Bain Brings More Than 28 Years of Extension Experience
JACKSON, Tenn. – University of Tennessee Extension Western Region recently appointed Tonya Bain as its new 4-H youth development program leader. As of January 1, Bain will now provide support to more than 50 4-H Extension agents and program assistants in 31 Tennessee counties.
“Our statewide 4-H program dates back as far as the early 1900s, but I believe our youth need us now more than ever,” says Bain. “We have thousands of 4-H’ers in the Western Region alone who participate in clubs, programs, camps, after-school groups and more. I am honored to support some of the best Extension staff in the country who are determined to fulfill our motto ‘to make the best better’ for youth every single day.”
Appointed following the retirement of long-time program leader Neal Smith, Bain boasts an Extension career spanning almost three decades, including serving as a 4-H agent at UT Extension Crockett County for 26 years before attaining her previous position as area specialist for event coordination for two years.
“Tonya knows this role inside and out and has already hit the ground running,” says Jerry Lamb, director of UT Extension Western Region. “Her extensive experience will allow her to bring new opportunities and programs to local 4-H’ers, we couldn’t be more excited to see the impact she will have on our next generations of young leaders.”
For more information on 4-H programs near you, please contact your local county Extension office.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.