Each month, we highlight an Ohio 4-H alum who has an amazing story to share—from their personal experience in 4-H, to how they have given back to the program. This month, we feature Brenda Teeters, a retired educator and proud alumna of Lorain County 4-H.
Teeters joined the Galloping Guys and Gals 4-H club at 15 years old at the encouragement of a friend. “I was introduced to 4-H by a classmate,” she said. “We both 
loved horses, and she invited me to attend her club meeting. I quickly joined 4-H, and we became lifelong friends.”
Over the years, Teeters focused on horse and sewing projects, using her sewing projects as an opportunity to create outfits she could wear during horse shows.
“One of my favorite memories is sewing a red, white, and blue “stock suit” to wear during the bi-centennial 1976 horse show season,” said Teeters. “I won first place in my category and was able to go to the Ohio State Fair with my outfit!”
In addition to learning practical skills like sewing and animal nutrition, 4-H taught Teeters the importance of recordkeeping, working with others, and being a lifelong learner. She credits 4-H with helping her learn how to both start and finish well in everything she does.
For the past 34 years, Teeters has served as an advisor for the 4-H Homegrowers Club in Lorain County and strives to create opportunities for her club members to continue learning and growing, all while having fun in the process.
“4-H teaches us to value each other and work together to make the best better. 
4-H also focuses on learning by doing, and learning as a club makes it exciting,” said Teeters. She always encourages her club members to do their best and learn from their mistakes together, saying, “It’s not really a mistake if you learn from it.”
Teeters knows her success as a club advisor comes from the guidance she received from her own club advisor and Extension educator when she was a youth member.
“My club advisor, Beth Hines, 
was an attentive, caring, and encouraging mentor to me, and she could always be found standing at the fence to clap and encourage us during horse shows. I know I am the best advisor for my 4-H club because of Beth’s example and mentoring,” she said. “Eva Weber, my county Extension educator, was always there to answer questions and give information.”
Outside of leading a 4-H club, Teeters volunteers on the Lorain County Quality Assurance Team, serves as a member of the 4-H Camp staff, and is the coordinator for the Lorain County Public Speaking Contest. She also served nine years as an adult consultant for the Lorain County Jr Fair Board. In recognition of her many years of service to Ohio 4-H, Teeters was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame at the 2024 Ohio 4-H Conference.
“I guess you can say I bleed green,” said Teeters. “I see the potential in each person, and I will ‘stand at the fence’ like my advisor did for me, clapping and encouraging other to be the best they can be because I truly believe they can do it.”