LICKING COUNTY, Ohio – Lisa McCutcheon, 4-H youth development educator in Licking County, was recently recognized for 25 years of service by the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP). The honor was awarded during the 2025 NAE4-HYDP Annual Conference on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, where McCutcheon and colleagues from across the country were celebrated for their contributions to the organization and youth development.

While McCutcheon began her career with 4-H in 1999, the national service award is based on cumulative involvement and impact at both state and national levels. “It truly is a service award based on the length of tenure that you are involved in the program,” McCutcheon said. “Once you have completed 25 years of service at the state level here in Ohio, then you’re eligible to be recognized at the national level for your involvement as well – that’s why the delay.”

McCutcheon feels her extended time in the role is the exception rather than the norm. “We don’t see as often what we saw in our parents’ generation, where someone might retire from a position after 25 or 30 or 35 years,” she said. “So, it’s still quite an honor because those who can find their way to stay for that length of time see the impact they have – especially when former 4-H youth return as parents to enroll their own children. That’s the biggest vote of confidence you can receive in this career.”

A native of West Virginia, McCutcheon grew up on a farm working with beef, sheep and horses. She earned her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University before coming to Ohio State University for her master’s. After graduation, she spent two years with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Beef Council as their member services coordinator.

Her connection to extension work started early. Her mother was a secretary in the county extension office and later became a 4-H club adviser. “I had a wonderful staff of professionals in my county that worked with extension,” McCutcheon said. “My mom’s involvement certainly didn’t hurt my connection with the folks there as far as knowing what was going on.”

Licking County was a natural fit. “When we came to Ohio, we actually lived in Perry County. I started my grad work, and at the same time, my husband began work with extension as a natural resources educator,” McCutcheon said. “So, I was very familiar with Licking County due to its proximity to where we were living.”

Over the course of her career, McCutcheon has witnessed significant changes in 4-H, especially with technology reshaping how the program communicates and operates. “When I first walked in, we were mailing out monthly newsletters to all of our families,” she said. “Now, they get weekly communications electronically. Everything revolves around electronics – registration, questions, communication. It might be a text, an email, or a social media message. The number of ways and how quickly we’re able to communicate has really changed.”

Before COVID-19, 4-H programs across Ohio reached their highest levels of participation. However, as a hands-on, face-to-face organization, 4-H participation dropped, forcing the organization to find new ways to re-engage families and ensure they continue to receive valuable skill-building and opportunities.

“As we emerged from the pandemic, our priority was reconnecting with families and reminding them of the many opportunities 4-H offers,” McCutcheon said. “Even when events and activities had to be modified for safety, we remained committed to serving our members.”

Today, Licking County has the largest 4-H community club enrollment in Ohio, with nearly 700 youth ages 5 to 19 involved in the program. “We’ve worked hard to maintain enthusiasm for 4-H and demonstrate the many benefits that participation brings to local families,” McCutcheon said.

The types of projects and opportunities within 4-H have broadened significantly during McCutcheon’s tenure. “A lot of folks think of 4-H and they think of livestock, or maybe foods and nutrition, or clothing and sewing, but we have kids doing trades like electricity and woodworking, as well as coding, rocketry and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) projects,” she said. “Almost all of our 4-H projects involve some aspect of STEM, and even traditional projects like livestock have a science component.”

Core life skills remain central, no matter the project. “The foundational skills they get through project work – problem-solving, responsibility, teamwork – translate to whatever career path or further training they pursue,” McCutcheon said.

Recruiting and retaining members is a multifaceted effort. “We do a little bit of everything,” McCutcheon said. Word-of-mouth from current advisers and families, community events, social media, and support from the Licking County 4-H Committee all play a role. “We also recently added a mascot – Carrie the Clover – who makes appearances at community events and helps remind families that 4-H is fun and relevant,” she said. “For youth to choose 4-H, they need to see it as both fun and meaningful.”

One of the newest initiatives is “Animal Adventures,” a partnership with the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Launched in 2023, the program pairs youth with disabilities with 4-H or FFA members for livestock show experiences at the Hartford Fair. “It’s been a wonderful thing for our community, pulling in new families and volunteers, and showing that 4-H has something to offer every youth,” McCutcheon said.

McCutcheon is content in her role. “Hopefully I can continue to learn and to be able to serve the community and continue to bring new opportunities and ideas to keep moving us forward,” she said. When a past 4-H member asked if McCutcheon would be around long enough to see her young child through their 4-H career, she had to admit, “I’m not sure. We’re talking another 20 years.”