Ellen Graves: Right, right. John Long: Right. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: And I think that happens more times than not. You know, you see that a lot. And it's almost like, I know I catch myself, and I don't know if y'all ever do, but I catch myself saying, "What is the purpose of this other than your glorification?" Ellen Graves: Yeah, yeah. John Long: You know what I'm saying? It's like, "Look what I can do." Ellen Graves: Well, and it's like a weird line for me because professionally I very much care about analytics and it tells me certain things about our audience and about how I can be changing our content to meet the needs of our audience by paying attention to analytics. But then on the personal side of things, I try to not take that with me. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: I try not to like over analyze my own personal presence on social media. Cobie Rutherford: Right. Ellen Graves: But for professional it is really important in my job to understand those things. John Long: Yeah, I bet it is. Cobie Rutherford: So how many accounts do you monitor? Ellen Graves: I told you I wasn't good at math, Cobie. Cobie Rutherford: I will give you a piece of paper. Ellen Graves: I know. I don't know. I would say like a rough estimate is that, like I have my hands on probably about 20 accounts. Managing day to day consistently, it's probably about 10. But I have my hands just in a lot of pots I guess would be the best way to describe it. I generally tell people, someone actually asked me this in Sunday school the other day like, "What do you do?" Because I think a lot of times in Extension our job titles can not be very... Some people just don't understand what that means. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so I told the person, I think about my role in Extension as I create content and then I also manage accounts and then I also train people in Extension about how to best use social media. So that's kind of the way I think about it. So, yeah, I'm looking at social media every day. John Long: So let me ask you this, it's a good lead into my next question. Does Ellen Graves ever unplug totally? Ellen Graves: Oh, there's some days where I wish I could just throw my phone in a river, but then I know I would just jump in right after it. John Long: Right, right. Ellen Graves: But it's hard for me to completely unplug. I do try on Sundays not to look at our work accounts and then the only time I can really unplug for an extended amount of time is during our Christmas break because that's the only time long enough where I'm physically not at work. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: That I don't have to worry about it as much. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: But you know, the thing I tell folks a lot of times, I feel like in this job in particular, but we all have aspects like this in our own jobs. I don't want to sound like I'm the only one like this. But you know, even when I go home, if someone sends us like a question on our 4-H Facebook page at 8:00 PM, I'm looking at it. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: You know I'm answering it. John Long: Right. Sure. Ellen Graves: And so it's kind of like with my job, you can take it with you wherever you go. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so I do have to try to step back at times. As we've said before, I did graduate from Ole Miss. There was one time during where we really lost an Egg Bowl real bad to State and I had to put my phone in a drawer. John Long: Oh wow, it was blowing up that bad? Ellen Graves: Yeah. John Long: Oh wow. Ellen Graves: It was bad. And so but I do try to unplug around the holidays. But I'm pretty much plugged in all the time. John Long: Well I think, and you said it is part of your job. What advice would you give to a young person in order to get a healthy balance? Because I just, I mean people are with their heads down. Ellen Graves: Yeah, yeah. John Long: I think they're just going to eventually just get a crick in their neck and never going to look up and look around at the world. Ellen Graves: Right, look at the sunshine. Right. John Long: Right, exactly. So how does the person do that when it's just so available. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying that we need to- Ellen Graves: Have a good balance. John Long: Yeah, you're not going to see a sunrise if you're trying to Google one, you know? Ellen Graves: Right. Well, I think I've been really fortunate to have lived before there was social media, so I had a childhood that was free of a screen, that was free of social media, and I'm really thankful for that. But at the same time, nowadays that's just the world we live in, right? John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: That stuff is available to kids. And so I think having that balance of having times in your life during just your normal weekly routine of like, "Okay, the phone, it goes on the dresser drawer at 8:00 PM and I'm not going to look at it after that." You know? And I think honestly, when you're talking about teenagers and kids, you're talking about their parents, right? Because those are the folks who would be obviously setting the rules in the house. And so I think as a parent you have to say, "What are our digital guidelines as a family?" John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And you're setting an example for your children. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And I think adults have to think about that. But I did talk with our 4-H'ers at Co-op and we just kind of had just a time where we just kind of talked with each other about what social media is to them. And I told them, I said, "You know, a lot of adults think that y'all cannot communicate face to face. They think teenagers can't look another adult in the eyeballs and talk to them." John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And that they just, phones and social media have put up a barrier. And the kids really pushed back on that. They said, "We feel very confident about looking people in the eyes and talking to them." And that might be because they're 4-H'ers, right? John Long: Right, right. I was thinking that. Ellen Graves: They have the skill set to do that, right. But the other point too they brought up with me is, and I agree with this, is that teenagers and kids in their mind, when they're texting someone when they're Snapchatting someone, that is a friendship. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: That is relationship. It's just in a different way than their parents experienced friendship. John Long: Right, right. Ellen Graves: And so it's not that they're just in a world all by themselves. A lot of times they're communicating with their friends through those methods. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so. But to boil it down, I kind of had a rambling answer. John Long: No, I- Ellen Graves: You do have to have a balance. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And I think with anything in life, you have to have a balance. John Long: One thing that I'm seeing more and more of late is the ease, and I'm speaking for myself, the ease of parents. Did you just give a device to a child for a pacifier, for lack of a better words, you know? And then it just becomes such an addiction to where that child, and again moderation in all things, but it becomes just like this, "I got to have, I got to have it, I got to have it." And I think that is a danger for sure. Ellen Graves: And I think I'm not as well versed in that kind of stuff. I don't have kids myself. And so I haven't had to experience that. But I think the research that folks are doing out there from this generation that's grown up like this will tell us things eventually- John Long: Right, I agree. Ellen Graves: About how that's affected them and adulthood and all that. John Long: Sure. Ellen Graves: And we'll have to look at what that says. But what I do encourage, parents out there, especially 4-H parents, is that we will definitely want you to post about 4-H- John Long: Absolutely, absolutely. Ellen Graves: And about your kids having a great time in 4-H. John Long: That's right. Ellen Graves: Because it's always better. We can shout from the rooftops on our 4-H accounts that we have, but it's going to be way more authentic coming from y'all. John Long: Absolutely. Ellen Graves: For sure. John Long: The youth tell the story. Ellen Graves: That's right. Cobie Rutherford: And how important is it for them to use the hashtag so you can see what they're talking about? Ellen Graves: Yeah. Yes. Thank you, Cobie. John Long: Ellen always has to remind me during annual conference what the hashtag is. Ellen Graves: I know. It's all right. John Long: Go ahead, I'm sorry. Ellen Graves: That was part of my job. So #MS4H no dash, just all put together. And then for Extension it's #MSUEXT. And you might say, why is this important for me to use this hashtag? One of the reasons that I've seen is that a lot of 4-H'ers, or even volunteers and parents, will post something about an activity they've done through 4-H but not actually mentioned in the caption that it's 4-H. John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: And so there's this misconception that it's another youth organization out there. And so if you put up your caption and then at the very end just put #MS4H, you're getting that point across to your friends and family that this was done through 4-H. And so that helps our brand grow, just from doing that tiny thing. And then also just from my perspective professionally, it helps me be able to see the amount of posts out there about Mississippi 4-H because- John Long: ...going back to analytics again. Ellen Graves: That's right. It gives me a way to aggregate the content that's out there so I can understand what is our audience talking about, what concerns do they have? And I want to make sure that I interact with our 4-H audience through our Mississippi 4-H account. So when you put up a post describing a 4-H experience, I want to like that. I want to, from our 4-H account, I want to say, "Great job. Thank you so much." John Long: Right. Ellen Graves: So I want to continue those lines of communication with y'all and I can only see those posts unless we follow you. And unless you're using those hashtags. John Long: Yeah, that was a good and a plug for me. Cobie Rutherford: Yep, that's right. Ellen Graves: I practice it a couple of times. John Long: Just use the pound sign. Ellen Graves: You know, that tic-tac-toe, right? John Long: Yeah, that's right. You know, you got the square and then you got the X and the Os. Ellen Graves: Right. John Long: But yeah, thank you so much for that. And Ellen, we thank you for, again, for coming in and being with us today and like I did in the last podcast and we'll let you tell us where we can go to get our information on 4-H and Extension in your area. Ellen Graves: Thank you, John Long. So everyone please make sure to follow Mississippi 4-H on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. And then of course you can also follow MSU Extension Service, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest. And then we already talked about the hashtags. John Long: Yes. Ellen Graves: So use those. And then of course you can look at our website, extension.msstate.edu. John Long: We need to bring her in every- Cobie Rutherford: I know. John Long: Can we record that? Cobie Rutherford: We should record that. Ellen Graves: Yeah, just make a standard. John Long: No stipend or royalties... Ellen Graves: Right, right. John Long: Alright, well with that, that is another week of 4-H-4-U-2, and I'm your host, John Long. Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie. John Long: And we will be back next time with who knows what we're going to be talking about, but we're going to be talking about 4-H and 4-H youth development for sure. Y'all have a good one. Announcer: Thanks for joining us for 4-H-4-U-2. For more information, please visit extension.msstate.edu and be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4-H-4-U-2 is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Office of Agricultural Communications.

In the second of two parts, Cobie and John sit down with Mr. Larry Alexander to reflect on his 38 years of working in 4-H, and what his plans are in retirement. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now are your hosts, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford. John Long: All right, we are back. This is John Long... Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie Rutherford. John Long: ... and you are listening to the 4-H-4-U-2 podcast, courtesy of the Mississippi State Extension. With us today, we're going to have part two of our conversation with Mr. 4-H, Mr. Larry Alexander. How are you doing today, Larry? Larry Alexander: I'm feeling really good. John Long: Good, good. Cobie Rutherford: Good deal. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Glad to have you. Larry Alexander: Thank y'all for having me. John Long: Yeah. How are you Cobie? You doing good over there? Cobie Rutherford: We're good. It's been a good day so far. John Long: Good. Excellent. On our last conversation that we had, we basically had led up to Larry touching on your getting into the state 4-H office and spoke about Mr. Holly Ford introducing you to that position. Now, obviously, at that time, you had had working relations with him. He knew you well enough to say, "Hey, this is maybe a pretty good candidate for the position." Larry Alexander: Yeah. Holly and I, when I first started in the Extension Program in Marshall, he would invite agents to come and help judge record books and be a part of committees. He always somehow would seem to draw my name for things like that. So I got to know Holly very, very well. When this opportunity came available, he just kept saying, "You ought to consider this. If you're going to grow in your career," he said, "This might be a golden opportunity," because as a young man prior to then, I thought I'd be a 4-H agent the rest of my life. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: But he really opened the door and shed some light on a way to grow and still be a part of the 4-H Career Program. So he really inspired me to want to take this opportunity. John Long: How did he explain the position as far as what your responsibilities would be and then, because that's interesting you say that, how you could still incorporate working with the youth? Because I find sometimes we get, not disassociated but we get displaced from- Larry Alexander: Disconnected. John Long: Right. And not even have any interaction. So, when I get an opportunity, I'm excited. Like when we have Congress or nationals, it's something to be excited about because I actually seen the results, you know what I mean? So, what was his advice on the position? and do you remember any of that as far as... Larry Alexander: It's a little vague, but I just remember some conversations we had because when I explained to him about enjoying interacting with the young people, he said, "Now that may be one thing that would be a little struggle for me because at the state office you dealt more with the agents and volunteers more so than you did with the young people." But he said there were several programs that would afford you the opportunity to interact with the young people so that you can really stay close to that age group. Larry Alexander: So I thought about that for a minute and I said, "I'm not sure if that's what I wanted to do," but we had lots of interaction with young people from national Congress to our state Congress events, project achievement days. That was all with the young people, which you know. So I really didn't miss that much of interacting with the kids. So I was able to feed my passion in the position by still being closely tied to the young folks in the program. John Long: That's awesome. And I think that would be important too, just because you've got to, obviously if you're going to meet the needs of young people, you need to be interacting with them to see exactly what they're into, I guess you could say. Cobie Rutherford: So of all the jobs you've had and little tasks you've had in the office with everything from project achievement day at Congress, what is the one thing you look forward to every single year? Larry Alexander: Shooting sport. John Long: 4-H S.A.F.E.T.Y. now. Larry Alexander: Well John, you say that facetiously, but I really looked forward to those outdoor events, even though sometimes it was in the hottest part of the year. But we work closely together. John Long: Right? Larry Alexander: But I think Cobie, the one thing that I look forward to each year was state 4-H Congress because it was an opportunity for us to showcase Mississippi state university in the state 4-H office. Because I go back to my early years and growing up I never knew much about 4-H. Never was a 4-H member. And so I prided myself in trying to tell young people about Mississippi State and Extension because I didn't have that luxury when I was growing up. And I tell a lot of people now even. I spent 38 years with it as a career, I never spent a day as a member. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: And that was probably not a bad thing because I didn't have any preconceived notions about the program. But, Congress and the state fair, I guess, docked the boat. John Long: Oh, you know I love State Fair. Larry Alexander: It was probably my favorite two things to look forward to every year. John Long: Wrecking crew. Larry Alexander: Yes indeed. John Long: We'll have to do another show on that when it gets a little closer to the time. Cobie Rutherford: It's crazy how things roll around so quickly in this office. And I'm starting to see that as, I've almost been in there a year in this position, but John today I got an email about state fair. John Long: Did you really? Cobie Rutherford: I'm like, "What? It's not even July yet." John Long: Doesn't matter. Cobie Rutherford: But then started thinking, I'm like, "Well, registration opens August 1st. