Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Excellence in 4-H Youth Programming AwardThe Elliott County Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Education, Keith Center was presented with the 2018 Excellence in 4-H Programming Award at the Kentucky Association of County Agriculture Agents “KACAA” state meeting on June 27, 2018 at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort, KY.Abstract The Elliott County 4-H Shooting Sports program participated with the Morgan County program from 2000-2015. During the 20
Author: Carla Jordan
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The hours of 3-7pm is often thought of as a critical time for students. Typically during afterschool hours, students that are unsupervised tend to engage in risky behaviors that leads to trouble. Research supports the notion that afterschool programs helps to reduce risky behaviors and promotes school achievement (Harvard, 2018). The Kentucky State University UConnect Program is based on the National Check and Connect Module. This evidence based promotes student engagement, and decrease absentee
Author: Elijah Wilson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The first ever Kentucky 4-H Game Day was held on September 15th at the new Kroger Field on the University of Kentucky campus. The event was the result of a partnership that was formed by the University of Kentucky Staff Senate. Research shows that young people who visit college campuses are more likely to attend those universities. A total of 248 tickets were sold. According to the evaluation that was conducted, 46% increased the likelihood that they would attend the University of Kentucky
Author: Stacey Potts
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Unintentional injury, while declining, remains the leading cause of death among children ages 19 and under. (Source: Safekids.org) To raise awareness and show children ways to prevent these types of injuries, the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service applied for and received a grant from the Progressive Agriculture Foundation to host a Progressive Agriculture Youth Safety Day. The grant provided access to training, along with educational and planning materials.It also pr
Author: Stephen Conrad
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
With the drastic increase in our 4-H Camp attendance, we struggled with finding enough Junior Counselors. We just did not have enough campers aging up into JC age. To help alleviate this need, we started recruiting sophomores with the Honors Society sponsor at one of our local high schools. We figured if we could get 1-2 years of camp from these teens we would be doing good. At first, that’s how it worked. Most went one year to satisfy their service hour’s requirement with a handful
Author: Verlene Congleton
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H has always been in our community however our local 4-H Council wanted to try new marketing ideas to make 4-H more visible in our county outside of our 4-H Clubs. Our county fair is always at the beginning of our program year. Our 4-H Fair exhibits are always popular even more so this year with a total of 245 4-H Fair Exhibits!! At the end of the Fair week there is always a parade. This year the 4-H Council, with the help of the 4-H Teens, decided to do 4-H Float for t
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Kentucky 4-H’s mission is to provide education and life skill development opportunities for youth to grow into confident, capable, and contributing members of their communities. The Clay County Cooperative Extension Council and 4-H Council completed a yearly needs assessment to identify needs and programming efforts to help better the community. Youth developing leadership, responsibility and confidence s
Author: Vicki Boggs
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
~~Appalachian Heritage Program Appalachia itself is a mixture of all things Appalachian. The Appalachian culture we witness today is one that has been preserved mostly by families and churches. Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York and all of West Virginia are all parts of Appalachia. These thirteen states comprise a large section of the Eastern half of the US. There are many common characteris
Author: Joe Maynard
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Working in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the 4 H National Mentoring Program supports the initiatives that assist in the development and maturity of community programs providing mentoring services to high-risk populations. The goal is to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other problems and high-risk behaviors. The program objective is to provide direct one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, or peer-mentoring services to und
Author: Lauren Neltner
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Union County 4-H Program has always had a long time tradition of displaying exceptional 4-H projects at the Union County Fair. However, in recent years, the number of youth submitting projects to be displayed in the county fair has been decreasing. To respond to the declination in numbers, the Union County 4-H Program hosted a new, week-long program called 4-H Project Days. The program was designed to inform youth about the vast opportunities 4-H offers, provide youth with the supplies and a
Author: Luke Fries
