Lenoir County 4-H Team Honored with Statewide Communicator Awards and Individual Recognition at 2025 NCAE4-HYDP Annual Conference

The Lenoir County 4-H team earned top honors at the 2025 North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NCAE4-HYDP) Annual Conference, held August 27 in Burlington, NC.

Abbigail Wells, Lenoir County 4-H Agent, and Joel Dixon, Lenoir County 4-H Program Assistant, received two Communicator Awards for their outstanding work on “The Best Better Podcast,” a creative platform developed to engage youth through modern media.

The team was awarded First Place in the Communicator Award – Video Program category for incorporating video into the podcast format. This enhancement has increased visual engagement, allowing audiences to experience expressions, reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments that audio alone cannot capture. The video episodes support accessibility and expand outreach, engaging a broader audience including parents and community members. The visual content also fosters a stronger sense of connection and shared experience. Additionally, participants gain valuable digital media skills, building confidence and communication abilities in a tech-driven world.

Wells and Dixon also received First Place in the Communicator Award – Radio/Audio Program category for the audio version of “The Best Better Podcast.” Designed for youth in Lenoir County, including both 4-H and non-4-H members ages 5–18, the podcast offers a dynamic and inclusive platform that explores topics such as leadership, citizenship, community, and pop culture. It promotes positive youth development by encouraging teamwork, civic engagement, and personal growth through accessible, hands-on learning.

The Radio/Audio Program award was also selected to advance to the national level, representing North Carolina 4-H at the upcoming National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) Conference.

In addition to the team honors, Joel Dixon received the State Service Award for 4-H Program Assistant/Associate, an individual recognition nominated by Abbigail Wells. This award acknowledges exceptional contributions to 4-H programming in Lenoir County, including the development of innovative initiatives like “The Best Better Podcast,” leadership of school enrichment programs, summer activities, and 4-H camp. Dixon’s strong community connections and dedicated leadership have inspired youth involvement and fostered lasting growth and engagement in the 4-H program.

These awards highlight the innovation, leadership, and commitment of the Lenoir County 4-H team to supporting youth development through modern communication and impactful programming.

For more information about the Lenoir County 4-H Program or to listen to “The Best Better Podcast,” please contact the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office or visit https://thebestbetterpodcast.buzzsprout.com/.

The purpose of the North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals is to promote the profession of Extension 4-H and youth work in North Carolina.  The 4-H program is the youth education program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State Universities. More than 260,000 young people ages 5 through 18 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 16,700 adult and youth volunteers. You can find more information on 4-H at http://www.nc4h.org.