On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Harville Family from Smith County was recognized for their involvement and commitment to 4-H youth with the W.M. and Ruth Hale Master 4-H Family Recognition Award. The Harville Family includes Jason and Lisa, Grace, and Gabe.
The purpose of the Hale Master 4-H Family Recognition Award is to recognize 4-H families for their consistent leadership and exceptional involvement on the county, region, and state levels of 4-H work.
A regional plaque and state medallion plaque was presented to the Harvilles on behalf of the Hale family during the 2025 State 4-H Roundup Awards Banquet, which was held at the Rothchild Event Center in Knoxville.
Jason and Lisa were both active 4-H members, with Jason involved with demonstration contests, and Lisa involved with judging contests, 4-H Roundup, camp, and many other activities. Grace, who currently serves as a 4-H Extension Agent in Wilson County, was also a highly involved 4-H member. Grace served as President of the Smith County 4-H Community Club and accomplished many things during her 4-H career, including being a state winner at 4-H Congress and a national winner in public speaking. Gabe currently serves as the Tennessee 4-H State Council President. He is also a national champion in public speaking, has competed in numerous other state and national 4-H contests, and was recently the high individual at the state 4-H wildlife judging contest this summer.
The Harville family has been active at the local, county, region, state and national level of 4-H. Lisa, who currently serves as the Central Region Representative on the State 4-H VOLS committee, is also a member of the state 4-H Strategic Planning Committee on Volunteerism. Grace is highly involved in TAE4-HW as a Central Region Junior Director and is a recipient of the George Foster Outstanding Agent award. Gabe, in addition to his state and national competition achievements, has also been on the national design team for National 4-H Congress.
One tradition that runs through this family is their involvement in Collegiate 4-H. Lisa was involved in Collegiate 4-H at Tennessee Tech and Grace at UT Knoxville. In the fall, Gabe will be the newest member of Collegiate 4-H at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
The entire family serves their community even beyond 4-H, whether it is Jason serving as a football coach for the Smith County Owls, or Lisa serving as President of the Smith County FCE Council. The Harville family’s commitment to service and the 4-H program is a model for others to follow, and they have done so much to help “make the best better” in so many ways!
We cannot think of a 4-H family that is more deserving. Please join us in congratulating Lisa, Jason, Grace, and Gabe for their leadership and service to Smith County and Tennessee 4-H! You all have made such a positive impact and built a lasting legacy across generations.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer for the Smith County 4-H program at the local level or beyond, please email rpetty@utk.edu or give our office a call at 615-735-2900.
Congratulations again to the Harville family!