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: The fair's in October. I mean it's right around the corner. It's just a cycle. John Long: Next week we're rolling into July. Cobie Rutherford: Right. John Long: So yeah, it's crazy. Yeah. Somebody called yesterday wanting a fair book. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: Yeah. That may have been what you were talking about, but I don't know. Cobie Rutherford: It's a cycle. So whatever- John Long: You got me excited about state fair now. Larry Alexander: John's favorite. John Long: You shouldn't have mentioned it. Cobie Rutherford: I love state fair, too. So you mentioned the Congress and state fair. Anything in particular about those events, just other than watching the youth compete? Larry Alexander: Well, Cobie, I think the big thing was, I had a chance to see kids through their project achievement days and then I see them at the senior level, and you already see them maturing as young people. But then you see them as their first year at Congress and then they come back when they are junior or senior in high school, and boy, there's a big difference in their maturity, the respect. And that just proved to me that 4-H really and truly gives young people a jumpstart in life. Cobie Rutherford: No doubt. Larry Alexander: Equip them with the tools that they need to go out and meet some of the most important people in the world, but then still be kid enough to have fun in the process. So I think that was the one thing that I look forward to and I appreciate it, what those events did for those young folks. John Long: It's definitely amazing to see how they, like in the short time I've been here, to see the 4-H'ers come through and I remember them being small. I say small but younger, and then aging out and then going out and getting careers and all of a sudden it's like, "Well this so and so is in the military and this person's a game warden and this person is..." And I think that's 4-H teaching those life skills like you said, it's able to prepare them probably better than a lot of other young people the same age, for sure. Larry Alexander: I think having my two children grow up through the 4-H ranks, I can see a very noticeable difference in Trey, who is the oldest, and Leanne, which is my youngest. Leanne actually got into 4-H at a younger age than Trey. John Long: Okay. Larry Alexander: Probably not a whole lot of difference, but she was exposed to some things that Trey probably didn't get the opportunity to in 4-H, and I can see it in her personality. Cobie Rutherford: Really? Larry Alexander: I can see it in the way she's performing in her career now. But I just knew that not having that opportunity as a person myself, really let me realize how much I may have missed- Cobie Rutherford: Right. Larry Alexander: ... In getting some of those tools at an earlier age. John Long: And she's a perfect example because I remember when she was on the leadership team and now she's... where is she- Larry Alexander: She's at MS as Director of Student Affairs. John Long: Yeah. That's amazing. Larry Alexander: She's enjoying it. John Long: It makes me feel old. But we'll get back to the age thing again, don't we Larry? Larry Alexander: That's right. John Long: Well, so 38 years in basically from... How many years did you say you stayed in? Larry Alexander: I was in the County for right at 11, almost 11 years. John Long: And the remainder that has been here. Larry Alexander: That's correct. John Long: Can you think of how many Extension directors that you've had during that time? Larry Alexander: Wow. So my first Extension director is the person that this building is named after, Wm. Bost I believe is his name. But I think if I look back, there's been either seven or eight directors. John Long: Okay. Larry Alexander: I think that's right. John Long: Yeah. Larry Alexander: But the thing that kind of is a funny, back about two or three years ago, a lot of the people that came on with me, the last of them were starting to retire. And I had a conversation with one of them and I said, "Well, I think this Bost Extension Building was built somewhere in the '70s," I said, "I think I'm becoming a part of the building. I go with the decor." I said, "It's time to do something." Larry Alexander: But yeah, I've had the opportunity to experience, I believe it's been seven or eight directors. John Long: Wow. Larry Alexander: And each one of them had their own unique leadership styles. I couldn't pick a favorite. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: Because sometimes, people with different leadership styles, you need that as an individual to grow yourself, and I think each of them brought a very unique skill to the table. John Long: Yeah. Larry Alexander: But it was fun. John Long: So Dr. Bost, was he here when you started in the state office? Larry Alexander: He was not, he was not. Actually when I started with Extension, he was going out the same- John Long: Oh, really? Larry Alexander: I really never got to really even hear him speak at a function. John Long: Well, the paint hadn't pretty much dried here when you came here then, right? Larry Alexander: That's right. John Long: Yeah, fairly new building. John Long: Well that leads us up to the topic I really don't want to talk about for obvious reasons, but Larry, if decided that moving onto the next phase of life, starting at the end of June, or starting 1st of July, really. Larry Alexander: That's correct. John Long: So, I know that's a tough decision in some instances because 4-H has been such a big part of your life for so long, you've got things you want to do other than that. I mean, I know you still want do 4-H. I know that. Okay. But what do you see yourself doing in the future? Larry Alexander: Well, Dr. Long, probably if I had retired five or so or more years ago, because really and truly I had a goal of retiring at 55, I probably would have looked at getting into something else that would allow me to continue what I do on my job. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: But you know, I've been probably seven years, or not quite seven years, past that time. John Long: Don't tell your age. Larry Alexander: That's right. Almost did. But no, we got some things that we need to do at home that we've been putting on the back burner with our old home and the place itself. So I'm hoping that I'll be able to, in the first year, get that project under way and done. But after that, I told LaTrell Stokes, I said, "I'll be in Starkville, if I can help with some of your workshops and some volunteer work, I'll certainly do that." Because I truly, truly enjoy providing service to people. So I don't want to forget that part of it. But as far as work work, I don't know if I'll be looking for anything. John Long: I'm going to tell you something about the first time, I guess it was the first time I met you. Larry Alexander: Okay. John Long: I came in, and I knew Trey. I actually knew Trey way before I knew you because I would always come to the basement and I would see Trey working in the basement. Larry Alexander: That's right. John Long: In the print department. But anyway, so I interviewed for the job. I think it was the day that I interviewed or something, I can't remember. But I came to your office and very first time I met you, I walked into the office and he smiled at me and I said something to him and I said, "Okay, thanks Larry." And when I said that, I turned and I was like, "Oh!" I just winced because I said, "I don't even know this guy, and I'm already calling him by his first name." And I went home and told my wife and she was like, "You called him Larry?" Little did I know, for the remainder of the time we're having together, that's all I really called him, actually. Larry Alexander: That's right. John Long: I always get tickled, and I know I've been guilty of it too, and I know that you're probably will have heard this in your sleep, but I always call it a quick question. Everybody always has a quick question for Mr. Larry. Do you have any quick questions that come to mind? I know it's millions of them that you've probably answered throughout the years. Cobie Rutherford: I think I asked him 15 today. John Long: I'm telling you. Larry Alexander: Well, you know, the way I took on questions, and this is just something been a part of me for a long time, I feel like if you're providing sometimes maybe an answer, it may not be the exact answer that you give, but it says that somebody thought enough to come to you to ask a question. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: Which I feel good about that. Which means you still feel like you're fulfilling your worth. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: But there have been some questions by some agents that sometimes, you hang up the phone, and not just agents, it could be a volunteer. Cobie Rutherford: It could be John. Larry Alexander: But, I guess the one thing people ask me, "Do you ever have agitations," because I always try to smile. Not really. But you think about things, you ask yourself, "Did they really think about that before they asked the question?" John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: But I never wanted to make anybody feel that a question was a insignificant question or a dumb question. John Long: Right, no. Larry Alexander: I mean because, if that person had enough courage to ask that question, then we give them the courtesy to give the answers back. That's right. So I tried to take every question that way and not make a person feel, "I'll never ask him a question again." And I think over the years that is why people don't hesitate to ask me any kind of question. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: Because you make their questions important because you give them the answer. But we've had a lot of questions that sometimes you don't really know the answer, but one of my prides was to try to find the best answer for that because there's no way we can know everything. And for people that's just starting in youth development, that's one of the things that you got to do is to make the caller or the person asking the question, feel like it's important enough for you to get an answer, and find that answer and give it to them. So that goes a long way with you. Cobie Rutherford: That's a good point. I remember when I first started in this position, asking you just a million questions a day, because I didn't know what I had gotten into, what I was doing. But I remember that reaction from you always being willing to help out, to stop whatever you're doing to explain to me things thoroughly so that I would get it and understand. And that always went a long way with me. John Long: Of course we know things move along. But anyway, it's a big loss because you've got such a wealth of information and such years of experience that when you don't have that, it's kind of like you got to be, "Here we go." You just don't have Mr. Larry to come to. Cobie Rutherford: I know. John Long: That's going to be missed. I can tell you that's going to be missed for sure. Cobie Rutherford: I'll have to find resources instead of going next door and asking Mr. Larry. We'll have to actually do a Google search. We'll have to work some, John. John Long: Exactly. It'll be okay. Cobie Rutherford: We'll be fine. Larry Alexander: That's the thing you have to keep in mind. I didn't learn all the things I learned overnight. John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: I can tell you, experience was a great teacher. I can tell you I did not have, for maybe a year or so, when I came on the staff here at the state office, there were three other people. I think Jim Young, Joe Campbell, and Jared, and their responsibilities were so different from Holly's, which is the responsibilities I took on. But I can remember Joe Campbell being very, very polite and saying, "Well, let's just go find out." And that stuck with me because he could've just blew me off and said, "I don't have time for that." John Long: Right. Larry Alexander: Neither of them ever, ever did that. So, that's why I really tried hard to reach out to other folks and to say, "Hey, we'll go figure it out together." John Long: Right. Right. That's awesome. John Long: I've always thought he was cool under pressure too. I envy that. Larry Alexander: I've had some real cusses before I want to tell you that. That was hard. That was real hard. John Long: You get a thick skin eventually, I guess. Larry Alexander: You will. You will. John Long: That was one thing I was going to ask. If you got- Cobie Rutherford: I've got a good question. John Long: Go ahead. You ask. Cobie Rutherford: So, favorite memory? John Long: Oh! Cobie Rutherford: I know there's probably a bunch of them, but- John Long: I mean has to be favorite, favorite now. Larry Alexander: Oh wow. That's a tough question. John Long: We should have prompted him with it, now I wish we had. Larry Alexander: I need a chance to think about that one, because I've had several, but I don't know if it was such a fun memories, the one that's coming to me right now. But Dr. Evelyn Johnson was on board as a clothing specialist, and it's a fair related item, and we were in Jackson for the state fair and we had a fashion show as a part of the fair. Larry Alexander: And so we had spent Friday night and some lady from the Gulf Coast had come there to see her child's, seven year old, exhibit on display. And so she got to Evelyn Johnson before she got to me. And when I walked through the back door, Evelyn was trying to keep her from discovering that I had gotten there. But somebody said, "Well there he is right there." And so she beelined to me and she proceeded to give me this- John Long: What for? Larry Alexander: ... Spiel about, they traveled all the way from the coast, "And my baby's exhibit is not on display, and y'all should be ashamed," yada yada, yada. And I just stood there with this, well everybody says I just stood there with a smile on my face because I really didn't know what to do, but I finally asked her what County she was from and who was her agent. Sharon Watkins was the agent. John Long: Wow. Larry Alexander: Fairly new. John Long: Wow. Larry Alexander: And we did an exhibit, five to seven year olds, at the fair. Her exhibit was there, but not on display. John Long: Oh. Larry Alexander: But she gave me a few choice words. But, I guess that was a real learning opportunity for me as well because we tried to explain more to those new agents what to tell their volunteers so we didn't have that again. I won't ever forget that, but it wasn't too fun. Cobie Rutherford: So not necessarily the favorite, but one that stuck with you. John Long: Sticks in your brain. Cobie Rutherford: Oh man. John Long: Oh. So speaking of that, do you have any advice - A, to us, and those that are left behind and agents out there? Larry Alexander: Well, the tidbit of advice that I would give for those who are working in the 4-H arena and the youth development arena, one of the things that I encourage people not to do, and that's to assume. Sometimes we go about our work assuming that everybody knows the same thing that you know, and there are some young agents out there, young volunteers, young to the 4-H youth department. And I just think that we have to keep that in mind,, is that you have to reverse the situation and put yourself in their shoes. And I think by doing that, that'll allow you the opportunity to service people in a glad way or in a happy way that they look forward to having opportunities to dialogue with you. Larry Alexander: Because if you ever make a person feel small, they will avoid you the rest of your career. They won't want to have anything to do with you. So we have to have a welcoming attitude and you have to let people know that you care. Not always have the right answer, but know that you care. John Long: Right? Larry Alexander: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: That's really good. John Long: Well, as we close this podcast, there's a little bit of sadness. I'm not going to lie, I've enjoyed working with you these past... I don't do goodbyes too well, so this is about as good as it's going to get. Larry Alexander: I understand. John Long: But I have enjoyed working with you and we appreciate you coming in today and we wish you nothing but the best of health, wealth and luck, and enjoy working on your cars and answer your phone because I've got tractor issues or something I need help with. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, don't go and change your number without telling us. Larry Alexander: I look forward to the opportunity to continue friendships, and anything that I can provide to help along the way, y'all know that I'm more than willing to do that. John Long: Have you got any plans for July one? Like what you're going to do that day? Because I asked somebody else that the other day, another retiree. Larry Alexander: You know it's funny, I had a conversation with my wife and she said, "What are you going to do on July 1st?" I said, "I'm going to stay in the bed past eight o'clock," and I said, "If the phone rings, it'll just ring because I'm not going to answer it." I said, "Because I won't know what to do with myself." So you know, July one, my old dad is still living and we're blessed to have him, so I'm sure I will be either headed in that direction, or doing something with him. John Long: Wow. Larry Alexander: That's my intent. John Long: Somebody told me that it feels like a vacation for about a week or so, and then it sets in that you don't have the office to go to. Larry Alexander: That's right. John Long: Well, we wish you nothing but the best thing, and thank you for 38 years of service to the youth of our great state and we wish you all the best. So, thank you. John Long: We've been speaking with Mr. Larry Alexander and Mr. 4-H and this is 4-H-4-U-2, and we hope that if you are interested in 4-H, you would go to the website and Cobie, what's that website? Cobie Rutherford: That's extension.msstate.edu. John Long: Y'all have a great day. Thank you very much for listening. Announcer: Thanks for joining us for 4-H-4-U-2. For more information, please visit extension.msstate.edu and be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4-H-4-U-2 is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Office of Agricultural Communications.  

