News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County 4-H Agent Melissa Henry departs from the office after serving more than 20 years.
Henry will undertake a new challenge as the incoming Area 4-H Specialist for middle Tennessee, serving as a resource for some 31 counties. She said that her favorite part of her time with Putnam has been helping kids find success.
“Whether that’s the small things like just making it through a speech without crying,” Henry said. “Or even the big successes too like if they win scholarships and study in fields that they’re interested in. Just seeing some kind of success out of the kids has been the best part for me.”
Henry said that the past couple of years with the pandemic have taught her that flexibility and community partnerships are important to her line of work. She said she hopes to take that lesson with her to her new venture.
Henry said that her career in 4-H started when she was a member of her local 4-H club as a child.
“I was a 4-H member growing up myself,” Henry said. “And I had some great 4-H leaders who really encouraged me to pursue this career after college and I interviewed, and the first county accepted and the rest is history as they say.”
Henry said she wants to thank all the 4-H family members she’s encountered over her tenure for their support. She said while the transfer is exciting, it’s bittersweet to leave Putnam County.
Henry said that just because she’s leaving, it doesn’t mean the end of Putnam’s 4-H program. She said that the program still plans on going strong, and to reach out to and continue your involvement.
Putnam County community members are invited to come and celebrate Henry on September 28th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
