Morgan Barnes is a senior 4-Her from Crittenden County, District 7 who brings a passion for 4-H and all 4-Hers’. Wendy Brunley states this about Morgan, “She is always there to give you a smile and an encouraging word when you most need it. Morgan wants everyone to feel included and have a sense of belonging to something, but especially to 4-H.”
Follow the Q&A to learn more about your Kentucky 4-H State Secretary, Morgan Barnes . . .
Q: Why did you want to be a Kentucky 4-H State Officer? Did someone inspire/help you make that decision?
Morgan: I realized that I wanted to be a Kentucky 4-H State Officer when I really learned what they did for this organization. I want to show every 4-H’er across the state of Kentucky that they have a home in 4-H clubs, and provide them with the encouragement that my mentors have shown me. Many people have helped me make the decision to become a state officer, but a few major supporters would be my mom who is also my 4-H agent, Connor Cooper, Hopkins County 4-H agent, and the state officers my first year on the State Teen Council, Jonna, Walter, Delanie, and Dylan.
Q: How many years have you been in 4-H? What has been your primary focus in 4-H?
Morgan: I have been involved in 4-H for 9 years. I have been involved in most of the activities offered, but I focus mainly on leadership.
Q: What has been your favorite part of 4-H thus far?
Morgan: My favorite part of 4-H is meeting so many people across the state and building relationships with those people. In middle school I went to Summit for the first time; that is when I met my first 4-H friend and fell in love with 4-H. Since, that friend and I have become best friends and I have 4-H to thank for that.
Morgan states, “To me 4-H means family and friendship.”
Q: What are your goals as a State Officer in your position? What do you want to accomplish?
Morgan: My main goal as a 4-H state officer is to make connections with youth across the state of Kentucky and show them all the opportunities that this organization can offer. I would also like the officer team to travel as a group to different areas doing our leadership workshop. This will encourage youth to advance in their 4-H career, help us a team connect with younger 4-H’ers, and all around show other 4-H’ers what the 4-H officer team does.
“My goal as an officer is to make every 4-H’er feel like they have a place to fit in, a family, and a place to call home,” says Morgan
Q: Who do you want to meet and learn from while you are in office?
Morgan: I would love to meet 4-H’ers from across the state, and let them teach me about all of their 4-H projects. I am very aware of the west Kentucky 4-H projects, but I would like to learn about the fun projects that happen in different areas of the state.
Q: How do you define “leadership”? “Success”?
Morgan: Leadership is being able to help and guide the team to accomplish a goal. You also need to be able to listen to your team and respect them in order to be a good leader. Success is learning while trying to accomplish a goal. Even if you do not accomplish the goal, but you still learn something and better yourself for next time you are still successful.
Q: Where do you want to go to school and what will you major in? What are your future plans/career?
Morgan: This fall I am attending the University of Kentucky. I plan to major in Business Administration and a minor in Agricultural Economics. Once I graduate, I would like to start my career at Cumberland River Homes, and run our family farm.
Q: What advice would you give a younger 4-Her?
Morgan: I would tell them to have fun in 4-H and make connections with different people. Go and step out of your comfort zone; if you have an open mind about things it will be a good experience. 4-H can be the best thing that happens to you if you just stay positive about everything you do, and make friends along the way.
Q: If you were to speak with a potential donor, what would you say to them? How would you encourage them to give to 4-H?
Morgan: 4-H is an organization that has seven educational core content areas for youth to be involved in. These areas are broad, so anyone can find something that they are interested in. 4-H teaches youth no matter what they are involved in communication, teamwork, leadership, and hard work. Those skills can be carried with them their whole life. I know in my 4-H career this organization has taught me all of those things and more, but it not only has taught me life lessons it has brought me friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. 4-H has changed my life for the better, and helped me make my best better.
GET TO KNOW MORGAN OUTSIDE OF 4-H . . .
Q: What are your hobbies? Outside of 4-H.
Morgan: One of my favorite things to do is help on our family farm. I have always loved helping with the cattle operation. In addition, a hobby that my whole family does is recreating the French and Indian war. We travel the country reenacting different living history events. We have been doing this since I was three years old; I have learned so many things and met people all over the world from this.
Q: What is your favorite meal?
Morgan: I love Chinese food.
Q: How would your friends describe you?
Morgan: My friends would describe me as fun, outgoing, and the mom of the group. I am the one that makes sure everyone is safe and doing what they are supposed to be doing, but I am always laughing and having a good time.
