Birth Date: 8/10/1937
Born in 1937 to Robert and Allene Vantrease Powell of Watertown.Married Charline Hamilton in 1963
Children:
Thomas (1966) currently Executive Director of American Meat Science Association
Mark (1968) currently General Manager of Wilson Farmer’s Coop
Amy (1973) currently Extension Agent – Loudon County
8 grandchildren
Education
Career Information
Ben Powell worked his entire career for the Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, focusing on youth development and education through the 4-H program. He started in 1959 as an extension agent in Rutherford County before moving to Knoxville in 1969 where he would spend the next 30 years on the staff of the State 4-H Office. In 1981, he was promoted to State 4-H Leader and guided Tennessee 4-H as it became one of the top programs in the United States. He retired in 1997 and moved in 2002 to join his son, Mark, at the family farm in Watertown.
Agricultural Accomplishments
Ben Powell’s legacy to agriculture is the millions of individuals who were the beneficiaries of the life skills training in the Tennessee 4-H program. Under his leadership, two generations of rural and urban youth received education in agricultural projects, citizenship, leadership and personal development.
Some of his key contributions to the program were the development of the 4-H awards program, the establishment of a comprehensive literature library and the publishing of the Tennessee 4-H History. During his tenure, Tennessee 4-H was nationally recognized as one of the leading programs in the country. For 15 years, the state boasted of more national 4-H project winners than any other. He worked vigorously to secure private and public funding for critical 4-H programs like Tennessee 4-H Congress and the state’s 4-H scholarship programs.
Livestock programs were a particular passion for him. He was a leader in the efforts to establish the Tennessee 4-H Livestock Exposition, which quickly became one of the largest in the country and is still considered one of the most effective means for keeping young people directly engaged with animal agriculture.
Tennessee’s sheep industry would not exist as it does today without the leadership of Ben Powell. As a leader of the Tennessee Sheep Producers Association, the American Hampshire Sheep Association and through untold hours of volunteer work on fair boards and committees, he has been directly responsible for numerous programs that bring more people in touch with the sheep industry.
Civic and/or Community Involvement
While living in Knoxville, Mr. Powell worked tirelessly as a volunteer leader for Knox County’s
4-H livestock project group. He worked one-on-one with hundreds of 4-H members, providing mentorship and encouragement as they worked with their animal projects.
The Powell family also played key roles in Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Nativity Pageant and Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.
Since retirement, he has remained active in the agricultural community, continuing to serve on Tennessee State Fair, Tennessee Valley Fair and Mid South Fair sheep committees. He is also an active member of the Nashville Ag Club.
He is a member of Fall Creek Baptist Church in Norene.
Other Awards or Information