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Kentucky States’ 4-H International Program Written By: Rachel E. Noble, EdD, Extension Specialist for Youth Development According to Matteucci (2011), the benefits of international exposure for young people include: increasing cultural awareness, acquisition of personal and linguistics skills, developing tolerance, patience, self-confidence, maturity, and critical thinking skills. Since 1979, Kentucky 4-H has hosted an international exchange program. In 2018, Kentucky 4-H hosted
Author: Kelsey Chadwick
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Carlisle County 4-H'ers showed off at this year's county and state fairs. The fair gives 4-H'ers the opportunity to showcase all the hard work they have completed in 4-H all year long in the seven curriculum areas of 4-H programming: Health, Family & Consumer Sciences, Leadership, Communication & Expressive Arts, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Science, Engineering, & Technology. It also gives the public a chance to see what 4-H is all about as they attend other event
Author: James Cecil
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Clinton County 4-H Adventure Club provided a safe tail gating opportunity for Clinton County Students before the Clinton County Bulldogs home football games this season. The Adventure Club leader provided games like football throws, frisby toss and corn hole bag toss. We cooked hotdogs and smoked sausage and had other snacks. We had a total of 165 kids and adult volunteers to participate in this safe alternative positive youth development opportunities. The 4-H Advent
Author: Lindsey Dunn
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
As the rate of children in out-of-home care continues to rise, from 31.3 to 34.8 per 1,000 children ages 0-17 in Daviess County in 3 years (Kentucky Youth Advocates), the Kids Outdoor Adventures Committee seeks ways to keep families engaged in fun, educational, safe, and healthy activities as a family. This Committee formed in 2015 as it sponsored the first Take A Kid Fishing Day at Panther Creek Park in Owensboro, Kentucky. With direction from the Daviess County Conservati
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Historically, in Bracken County, Augusta Independent students have been an underserved audience. Seeing this as a 4-H agent, I wanted to begin introducing 4-H to students in hopes that they would get involved in our programs. Understanding the impact that 4-H has on a young person’s life, I approached the school with the idea of developing a Cloverbud program in grades K-3rd. The primary goal of the Cloverbud program is to promote children's healthy development - mentally, physically,
Author: Jeffrey Casada
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Truth and Consequences - Clay County Kentucky has an ongoing problem with drugs, methamphetamine, oxycodone, opioids and other various illegal and prescription drugs. Nineteen years ago our county hosted a March on Drugs; on a rainy day in the Fall we had over 200 march through town. Many of our arrests for DUI are drug related rather than alcohol related. There is a need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Clay County. You only have to read the
Author: Mary McCarty
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to Kentucky Association of Foodbanks 1 in 5 Kentucky youth lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy and active lifestyle. In Botts school district 24% of students receive special education and high majority of Botts students are in Foster Care. These statistics are why the Menifee County School District with support of the Menifee County Extension Service supported the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. The School was awarded a grant for $150,00
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H Youth Development programs are designed to develop youth into confident, competent, and caring citizens. Starting youth early can make a difference; therefore, Boyd County 4-H began a Cloverbud Club 12 years ago.Although known by various names around the country (e.g., Cloverkids or 4-H Prep), Ohio adopted the name "4-H Cloverbuds" for its youngest 4-H members when the program officially began in 1994. Cloverbud club enrolls students ages 5-8 years old. The goal o
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The need to recruit and retain middle school youth in the 4-H program has been expressed on the county, district, and state level. The District 3 4-H agents planned a 2 day District 4-H Middle School Retreat for youth in grades 6-8 to be held at North Central 4-H Camp in December. Two districts in the state participated. A total of 51 youth attended, 6 agents, 1 program assistant, 7 adult volunteers, and 3 teen volunteers. Campbell County 4-H publicized the retreat and focused on yout
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
“A new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults finds that the social media landscape in early 2018 is defined by a mix of long-standing trends and newly emerging narratives. …Facebook remains the primary platform for most Americans. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) now report that they are Facebook users, and roughly three-quarters of those users access Facebook on a daily basis.” Retrieved January 10, 2019, http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/03/01/social-media-use
