Seeing a KY State 4-H Officer wear their green jacket can be a life-changing experience for a young 4-H member. This was a dream of Emily Murphy. Since her first cloverbud meeting at age 5, she has grown into an individual with high ambitions in the 4-H program. Throughout the past twelve years, her 4-H career has ranged from curing country hams to being a summer camp counselor and facilitating national events to local mentoring youth during cooking clubs. As a result of her years as a 4-Her, Emily had great 4-H role models, which impacted her to do the same as she got older. Those who demonstrated integrity, confidence, communication (and more) left an impact and kept her motivated to thrive in the 4-H program. 

Being a state 4-H Officer has been a massive goal of Emily’s since middle school. In 2016, Haley Anderson, Mercer County 4-H Member, served as State 4-H President. She encouraged Emily that the process was not easy, but it was attainable with hard work, dedication, and encouragement from peers. As a result, Emily achieved her goal and serving as the Kentucky 4-H State Secretary for 2021-2022. This role has allowed her to be mentor 4-H youth across the Commonwealth, acting as an advocate for the Kentucky 4-H program and fulfilling a plethora of responsibilities on the State Teen Council. Emily said, “Setting aside the skills that I have mastered thru 4-H, 4-H has offered many opportunities that have taken me places I never thought I would go. It is because of 4-H, I am the person I am today, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”