Alyssa Neff

Alyssa Neff joined 4-H when she was ten years old, starting out with sewing, photography, rabbit, and baking projects. “Each year I added on a new project,” notes Neff, “by my final year in 4-H, my project list consisted of baking, floriculture, herb gardening, vegetable gardening, sewing, crocheting, weaving, spinning, rabbits, poultry, cavies, shooting sports, painting, drawing, and woodworking.” Over the years, Neff also became involved in programs like Dauphin County teen Council, 4-H exchange, and Pennsylvania 4-H State Council. “I loved doing so many projects because it truly made me a well-rounded individual that was ready to take on new experiences,” she adds.

Neff found her experience as a State Council member to be particularly enriching and valuable. She notes, “Being on the State Council taught me perseverance, patience, professionalism, and so much more. I learned how to handle conflict and discourse in a professional manner…Through working on different teams from teen council to State Council, I learned to be patient and trust in my fellow 4-H’ers to do their part.” Neff served on State Council during the earliest parts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that provided unique experiences and lessons. “I saw unfulfilled dreams and many unexpected challenges taking on a year filled with so many cancellations. Through this experience I grew and learned some of the toughest life lessons that prepared me to take on college,” she explains. “Life does not always go our way and we have to take the hands we are dealt and make the best better.”

Aside from the lessons she learned from her projects and leadership experiences, Neff also notes that 4-H helped her build especially close relationships with her siblings. “My sisters and I spent many late nights and early mornings together preparing projects and animals for county fair, state fair, and more. We learned to encourage and help each other,” recalls Neff, “my older sister, Addison, is the one who encouraged me to run for State Council, my younger sister Allie pushed me to do showmanship, even though it was my least favorite thing to do…To all 4-H’ers out there who are in the program with their siblings, enjoy every moment and realize these experiences you take on with them will forever bond you together. These years in 4-H cannot be replayed so savor and do all you can while you are in the program.”

Currently, Neff is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska where she is studying textile science with minors in chemistry and agribusiness. “4-H quite literally brought me to my major,” she notes, “I did many textile projects in 4-H, and I knew that I wanted to continue it into a career.”

Neff notes that she is very passionate about textiles, an interest that started with her 4-H projects in spinning, weaving, sewing, and crocheting. After graduation, she plans to work as a textile scientist for a clothing company, both testing and creating new blends of fabric. “Eventually I would like to return to school and pursue both my master's and PhD to continue researching the world of textiles from the plant and animal perspective,” adds Neff.

Although she has aged out of the program, Neff is still involved in 4-H. She is currently serving as a 4-H volunteer in Lancaster County 4-H in Nebraska and in Dauphin County 4-H in Pennsylvania. In addition to her work as a volunteer, Neff is an intern at the Nebraska State 4-H office where she helps to lead programming in STEM and other areas. “I love 4-H too much to leave it,” adds Neff, “which is why I never ever left the 4-H program after I aged out.”

When asked what advice she has for current 4-H’ers, Neff says, “the best advice I can possibly give you is to never ever let someone tell you that a project or animal or obstacle can’t be overcome. You have the tools, the drive, the grit, to overcome any challenge presented your way and make it better. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given, because believe me there are so many. 4-H is like the giving tree that keep on giving with so many blessings in disguise. You will meet your best friends for life in 4-H that will stick by you, so hold onto them. Lastly, be true yourself and you never go wrong.”