Special guest, State 4-H staff member Ms. Debra Lloyd sits down with Cobie and John to talk about the 4-H State Ambassador Program. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford. John Long: All right. This is 4-H-4-U-2, and I'm your host, John Long, and who is that sitting over there? Cobie Rutherford: This is Cobie Rutherford. John Long: Yeah, always. Cobie Rutherford: I'm in a different seat today. John Long: Yes, you are. Cobie Rutherford: We've got a special guest. John Long: Like you're way over there. Cobie Rutherford: I know. Hey, John. John Long: Hey, Cobie. Yeah, we do have a special guest today and it is Ms. Debra Lloyd, and she is in the State 4-H office. And Debra, how are you doing today? Debra Lloyd: I'm doing great. John Long: Good. Debra Lloyd: Thank y'all for having me. John Long: Oh, we are so excited. It's like I'm kind of sandwiched between Debra and Cobie office-wise. We talked about office space. Well, I'm right in the middle of them so I can holler for one and then holler for the other one, so I feel very privileged to do so. And Debra, to me is... Debra, you started, you and Cobie started in the state office the same time, right? It was in the same- Debra Lloyd: Yeah, we started September of last year, September 5th as a matter of fact. John Long: Wow, almost a year. Debra Lloyd: Right. Cobie Rutherford: And I feel like we've worked together forever, Debra. I don't know about you but- Debra Lloyd: Right. So sitting here with this sandwiched in, it's just more like family just getting us all together. John Long: There you go. Debra Lloyd: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: It's been fun. John Long: And, and Debra and I actually worked together, Debra when was it? We were talking about this the other day. When was it that you worked in the 4-H department before? Debra Lloyd: I came toward the end of 2006 through 2009. John Long: Okay. Okay. Debra Lloyd: And I left there, I left here, then and went to center for Continuing Ed. John Long: Okay. Debra Lloyd: And just feel good to be back here with 4-H, just great to get home. John Long: Yeah. So you and I worked together about two years and before you went to Continuing Ed, you said? Debra Lloyd: Right. Right. John Long: Yeah. And so I've got some, I don't know if they going to be funny, maybe funny to me, I guess. But Debra Lloyd stories, you want to hear them? Debra Lloyd: Yes. Please. John Long: Okay. Debra Lloyd: Let's hear them. John Long: So, now it's not funny. It's more of a Debra Lloyd memory. I'll say it that way. But anyway, it's probably, it isn't probably my first, I think it was my first state invitational that we had with 4-H safety. And she's laughing because she knows, I think she knows what she's doing. So she's coming down to the event. She had asked me, she said, is anything I can do? I said, sure. Yeah, we'll go on the archery range. So anyway, I realize once we get started that I don't have enough pencils, or wait a minute. No, I had plenty of pencils. I just had nothing to sharpen them with. And so Debra is on her way down and I just panicked and said, Debra, can you please stop and get some pencils? Sharpeners. John Long: But Debra did not spare any expense. She bought, she didn't buy it just those little screw types. She brought electric pencil sharpeners to the van. So we were sitting there and just, yeah, so and battery, she even bought extra batteries. Cobie Rutherford: That's awesome. John Long: Always prepared, always prepared. Debra Lloyd: That was that 4-H instinct. Always be prepared. John Long: Always be- Debra Lloyd: Have enough. John Long: Right. Even though I wasn't, yeah, I've found myself lacking on that. But, but yeah, I do remember that. And there was another time, it was right after, I guess in right after you had left 4-H the first time. Cobie, I went to the doctor's office and I was sitting there and I was sitting in the room, and all of a sudden Debra Lloyd walks and she's going to take my blood pressure. I was like, well, this is kind of a shock. I said well hey Debra. So, so yeah, you've had a quite extensive career in a lot of things, haven't you? Debra Lloyd: Oh, absolutely. Variety for me is just key. John Long: There you go. There you go. Well- Cobie Rutherford: Lot of skill sets. John Long: Yeah, absolutely. Well, tell us a little bit about yourself Debra. Where are you from and how did you come to be where you are now? Debra Lloyd: Okay, I'm Debra Lloyd, I'm from Indianola, Mississippi. Born and bred. I lived in Greenville for a number of years and then moved to Starkville. I have an undergrad in medical technology to talk about some of the skill sets. And I worked as a medical technologist for about nine years in the Mississippi Delta, starting at Delta Regional and King Daughters hospital. I left there, I travel some to Mount Bayou and worked there, got some training and took those skills back to Greenville. We opened up a satellite clinic. And so I kind of spearheaded that clinic in the layup. For me, when I just said variety is so key, after doing that for a number of years, I just kind of wanted to do something different. So one day I walked over to the courthouse and I saw all these cars out there and I was looking for a different role. And so the young lady told me I heard of extension service, but I didn't know exactly what all they did. Debra Lloyd: So the young lady at the courthouse, she said, I think they're hiring over at the extension center. So I went over and at that time they had a lady named Debbie Graham. She was working with a program called Bright Futures. So with Bright Futures program, they gave me an application. They had two positions, one as an educator and the other one was called early identification worker. So guess what I asked? John Long: What? Debra Lloyd: I said, "I would like to apply for the one with least paperwork." So she said, "That's the early identification work." So I applied for that job. John Long: Smart. That was very smart. Debra Lloyd: Right. John Long: Very smart. Debra Lloyd: So needless to say, I got the job, it was a grant funded position. It lasted for five years. John Long: Wow. Debra Lloyd: However, I went home and I told everybody, I said, "Oh y'all, I'm going to be working at the sheriff department." And for those of you who've gone over and nowhere, Washington County extension office is, is right next door to the sheriff department. John Long: Yes it is. Debra Lloyd: All the sheriff cars were there. So I thought I was working at sheriff department. Okay. So they'll- John Long: Well, close enough to it. Debra Lloyd: Right. So that was a great entry into learning what extension is and all about community around there. John Long: Do you know, that's one of my favorite extension offices in the state? Debra Lloyd: Oh really? John Long: I've been to a lot of them and I cannot, I don't know why, but I always loved going to that extension office. Debra Lloyd: Yeah. John Long: I've been there several times. Debra Lloyd: Great people there. John Long: It is. Debra Lloyd: Great work experience. John Long: Very good. Very good. Debra Lloyd: So well- John Long: Not that all of them aren't special. I'm just saying, I'm just throw that in there. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Debra Lloyd: So how did I get here with you guys? Okay. John Long: Yeah, that's a story. Debra Lloyd: That's another story, I was working with a program, a lot of grant funded program. So this one was Operation Military Keys. John Long: Oh I love this one. Debra Lloyd: Oh I love that program. John Long: I remember. Debra Lloyd: Because it was a giving opportunity, John Long: Very much so. Debra Lloyd: Give back and working with military youth. So because I was volunteering for that program, the director at that time said they needed a coordinator for the position. And with my kids being grown or nearly grown, my daughter, I said, "Okay, I'll take it." So I moved here. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: And coming here with the understanding that it was a grant program again and it was for three years, and they said contingent on the availability of funds. So when the funds run out, then the job would end. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: And so, but I'm so adventurous. I was just going to try it, and I did. And I moved to Starkville. So wow. Here I am. John Long: I love military kids because they make backpacks and stuff like that. I love that. Debra Lloyd: We did that. John Long: I love that. Debra Lloyd: I got to travel all over the state of Mississippi at each deployment, and so that was great. John Long: That's awesome. That's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: That is pretty cool. I hate that we don't have that program now. John Long: Is it still going anywhere? Debra Lloyd: It is. John Long: Okay. Debra Lloyd: Some States still have it. It's so needed. I wish we did have it here in Mississippi because just coming up from today, from a program where there were over 67 kids and to just see these young people, how they get excited about the little things that we do. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: And when you talk about Mississippi State, I did some encouraging words as well as passed out the certificates that had Mississippi State University. And so they are so proud to get that. So anything coming from Mississippi State University to young people into the community as a whole, it just set the stage. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: It does wonders. John Long: Yeah, that's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: That is awesome. John Long: So going from military kids, and then after that left and you went elsewhere and then coming back, what now is your, what capacity are you working as far as in the 4-H department now? Debra Lloyd: Okay. I just like to start by saying I'm excited that Mississippi State University 4-H youth development has a leadership program. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: And so I am working with the leadership team. The youth leaders are so vital and that they become adult leaders. John Long: Right. And if they don't know who the ambassadors are in these leadership positions in the specific areas, they use, those that are listening that are familiar with 4-H, those are the green jackets that you say. Debra Lloyd: Those are the green jackets, yeah. John Long: Yeah, they stick out. They stick out. But anyway, I'm sorry I interrupted you, but I wanted to throw that in there. Debra Lloyd: Yeah. So just talking about leadership as a whole, I'd say what better way to be influenced and develop these young people's skills and their styles and their practices is through 4-H. John Long: That's right. Debra Lloyd: And through the leadership team. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: Now you asked me about the ambassadors. Ambassadors fall under the leadership citizenship umbrella. John Long: Right. I guess I was getting ahead of myself a little bit, but go ahead. Yes. Debra Lloyd: Okay. So ambassadors, they are self motivated young people between the ages of 15 and 19. John Long: Senior quote unquote senior. Debra Lloyd: Right. John Long: Checking. Debra Lloyd: Absolutely. They're enthusiastic leaders who promote 4-H using the skills, using the knowledge, using the leadership abilities that they acquire through 4-H, and so being a 4-H, sure. I didn't grow up as a 4-H but these 4-H members, they have lots and lots of opportunities. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: Through the residents, through the community leaders, through elected officials and through non 4-H members. Another thing I say, 4-H ambassadors, they serve to strengthen, they serve to strengthen other youth. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: And they're mentors of other youth, they're the voice of 4-H members of Mississippi. Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: So I think that that's just a great program. And for me, looking from the outside in at the ambassadors and what all they bring to the table, they're all always just so willing to jump in and help out with things. It seems like Debra, when you ask them to, who would be willing to come and do this or that, it seems like that you always have a good positive response, and it just they're eager to help out. Debra Lloyd: Right. You're so correct in that Cobie, they are eager. Again, they're enthusiastic and I think that's one of the reasons I like working with these youth because they bring a certain amount of energy- John Long: They do. Debra Lloyd: To the table. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: For sure. Debra Lloyd: And I definitely won't say my age here, sitting among all of you and because- John Long: You're so much younger than us, that's why. Debra Lloyd: Oh, thank you. I like that. But yeah, they bring that extra energy and help to make us feel vibrant and useful. And so that's so needed, too. John Long: I agree with you. Anytime I get to work with any of the leadership or say ambassadors, I still get that leadership team stuck in my brain. Debra Lloyd: Me too. John Long: But it's ambassadors, anytime I get to work with them, I just feel kind of energized around them because I don't know, it just, I love working with them. There's so much fun because of what Cobie said. They're very passionate about what they do and they give it their all. Debra Lloyd: And you know what else I think is cool is how they're peer role models for the younger children. Younger kids come to 4-H Congress, they see those green jackets, and they see the youth who are helping out with workshops and contest and yeah, I think they set a really good example for them younger ones. John Long: They sure do, that's for sure. And to see them judge the exhibits at project achievement day. I know they do a lot of that. Debra Lloyd: Yeah, this is going to be a new experience for me. Speaking of that tomorrow working with the project achievement day. John Long: Yes. Debra Lloyd: Yeah. John Long: Northeast project achievement day is going to be tomorrow. Turn in. Debra Lloyd: Well, another thing about the ambassadors and the green jackets that you mentioned, it's not just something they just hand you. They are requirements to become an ambassador. John Long: Why don't you tell us what those requirements are. Debra Lloyd: Okay. Some of the qualifications are you must be enrolled as a 4-H member. Okay. You must be at least 15 years of age and they say by January 1 of that current starting member year, they should be high school in that range that you mentioned earlier, John, sophomore, junior, or senior year. They must have completed at least a full year as an active 4-H member. And some other qualifications, they must have participated or demonstrated some leadership abilities through developmental activities. Then two, they should have a diverse knowledge of total what 4-H is all about and in that you have an application process. They fill out like a five or six page application talking about these experiences and they go through an interview process, and that's held during Club Congress. So some benefits, they get the opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills. They get to travel, they get to interact with other 4-H'ers from all over the state Mississippi. John Long: They just do a lot of stuff. Debra Lloyd: They really do. Cobie Rutherford: They do a lot of stuff. John Long: I got to be, excuse me, I got to be a part of the helping you with the interviews, which was kind of year or two for me doing that and I just love it. I love to see them come in with their enthusiasm and even maybe sometimes a little nerves, but they go into that and you know that that's teaching them a very valuable experience about being in front of people like we'd spoken about earlier in another podcast. The fact of the matter is that that's life and that's what they're going to be faced with is for job interviews and from here on out, this is going to be some very good life skills that they're learning as an ambassador that they're going to take with them for the rest of their life for sure. Debra Lloyd: Oh absolutely. I agree with you. One other thing with the, you have officers too under the leadership, president, vice president, secretary and different roles and they are elected just like other elected officials. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: So they don't go through the interview process. They are elected among their peers. John Long: And right. And that's a very neat process to even see it during Congress too, we were talking about it in our State Congress. Well Debra, tell us now, if a young person is interested in becoming an ambassador team member, how exact, where do they need to go to find information on that? Debra Lloyd: Yeah, they should go to their local extension office. They are 82 counties and all counties have a office and the agent, be it a 4-H agent, ag agent, counter director. They could help those young people because the information we have here, it's sent to the county offices. John Long: Right. Debra Lloyd: And so they have direct contact with us. They can either call here or mainly go through their agent and volunteers in their perspective county. John Long: And we also have something on our website too, don't we? Debra Lloyd: Of course we do. John Long: Yeah, and that's extension.msstate.edu. Debra Lloyd: Correct. John Long: And you can go and we actually have a leadership tab. If you go into 4-H, don't we? Debra Lloyd: Oh yes, please go to 4-H, scroll down, go to leadership citizenship, click on that. Then it will show you 4-H ambassadors. John Long: That's one of them. Debra Lloyd: And once they do that, you have the application process. We have a manual. So the information is out there. If not, give us a call at the extension State's office or go to Debralloyddpl4@msstate.edu. John Long: Well I can guarantee you one thing, and I say this, and I feel so fortunate to be able to work with Debra because Debra, if you can't tell it, she is always smiling and I never see her down. So it's always good to come into an office where I can get a smile every day. Debra Lloyd: I don't know if you can- John Long: Thank you. Debra Lloyd: I don't know if you can detect that in my voice today because I have some nerves all down my spine. John Long: No, you've done fine. You've done fine. Cobie Rutherford: This was fun. John Long: But yeah, we appreciate you coming in so much, Debra and taking the time to talk to us about ambassadors. Young people are our future and they're our investment. And I think the ambassador program is just one of those examples of how 4-H can take a young person and transform them into a confident, caring adult for our future and we're giving the future to them. So I think you're doing a great job and keep up the good work. Debra Lloyd: Well, I appreciate you so much. Thank you for having me. And I just hope the word get out there to all these young people. John Long: Absolutely. Debra Lloyd: Keep up the good work. John Long: abs . Cobie Rutherford: Thanks a lot, Debra. John Long: Yeah. Debra Lloyd: You're welcome. John Long: Thank you so much. Debra Lloyd: Thank you. John Long: Well, thank you all for tuning in to 4-H4U2 this week. We hope you'll come back next episode and visit with us. And until then, I'm John Long. Debra Lloyd: And I'm Cobie. John Long: And we'll talk to you later. Announcer: This is 4-H4U2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University extension service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now, your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford.

