Alumni Spotlight – Tim Hendrick

By:  Paige Hart

Our March Alumni Spotlight is Tim Hendrick, a National Congress representative and member of the Gold Livestock Judging Team.  He is currently a staff writer for The News-Democrat in Carrollton, but spent thirty years in extension as a 4-H Agent in Trigg County and Ag Agent in Carroll County.

“I grew up in the extension family,” Tim comments when asked how he first got involved with 4-H.  With his Dad being the Henderson County 4-H agent, it was a given he would get involved.  Tim has fond memories of showing beef cattle where he learned a good work ethic and responsibility.  He was also involved with livestock judging, speech and demonstrations, electricity and conservation. Growing up, Tim remembers presenting state demonstrations at the state fair in Cloverville. He also did some traveling while on the Gold Team including a trip to National 4-H Congress in Chicago for a conservation project book, and Washington D.C. for the American Heritage Conference. Along with other awards, Tim won a national scholarship from John Deere as a conservation record book participant.

1975 Livestock Judging Team at the National Contest during the North American, Louisville, KY. From left to right Dr. Monte Chappell, Extension Sheep Specialist and judging team coach, Mary Nell Tamme, Harry Horn, John Johnson, Tim Hendrick, and Bill Hendrick, Henderson County Ag Extension Agent.

4-H has been a family affair from the beginning with his father being the county agent and his mother being a homemaker and club leader.  Tim’s sister competed with her project book in home furnishing at National Congress and his brother was the state winner for 9-year-old speeches.  Tim met his wife, Ruth Ann, in 4-H at the Lake Cumberland 4-H Center at a State Teen Council meeting.  They both continue to be involved through the Kentucky 4-H Foundation’s Homecoming Planning Committee, judging achievement interviews, and Ruth Ann serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Their children were also involved in 4-H and learned the value of giving back to the program.

Tim took advantage of his knowledge and passion for livestock when he implemented the club in Trigg County.  He was able to watch the program grow and thrive leading to winning state contests.  Tim said, “It was great to take what I’ve learned and teach it to these kids and them to take this knowledge.”  His passion can be seen in a story about him taking the time to explain how to judge a hog, the parts that make it up and reasons why a certain hog would win at a county fair with many new participants and parents.  An accomplishment Tim holds, “It’s amazing to watch the progression of the youth and know you have a small hand in what is happening, either in their 4-H journey, a career or life in general.” 

Pictured is Tim Hendrick (left) speaking with Bill Jeffries (right), John Deere Representative, at National Congress.

An interest that sparked in Tim’s younger years as a 4-H member has gone on to develop into a small photography business on the side. As a 4-Her he participated in photography projects, plus was always taking photos with the extension camera for his Dad and when he was an agent as well.  Tim was this year’s photographer for the Ag Tag promotional materials.  Tim is usually around at most 4-H events with a camera to capture the memories; another way he gives back to 4-H.

“You can’t grow without experiences” said Tim when giving advice to youth thinking of participating in 4-H, “And 4-H programs, activities, and competitions are going to give you that experience to learn and grow.”