Author: Jacob Brandenburg
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Children living in Owsley and surrounding counties served by UK’s Robinson Center (RCARS) rank at the absolute bottom of the Robert Woods Johnson County Health Rankings for overall health outcomes. (Breathitt #120, Wolfe #119, Owsley #118, Leslie #117, Perry #116. 2018 data). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list childhood obesity as a contributing factor to many health issues. The CDC states that one way to combat childhood obesity is to consume a diet high in vegetables and
Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Monroe County Cooperative Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development partnered with the Tompkinsville Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tompkinsville to bring the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall to Tompkinsville. The agent further coordinated with Monroe County Board of Education so that all schools would be able to visit the exhibit. The target audience for the exhibit was all Monroe County and surrounding county citizens with a special emphasis on reaching out to local
Author: Courtney Brock
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to the PRC Community Health Report for Lincoln County, 42.1 % of youth ages 6 – 12 are reported as being overweight/obese. The report notes the #1 community-identified health issue as obesity. A publication from the Kentucky Department for Public Health reported that 16 % of Kentucky high school students have zero physical activity in a week and only 17% eat the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables daily. In order to combat this prevalent issue, 4-H partnered with the Phy
Author: Cathy Toole
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”, Benjamin Franklin. The Henry County 4-H program has been providing youth the opportunity to be involved in developing and honing many avenues of personal growth and development. While the county program is strong it had come to the attention of volunteer leaders and staff that middle school aged youth often began to drop out of 4-H activities, so a plan was developed to encourage the retention of
Author: Bonita Jolly
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to Michigan State University Extension articles published in January 2013 and August 2016, one of the most important support systems for healthy adolescent development is positive friendships and positive peer influences. Positive peer influence refers to kids acting as good or positive influences on other kids. These peer to peer relationships can encourage teens to care about people, meet/set higher standards and participate in constructive activities
Author: Aubrey Lawson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Cooperative Extension Service held a program for 18 high-school age youth in the Madison County Family Court Program at the Madison County Extension Office on Saturday, April 13th. During the students' time at the Extension Office, participants went through workshops on hygiene, cooking, workforce prep, healthy relationships and communications. The youth in the Madison County Family Court Program are youth that have violated the law and are required to go through a diversion progra
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In the fifth year of conducting Reality Store In Letcher County, some much needed change was made to make updates in the program. The reality store is held at the Letcher County Extension Office with all of the 7th grade in the county and some of the 8th grade depending on the school and what they would like. This will help the youth to make a better transition into high school and the real world. Hopefully this will help them while in high school to make good choices and not wait until they gra
Author: Tracey Tashjian
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Graves County 4-H is a valued and respected program in the schools. This year over 1000 students participate in 4-H in the classroom on a monthly basis. The agent works with teachers to deliver lessons in science. In many schools 4-H science is the only science a particular grade receives. This is because teachers have been asked to focus on the topic students will be tested on that pariticular year and drastically limit class time for areas not tested. This is unfortunate because science
Author: Vicki Boggs
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Kentucky State Fair 2018Leslie County 4-H Programming continually supports all 7 areas of 4-H. Day Camp projects continuing throughout early August brings the upcoming excitement of The Kentucky State Fair.With approximately 6000 project entries, the 2018 Kentucky State Fair was a huge success. This effort would not have been possible without youth participants, Extension staff and volunteers. This year Cloverville and 4-H shined better and brighter than ever!&
Author: Christy Eastwood
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The field of history is important for many educational, as well as practical, reasons. ... Whether history deals with skateboarding, football, or the Cold War, it helps us to understand where ideas and thoughts originate from, how they have developed over time, and where they are headed toward in the future.A 2012 story in Perspectives on History magazine by University of North Carolina professor, Bruce Van Sledright, found that 88 percent of elementary school teach
