How 4-H has changed people’s lives

“Any Success I Have in Life I Attribute to 4-H.”

Hannah CarterDr. Hannah Carter is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida and most importantly, a 4-H alum from Maine. Dr. Carter directs the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, a leadership development program for individuals involved in private sector agriculture and natural resources.

She says of her background: “What can the Maine 4-H program take credit for so far? An undergraduate degree from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, a master of science and a doctorate of philosophy degree from the University of Florida both in Agricultural Leadership, and a leadership development program for leaders within private sector agriculture that has an over $2 million dollar endowment and takes its participants all over the world. Not bad for a little girl from northern Maine who had the benefit of caring 4-H leaders, a strong county 4-H program and a dedicated state 4-H staff who believed in the program and the 4-H’ers that they were serving.”


Casey Hushon currently works for Charleston|Orwig—a leading agricultural marketing communications agency—in public relations.

“What I learned through my 10 years in 4-H was more than I ever anticipated or knew was available to youth. I had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles within my local club and on a statewide board, interact with others sharing the same passion for agriculture, travel to national events to represent the state of Maine and share my voice with leaders and peers about how 4-H can be advanced. 4-H gave me the confidence to become a leader among my peers and take the next step in my life to purse a college degree in Dairy Science at Virginia Tech.

“Today, I continually use my skills learned through 4-H in team projects, group meetings, self direction and beyond. I am thankful to 4-H and the leadership within the organization for taking the time to help develop my skills and potential.”


Patrick Larson is Assistant Attorney General, Drug Task Force Prosecutor for Penobscot and Hancock Counties and a 4-H alumni member of the Union River Valley 4-H club in Aurora.

“My experiences during the annual ‘Demonstrations’ gave me a strong basis from which I learned how to properly plan and make a presentation and the confidence to carry it out.  Whether I am explaining a legal issue to a police officer or group of officers, giving an opening or closing argument to a jury, or showing one of my children how to perform a task, I rely on the basic skills I learned through the demonstrations to effectively get my point across.”

Tell us your story!