Cobie and John take a deep breath and talk about the 2019 State Congress Highlights, and favorite moments. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now your host, Dr. John Long and Coby Rutherford. John Long: And welcome back to another podcast of 4-H-4-U-2. I am John Long. Coby Rutherford: And I am Cobie Rutherford. John Long: Cobie, let's just take a, inhale deeply, and exhale. Cobie Rutherford: It has been a week. John Long: It has been a week, and we're here to talk about that- Cobie Rutherford: What a fun week. John Long: What did you ... Well, we'll talk about that later. Tell us what's been going on in the world of 4-H. Cobie Rutherford: So this past week we had our state 4-H Congress, where we brought over 600 youth from around the state in to compete in about 80 different contests. They went to workshops where they increased their leadership ability. They learned new life skills, and I think just overall had an outstanding time. John Long: Yeah, I know that for us on Tuesday we had some ambassadors kind of trickle in and they were going to go over some scripts and we ate some pizza. So that was kind of a good way to ease into to the week. And then of course Wednesday morning when registration opened up, it was awesome just to see everybody excited about moving into the dorms. It was just... It's the frenzy of activity. I guess I love that the most. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, as those youth were unpacking their cars and coming into the dorm for the first time I thought, "Oh gosh, are some of these kids going to stay forever." John Long: Some of them probably wanted to. Cobie Rutherford: They brought so many clothes. And I guess they had to bring a lot, because they had to bring their bedding- John Long: Yeah that's true. Cobie Rutherford: ... and their pillows and stuff. But- John Long: Yeah, that's true. Cobie Rutherford: Gosh, I think that just the excitement that day kind of set the stage for the rest of the week. John Long: Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: It was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. I remember thinking that day, I thought, well as we were checking folks in, I had the opportunity to check in the pictures and the help with the posters and that kind of stuff. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Well this is going really, really good. It seemed to fly. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Is this going to set the stage for a hit? And it did- John Long: It really did. Cobie Rutherford: Everything went by so fast last week. John Long: Yup. Cobie Rutherford: Then the time just got away from it. John Long: I don't know why, but it seemed like for this Congress it just seemed to fly by faster than others for sure. But I guess it's what happens when you're just constantly moving and constantly... We were in state of motion for pretty much the whole time I guess. Cobie Rutherford: It's almost the whole campus were- John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Everybody here that was with 4-H Congress was in a state of motion. John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: The agents trying to get the kids from contest to contest. Youths trying to get from their dorms to the contest locations, to workshops. It was just a lot of movement, a lot of activity. John Long: Cobie, give us a little overview of what exactly Wednesday consisted of. What did we do on Wednesday? I know what we did, but you tell everybody else what we did. Cobie Rutherford: So Wednesday we started with check-in, most of the kids and their agents and volunteers who came in on Wednesday morning. So we had all the check-ins, they got their t-shirts, they entered in their different inset collections, their posters, their photos, photography exhibits. I guess what I was trying to say. Cobie Rutherford: And then they went into their visual presentations on Wednesday afternoon and John I think they had 15 or so different options to enter in the visuals. Anything from Veterinary, Science, Pet Care, Visual Presentation, all the way to the Plant Soil Science and even Clothing Selection Visuals. John Long: Yeah. Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: It was pretty neat to see the whole range of activities that they could participate in, in those Visual Presentations John Long: Yeah, it is amazing the topics that they do come up with and how well they do those. So one of my favorite parts of Congress always has been the campaigning. I love to see the different approaches that the candidates have, that are running for office. And that normally occurs around, I think it was about twelve to one, I think on Wednesday. Cobie Rutherford: Mm-hmm (affirmative). John Long: And they set up out here embossed outside building B. And I saw some really good creative candidates out there. One was the Yellow Brick Road. Did you see the Yellow Brick Road? Cobie Rutherford: I did. John Long: I loved that one. Cobie Rutherford: I saw that, that was pretty good. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: And then Go bananas for Savannah. John Long: Go bananas for Savannah was a good one. Cobie Rutherford: Shout out to Savannah, our new Vice President. John Long: Yeah, there you go. Cobie Rutherford: That was cool. When- John Long: We're proud of all of you by the way. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: We can't single anybody. Cobie Rutherford: That's true. John Long: We all are good. Cobie Rutherford: We are proud. John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: When I was in 4-H that was a big part of it too. And I never did run for state 4-H officer, but I'd campaign for several things at school. And I thought when we had our first child that we should name him something that have a funny campaign slogan. So we named our little boy Reason, which is a family name. But I also thought that when he runs for office one day, if he chooses, like the season for reason. John Long: Season and for reason- Cobie Rutherford: So- John Long: ... the reason to vote for me. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, so I think that's pretty cool. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: But that was a fun experience. The kids were handing out candy and doing everything they could to sway the votes, so that was cool. John Long: Yeah, it was cool. Then we had a lot of... We had some, like I said, I guess not out of the box, but we had some new things that the kids were exposed to this year. One of them being the... Oh gosh, and what was damn session. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, that was really neat. John Long: Yeah, Tell us about that. Cobie Rutherford: So I really didn't know a whole lot about it going in, but that was led by Dr. Lacey, who is the extension coordinator for the Delta region. And he had basically gotten up this group of youth. They had brought their instruments and basically they just got in the Boston auditorium and saying and learn different instruments and just learn from one another. It was fantastic. I walked in and they were singing, "We Will Rock You" and I love that. John Long: Oh, wow. Cobie Rutherford: I Mean just rocking the whole place. John Long: With music? Cobie Rutherford: With music. And they had their electric guitars or drums. It was really, really good. John Long: Well, and by the way, if somebody is missing a drum stick, we have it here in the state office. Cobie Rutherford: Oh, wow. John Long: Yeah, whoever lost it, I may keep it and put it in a shadow box. It might be famous one day I guess. Cobie Rutherford: I wouldn't doubt it. John Long: I know. Cobie Rutherford: With the amount of talent that was showcased here last week, there's some of these children who will be famous- John Long: That's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: ... is inevitable. John Long: That's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: They also had Dr. Linda Mitchell led an improv session where the youth were learning how to be dramatic plays and things and how to think on their feet and how to put those improv comedy or improv drama. I thought that was pretty neat. You don't think of that necessarily when you think of traditional 4-H, but gosh we got to start thinking out of the box and get these non traditional youth involved in 4-H because that's kind of our catalyst to get them involved in other contests, other activities and the whole youth development. John Long: Teaching those life skills. We never can say that enough and that's what we're about. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. Moving on to Thursday. John Long: Yeah, Thursday is really the big day I guess you could say. And- Cobie Rutherford: It seems like Thursday started at 6:00 AM- John Long: Yes. John Long: ... and ended at 6:00 AM the next morning- Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: ... Almost. It was a long day but it was so much fun. The judging contest for the most part took place on Thursday morning. And we offered everything from a Judging cont. Are judging contest, mis-judging to, consumer judging. There was really something for everybody. And those judging contest had those contests like the automotive drive and then tractor driving and welding contest, Mississippi cook-off. Now what surprised me that as popular as cooking shows are right now, there were only two teams- John Long: Really? Cobie Rutherford: Involved in the cookout, I thought there would be... Everybody would want to participate now. John Long: Is that the one that's kind of... It's like iron chef. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: Its only two teams? Cobie Rutherford: Only two teams. John Long: Wow, that's surprising. Cobie Rutherford: And I think this winning team, if they cooked a seafood dish, get to go to national context. John Long: Really? Cobie Rutherford: So that was pretty cool. John Long: Opportunities abound. Cobie Rutherford: Another shout out to AMEA County. John Long: Hey. Cobie Rutherford: Amy Walsh and Randy Mack. And- John Long: South Whales District. Cobie Rutherford: Yes, So they've rocked that contest. John Long: That's cool. Cobie Rutherford: I wanted to go over there to that, but I was tied up at the computer tapping into scores and it seemed like all day Thursday. John Long: Yeah sure. Cobie Rutherford: Until time for the dance. John Long: Time for the dance thats right. Cobie Rutherford: Oh Mercy, that was a... They had a lot of fun at the dance. John Long: I guarantee. I'm in the game room, in the doghouse in the game... Well I'm not in the dog... Well I guess I am in a dog house a majority of the time but anyway, so I felt comfortable there. But in the doghouse in first floor of the union and we have games and stuff and we got, let me tell you what, and that was the most kids I've ever had on game night and we got a shout out to Dr. Joy Anderson. She was awesome, she brought a super awesome deck of UNO cards and I bet at one time or another we had at least 10 people play a UNO at one time. And I learned a new UNO game. Well have you ever done a stack? Have You played an UNO stack? Cobie Rutherford: Is that where you, like if I had to draw four and then you had draw four, you just keep playing them on top of each other, then somebody has to draw? John Long: Yes, Right, and I got stuck with 16. Cobie Rutherford: Oh my God. John Long: So thank you to my partner on the right for... I can't remember his name, but they stuck me bad. Cobie Rutherford: That's the way we always played. John Long: Really? Cobie Rutherford: But I didn't realize that that wasn't a rule in UNO until- John Long: Yeah, I don't think it is. Cobie Rutherford: It's just kind of make up as you go. John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: That's funny. John Long: Anyway, that was my learning experience, but Thursday I actually also participate in helping with the ambassador interviews and things like that. Cobie Rutherford: How did that go? Announcer:It went really well. We had quite a few first-timers and they did a really good job. Each and every one of them did a really good job and then we had some returning ambassadors that we're coming back. Let's see if that gets selected again. And of course we had National Congress delegates that we had to enter or interviewed through committee. So it was exciting. It's an all day thing. In fact, I was helping Deborah Lloyd who works in our office and I told her about noon, "I said, Deborah just think about it. We've got 10 more hours yet to go. Announcer:So it is a long day but, but yeah, to culminate in the dance and the game show, I mean the game, the game room, that was, that was a lot. I always look forward to that. It is a long day, but we always look forward to that too." And then, but of course then we had to turn around and be back up here. Hello, I was up here at like 6:30 the next morning after I got home at midnight and then 6:30 the next morning up here, getting ready for the award ceremony. We had a lot of awards to handout. Cobie Rutherford: Yes we did. John Long: How many did we hand out do you remember? Cobie Rutherford: I think that we ordered, I want to say it was 121 plus. John Long: Yeah, that's right. Cobie Rutherford: That's A lot. My favorite part of the whole Congress I'll say was something that I was the only person that had the opportunity to do this. John Long: Okay. Cobie Rutherford: I hate to even share it with you cause I know you're going to be jealous. John Long: I will be. Cobie Rutherford: But I got to be the person who facilitated the announcement of the new state, 4-H officers. John Long: No way. Cobie Rutherford: So at the dance, the results were emailed to me. So I got to go up on the stage with our president at the time, Jaylin who we've had in here for podcast before, and she announced the winners. So I was holding my phone up in the dark while she read those. But what I had the chance to see is the facial expressions and the celebrations of those children who won those officer candidates. John Long: Right. Cobie Rutherford: And just to see their face and then see their friends and the people around that embrace them and kind of put them up on a pedestal. Man, that was awesome. That was so good just to see that. And I thought, you know, this is really what one of the things 4-H teaches us, that we don't realize what we're being told is how to celebrate others and celebrate small victories such as that or big victories, either one and celebrations cost absolutely nothing, to be happy for your friend. John Long: Right, exactly. Cobie Rutherford: I thought, you know this pretty cool skill. And to see the candidates often standing by one beside one another, they're both reining for the same exact position and then for them to embrace and hug each other and put each other on their shoulders, it was really awesome. John Long: I think that's proof that 4-H really does what it's supposed to do and which is exactly what you said is. We promote good sportsmanship and things like that. We're doing a great job. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, definitely. You know that- John Long: Well we're not, but the program. Cobie Rutherford: ... the program is. John Long: Yes, that's right. Cobie Rutherford: And that was just a total validation of that. That we're doing great in that case. John Long: Right, exactly. Cobie Rutherford: But I'm excited about the new panel of leaders that we've got coming up. There's a lot of good ideas in these youth and I think that these youth really won't take ownership of their program and kind of drive the programmatic areas that we go to. So if you- John Long: If he wanted to see a snippet of exactly what Congress is like, I don't know if they've got it loaded yet or not, but they will have a Congress. Well Like a wrap up video that the agricultural communications put together and just look for it on our YouTube channel coming up, Missy before each YouTube channel coming up. And that'll show you... And that's actually one of those parts on that video is where they announce there are new president. Cobie Rutherford: ... yeah, that was really neat, really good. John Long: But you'll see the reaction that you were talking about, which is really cool. Cobie Rutherford: Yep. I definitely had the best seat in the house for that deal. John Long: I am jealous. Cobie Rutherford: That was kind of just a fluke that we got to announce those at the dance anyway. John Long: How did that come about by the way. I don't think we've ever done that before. Cobie Rutherford: It was kind of, I had to run off election and some kind of odd things happened with our ballots so we had to vote later than we planned down and- John Long: Just a bump on a road, no big deal. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, it set up that perfect opportunity and then everyone was at the dancer or in the union at that time. So there's kind of a good chance to announce. John Long: That's good, that's really good. Cobie Rutherford: So that little snafu actually resulted something better, I think. John Long: Okay you do. Cobie Rutherford: We also had on Friday, we did that surface learning project where kids- John Long: Oh, yeah. Cobie Rutherford: ... in counties brought different items for cleanup Mississippi. So we thought these items could help with a flood cleanup or maybe even some of the tornado cleanup. So they brought everything from brooms and mops to- John Long: Buckets. Cobie Rutherford: Buckets and cleaning supplies. John Long: We're thankful you brought buckets with stuff in it because it's a lot easier to move that, right? Cobie Rutherford: Yes it was. And then we had the opportunity John to go drop that outfit, the Red Cross in Columbus. John Long: Let me tell you what, that was a highlight for me because I'd never been to the Red Cross in Columbus and to see that and to, and to deliver that, that really kind of was a good wrap up for Congress for me, you know? Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. And they were so grateful to get those supplies and I know they'll be put to great use. John Long: Absolutely. We thank everybody that brought to that service project because that's what 4-H is about, about giving back. And I don't have to tell anybody out there that, Oh, there's been a lot of people hurting this year with all the rain we've had and flooding and just tornadoes and things like that. So being able to provide, even if it's just a little bit of relief to somebody was much appreciated. And I can tell you red cross was very appreciative of it when we dropped it off, that's for sure. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, those donations will definitely help a lot of families around the State and they'll stay local too. John Long: That's right, That's exactly right. Cobie Rutherford: Pretty cool. John Long: Yup. Cobie Rutherford: You know, I keep thinking about back to highlights during the week and think about celebrations and think about seeing those kids win their awards at the awards ceremony. I think that was pretty cool. They all got to walk up on stage, shake hands with the specialist. I wonder how many, it will need one to go back and look and say, Oh that kid won first place in clothing, visual, they pursue a career in the clothing industry or just so how many of those kids actually go into those groups? John Long: Do you know, we really had a great keynote speaker. Not that we don't always have a great keynotes figure, but saying that our keynote speaker this year was a former leadership ambassador team member and who has become a medical doctor. And she came back and spoke and that was really cool to see how, she had just gave us her basically her biography of her life and how she went through her 4-H career and where she's at now. She's a- Cobie Rutherford: That's neat. John Long: ... pediatrician. Cobie Rutherford: That's neat. Yeah. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: That definitely goes to speak for the hands for larger service stuff- John Long: Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: I just caught the tail end of her toe, but it sounded like it was very, very good. John Long: Yeah, it was good. And you talking about... I'm seeing her grow up as a 4-H. I can't remember and I apologize, but I knew that her maiden name is Newman. I can't think of her last name. Cobie Rutherford: Livingston. John Long: Livingston. So it's Aaron Newman Livingston, Dr. Aaron Newman Livingston. And she's a pediatrician and she did a great job delivering our keynote or being our keynote speaker this year. And that was just proof positive and a great example of where 4-H can take you, you know, and how important it is in part of your life or it can be a part of your life. So let me ask you this first time, we've talked about this on our pre-Congress podcasts, first time state staff, Congress. What was your, the your most favorite part? Cobie Rutherford: Ooh, my most favorite part. I think just seeing celebrations. John Long: Mm-hmm- Cobie Rutherford: Seeing whether it's a kid celebrating their own performance and having the courage to step up and give a visual presentation in front of a statewide specialist and experts or seeing kids when the, when their awards are celebrate one another. Just celebrate being here and being on the beautiful campus, Mississippi State University. John Long: Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: I think that was my favorite part. Just to take in and reflect on them. John Long: Yeah. Their enthusiasm's always addictive to me. It really is. Cobie Rutherford: And I think that Congress justifies, in my mind what we do is stay for each staff. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: First and foremost it provides an opportunity for these youth to express themselves- John Long: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Cobie Rutherford: ... and develop an interest or passion in something that can lead to a career, lead to life skill that's very impactful. John Long: I always like saying Mississippi State University campus covered in a sea of grain. And that's exactly what we had last week for sure. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. John Long: Well with that, I guess we're going to close out this podcast and I hope that in some way if you heard podcast and are interested in getting into 4H so that you'll go to extension.msstate.edu. I think you don't even have to say www anymore because it's pretty much assumed. But if you can click on that 4-H tab and you will get a lot of information on where to go. You can also, if you don't know where your County office is or who is actually in your County extension office, you can also find a directory there that can point you in the right direction. John Long: So we would love to have you get into 4-H and we hope to see you come to 4-H Congress one day. And if you did hear this podcast as a young 4-H, come up to us and tell us about it because they'd love to hear your story. So with that, I'm John Long. Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie Rutherford. John Long: And this has been 4H4U2. We'll see you next time. Announcer: Thanks for joining us for 4H4U2. For more permission, please visit extension.msstate.edu and be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4H4U2 is produced by the Mississippi State University extension service, office of Agricultural Communications.

John and Cobie speak with Jaylen Smith 4-H Statewide President on her 4-H Career and what it has meant to her. Jaylen also shares some memories and the importance of being a positive role model to youth. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford. John Long: And welcome to another edition of 4-H-4-U-2. I'm your host, John Long. Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie Rutherford. John Long: And we have a very, very special guest with us today. Cobie, I'm going to let you introduce her. Cobie Rutherford: So today we are very happy to have Miss Jaylen R. Smith from Leflore County with us, and she happens to be our State Council 4-H President. John Long: Wonderful, and I'm sure it is bone dry in Leflore County right now, isn't it? Jaylen Smith: It is. It is. Cobie Rutherford: Right, whatever. John Long: Water, water everywhere, so... Well that's great and we're so glad to have you with us this morning, and I appreciate you carving out a little time for us because I know we're all running in different directions since Congress 2019... Congress is well underway. Cobie Rutherford: Yes. Here, here. Inspire kids to do. John Long: That's right. That's right. So let me ask you this, Jaylen. What number congress is this for you? Jaylen Smith: This is my third Congress. John Long: Third Congress, okay. And when did you get involved in 4-H? Jaylen Smith: I got involved my junior year of high school. So I didn't know about 4-H before I actually got into it. I thought it was an organization that you had to pay a lot of money to join. And so I talked to Ms. Christina, my agent, she was like, "No, baby, just come on, just come." We have so many different organizations and clubs that you can be and within the organization itself, and so I've loved it ever since. John Long: Do you remember your first club meeting? Jaylen Smith: I do. It was like an interview, kind of, to see if we could get into the meeting. It was like an open interview, and she would just ask questions about what we thought diversity meant and the importance of diversity. I love speaking, so I kind of... I felt bad because I think I dominated most of the conversation, but I just... I love diversity. That's one of the things I want to do with math communications, and so I was like, "Yeah, I'm definitely coming back." Cobie Rutherford: I think that's what's so neat about 4-H because it appeals to... Every kid can find their niche within this organization. John Long: Sure. Jaylen Smith: Definitely. Cobie Rutherford: And gosh, Jaylen, I think my favorite memory of your 4-H career so far has been when you gave a speech at the state Senate this year for Legislative Day. Jaylen Smith: Oh, yeah. Cobie Rutherford: I had chills listening to it. And John, she got a standing ovation from those Senators from Mississippi. John Long: I am so jealous because I have never been able to be over there and hear that, so I'm glad to hear that. That's awesome. Maybe one day? Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: Maybe one day. Cobie Rutherford: I don't know that I'll want to hear another one because it was... I don't know how anybody will ever live up to what she did do it. It was so good. John Long: She's a good communicator, that's for sure. Cobie Rutherford: Very much so. John Long: Very well spoken, for sure. Cobie Rutherford: So what was your project area, Jaylen, in 4-H? Jaylen Smith: I mostly did public speaking. Another thing that I did was our club itself was PRIDE, which is Potential Realize In Diverse Environments, so a lot of the things that we did were to bring different communities and just people from different backgrounds together. I really just enjoyed that, being able to learn different people's cultures, teaching people my culture, and just learning from each other. John Long: I think that's really cool because a lot of people just get to a point in life and they just feel like, "Well, this is it. I'm just not..." They just get in this rat race, and the same old, same old, and they forget that there's so much yet to learn. Jaylen Smith: Definitely, definitely. John Long: And I think that's always important to remember is that you can always learn from different people. I'm always anxious to want to hear more or to learn more about this. Jaylen Smith: Yeah. John Long: That's great. That's great. So what do you feel like one of the main things at 4-H has taught you in your career? Jaylen Smith: Even though I've had a lot of leadership roles in 4-H, it's definitely taught me how to follow others, just to kind of let go sometimes and not always be on the front stage. John Long: Right. Jaylen Smith: But to learn from others by following them. John Long: Right. Jaylen Smith: And so also by serving others, I learned leadership skills, things like teamwork and just depending on others to be there for me, and learning how to delegate and be delegated to. So definitely followership has taught me how to be a better leader. John Long: That's awesome. I've always heard a good leader is a good follower. Jaylen Smith: Yeah. John Long: I don't know if that's true, but I believe it. I believe it. Cobie Rutherford: Well it kind of goes back to what we were telling him about a couple of weeks ago on the leadership podcast, and how the top tier of leadership is going back to a servant leadership position. Jaylen Smith: Definitely. Cobie Rutherford: So it seems like Jaylen's had a chance to go full circle in this organization- John Long: Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: And developed that servant attitude. That's cool. John Long: I think it's an awesome opportunity, and I said that during our leadership podcast, was the fact that we we are given a very unique opportunity to serve others that a lot of people don't get that opportunity to do, or they don't take advantage of it, for sure. Jaylen Smith: I completely agree. John Long: So I think that's one of the products, for sure, of the program and teaching those life skills. So as far as, and I really think you are, and I'm not just saying that because you're sitting here, but I really think that you are a very positive role model for a lot of our younger 4-Hers, and I've seen them looking up to you when we've been to various events. How important is that, and what do you... Obviously it's important to you, but how do you feel like, or what do you feel like is most important as far as allowing youth, or what you can give to youth in order to encourage them and instill those things that 4-H has given you? Jaylen Smith: One of the major things that 4-H has given me is learning to be tenacious and just learning to persevere through all obstacles, and so that's what I really want to give off to younger 4-Her's is that whatever you want in life, it's yours. But if you work for it and if you work through whatever obstacles that are stopping you from doing that, you can get to it. People tell me that they look up to me and it's crazy because I look up to so many 4-Her's, and it's crazy to me how so many people look up to me and I just... I'm like, "Y'all are my heroes." Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, that's funny. Jaylen Smith: Can I get your autograph? John Long: Nobody wants my autograph. Jaylen Smith: I want your autograph. John Long: Okay, I'll give it to you after this. Cobie Rutherford: That's funny. John Long: Well that's great. Yeah. That's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: So what do you think... Who is someone that's inspired you to take these steps and become a leader in your community and in 4-H, or just someone who inspires you in general? Jaylen Smith: I definitely have to say my mom and my grandma inspire me. They raised me, and so just seeing two strong black women raise me to be a strong black woman has just made me want to make change for my community. I've definitely had to go through struggles in life, but seeing the way that they go through those struggles graciously has encouraged me and instilled in me those same values. And so another thing, is just a love for Mississippi. I've also learned that through 4-H because it teaches so many different aspects of Mississippi, which other states don't have, and just the richness of our culture. And yes, we have been disenfranchised in the past and we're still working on that, but it's not like I can't love my state and work on its problems. John Long: Right. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. John Long: Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: I think that's very cool that you had that perspective, and I also think that it's cool that you have a love for Mississippi, because I see a lot of kids that are talented like you that say, "Okay, I've been successful in high school. I'm having a successful career in college. I'm moving out of Mississippi," or "I'm moving out of the South." And I think that your ideal of Mississippi, that you want to make a change in your community and in our state, is just so refreshing to hear. Jaylen Smith: Yeah. John Long: Absolutely. Jaylen Smith: I was always taught to clean my own house before I try to tackle anybody else's. Cobie Rutherford: Right. Jaylen Smith: So I've never been taught to let anybody clean up my own mess when I have a broom in my hand. Cobie Rutherford: Right. Jaylen Smith: So yeah, I definitely want to fix Mississippi for the better. John Long: You need to write a book. You've got some great quotes. I wish I could think of stuff like that. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, and one of her quotes that she gave at the Statehouse this year was that kind of impactful, and I think that's why she's so talented. Jaylen, do you remember any parts of that speech that kind of stood out? I remember a lot of Senators followed her out of the hall, out of the chamber, and were talking to her and basically probably offered her a job and everything else. Yeah, I hope you run for Senate one day. John Long: Don't forget us when you hit the big time. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, exactly. Jaylen Smith: I could never figure you all. Cobie Rutherford: Do you remember anything that was said to you that day or something you may have said that impacted those Senators? Jaylen Smith: I think that it was towards the end and what I basically wanted to tell them was that it's not only Mississippi 4-H's job, but it's also your job as the people that we elect, to... I said, "to speak for those who do not have voices, to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves, and..." It was something else that I said. I just remember that little part. I think that that's so important because we have to be leaders for those who cannot do for themselves. I've always believed in helping people and serving others so that they can serve themselves. Some people need a boost in life. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. Jaylen Smith: And it's our job, our responsibility as fellow Mississippians, as humans, regardless of your color, your creed, your size, your gender, whatever, it's our job to help each other and to move towards the top to be the best that we can be. We can't be the best at we're crumb snatchers. Cobie Rutherford: Right. Jaylen Smith: Trying to get all the opportunities for ourselves when there's enough to go around. John Long: Right, right. We are richly blessed, but when we lose empathy for someone, we lose a part of humanity. Jaylen Smith: Exactly. John Long: Hey, that sounding pretty good. Don't steal that. Jaylen Smith: I won't, I won't. John Long: But it is true because, yeah... I mean, it's scary, I guess you could say, when you look at the world and people are becoming more and more... I guess, anyway. It's the way it seems to me is that people are just getting more and more self-centered and we're losing that empathy for one another. And when you do that, how in the world are you going to make change because you're always focusing in on yourself and what you want, not what other people want. That's a perfect, perfect. Jaylen Smith: I definitely agree. John Long: Yeah. Perfect. Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, that's pretty deep, John. John Long: See, it's just being in her presence. Jaylen Smith: Ah, no, no. Don't give me all the credit. Don't give me all the credit. Cobie Rutherford: Yep. John Long: So we're... Congress kicked off this morning. Jaylen Smith: Yes. John Long: And so we... I know you've got a lot of stuff that you've got going on. I've got to ask this, since this. What is your favorite Congress memory? Jaylen Smith: Oh- John Long: Or, do you have one? And don't cop out and say, "Well, they're all my favorite." Jaylen Smith: There are so many. Definitely, the dance is one of my favorite ones. I learned how to do the dance off of Grease, or something. John Long: Yes. Yeah,sure. Jaylen Smith: I learned how to do that a little bit. And the Sanderson Center, playing basketball, I'm not good at it, but you know, I was doing my best. John Long: Hey, that's all you can ask for. Jaylen Smith: And just the conversations that I have with 4-Her's, and just the connections that we made. I have friends who I talk to outside of Congress. We're friends on social media. We text each other, and so that just... Knowing that I have a lifelong friend and knowing how we became friends through such a great organization, it just... It makes me not want to age out, and I'll be back next year. I'm just going to be in the back. John Long: There you go, there you go, and then you get to volunteer. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. Jaylen Smith: Definitely. Cobie Rutherford: And you know, I tell a lot of 4-Her's this, is that we think that, and I thought this is a 4-Her, is that the best time of my life was happening right now. But when you get the opportunity to leave your legacy in the organization and come back as a volunteer, maybe hopefully come back as an extension agent or a state administrator in Jaylen's case, or even even in our cases, John, that legacy that we're able to leave is so much more, I'm not going to say better, but it's kind of like a building block. It's really cool to have that experience. John Long: Absolutely. Absolutely. My favorite part... May I share what my favorite part? Jaylen Smith: Most definitely. John Long: I love the games, because see that's where I am. I'm in the dog house during the dance, but I can never get anybody to play UNO with me. Cobie Rutherford: Really? John Long: So if there's anybody listening, next year, please reach out to me. I'll be the little sad person in the corner an UNO deck. Cobie Rutherford: My favorite part of Congress was the same as Jaylen's. I loved going to the dance because I was from a really small rural school. So I would go to state 4-H Congress over the summer, learn all these dance moves, take them back to my high school, and then be like, "Hey, look what I learned in 4-H." Jaylen Smith: That's right. Cobie Rutherford: Most people might [inaudible 00:13:26] sinful, but it was good. John Long: That's awesome. Jaylen Smith: And also, you have to have a 4-H playlist for the 4-H van. That's vital to Congress. John Long: Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. And I do, I loved going into the dance. It is some energy going on. Jaylen Smith: Yeah, definitely. John Long: That's all I'm saying. I'm envious, because I never had those dance moves, but anyway, maybe one day. It's not over with. Cobie Rutherford: That's funny. You mentioned the van, too. That's been kind of a long standing tradition in my home county. We would play these games, and that was before cell phones and before MP3s, so maybe you had a mixed CD. John Long: Jaylen does not remember that, do you? Jaylen Smith: I remember CDs. John Long: Oh, okay. Okay. Jaylen Smith: I remember CDs. John Long: Just not without cell phones? Jaylen Smith: True. Cobie Rutherford: We would make mixed tapes, and we'd sit by the radio station and listen for our favorite songs to come on, and to hit record and as soon as it hit off, it'd stop. So we might do that for four or five hours to make it that perfect mixed tape. John Long: We did that. We did that here. Cobie Rutherford: Really? John Long: Yes. Lord, have mercy. Yeah. I was saying that... Well, I was saying that this weekend. Y'all just don't know how good technology is because we just struggled to get that kind of stuff. But anyway, it is a changing world, and it is so refreshing to have Jaylen with us today. And you know, it's just one of those things that as I've said before, Congress, 4-H, whatever... And Jaylen touched on this too, is that it's like a coming together. It's kind of like a family reunion and it's really kind of, I don't know, I don't want to say sad, but a lot of times when you watch a 4-Her grow up and you realize, "Man, this is their last year." They won't be coming back as a 4-Her. I may see them later or something, as a volunteer, whatever, but it is something. Then of course we have that Congress video at the end, and that always kind of makes me a little sad because it's over with. But, I know there's- Jaylen Smith: One thing I can say is that I have been the end of the Congress video for the past two years and so hopefully, Ellen, if you're listening, you can put me at the end again because I've- John Long: We'll put it in a good word for you. Jaylen Smith: Thank you. John Long: We do have connections. Jaylen Smith: Okay. Cobie Rutherford: I can't wait to see this Congress video. John Long: I know. It's good. Cobie Rutherford: Good. John Long: Yeah, I think it's just getting better and better through the year. And personally, I think I've enjoyed them, but yeah, that's awesome. Well we won't take up any more of your time. Thank you so much for coming in and being with us today. And, who knows, we may get another opportunity to join us on 4-H-4-U-2. Jaylen Smith: I would love to. Thank you for having me. John Long: Yes, and I don't... I asked... Oh, I kind of want to tell you this. I asked somebody last night when we had the ambassador little meeting you were presiding over, and I went down to the front and I said, "So how many of y'all listen to podcasts?" And, one guy raised his hand. So we're hoping we'll spread the word. So subscribe and tell everybody about us, and we'll get the word spread. So... Jaylen Smith: I will. John Long: All right, well we're going to keep on keeping on, on 4-H-4-U-2. If you want to know more about 4-H, you can go to the extension.msstate.edu website, and as I said, go and subscribe to 4-H-4-U-2, and we're going to keep bringing you up-to-date information on what 4-H is doing for youth and what it is doing for your state as a whole. So with that, I'm John Long- Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie Rutherford. John Long: And we will see you next time. Announcer: Thanks for joining us for 4-H-4-U-2. For more information, please visit extension.msstate.edu, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4-H-4-U-2 is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service Office of Agricultural Communications.  

Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford take a look at the 4-H Leadership program Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University extension service promoting forage programs and positive youth development. Here now, your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford. John Long: All right, well welcome to 4-H-4-U-2, again, and Cobie, how are you today? Cobie Rutherford: Doing fantastic John. It's been a busy, fast week. Gosh. John Long: It's like you'd kicked an ant bed in the 4-H office, right? Cobie Rutherford: I know, we go the whole month with the phone ringing like twice a day to now twice every five minutes. It's been insane. John Long: We're a hot item. That's for sure. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. John Long: That's right. Well we got a lot of stuff going on, of course. You know, summer is on top of us and the Mississippi homemaker volunteers are going to be on campus next week. And then the weekend after that is Congress. So we've got a lot going on for sure. And then what really got me was I had a national shooting sports committee meeting yesterday and somebody said, "How many weeks are we out now from the national championship?" And somebody said, "Five." And I thought, oh my goodness, five weeks until the end of June. Then we're looking at state invitationals, so it's a lot of stuff going on in a short amount of time. Co-op, we got co-op. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, co-op. John Long: Yep. Cobie Rutherford: Then just so many events going on this summer. My wife and I were trying to look at some dates for a possible vacation and John, I don't know that it's going to happen this year. It is wild. John Long: I don't know who we had a vacation last. It's rough. You know, the corporate guy, he didn't even say anything about PADs. We'll be on the road with PADs, too. Cobie Rutherford: Yep. That's going to be fun. John Long: Yeah, it will. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. All of our... And that ties into what we're talking about today, all times management, leadership, all these things kind of go hand in hand together. And I'm kind of excited about our topic today. John Long: Yeah, me too. Me too. Cobie Rutherford: The past couple of podcasts or past three or four, however many we've done now, we've talked about kind of content area. We talked about safety, we talked about the youth livestock programs, we've talked about ATV safety. And now we're kind of getting into the youth development content. I think leadership's one of the best skills that we teach 4-H'ers. John Long: So when we're talking about leadership, when it's with 4-H, what does that really mean to you? How do you see that? Cobie Rutherford: Well, I think when I think about leadership, my favorite leadership quote just really defines the whole concept of leadership and leaders very well. And it's by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and it's, "A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus." Trying to get everybody on the same page, being an influencer, being someone who others look up to, but kind of keeping your power in check, I think. John Long: Right, right. And that's very important because a lot of times, you know, adults have that problem, right? Keeping a lot of things in check. But I think to me one of the things that 4-H teaches, the young people to give back. I'll use a big word, contributory skill. And giving back to what's been given to them is really an awesome thing in my opinion. And I've seen young people start from very young age in 4-H and go all the way through, and to see them take leadership roles... And not necessarily in this terminal part of their 4-H career, it's supposed to go with them forever and even through the program. So you can see a lot of young people at a young age exhibiting leadership skills for sure. Cobie Rutherford: That's exactly right. And I think about stages of leadership and think about where we want people to be through the 4-H program. You and I as extension educators, we want to make an impact on those children's lives and teach them, like you said, how to give back. But I think it's important as we talk about leadership to these kids that we teach them about leaving a legacy. What do you want to be remembered as? Even after, post 4-H, into adulthood, into your senior citizen years and even posthumously, what is going to be that thing that people remember about you? And I think that's where really good leaders stand apart from people who don't take leadership roles. And I think that's also another misconception. I think that everybody has a potential to be a leader, just because you're not in the forefront of something or a project, you still have an ability to provide leadership to a certain aspect of a team or to a certain aspect of a contest or something like that. So I think it's pretty cool. John Long: Yeah, I agree. You was talking about quotes, I wish I'd have brought... It's on my wall in my office and it's by... And I'm going to really slaughter this, but it was from General MacArthur and he said that a soldier's job is not to destroy, but to rebuild. And that when he... And, again, I'm slaughtering this and I'm going to get to the point in a minute. But he said that he didn't really want to be remembered by his son for all of the achievements that he made in his military career, what he wanted his son to remember was the time that he spent with him. And I thought that was just so powerful and such a... I don't know, it brought it all into context about what a great leader really focuses on as the important things and doesn't let the small things get them drugged down, or defeats. There's another one I have, excuse me, on my wall that's by Winston Churchill that says, "Success is defined by repeatedly being defeated, yet not losing enthusiasm." And I think a good leader does that for sure, too. Because it can't be downtrodden by no means for that. But- Cobie Rutherford: That's exactly right. You know, even in these 4-H contests we've talked about so many times, we talk about in all contests we applaud participation first of all. You get up there and you participate, you do the public speech, you do the demonstration, whatever it is, you're a winner just by getting up there and competing because most people don't. But at the end of the day, there's always a first prize winner, a second place winner and third place winner. And where I think that the whole leadership development really begins is when you don't win first place, going back and competing again and trying it again the next year or trying to improve your skills. To me leadership is not something you're born with it or it's not really something that is inherited, it's your ability to get back up when you fall down. And as, almost, a road of continuous improvement. You don't, I don't think, ever reach a pinnacle in your leadership development. You keep working harder, you try to become a different leader. You try to motivate and inspire people in different ways as you get older. John Long: Well, I've got to tell you this little factoid that I heard when I was listening to another podcast and actually today, and it was on United States presidents. And I'm a big history buff, I did not know this at all. But that George Washington's mother was a loyalist. Cobie Rutherford: How about that? John Long: And could you imagine that household with him trying to create a country, be a leader, and having to face that difficulty, you see. So that's very true. That's very true. And I think that it's important to learn that you're not going to please everybody. I think that's another thing a leader has to realize is that... What was Lincoln's favorite quote? We're doing a quote of quotes today. Cobie Rutherford: I know. John Long: What you can't please all the people some of the time or something like that, you know? But the fact is is you're not going to be able to make everybody happy. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. John Long: And learning that is another good quality, I think, of a leader. Cobie Rutherford: Absolutely. And I think that's where a lot of people with different personalities struggle with things. If you're taking the Myers Briggs test and trying to figure out what type of personality you have or what [crosstalk 00:08:58]- John Long: That's what I did my PhD on. Cobie Rutherford: Is it really? John Long: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Cobie Rutherford: How about that? John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Well so I- John Long: That and other things, but... Cobie Rutherford: I've taken that test probably four or five times now and you know, surprisingly... Well, you're probably not surprised. I'm two standard deviations above the mean for an extroversive, being an extrovert. And then so really one thing I've had to work on since high school, really, is toning it back, dialing it in some, trying to be more introverted when I'm just dying to yell out. John Long: Right, right. Cobie Rutherford: And I think that that self awareness is a big part of leadership, knowing what your abilities are, knowing that for me it's being too much for people to handle sometimes. Because I like to chat, I like to talk, I can get distracted very easily, I can get others distracted easily. And a lot of people don't really operate well under that type of leadership. So I've had to try to dial that in some. John Long: What do you think I am, an extrovert or an introvert? Cobie Rutherford: I would say you're extroverted. John Long: You would be incorrect. Cobie Rutherford: Really? John Long: I have test introverted every time. Cobie Rutherford: How about that? John Long: And that was one of the things I think too, that you don't really know because a lot of, I would say, 4-H'ers that I have seen that were through the years, like I was saying, that we're introverts. How they, through public speaking and different projects where they were... And not to say forced, but when they put themselves in that situation, they really found out that they could actually get up and speak in front of people. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, exactly. John Long: And that's a testimony to what 4-H does for young people, in my opinion. I mean that's... The proof is in the pudding when you do that. Cobie Rutherford: You know, when you can change your personality, they call that emotional intelligence. John Long: Oh really? Cobie Rutherford: So for you, me thinking that you're an extrovert, that must indicate that you have a high level of emotional intelligence. That you're very intone with what your personality is and how you can overcome that. John Long: Nah, it's been a struggle. It's been a struggle. But I think I have gotten a little bit better through the years. I definitely... I remember it, and this is crazy, believe it or not, it was really a struggle to even talk on the telephone. I called people that I didn't know, I could not stand it. So big secret is, is John is an introvert, but, again, I can function and I think that that's part of it. I mean, it's not a bad thing. Cobie Rutherford: No, absolutely not. John Long: And I think, kids get hung up, especially with the fact of being during those formative years, that common thread that runs through those ages is that they're prone to periods of low self esteem. And when they have those moments, it's almost like saying, "Well, you know, it must be something wrong with me." No, it's just who you are and it's not anything to be ashamed of, you just have to learn who you are and be who you are and by that you are who you are. And now let me ask you this. Do you think every person is a leader? Cobie Rutherford: So I think that that's a tough one because I- John Long: We're bordering on opinion here, I know. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. So I think that, in theory, everyone can take on a leadership role if they choose to. So in whatever it is, I think that some people are better at being a follower than a leader. And Lord knows we need people, the worker bees, that can take direction that don't necessarily want the spotlight or be in the the center of everything. So, you know, I think that's kind of a loaded question. I think people can be if they want to be, but if not, there's more room for followers than there are leaders, I guess. John Long: Right. And we'll give you that. You know, I talked about being a history buff. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: Did you know that Napoleon, when he was retreating from Russia, he got out of his carriage and was walking beside his men and his men were totally just angry. They did not think he was supposed to be, a man of his position should not be out there. And he was walking with a common soldier. That's strange when you think of him. But I don't know, I think it's like you said, it's important that we have those that are willing to do the work. But you know a really good quality that I think a leader exhibits, is being able to get down in the trenches with the worker bees, or whatever you want to call [inaudible 00:13:44] and doing the same thing. Cobie Rutherford: Oh, absolutely. John Long: I always thought that if you felt like that you were... I would never ask somebody to do something I wouldn't do myself, you know, that kind of thing? Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, I agree. John Long: But yeah, I don't know. It's kind of like that question I ask, is who hunts? And I say, who hunts, raise your hand, and you may have half the class raised their hand and others saying, "No, I don't hunt. I never been hunting." And I said, well what happens when you get hungry? You go to hunting a hamburger- Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, sure. John Long: Or you go to hunt for a sale at a store. So can everybody be a good leader? I agree with you, I think that the ability to lead in some capacity is there, but it may not... It may be like Myers-Briggs, it may be stronger on one end than it is the other, for sure. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, that's right. And I think a lot of it's based on your own drives and your own motivations and ambitions. I think about what 4-H help... I consider myself to be a leader, I guess. And I think I really got my start in being interested leadership through 4-H in my elementary school program, in fifth grade. I was elected the club president in my fifth grade class, Ms. Anderson's homeroom. So that's kind of the- John Long: Shout to Ms. Anderson. Cobie Rutherford: Yes, shout out to Ms. Ruth Anderson I had in elementary school. But you know that was my first interaction with leadership and then from there, after that, it was kind of expected that I was going to run for 4-H president because I kind of liked it, I kind of liked leading the meetings. And with my project, livestock, we talked about that a lot. You know sometimes cows, steers, whatever they are, can be the dumbest animals in the whole world and teaching them how to do what you want them to in the show ring, you're actually practicing a leadership skill without even knowing it. And it's patient, compassion, understanding, all those different things that you learned from that dumb hamburger on legs, walking burger, I guess. And it's kind of cool how that stuff all comes back into play. How do shooting sports or safety promote leadership? John Long: Well, I think that it's... And again, like we've talked before, 4-H is 4-H, it's youth development by teaching life skills. We developed that child by teaching life skills. It does not matter if it is a cow or a firearm or a bow and arrow. The thing that we have to remember is, is that is only the instrument used to teach the life skill. It is all headed in the same direction. We're all teaching the same thing, just the method may be a little different based on the instrument or tool that's used. So I would say in 4-H safety, leadership really... I tell you what is really cool and I love it and I've seen it more than once, is to see somebody, a young person, that might be struggling on the line and another young person sees that and steps up and says, "Hey, let me see if I can help you." John Long: And, I mean, it's pretty moving to see that because you just... I don't know if we just get stuck in this stereotype that kids are just selfish and they only think about themselves and... But they're not like that, you know? And, again, I think that's a testimony to the program. There's just something different about 4-H, and that sounds vague but it's not, but you can tell a difference when a young person has been exposed to a positive learning environment like 4-H does. I think that provides an opportunity for those leadership characteristics to really grow because that's the ground, that positive experience that we give them with something that they're interested in. I think that just provides that real fertile environment for them to grow. John Long: And the result of that is you're going to see those opportunities to lead. Other times I've seen, of course, with the 4-H safety ambassador program, with a child that goes through that, they want to be an ambassador. They want to be at the forefront of promoting 4-H safety. And I've seen them reach out to other young people, as well as adults, and assist them. So there's just a lot about 4-H that when we talk about citizenship, we talk about leadership and things like that, where these young people are actually giving back to the community. That is just... It's absolutely amazing. And I know I've probably [inaudible 00:18:44] I need a jar for every time I've said amazing, but I'll put a quarter in it and go buy a hamburger. But it's the truth. It really- Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, no doubt. I totally agree. I think that these 4-H'ers are getting so many skills and there's no value on that. I mean, it's something we can't measure very effectively, but we know we're making a difference. John Long: You know what's exciting to me, is the fact that what an awesome opportunity. And I am kind of jealous because we do have interaction with young people, in certain circumstances we do. We get to deal with Congress, like we've got coming up, or we may be at a 4-H safety event or PAD. We do have a little interaction with young people, but those volunteers and agents that are out there on the ground with them, doing the program, they have such an awesome opportunity that I am jealous of at times because they get to see the full effect of it. They get to see that child change. They are a change agent in that young person's life. Cobie Rutherford: They're the catalyst. John Long: That's the cat... Hey that's good. Isn't that like the triangle or no, that's the... What is that in the heat, in chemistry? You know what I'm talking about? Cobie Rutherford: Oh, yeah... John Long: Yeah, it's- Cobie Rutherford: I'm removed from that. John Long: Yeah, now you've got me off on topic now. It's getting close to my coffee time. But yeah, and they get to see that part of the process and see that young person grow. It is an awesome, awesome opportunity. And I wish more people would get involved. And if you are to be that competent, caring adult in that young person's life, you change that person. It's like you can... I guarantee you... Like you just mentioned your teacher, we all have teachers that we remember for good things and it's because they invested in our life. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, exactly. John Long: And it's life changing. We never forget them. So if you want a monument to your life, you be a teacher of some type or a person that is a mentor or involved with a young person in a positive way. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, no doubt. Well, yeah, there's... I wonder what we're going to talk about next, John? This leadership thing, this time flew. John Long: I know. Cobie Rutherford: We've already talked 20 minutes and I think we just barely skimmed the surface of- John Long: We may have to do a part two or something. Cobie Rutherford: We may have to, to be continued. John Long: That's right. Well, we may have an opportunity to have a young person in here and they can tell us by their own mouth what 4-H has done for them and how it's changed their life, too. Cobie Rutherford: I think that sounds like a great opportunity for us to bring in at 4-H Congress next week. John Long: Absolutely. Absolutely. Well we are going to be seeing everybody there and having a big time and we look forward to if anybody hears this by the time Congress rolls around. We'll see you on the grounds and out and about, but if we don't, we'll see you next year. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, no doubt. If you're listening to our podcast and want to give John or I a shout out, we'd be appreciative of that. See if people are listening. My email address is cobie.rutherford@msstate.edu and John's is- John Long: Same as his, same as Cobie's. Cobie Rutherford: First and last name... john.long. John Long: You can send on the bad email to Cobie- Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: And he doesn't have to show it to me. Cobie Rutherford: So that sounds good. Well tune in next time to 4-H-4-U-2, and always look forward hearing from you. John Long: Oh yeah. Announcer: Thanks for joining us for 2-H-4-U-2. For more information, please visit extension.msstate.edu and be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4-H-4-U-2 is produced by the Mississippi State University extension service, office of agricultural communications.  