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
As part of a need expressed by an elementary school in the county, an after school 4-H foods club was implemented over a 4 week period. 16 youth, 5 female, 11 male, signed up for the club. The 4-H program has a strong partnership with this elementary school, i.e. school clubs, after school program, involvement on the FRC advisory council. The target audience was grades 3rd through 5th. A teacher at the school volunteered her time to stay and help with the club each session. Usin
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is impreative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Due to the decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers (grades 6-8)
Author: Alivia Faris
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019); this is true for youth in not only Kentucky but specifically Lawrence County as well. It is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. With the information in mind the Lawrence County Extension Agent for Family and consumer Sciences Education prepared a p
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
A partnership between University of Kentucky Extension (UK), Jefferson County Extension, and Louisville YMCA Safe Place, made possible by a Children, Youth, Families At-Risk (CYFAR) grant, is focusing on those homeless youth in Louisville. Through the grant, UK hired a “Life Skills Coordinator,” based in the Jefferson County Extension office and the YMCA Safe Place. This Life Skills Coordinator delivers life skills programming to homeless youth ages 12 to 23 in the YMCA Shelter House
Author: Kimberly Ragland
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Boyle County 4-H has a long tradition of working with local schools to provide educational content to students while sharing the breadth of extracurricular 4-H offerings available to them using an in-class club format. Local 4-H leaders strongly support the efforts of professional 4-H staff in classroom settings as these linkages provide the best marketing opportunity of other 4-H offerings to early 4-H age youth. Teachers and schools welcome the 4-H program into their classrooms bec
Author: Kimberly Ragland
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control found that 10% of Kentucky high school students reported at least one major depressive episode during the previous 12 months; 15% reported seriously contemplating suicide; and 8% reported actually attempting suicide in the same period. Three percent actually attempted suicide and had to be medically treated as a result. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and the Surgeon General (2009), ther
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H emphasizes youth development in areas of healthy living, citizenship, STEM, agriculture and many others. According to Mark Mains, Assistant Director of 4-H Youth Development, “For many youth in Kentucky, 4-H Camp is their first exposure to all that 4-H Youth Development can offer.” Attending camp, for some youth, is their first-time away from home, and allows them to explore all the various facets of 4-H Youth Development. Because we know that 4-H camp helps bui
Author: Kenneth Jones
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
A Louisville-based five-year USDA funded project (CYFAR - Children Youth and Families at Risk) will come to an end this year (summer 2019). Over the course of the grant period, 483 life skills lessons were provided to nearly 1,300 homeless/unstably housed youth on a number of topics to promote workforce readiness (budgeting, healthy choices, communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, etc.). Throughout this time, we have heard reports of a number of youth who participating in
Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Monroe County is a predominately rural area in which youth are exposed to a variety of conditions that could lead to unsafe conditions in the home, at school, or on the farm. Educating youth how to avoid an accident or what to do in an emergency was the goal of the Monroe County 4-H Progressive Agriculture Safety Day. Monroe County 4-H partnered with the Progressive Agriculture Safety program and the Monroe County Family Resource Center to host a safety day for all 5th grade studen
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Johnson County Extension Council and 4-H Youth Development Council identified life skill acquisition, overall wellness, and agriculture program opportunities as priorities for the 2019-20 Plan of Work. To address this need, the 4-H Youth Development Program responded to a request from the Johnson County School System to partner for a 21st Century Afterschool Grant. The School system was awarded a $150,000 grant with the Johnson County 4-H Youth Development program as Co-applicant. The grant
Author: Eric Baker
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
With the Estill County 4-H agent position vacant beginning March 1, 2019 and our 4-H camping week scheduled for June 7-10, the UK Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture/natural resources in Estill and staff worked hard to maintain a strong 4-H Camping program despite the absence of a 4-H Youth Development agent. The goal of the camp program is to provide a program that is well-rounded, educationally appropriate, and valued by the youth, parents, and community members of Estill County.
