Lori Purcell Bledsoe serves the State 4-H faculty as 4-H Program Development Coordinator in Northwest District. She joined the State 4-H faculty in 2002. Prior to her appointment as the PDC, she was the 4-H Agent in Rockdale County for five years and was a high school science teacher.

In her role as PDC, Lori supports 4-H County Extension Agents by providing staff development for County Extension faculty in the areas of youth development, new agent training, partnerships with public schools, lesson development and curricula implementation, and program development. Lori also coordinates all district and state events for Northwest District including four project achievement competitions, Junior Conference, and Fall Forum.

Lori is a “triple dawg” graduate of the University of Georgia with a Doctorate of Education, Masters of Agricultural Extension, and a Bachelors of Science. Lori was very active while in college at UGA where she served as President of her sorority, Delta Gamma, and was voted one of the 10 Outstanding Graduating Greeks in 1994. Lori grew up in Lovejoy, Georgia, where her parents still live today. She was an active participant in Henry County 4-H where she served as a county and district officer. Lori went on to serve five summers in the Georgia 4-H camping program with three summers in leadership positions. She was recognized as an Honorary Master 4-H’er in 1997.

During her career Lori has been afforded several recognitions to include Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents Outstanding New Agent, Achievement in Service Award, and Distinguished Service Award. She was also the Outstanding New Professional for Epsilon Sigma Phi. Lori created several programs in Rockdale County where she was recognized on a regional and national level by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. Lori served as President of the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents in 2005-2006 and was the 2010-2011 National Association for Extension 4-H Agent’s President . She served on the steering committee for the National 4-H Headquarters National Learning Priorities and helped create the Essential Elements Curriculum.

Lori and her husband, Dennis reside in Jackson, Georgia. They are the proud parents of Luke, born in 2007 and Eli, born in 2010 and Lori enjoys being the step-mother to a soccer loving boy, Jacob.