Melissa Shelton loves her work with county 4-Hers

Melissa Shelton works with Unicoi County students on an almost daily basis in what she considers her dream job. She grew up taking part in 4-H activities. Now she is working with the Unicoi County University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service to bring 4-H programs to local students. "My current role is 4-H Youth Development," Shelton said. The role lets her oversee and execute the 4-H program for students ranging from fourth graders to seniors in high school. "Overseeing the 4-H program includes meeting in-school clubs, leading project groups and judging teams, and working on day-to-day operations for the program," she explained. She began work in Unicoi County in February 2021. "Before coming here, I was in Carter County for over five years as a 4-H program assistant," Shelton said. She has found the work rewarding. "Whether it's a 4-H member learning a new skill or project, or an adult learning helpful information, seeing people learn and gain confidence is what makes my job so special," Shelton said. "That's what Extension is here for – to be a resource and help our community learn." When away from the office, she pursues some personal pastimes with enthusiasm. "I enjoy being involved with my church (Embreeville Church of Christ), and spending time with those that mean most to me," Shelton said. "I enjoy traveling when time permits," she added. She also has a recent addition to her household. "I have a 7-month-old Aussie named Skags who I spend lots of time with outside of work and occasionally at work when he sneaks himself into the office with me," she said. "He's still in the hyper puppy phase so we spend lots of time getting energy out." Shelton has always considered Erwin her home town. "Being an Erwin native, working here is working at home," Shelton added. "I grew up on the Washington County side of the county line and attended Washington County Schools, but Erwin is the closest town to my home place. She has strong families ties to Unicoi County. "Both of my parents' ancestors are from here," she said. "My mother is Debra (Higgins) Carver from the River Hill community," Shelton said. "Fun fact – she was a Unicoi 4-H member at Love Chapel Elementary in the mid-to-late '70s." She also spoke about her father, Dwayne Shelton. "My father did not move to the area until the early 1980s, but he is well known in this county," Shelton said. "After moving here, he started his career at Erwin Motors Ford, where he worked for over 30 years. If your vehicle was taken to the shop there and a fella by the name of Dwayne fixed it, that's my daddy!" She's also an aunt. "I have two sisters who have blessed me with nieces and nephews that range from 19 years old to almost 2 years," she said. She added that there is no shortage of love among her family members and certainly no dull moments. Shelton graduated with an associate's degree in agriculture science at Walter's State Community College. "I later obtained my bachelor's degree in Child Development from East Tennessee State University – go Bucs," she said. Shelton then earned a master's degree in agriculture leadership, education and communications from the University of Tennessee. "Go Vols," she interjected. She knew early on that she wanted to work for UT Extension Service. "When I graduated high school I knew Extension was where I wanted to work," Shelton said. "Growing up a 4-H member, I knew first-hand the great things extension had to offer for their community." She arrived at her job in Unicoi County during a global pandemic. "Coming to Unicoi County a little over five years ago, we were still facing the challenges of COVID-19, and meetings were still not allowed," she recalled. "Once we got the green light to resume back to programming, our office hit the ground running, and we have not stopped." The work has been fulfilling. "Looking back on when I started and looking at today, it still seems surreal the growth in Unicoi County Extension that I not only have gotten to see, but be a part of," Shelton said. "From watching 4-H members earn trips to state and national contests to seeing local farmers and producers gain knowledge to better their operations, it's what keeps myself and our office motivated to keep serving our community," she added. The work stays varied enough to prevent any degree of boredom. "It's something different happening every day, and that's what makes it even more fun," Shelton said. "I mean, what other job besides an Extension Agent has baby chickens in the office on Tuesday, a sewing class on Wednesday and a shotgun shooting class on Saturday?"