Author: Jan Gibson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
As a 4-H Agent I probably have more opportunity to work with a more culturally diverse audience than others in this office. Not many of our schools have racial diversity, but a few of them do and I have programs of some nature in each. There are not any minority teaching staff to include in the programming leadership but there is one adult in one of the school systems and he has been active in several 4-H programming efforts. Efforts are made to make it easier for low income or diver
Author: Patrice Thompson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Kuumba Youth Liberation Academy(KYLA) of Louisville Kentucky, is a homeschool dedicated to reprogramming, rebuilding, and restoring traditional greatness to African American youth and families. The population of students ranges from grade K-12. This past Fall and Spring, I worked with the high school group of 10 on STEM as well as preparation for the Jefferson County Communication Competition. There were 3 of the 10 youth that participated in the communications competition. One of K.Y.L.A' s
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The McLean County Ag fair has been in existence for several years and livestock shows have always been a large part of the Ag fair. It allows 4-H and FFA members to exhibit their livestock projects from the surrounding counties as well as the local area. The local 4-H Council has been borrowing pens so that the exhibitors would have a place to pen their livestock when they came to McLean County, which was a lot of work for the Volunteers. This agent saw an opportunity to solve this issue for the
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The life of the high school senior is full of “adult” decisions: selecting a college, picking a major, choosing a career path, and moving out! Although today’s adolescents are technologically advanced compared to prior generations, they sometimes lack basic practical living skills. After being approached by school officials with this very same concern, the Family Consumer Science Agent and 4-H Youth Development Agent decided a crash course was needed. The Adulting 10
Author: Christy Eastwood
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The U.S. Department of Education defines English Language Learners (ELLs) as follows: "A [Limited English Proficient] student, or English language learner (ELL) is defined as an individual who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; or who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant”.The Boone County School District has nearly 20,000 students, which include 1,200 English Language Learners who speak over
Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In 2008, Monroe County was one of four counties in Kentucky to receive the Engaging Youth In Serving Communities grant. The grant challenged teens to identify a community issue and then work with adults and organizations towards developing a solution to the issue.Seventeen teen aged youth participated in the first program. Through a community meeting attended by over 100 people, the issue of childhood hunger was identified and selected as their project. Partnering with the Family Resource Center
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The purpose of the 4-H Cloverbud program is to help young children learn life skills to become competent, caring and contributing citizens, specifically ages 5 through 8. Cloverbuds help young people: 1) learn more about themselves and the world around them, 2) develop positive attitudes about learning new things by hands-on involvement, 3) develop a relationship with a caring adult or older youth helper, and 4) learn about the 4-H Youth Development program. The primary goal of the Cloverbuds pr
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
This past year Knott Co 4H dove into a horse club with an amazing volunteer, who completed the certification workshops and attended Kentucky Volunteer Forum, before ever holding the first meeting. The club has now been active for six months with ten active members and their parents for an attendance of 15. They have completed lessons from the 4H Horse curriculum including; safety/signs to watch for when handling horses, markings,
Author: Regina Browning
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to the American Camp Association, “The camp experience is recognized by child development professionals as valuable in helping children mature socially, emotionally, intellectually, morally, and physically. Camp participants learn to problem-solve, make social adjustments to new and different people, learn responsibility, and gain new skills to increase their self-esteem." Shelby County 4-H has a strong overnight camping program but many youth do not have the opportuni
Author: George Heersche
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
I am chairman of the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Management Committee, and I serve as co-superintendent of the dairy cattle judging contests at the North American International Livestock Exposition. Both of these are high profile multi-state educational events which bring recognition to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.Serving as chairman of the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Management Committee continues to presented some extra ch
Author: George Heersche
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Dairy cattle evaluation involves utilizing several skills. For example: keen observation, simultaneously evaluating multiple inputs, logical thinking, making decisions, and defending those decisions with an oral presentation.Our 2018 4-H dairy cattle judging team which I helped coach was very competitive. At the national contest they placed first in the Brown Swiss and Jersey breeds, second in Ayrshire, and second in oral reasons.The National FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Dev
