Arkansas 4-H Alumni Association

Jerry Wooley

Faulkner County

Outstanding Arkansas 4-H Alumnus, 2015

Jerry’s first knowledge of 4-H was around the age of 12 when he started showing steers at Faulkner County Fair. He really got to know and understand the depth of 4-H when he began working as a 4-H Program Assistant in Faulkner County in 1972-73 while attending ASU-Beebe. He worked in schools with project clubs, such as poultry and embryology. The goal was to organize community clubs from these efforts. After graduation from U of A, Jerry worked for what is now the Tyson/Dardanelle complex, before going to work in Conway County as a 4-H Agent from 1977-1983. From 1983-1990 Jerry worked in Crawford County as an Agriculture Agent/Community Development Leader. From 1990-2009 Jerry worked as Extension Poultry Specialist with major emphasis on youth.

Jerry has been married to his wife, Jo Ellen, for 37 years. She has served many years as a 4-H volunteer leader. They have two sons, Jacob of Fort Smith and Justin of Vilonia. Both were very active 4-Hers, always encouraged to participate in as many 4-H possibilities as they could. Jerry lives in Vilonia in Faulkner County and stays busy with cattle, gardening, and horticulture projects. He continues to serve 4-H on occasion in several different capacities.

Jerry had this to say about Arkansas 4-H, I wish more adults could know and grasp the depth of 4-H and what it can do to help develop the potential of young people. 4-H is so much more than the animal project, the trips, the competitive activities, the club meetings and the camps. It encourages growth and development of a 4-Her's potential, enabling them to face life's challenges using their experiences from 4-H opportunities. I have seen it's positive impact on the hundreds of youth that I have had the opportunity to work with, as well as with my own family. I am forever grateful for what 4-H means to me.