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 Anneka Collins, a proud alumna of Highland County 4-H who currently works as the Highland County prosecutor.
“I grew up knowing that agriculture and 4-H were a way of life, the same as breathing and eating,” said Collins. “As soon as I was old enough, I joined 4-H and, while my brothers showed pigs, my heart was set on a feeder calf.”
From that point on, her life completely revolved around 4-H and animals. Her family farm added beef to their existing swine operation and, by the time she was 13, the herd grew from just a few cows to more than 200.
“Every aspect of the beef operation was my responsibility, from choosing what bulls to breed, to determining feed rations and sell dates,” she said. Over the years, her family also extended their show area from the local county fair to the entire country, competing in multiple national shows.
During this time their customer base also grew from local 4-H kids to a nationwide market.
“4-H and our farm quickly taught me a love for something greater than myself. I was raised that if the animals didn’t eat, I didn’t eat; if I wouldn’t drink out of a water trough, my animals shouldn’t be asked to,” said Collins. “I developed the ability to manage my time and stay organized while building a work ethic that has carried me through life.”
Through 4-H and competing in national shows, Collins also developed a love for public speaking. From conducting a 4-H meeting as the president of her club to placing third in the nation at Junior Nationals, public speaking quickly became her niche, and she thrived under the pressure and requirement of fast-paced preparation.
From a young age Collins knew that she wanted to be an attorney, and the lessons learned through 4-H were paramount in her career. “Being organized and managing my time were necessary attributes to completing law school. I also knew that when I passed the bar, I wanted to come back and practice law in the county I loved.”
She began working in the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office in March 2006, just three months after she was sworn in to practice law. It quickly became apparent that she was born to be a prosecutor, and by 2011 she was sworn in as the first female Highland County prosecutor.
Today, Collins lives within two miles of her family’s farm and continues her 4-H involvement by serving as an advisor for the Ag-N-Stuff 4-H Club and representing the Junior and Senior Fair Boards for the Highland County Fair.
Her daughters are also carrying on the family tradition of 4-H. They have been active 4-H members since they were Cloverbuds and show swine and beef, with both even having small herds of their own. They enjoy participating in national shows and are learning many of the same lessons that Collins learned as a youth during her 4-H days.