Author: Kelsey Chadwick
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
In an attempt to offer more educational activities during the summer for lower elementary students, the Carlisle County 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences programs collaborated this summer to offer the third Cloverbud Day Camp. Thirty youth entering grades K-3 learned about the environment through hands-on activities that introduced them to the cultures of Asia, South America, and Africa. Cloverbuds boarded a “plane” each day where they listened to a book about th
Author: James Cecil
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H Camp is always an important part of some Clinton County's Children's summer planning however this year is an exception to the rule. Clinton County has a rich history in 4-H Camp as a part of our Youth Development. Clinton County took 111 Children and a total of 129 People to 4-H Camp this year at the Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp. We offered a total of 19 Classes for our Campers to participate in this year and many opportunities for campers to be able to do something for
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. The Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education works with other Extension Staff and 4-H Volunteers to provide a variety of activities and events throughout the year so
Author: Alexandria Brasher
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H emphasizes youth development in areas of healthy living, citizenship, STEM, agriculture and many others. According to Mark Mains, Assistant Director of 4-H Youth Development, “For many youth in Kentucky, 4-H Camp is their first exposure to all that 4-H Youth Development can offer.” Attending camp, for some youth, is their first-time away from home, and allows them to explore all the various facets of 4-H Youth Development. Because we know that 4-H camp helps bui
Author: Charles Comer
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The 4-H program has a long history of emphasizing record-keeping allowing youth to reflect on the importance of their accomplishments and the life skills gained through their experiences. Record-keeping allows young people to track their activities, events, profits and losses, growth, skill development, learning experiences and ultimately determine if their goals were met. The ultimate goal of goals is to be selected among the best-of-the-best in 4-H statewide earning either state Bronze, S
Author: Bonita Jolly
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
“Texas in my Rear View Mirror” was written & recorded by Mac Davis in the 1980’s. Although many may have never heard of Mac Davis, the lyrics somehow stick in the back of your mind. It deals with the growing pains of a young teen wanting to spread their wings and leaving their home of Lubbock, Texas. I too can somewhat relate to that having graduated from high school in 1972 and moving from Florida to Kentucky in 1974. Although I have lived her
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
A program to promote Eastern Kentucky recreational opportunities and trail town access points in Rockcastle and Jackson counties was planned and implemented in collaboration with Creenna Bocksnick, University of Arkansas 4-H camping coordinator, the last week of June 2019. This program was part of a yearly program called Arkansas High Adventure Group, that offers hiking and horseback riding adventures for 4-H participants. The participants were educated on many subjects of outdoor re
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
On social media “10 Reasons Your Child Should Join FFA or 4-H” was posted by JoAnn Alumbaugh“The skills that our youth learn by participating in these organizations are:1. Leadership skills. 2. Knowledge of agriculture.3. Healthy living.4. Confidence. 5. Good sportsmanship. 6. Work ethic.7. Community service. 8. Lifelong friendships. 9. Scholarship opportunities.10. And many
Author: Rhonda Jewell
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with
Author: Bethany Wilson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
4H horticulture and natural resources programming has been limited to in-school programs, community Earth Day events, and Extension day camps. During the 2018-19 year, the Pulaski Co 4H and Horticulture Agents teamed up to start two new youth special interest clubs. Local beekeepers have been a tremendous help in outreach programs in the past. The 4H Agent received a PRIDE grant to buy hives, equipment, and all protective gear for kids. The loca
Author: Kimberly Schrader
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Cloverville is an area at the Kentucky State Fair that encompasses all 4-H Youth Development project work. Cloverville is the culminating event of all county blue ribbon Kentucky 4-H project work for the program year. From 2013-2018 over 40,000 4-H projects have been judged on the Danish System. Kentucky 4-H project work requires each 4-H member to spend at least six hours of experiential learning under one of the approved delivery modes. Across each project curriculum, the 4-H Essen
Author: Bernita Cheirs
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is impreative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Due to the decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers (grades 6-8)
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Camp Sponsorships.This year I sought out several new scholarships for our 4-H camping program. In the past we have not offered any scholarships outside of the family resource centers. This has created a great strain on our 4-h Council. This year we were able to offer every child that requested a scholarship the full amount that they requested. This allows us to be able to reach out to several underserved audiences and gain their participation in our program.
