Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Research recognizes the positive benefits and importance of youth involvement in the arts. These beneficial influences include: social interaction, physical development, cognitive development, imagination, creativity and problem solving skills (Barton, 2015). However, throughout the years, schools have experienced budget cuts in programs related to the arts. Data also shows students that participate in school art programs have higher test scores and higher graduation rates than those who do not
Author: Taylor Miles
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
With the COVID-19 Pandemic surging again, Estill County 4-H decided to create a virtual photo Friday series for the youth in the county. This is a full program year series, that hopefully can grow and develop into an in-person series. Each Friday, we release one or two of our Photography Classes that are county and state fair eligible on our Estill County 4-H Facebook page. By the end of the program year, youth will have several photos to choose from to enter in the fair.  
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Nelson County 4-H Youth Development Agents worked collaboratively to lead a Cloverbud Day Camp Series for 8 participants ages 5-8. The series took place over a duration of 3, half day intervals, during fall break for the majority of schools within Nelson County. One agent covered Natural Resources, Art, and SET. The other agent covered Agriculture, FCS, and Communications areas. Health was sprinkled in amongst programming. This program was designed to introduce core curriculum areas to this
Author: Lora Stewart
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
As we rise to the challenge of our new normal of life in a global pandemic, the role of art has become more central to our lives. In a time of uncertainty, people of all ages are struggling to find ways to be connected. This is a time to value the arts. High –tech communication has lost its luster as the pandemic lingers on. Art allows us to communicate from afar, generating positivity, appreciation and hope during COVID-19. Globally, we have turned to art ebengagement as a sou
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Nelson County does not have any community theater opportunities available to youth outside of school drama clubs or electives. Earlier in the year, a program with teen "young leaders" within the county identified that teens feel there is a lack of "things to do for young people." Therefore, this opportunity was created to allow teens to help create a program for other youth. This leadership program was developed to build teen leadership skills, confidence, self awareness
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
A collaboration was requested from Ben Fink and Nell Fields, that I had formally worked with through Roadside Theater. Ben introduced me to Elisabeth Cohen, brilliant K-12 humanities teacher in New York City, who is a very close friend of a very close friend, that is from here in Letcher County. Elisabeth who has a deep interest in cross-cultural work. Ben who has spent several years here in Letcher County working with Appalshop and Roadside Theater Company. Nell who is from Letcher County and i
Author: Lora Stewart
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
According to the U.S. Department of Education International Strategy Report (2012- 2016), in order for youth to succeed in the 21st century workplace, they must develop knowledge and understanding of other countries, cultures, languages and perspectives. In December, Gallatin County 4-H collaborated with the Gallatin County Lower and Upper Elementary Schools to provide enrichment lessons on how families celebrated Christmas Around The World. We explored traditions, holidays, locations, and
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Campbell County 4-H Youth Development program has had a rich and successful history of public speakers advancing from county to district to state championships. In order to foster and improve this success, a 4-H Communications Workshop is being offered as a day camp setting on President’s Day when most elementary students are out of school for the day.The workshop will be held from 9am-3pm for ages 9-12 years old. Focus areas will be: developing a speech or a demonstration to fit the 4-H r
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
My experience in the 4-H Country Ham Project My first year was 7 years ago. I was amazed at the number of kids that would take part in this adventure. After the first couple of years I became friends with youth across the state. The first thing I learned was what kind shape to look for in a champion ham, which is a teardrop. Then, I learned how to salt my ham. The items would be salt, sugar and citric acid
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Bell County 4-H recently conducted a consumer literacy program at Lone Jack School. The program is named Dollars and Sense. It teaches middle school students about being responsible consumers. According to the 2019 Most and Least Financially Literate States report, Kentucky ranks 45th in the nation for financial literacy. Much of what students learn about finances and consumerism begins at an early age. The 4-H agent spoke to the students prior to the program about needs and wants. The students
Author: Kelsey Chadwick
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
According to local employers, communication skills are a huge need in prospective hires. 4-H is working to develop leaders who can communicate with style and provide local businesses with the talent they need. Over 80 students at Fancy Farm Elementary gave 4-H demonstrations this month to practice their communication and public speaking skills. Youth were able to write content, create a visual aid, gather needed supplies, and demonstrate a skill they wanted to show others. Youth demonstrated ski
Author: Ari Veach
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
February 2022, Williamstown Elementary School, in the 5th grade history class. This is where some Grant County 5th graders learned that they can public speak and overcame their fears of giving a speech in front of people. On one of my monthly school visits the kids learned how to prepare a speech or demonstration for the communication contest. They learned about the parts that make up a speech, how to dress, researching it, and how to deliver them. Once we went through the lessons the kids had a
Author: Julia Reid
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
One of the biggest complaints I hear from community members about youth is they do not know how to talk to people, and I believe we can all agree no matter a youth's career path, they will use communications skills in their future jobs. Through the pandemic, we had very low participation in many 4-H events and activities, but having the communications contest virtually was one of the programs last year that really suffered. We only had three youth that participated. This year, I r
Author: Trever Cole
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
With in my first few weeks as an agent I planning a club to address the need in the county for 4-H involvement outside of Livestock, Horse, and Shooting sports clubs. after speaking with my Cloverbuds leader we decided that a club to cover several projects would do well in the county covering everything from sewing or wood working to cooking or science. The club has since held three meetings covering arts and crafts and environment science with water quality.
