Arkansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents 
(AAE4-HA)

AAE4-HA LogoThe Arkansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (AAE4-HA) is an affiliate organization of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) . The purpose is to promote the profession of Extension 4-H youth work in Arkansas and to encourage professional improvement among all Extension personnel.

Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting | Spring 2027

Check back later for more information.

Find more info on the NAE4-HYDP website

 

Seeking Nominations

AAE4-HA seeks nominations each year for Extension Professional of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Nominations should be based on contributions to 4-H. Winners are recognized during the annual State O-Rama. Nomination forms will be posted on this page when nominations open. For questions, contact Creenna Bocksnick, cbocksnick@uada.edu.

 

Why Join AAE4-HA?

AAE4-HA membership offers many benefits:

  • Professional Improvement
  • Positive Reinforcement
  • Peer Recognition
  • Personal Growth

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What does it cost?

Annual AAE4-HA dues are $90 and should be sent to the AAE4-HA treasurer. Dues can be paid with:

  • Cash
  • Check payable to AAE4-HA
  • Credit union account transfer
  • Indirect account

How do I join?

Membership is open to all professional, county, area, state staff members, and paraprofessionals, such as 4-H program assistants of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service who work with the 4-H youth development program. Membership is available to other youth development professionals, former NAE4-HYDP members, and NAE4-HYDP donors and supporters. Membership applications for the 2026-27 year will be available from October to December. For more information, contact Jan Yingling at jyingling@uada.edu or 501-268-5394.

 

Awards & Scholarships

AAE4-HA membership also offers scholarships and awards. Members apply for a variety of awards from communications and publications to healthy living and STEM recognition. To learn more, visit the NAE4-HYDP Awards and Scholarships site. 

 

Specialty Awards
 
Citizenship — Amanda Rychtarik
Excellence in Teamwork — Amanda Rychtarik
Educational Technology — Creenna Bocksnick
Healthy Living — Creenna Bocksnick
Ag Literacy — Jeanie Rowbotham
Animal Science — Andrew Bolton & Courtney Sisk
Camping — Amanda Rychtarik, Denise Hensley , Billie Collins
STEM — Denise Hensley
Natural Resources — Denise Hensley
Shooting Sports — Jesse Bocksnick
 
Communication Awards 
 
Educational Piece — Kim Frachiseur
Exhibit — Creenna Bocksnick 
Media Presentation — Amanda Rychtarik 
Social Media Piece — Amanda Rychtarik 
Social Media Package — Amanda Rychtarik 
Periodical Publication — Jan Yingling
Promotional Piece — Jan Yingling
Feature Story — Jan Yingling
Published Photo — Kami Green
Periodical Publication Team — Sarah Enoch
 
First Timer Scholarship — Kim Frachiseur
Erica Williams Young Professional State — Breanna Wade
Erica Williams Young Professional County — Anna Barnett
Achievement Award State — Allison Harman
Achievement Award County — Kristi Warren
Distinguished Service — Valerie Turner
Merit Service — Priscella Scott

Communicator Awards

Educational Package – Individual – Lori Canada

Educational Package – Team – Jesse Bocksnick, Creenna Bocksnick, Ashley Dingman

Media Presentation – Isaac Gauvey

Promotional Piece – Individual – Rachel Bearden

Social Media Package/Campaign – Individual – Ashley Dingman

Social Media Package/Campaign – Team – Hope Bragg, Ashley Dingman, Lori Canada

Social Media Piece – Individual – Rachel Bearden

Social Media Piece – Team – Jesse Bocksnick, Creenna Bocksnick, Ashley Dingman

 

Specialty Awards

Denise Miller National 4-H Innovator Award – Megan Maulden

Educational Technology Award – Lori Canada & Hope Bragg

Excellence in 4-H Club Support Award – Jeanie Rowbotham & Cindy Ham

Excellence in Animal Science Award – Jeanie Rowbotham, Cindy Ham, Rachel Bearden, Scharidi Barber

Excellence in Camping Award – Creenna Bocksnick

Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education Award – Eric De Vries, Shannon Caldwell, Taylor Knox, Roanna Wilson, Marshall Dickey, Justin Kirkes, Phyllis Scurlock, Hannah McCoy

Excellence in Peer Professional Development Award – Hope Bragg & Lori Canada

Excellence in Shooting Sports – Jesse Bocksnick, Shannon Andress (AL), Todd Williver (OR), David White (OR)

Excellence in Teamwork Award – Megan Maulden, Kris Boulton, Nicole Nichols

Jim Kahler Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Award – Lori Canada

Service Awards

Morgan Taylor – Rookie of the Year

Rachel Bearden & Lori Canada– Achievement in Service Award

Creenna Bocksnick & Hope Bragg – Distinguished Service Award

Erica Williams – Meritorious Service Award

 

Organization Resources

2026-2027 Officers

Past President — Kami Green
President — Jan Yingling
President-Elect—Billie Collins
Secretary — Ashton Lancaster
Treasurer — McKenzie Rigdon
District Vice President  LRSO — Rachel Chaney
District Assistant Vice President LRSO — Julie Tharp
District Vice President Ouachita — Bethany Gammill
District Assistant Vice President Ouachita — Cindy Ham
District Vice President Ozark— Jessica Street
District Assistant Vice President Ozark— Sarah Enoch
District Vice President Delta — JeAlberne Smith
District Assistant Vice President Delta — Kristi Warren

 

2026-2027 Committee Chairs and Co-chairs

Professional Development Team Chair — Sarah Enoch & Brittany Luttrell
Research & Programs Team Chair —  Bethany Gammill & Maleigha Cook
Marketing and Outreach Team Chair — Amanda Rychtarik & Cindy Ham
Finance and Operations Team Chair — McKenzie Rigdon & Kim Frachiseur
Member Services Team Chair — Creenna Bocksnick & Katie West
State Relations Team Chair:  Billie Collins & Betty Wingfield
 

Organizational Documents