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
For several years, Henderson County 4-H Council has offered a $400 college scholarship to a senior in the program. For quite some time, developing criteria for the scholarship has become difficult. Starting in 2015, the Council has changed the requirements for the scholarship to state that the youth must fill out the 4-H Achievement Application to be considered. In 2016 alone we had 5 applicants and 1 state winner. In 2017 we will have 2 State Silver Winners, 1 State Bronze Winner, and 3 clover
Author: Marla Stillwell
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
With the primary goal of the Kentucky 4-H Clover Bud program being to promote children’s healthy development – mentally, physically, socially and emotionally, the West KY 4-H Cloverbud Family Camp planning team of agent coordinators worked hard to provide an excellent opportunity for children ages 5-8 and their families to learn about the world around them, develop positive attitudes about learning new things by hands-on involvement, develop a deeper relationship with a caring adult
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Charles E. Barnhart Fund for Academic Excellence was created to honor Dr. Barnhart, dean of the College of Agriculture from 1969-1988. The Barnhart Fund supports activities that enhance excellence in College of Agriculture, Food and Environment programs. Usually on an annual basis, the Barnhart Fund for Excellence Committee, comprised of faculty and staff and appointed to three-year terms by the dean, seeks proposals for projects/programs to be supported by the fund. The Ba
Author: Marla Stillwell
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
As the aspects of Hardin County continues to change due to the effects of the United States Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts, many attempts have been made by Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service to support these families and youth of local military. The Ft. Knox 4-H partnership is currently in its sixteenth year and continues to involve over 200 military youth each year in 4-H youth development programs both on and off the installation. Hardin County Coope
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Several years ago, community members within the Louisville Area began the discussion of the need for education within areas of Agriculture. With the access to a historical farm site and number of educators willing to get involved, the Family, Farm and Forage Day event was created. Several members from the community, Metro Council of Louisville and the Extension office were represented to plan the event. This event included; Demonstrations and Speakers on-forage crops, high tu
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019. The objectives of the teen conference are: develop valuable life skills, leadership competencies and communication abilities. Delegates also practiced independence while staying on the University of Kentucky campus living in dorms, visiting “The 90” and other academic and student life buildings that allowed them to see how college students live.This year the event attracte
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Public Speaking skills are valuable communication tools that youth need to fully succeed in their school and career path. 4-H offers various ways to teach public speaking and other communication lessons. A parent representative of a local home school group contacted Campbell County 4-H agent to arrange a series of public speaking lessons and competitions to prepare for the county 4-H speech competition in March of 2020. The lessons will be held over a total of 6 weeks for 2 age groups: 1st-
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experiencebelonging, mastery, independence, andgenerosity. The Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education works with other Extension Staff and 4-H Volunteers to provide a variety of activities and events throughout the year
Author: Mary Jane Little
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Just like the 4-H program for older youth, the purpose of the 4-H Cloverbuds is to help young children learn life skills to become competent, caring and contributing citizens. Specifically, Cloverbuds are youth who are five to eight years old or in kindergarten through the second grade.Cloverbuds help young people:Learn more about themselves and the world around themDevelop positive attitudes about learning new things by hands-on involvementDevelop a relationship with a caring adult or older you
Author: Raven Ford
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Rowan County 4-H Council and Extension Council continues to identify the importance of local collaboration as a priority. Whether for youth or adults, having collaboration that entices good leadership attributes and abilities is an asset to being successful. In order to help address this need, the Rowan County 4-H Council has continued to focus on the relationship with local teachers and school personnel. Rowan County 4-H and the public school system has continued to work collaboratively tog
Author: Mary Jane Little
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Extension faculty, in their role as administrators of volunteers, often lack the competencies to fully manage and utilize this tremendous resource. Research reports the findings of a nation-wide Delphi study that identified 33 competencies required by persons leading volunteers. These competencies included skills in the broad constructs of organizational and systems leadership, developing a positive organizational culture, personal skills that will help them in developing effective teams and man
Author: Charles Stamper
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
During the 2019 Program Year, the Kentucky 4-H Program wanted to enhance the service being done by 4-Hers in the Commonwealth. Our goal was to bring the KY 4-H Program in line with the new National 4-H Civic Engagement model. The new model of civic engagement was used during two major events, 4-H True Leaders in Service month & 4-H Teen Conference. During these two events, over 700 youth completed 1400 hours of service to communities in the Commonwealth. According to the Independent Sector (
Author: Chanda Hall
