Retiring the green jacket: 2025-26 Kentucky 4-H state officers reflect on leadership, service

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 9, 2026) — Each year, Kentucky 4-H members complete a rigorous application and interview process and are selected to serve in officer roles by a committee made up of youth and adults vested in the future of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program. The state officers represent over 200,000 4-H members across the Commonwealth, all while finishing high school or starting college. These 4-H’ers interact with legislators, board members, alumni, volunteers, UK Extension leadership and other youth to highlight the impact of Kentucky 4-H.

Having reached the end of their term, the 2025-26 Kentucky State Officers shared what led them to their state leadership role.

Case Shirrell, Kentucky 4-H president, first learned about 4-H when an Oldham County 4-H program assistant visited his fourth-grade classroom. From there, he was encouraged to join his county’s shooting sports program, which lead him to 4-H camp, Teen Conference, State Teen Council and a state officer position.

“Looking back now, those were just small stepping stones on what has been almost a 10-year journey, ending with me hanging up my jacket,” Shirrell said.

His position as a state officer allowed him to serve the organization that did so much for him, giving him the skills to be beyond ready for a future career in agricultural policy.

Case will be attending the University of Kentucky, majoring in agricultural economics in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) and minoring in public policy in the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. 

“Extension agents and university leadership have been a huge part of the journey — a lot of the time, the reason for the journey,” Shirrell said. “I wouldn't be anywhere without my agent’s and my program assistant’s encouragement to continue being involved and helping me prepare for any and every event.”

Although Shirrell’s involvement in 4-H started in the classroom, Vice President Harper Ritchey’s years of connection to UK Extension helped her embrace her year as a state officer.

Ritchey is from Caldwell County, where members of her family work at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton, Kentucky. Her father, Edwin Ritchey, is an extension associate professor and soil specialist who strongly encouraged her to enter her first 4-H activity, the Country Ham Project.

“My first real memory of 4-H was at Broadbent’s B & B Food Products in Kuttawa, where I shadowed my older sister who was participating in the Country Ham Project,” Ritchey said. “I joined the program when I was officially old enough, and I loved the project and going to the Kentucky State Fair.”

From there, Ritchey was a frequent 4-H member, attending a wide variety of clubs like cooking, photography, communications and crafting. Her desire to become a better leader brought her to County, Area and State Teen Council and the 4-H Capitol Experience Day, which motivated her to run for a 4-H state office.

Ritchey just finished her first year at UK Martin-Gatton CAFE, majoring in natural resources and environmental science and agricultural economics, minoring in public policy and earning the agricultural leadership certificate. She plans to have a career in environmental or agricultural law, policy or legislation.

“4-H has helped achieve the goals I had to get to UK because of the Capitol Experience Day. I learned that I could make impacts regarding agriculture through policies and legislation,” Ritchey said. “I also got to meet legislators that represent me. This impact meant a lot to me and gave me the spark for my career, but it was the skills and experiences that 4-H gave throughout my 10-plus years in the program that helped me actually get to UK on a full-ride scholarship.”

4-H helped Ritchey develop skills for her future, just as it did for Bethany Barber, who served as state secretary. 

Barber has been a 4-H member in Monroe County for more than nine years. She started in her county’s babysitting club, where she found her spark for mentoring youth, leading her into Teen Club, Teen Council and various 4-H projects.

“4-H has helped me develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills that I will use throughout my career,” Barber said. “Through the opportunities and experiences 4-H has given me, I have gained confidence and learned the importance of serving others, which will help me both in college and in the healthcare field.”

Barber will be attending UK and majoring in pharmaceutical sciences in the UK College of Pharmacy. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend pharmacy school and pursue her Pharm.D. to become a pharmacist.

On Feb. 17, 2018, as a 9-year-old 4-H’er from Scott County, Creighton Smith waited after his first 4-H Livestock Skillathon contest. The second he heard his name, he rushed to the stage to claim his ribbon, marking the start of his 4-H journey that culminated in his position as state treasurer this past year.

“That was my first spark. From then on, I was hooked on 4-H,” Smith said.“I participated in every livestock competition I could, including showing pigs and cattle. I discovered shooting sports and sewing, then came cooking club, outdoor adventure club and 4-H Summit. But that was just the beginning.”

Smith was encouraged by his 4-H agent to apply for a state officer position. It was a leadership opportunity he wasn’t even aware was possible for him, but it led to a year filled with opportunity and connections.

Smith will be attending Kansas State University, where he will major in agricultural economics with a minor in agribusiness management. He plans to return to the farm and hopefully raise the next generation of 4-H’ers.

Although he will not be in Kentucky for college, Smith believes Kentucky 4-H will always be with him.

“While I won’t be able to just stop at the Extension office and chat with my agent, I know that the skills and connections 4-H has given me will always stay with me,” Smith said. “The people that I have met at every single event are really what 4-H is all about.”

4-H Camp in Western Kentucky was the spark that led Emme Lynch to her green jacket as Kentucky 4-H reporter.  

Lynch’s summer at 4-H Camp made her fall in love with the organization. She found opportunity in Crittenden County 4-H, creating projects to enter in her county fair and joining State Teen Council.

“Working with Extension agents and university leadership has impacted my experience by giving me insight into potential career opportunities,” Lynch said.

Lynch will be attending South Carolina State University, where she will major in family and consumer sciences with a track in child development. She plans to become a 4-H agent, bringing her experience and education back to Kentucky 4-H.

“I am taking every part of Kentucky 4-H with me as I move into my next chapter,” Lynch said.

As these officers hang up their green jackets, Kentucky 4-H welcomes the newly elected 2026-27 Kentucky 4-H state officers: State President Jeremiah Jury of Owen County, Vice President Jefferson Oldfield of Montgomery County, Secretary Ella Yazell of Harrison County, Treasurer Rachel Wilson of Hickman County and Reporter Liberty Proffit of Monroe County. This new team is ready to accept their own green jackets and inspire the next generation of 4-H youth in Kentucky.

Learn more about Kentucky 4-H.