Mississippi State Extension 4-H Specialists, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford discuss Mississippi State 4-H's S.A.F.E.T.Y. program. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H4U2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development here. Now your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford. John Long: All right Cobie, well the long awaited day that I've been excited about for ever since we did our actual first podcasts, which was, I don't know how long ago was that? Cobie Rutherford: Gosh, I guess it's been about three or four weeks. John Long: Yeah, three or four, almost a month I guess. And in that podcast we talked a little bit about ourselves, but today we're going to be talking about two different topics I guess, and its relation to a 4-H. So what are we actually going to be talking about today? Cobie Rutherford: Well I think the first topic that we should discuss would be your programs and what you do with the state for each office, and that's with the S.A.F.E.T.Y. program. And then I think in the next podcast we could probably visit some of the things that I'm doing with the state 4-H Congress, and the other staff members. John Long: I think that's good because both of them are either have been going and are going to continue on and and or coming up. So we've got a lot to cover for sure. And this is actually going to be in two separate podcasts, so we're pretty excited about it. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. With all the stuff going on in our office, it seems like we're all scrambling working on a lot of different things at once, and if we don't stay up on these things, they'll fall by the wayside pretty fast. We'll get behind. So I guess when I grew up in 4-H, S.A.F.E.T.Y. programs were around but they weren't as popular as they are now. John, describe the S.A.F.E.T.Y. program to our audience and what it really entails here at MSU. John Long: I have to do it a little sidebar when you said that about 4-H. I can't remember which one of my children asked me, he says, you know, did you participate in S.A.F.E.T.Y., which was formally known as shooting sports, as a child? And I said, no. I said I knew about 4-H but I said I knew absolutely nothing about the S.A.F.E.T.Y. program or otherwise I would have been in it, because I was actually doing all those things that our young people are doing in it today. It was a lot of fun for them. So S.A.F.E.T.Y. is basically what it was before, it was a shooting sports, it was known as shooting sports. And then prior to that it was known as field and stream. So now we've made a name change again. And S.A.F.E.T.Y. is an acronym that stands for safe archery and firearms education and training for youth. Cobie Rutherford: So it sounds like to me that encompasses a whole lot more than just what the shooting sports and field and stream did. John Long: Yeah, for sure. And I think that what it's done has really made it even more marketable. Because instead of just saying 4-H shootings sports, and you might have some people scratching their heads because they don't really know what shooting sports encompasses, and we're just so much more than just shooting. It might be something, if you heard shooting sports, you may think, well shotgun, that's all they do or whatever. But it really is to expound on exactly the whole program itself. And we want to emphasize the fact that we're educating youth too, because it's all about youth development, teaching life skills. Cobie Rutherford: So this name change came across from a number of different reasons and it wasn't just to be more PC in today's climate. It really, S.A.F.E.T.Y. describes the program very well. John Long: That's exactly right. And first and foremost is what we teach is safety. And I've always said, and anybody listening to this that's ever been to a volunteer training or a volunteer certification or instructor certification that's to say, I always make this comment. I said if we save one person's life from what we taught in the program, then everything else is worth it because we put that much emphasis on safety when we teach young people, Cobie Rutherford: No doubt. So what all contest are within this program under the S.A.F.E.T.Y. umbrella? What other disciplines? I know you mentioned shotgun, rifle ... John Long: Right. And let me clarify. When we talk about a discipline, that's the actually the activity like you said. So it's shotgun, muzzle loader, air pistol, air rifle, .22 rifle, .22 pistol. That's the hunting, we actually have hunting. And I'm trying to ... Archery, we do compound and recurve. And a lot of those disciplines have, and I'm sorry if I forgot something, don't want my level two instructors call me and say, well you forgot this discipline. But I think I got all of them. John Long: But anyway, a lot of those disciplines have sub categories just based on equipment. I won't bore you with that because you really needed to get into the details of that. You need to get the actual event handbook and see exactly, the rule books and see exactly what I'm talking about. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, I think all those things sound so interesting to me. When I grew up in 4-H, I don't know that our County had a shooting sports program. But I had a Hunter safety education class within my ag class. And I remember how terrible I was at shooting any type of firearm. And one day our teacher gave us a big poster board of a Turkey and said blast it with a shotgun. I don't think I hit the poster. I don't know how far it was away, but I aimed that gun and I don't know where those bullets went. John Long: I've had that same thing happen on real turkeys. Cobie Rutherford: Really? John Long: Yeah. And it's not a good feeling walking out of the woods empty handed for sure. So at least the paper ones don't move on you, so I can't make an excuse for you. Cobie Rutherford: I can't either. But it was a pretty sad moment in educational career that stuck with me. And as the saying goes, you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. John Long: Barn, yeah. Yeah, and I understand that for sure. Cobie Rutherford: Really came to life with me. So I've seen a lot of pictures and videos of the shooting sport events and it seems like it is first and foremost a lot of fun for those kids and families. But what are they getting out of that? Why is it important to teach them about this skill and what kind of youth development skills do you think they're getting? John Long: Well, two weeks ago I was privileged to go to the Northeast district match, and I will say this, there were over 500 young people at that event and all shooting, and they had zero incidences of mishaps. And I think a lot of that, if not all of it, is due to the diligence and then the emphasis that we put on safety. A lot of times when you hear about young people and firearms, it's bad thing. But that was just a really, you think about getting 500 young people together to have a contest and to have that event pull off as it did, it is an amazing thing. John Long: What they're learning in this program as I said, of course you know this, 4-H is about youth development, and it's teaching life skills. And those skills that those young people are going to learn they're going to take with them for the rest of their life. So what we want to do is just get them into the program and that program, each program in 4-H has a certain hook to it. It could be horse, it could be livestock, shooting sports. And it's to appeal to a wide audience, and that's why we do that, is to get them involved in something that they enjoy so we can get them into the educational process that 4-H has. Cobie Rutherford: And I think this is one of those unique programs in 4-H that is appealing to both a rural and an urban audience, that they can go to their County shooting range and participate in it without having to own land or having to own livestock, or ... It's just opened up to everyone it seems like. Are there any age restrictions on any of those specifics? John Long: Yep. You have to be at least eight years old by January the first in order to participate. And then you you can't have passed your 18th birthday as of January one in order to remain a senior level participant. So yes, there are age restrictions for that. And for that matter, when we go back to talking about the disciplines, we have a progressional phase of starting out a young person on an air gun, and then moving them up to where they get to 10 years old and they can start doing more disciplines other than just air. And then we have a certain restriction on ..22 pistol where you have to be 14 before you can even do that one. So it is a progressional thing. I look at it like a funnel, you just start out up here and try to get them down to where they're more specified in a discipline, if that makes any sense. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. That does. You just keep progressing and moving on up the chain. About the kids, I think about in my own home and think about, I'm leery of having a firearm in my home at times, or if I do, I want it locked up away from where my children can access it. But I think back to this training all these kids are receiving about how to know what to do with that firearm, how to respect that gun. Don't you think that's a pretty important that we as well? John Long: Yeah. And as I said, I was not in 4-H S.A.F.E.T.Y. when I was young. I was fortunate, I had my dad and my uncle are very avid outdoorsmen, and they taught me the value of respecting a firearm. And mine was shoot a Coke can and look at it, and I'll never forget my uncle doing that. And he said, you see what that does to you? Or if you shot a squirrel, he said, that'll do the same thing to you, so you better respect it. And that went for a three wheeler or whatever. If you lost respect for something that's when it would hurt you. So, and that is absolutely important, and it's critical. And our instructors again, emphasize that over and over again. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. So you keep mentioning instructors. Are these instructors, are they volunteers or how do y'all find instructors for this course? John Long: Well, volunteers and extension agents take on that role as well. We have a training that is pretty intense and they're taught how to basically ... And let me back up. I've had a lot of questions from people that were interested in volunteering and they say, Oh, I want to be an instructor, but I know absolutely nothing about firearms. I said, don't worry about it. I say, do you have a passion for teaching youth? And they'll say, Oh yes. I said, well, don't worry about that. We'll teach you everything else you need to know. We're going to teach you to be safe and we're going to teach you how to interact with a young person. John Long: One of the things that the instructor is, and sometimes you'll hear them referred to as coaches, but one thing that an instructor is, is basically a mentor or a caring, responsible adult in order to instruct that person. So what you're going to find out is if you're an instructor, these young people are, or you're going to learn from them maybe what kind of home they come from, what kind of background they have, and you being that mentor, that positive caring adult, is going to be a positive influence in their life. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, I think that's of the utmost importance for sure. What about when the child signs up to compete in a S.A.F.E.T.Y. event? Are they responsible for bringing their own firearms or their own bow and arrow? John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: Their own bullets? John Long: Yes. They are responsible for bringing any type of whatever equipment that they're going to need. They need to bring it. Cobie Rutherford: I got you, sure. So I think that's good in itself. Just learning how to safely transport firearms. John Long: Oh yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I'd say that it's one of the life skills you're going to learn is, you don't take your shotgun if it's been raining and you just don't throw it in a case, or put it in a gun cabinet with it wet. You learn the responsibility of keeping your firearm clean. I had somebody say something the other day, they said, Oh, I haven't cleaned my gun in years. I said, you better clean it. I said, because you take care of your gun, the gun will take care of you, and it'll perform the job what you want it to do as long as you take care of it. So yeah, that's definitely something that you learn. Cobie Rutherford: So what events are coming up with S.A.F.E.T.Y.? I know you've got a pretty busy calendar for the next few months. John Long: Yes, lordy. We are rolling, rolling, rolling. We had the last ... Well first of all, when it's not raining or when it wasn't raining, which was hard to do, right? The counties were having multi-County matches in order to qualify for the district events. And over the past two weekends we've had, we had the first three districts on the last weekend in April. And then we had, like I said earlier, we had the last district, Northwest district, had their event last Saturday. So we've wrapped up the district events. Now those senior age participants that qualified for a state invitational will actually have an opportunity to go. Now they don't have to go, but they will have an opportunity to participate at the state invitational and that is going be July the 19th through the 20th, and more information will come out on that. You just have to keep watching the website and keep in contact with your extension agent and they'll keep you informed on what you need in order to do that. John Long: One of the exciting things that I enjoy doing is going to grand Island Nebraska every year, and that's going to be June the 23rd through the 28th. And that's where the national championship is held. Cobie Rutherford: Oh, neat. John Long: We've got a pretty good number of young people that's going to be participating in that and they have participation in all disciplines with the exception of hunting. And so we always have a good time and it's awesome. I think it's really important that young people in our state, they get exposed to a portion of the country that a lot of them have never seen before. And they get to interact with young people that they've never seen before. And some of them make lifelong friends from being there. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. And what better reason to go to Nebraska? John Long: Right, exactly. Exactly. Cobie Rutherford: You get to see part ... There's really ... John Long: Well it's funny that ... Yeah, Grand Island Nebraska is home to Hornady Ammunition. I don't know if I can say that or not, but they are. And it's really cool to see how such a ... Of course you can go into any sporting goods store and see that ammunition. And I think, I've been in that building, I've seen them making those bullets. So that's really, really cool. So they have those attractions and Grant Allen is a great, great town. They are very welcoming to us. And I will say this, I was checking out of the hotel last year and the woman at the front desk, she said, this was four o'clock in the morning too, she said, "I just want you to know something". She said, "We are so happy when y'all come to town", she said, "Because we don't have to hire a security guard to walk around the halls". She says, "We have a lot of large softball tournaments and things that come in here and the young people just do not act appropriately", and so much they have to hire security to walk the halls all night long. So she said, "Your kids are some great", when I say, "yours", you know what I mean. I'm talking about 4-H overall. Said that, "They are so well behaved we don't have to worry about that". And I think that's a testament to what 4-H does to young people. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, good compliment for sure. Good deal. I'm excited to participate in my first S.A.F.E.T.Y. events coming up as a 4-H staff members, seeing what it's all about. John Long: You will be amazed. Cobie Rutherford: I'm sure I will. I probably never been in a location with that many firearms around at one time. So that's going to be pretty neat to see. John Long: Yeah, it's a lot of fun. And it's one of those things that, yes, it is a lot of work to get ready for, but once it's underway and everybody you know is enjoying themselves and having a good time, and you just say the interaction that families have with their young people, it's a lot of ... I don't know how to say this, but it is a moving thing to see young people come together with a mutual interest, have a good time, and go home and ... One of the things, I will say this, I'm getting a little stammered, but one of the things that I always think of is every child I look at, I said one of those is the next national team member, one of those could be. And I'm going to get to know that individual. So, but it is fun. Yeah, you're going to enjoy it I think. Cobie Rutherford: That's cool. It's like to go into the contest with their eye on the target, and hopefully come out with a prize. John Long: That's right. That's right. Cobie Rutherford: Very good. John Long: And make sure to drink lots of water because you can imagine July. Cobie Rutherford: It's going to be hot. John Long: Yeah, July 19th or the 20th, I've only had one year that it was cool. It was a 2008 and it was, oh my goodness. It was like a spring day and I have never had that again. Cobie Rutherford: I bet not. John Long: I'm not living right I don't guess. Cobie Rutherford: I got you. Well good deal. Well, I guess John, if you don't have anything else to add about the shooting sports S.A.F.E.T.Y. program, I've enjoyed learning about today. John Long: Yes, I have too. Look, if you want to know more about the the 4-H S.A.F.E.T.Y. program, go to your local extension office. If you don't know how to do that, just do a Google on the Mississippi State University extension. Go to the webpage and you can pull up your County and found out that County officer. You can call our state 4-H office, (662)325-3350, or send me an email at John, J-O-H-N dot L-O-N-G at M-S-S-T-A-T-E dot E-D-U. Was that a good radio voice I did? Yeah, I thought so. Cobie Rutherford: Sounds awesome. John Long: That's all I got. Cobie Rutherford: And y'all be sure to join us next time for episode three, where we'll be talking about the upcoming 2019 State 4-H Congress. John Long: Oh yeah. Announcer:   Thanks for joining us for 4-H4U2. For more information, please visit extension.msstate.edu, And be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4-H4U2 is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Office of Agricultural Communications.

Gov. Bill Lee gave remarks to delegates attending Tennessee 4-H Congress in Murfreesboro remembering his time serving in the youth organization. The post Making the Best Better appeared first on Tennessee Farm Bureau.