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Several years ago, community members within the Louisville Area began the discussion of the need for education within areas of Agriculture. With the access to a historical farm site and number of educators willing to get involved, the Family, Farm and Forage Day event was created. Several members from the community, Metro Council of Louisville and the Extension office were represented to plan the event. This event included; Demonstrations and Speakers on-forage crops, h
Author: Amanda Wilson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The current trend in Kentucky is that we, as a state, trail other states in the area of household income indicators. These include personal income, population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt loads. As 4-H Agents, it is our responsibility to provide today’s youth with tools and information that can be helpful to them in the future. To support the idea of financial stability in the future, we conducted a one-day program entitled Reality Store. This event allow
Author: Susan Campbell
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The cloverbud program began in 2013 in Anderson County. The program has grown into 2 clubs now and we have arranged for after school transportation for the kids to come straight from school.Club meetings happen once at month after school at the extension office. Programing for the club is diverse in which we try to do a lesson from each of the 7 4-H Core areas. Our goal is for Cloverbuds to be the stepping stone and door opener to our other clubs for the youth and parents. Cloverbud members also
Author: Brandon Darst
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Our local Family Court program contacted the CES 4-H Agents to help deliver education hours for the youth in their system. The Court Designated Workers proclaimed that no local youth organizations were volunteering to help them create a program for the youth to get their hours needed to complete probation. The CES 4-H Agents met several times with the Court Designated Workers to work on designing a training that would meet the needs of the youth. The CES 4-H Agents and our East
Author: Susan Campbell
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Environmental Camp has been a growing program in our county for a few years. The program began with one school then grew to two schools now all three elementary schools participate. In 2018 we had over 218 youth attend the overnight experience. 4-H Agent and teachers work closely together to align the camp program/classes with their Core Content. The overnight experience provided additional hands on opportunities and leadership skills.Collaboration with Anderson County Extension Agen
Author: Lloyd Saylor
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
HALHistory Agriculture and Leadership. This grew out of the old 4-H American Heritage program. We wanted to regain that experience for our 4-Hers. The first few times we did this event every 4 or 5 years. But due to outstanding participation, we have expanded it every year. Last year 17 participants, this year 15.Youth must learn about our government, visit with or interview local government officials, learn about American history, the American revolut
Author: Joanne Bankston
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Kentucky State University Family Economics Specialist conducted two MoneyPower workshop sessions at each school with high School juniors and seniors at Central High School (48) and Seneca High School (8) in Louisville KY. She also conducted a single session with high school seniors enrolled in the Lincoln Foundation Fellows program (27) for students who will receive scholarships and attend college in the upcoming year. The workshop materials and presentation consists of informati
Author: Timothy Stombaugh
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
It always challenging to find ways to engage youth in STEM related activities. Curriculum is being developed for a youth project involving Remote Control Tractor Pulling. Students engage in the excitement of a pulling competition while learning math and basic engineering concepts including power, torque and speed; energy storage and power to weight ratio; vehicle balance; friction and traction; tractor stability and safety. The basic vehicle chassis and components have been r
Author: Lacy May
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
This year the Magoffin County 4-H Agent decided to test the waters with a much younger audience. The Magoffin County 4-H Cloverbud program met for the first time in the spring. There seemed to be a great amount of enthusiasm from the 10-13 who attended those first meetings. Each Cloverbud meeting has a theme usually related to the month. At each meeting the children get a chance to do a project or activity that involves creativi
Author: Joe Maynard
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Every year Martin County 4-H teams up with Resource Centers from our three Elementary Schools in the county to host a day camp that that brings all the geographic areas of Martin County into one place. In the past we have based our topics on low test scores. However this year our goal was to introduce students to as many topics as possible. Our goal is to find a topic based on low test scores and work to improve those scores for the next year. This year in an effort to show of
Author: Melissa Schenck
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with
Author: Valerie Stewart
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Research suggests distinctive characteristics of young adolescents (middle school aged youth) regarding their physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, and social-emotional development, as well as spiritual development (Scales, 2010). Young adolescents (middle school aged youth) warrant educational experiences and schools that are organized to address their physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, spiritual, and social developmental characteristics (Caskey & Anfara, 2
Author: Tyrone Atkinson
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Kentucky Extension has received another year of 4-H Military Liasion grant funding for the 2018-2019 award year cycle. This year has brung about a increase in funding for both bases which include Fort Campbell and Fort Knox. Through the leadership of Jennifer Tackett and Tyrone Atkinson as the Co-PIs and the Agents who serve as overseers of the on-post programs KY Extension and 4-H have another year to help foster youth development for military youth. The work could not be done without the amazi
Author: Travella Free
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 9.8%. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of in
