For Cecilia Tadt, joining New Hanover County 4-H is more than a new job; it is the continuation of a lifelong journey that began when she was five years old. Growing up in a 4-H family, Cecilia has done it all, from showing livestock to serving as a 4-H State Officer. She now comes full circle, joining N.C. Cooperative Extension as our new 4-H Agent, bringing deep experience in 4-H and an enthusiasm to grow and expand youth development opportunities in our community.
From 4-H Member to Agent: Cecilia Tadt Joins New Hanover County
(Updated: March 3, 2026, 2:16 p.m.)
4-H families participate in service projects.
4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States, serving over 6 million youth annually. Operating through our land grant universities in North Carolina, NC State and NC A&T State Universities, the program empowers young folks to learn and grow through hands-on projects and leadership opportunities. Guided by the motto “learn by doing,” 4-H equips youth with the skills they need to succeed as adults and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Many children, especially in rural areas of our state, grow up in 4-H, but here in our more suburban counties, we sometimes get the question, “Is that where you show cows?” And the answer is certainly, we do that, but 4-H is a multifaceted program that focuses on the needs of youth in each county. 4-H provides programs in leadership and citizenship, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living. Through these programs, 4-H aims to help youth build confidence, skills, and a sense of belonging.
Our new Agent, Cecilia, keenly understands the impact that 4-H can have on a young person, saying, “To me, 4-H means community and having a purpose, a place where you can fit in no matter where you are or where you’ll be in the future.” There are many ways that youth can find a place in 4-H here in New Hanover County: through clubs like Coastal Clovers or 4-H Envirothon, summer camps, or school enrichment programs like our Embryology program. If you have had a second grader in this county, your child has learned about the life cycle of a chicken by hatching eggs in the classroom. This classic "learn by doing" activity fosters an understanding of biology, the scientific process, a connection to agriculture in our state, and a sense of responsibility as they care for the growing chicks.
As she begins her work in New Hanover County, Tadt is focused on mentoring others and strengthening the 4-H community. "As the newest 4-H agent in New Hanover County, I hope to serve as an adult mentor and continue the legacy of positively impacting not only our youth, but also our volunteers and community partners,” said Tadt. “I want to encourage everyone involved in 4-H to see themselves as leaders, in their clubs, their communities, and beyond.”
With Cecilia Tadt’s passion and lifelong connection to 4-H, New Hanover County will continue to grow confident, capable leaders for years to come.
Amy Mead is the County Extension Director in New Hanover County. She can be reached at afmead@ncsu.edu. Visit N.C. Cooperative Extension at the New Hanover County Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.
4-H youth, Adalyn Dill, participates in County Activity Day, learning public speaking skills.
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