Author: Paula Jerrell
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Ballard County is excited to have a 600% increase in their communications competition numbers. While speeches have been given in the classroom for several years, seldom did we have 4-Hers come to the county competition. Particularly after two Covid-19 years we were very excited to have 7 4-Hers compete in speech competition this year. One teacher and 4-H leader, Laura Richardson, helped make the difference. Not only did she require speeches in the classroom, she also worked with and
Author: Ralph Hance
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capac
Author: Ryan Farley
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Developing public speaking skills in youth helps set them up for success in their secondary education and post-secondary path. In partnership with Versailles Kiwanis and the Woodford County 4-H Council, Woodford County 4-H implemented the 4-H Communication Contest. Approximately 35 participated in speeches, mock job interviews and demonstrations. Of those that participated, 100% expressed that they enjoyed participating in the contest, 96% expressed they had fun giving their speech or demonstrat
Author: Wade Raymer
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
The best gift we can give our youth is to empower them with skills that will last for a lifetime, which is why parents have been sending their kids to 4-H summer camps for decades. 4-H is grounded in a deliberate, research-backed development and delivery model, which means at 4-H camp, kids learn critical life skills like resilience and independence. If we want our kids to be able to bounce back from adversity, stress, challenges, and failures, teaching them resilience is key. Kentucky 4-H
Author: Lee Ann McCuiston
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
The Todd County 4-H program offered the county 4-H performing arts troupe for middle and high school youth for the fourth year in a row. This troupe was patterned after the Kentucky 4-H Performing Arts Program. Todd County also has 4 members on the State 4-H Performing Arts Troupe. Research shows that children who sing/dance/act or play an instrument are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement compared with their non-performing friends — and they
Author: Taylor Miles
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Photo: The Estill County 4-H display of the youth's 4-H projects going to the 2021 Kentucky State Fair. In the previous program year, Estill County 4-H came up with was a 4-H Project Fair Series. During COVID, youth had the opportunity and the materials to create various State Fair projects in the comfort of their own home. Project materials were put together in kits during the virtual series, that youth would then pick up and put together in a zoom meeting. After restrictions wer
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Public speaking is an important skill that is losing to a very digital age of pre-recorded video for entertainment and knowledge. This spring students from 3 local elementary schools held a communications contest for grades 4th-6th. These students then moved on to the Christian County 4-H county level contest where 16 youth participated in the speech division. “I had a difficult time scoring these youth on their speeches, each worked very hard to preparing for the event and had to co
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age-appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities. This i
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
4-H Speeches and Demonstrations Strengthen Confidence Enhancing public speaking was identified as a need for students among the Clay County Extension Council and 4-H Council members. Youth across many classrooms also agreed that public speaking is intimidating and felt uncomfortable when completing this task As a community, Clay County strives to prepare youth with tools needed to become successful individuals. One of those tools is the opportunity for students across the county
Author: Dana Anderson
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
The Cloverbud 4-H Camp experience is a unique youth development program designed for youth 6-8 years old to experience 4-H Camp. The two-night residential camp is designed to give younger youth the opportunity to spend a night away from home and experience what 4-H Camp has to offer while sharing the experience with approved adults or parents. The focus of the camp is to engage in a cooperative, non-competitive learning experience. 4-H Cloverbud members participate in learning activities t
Author: Sharayha Clingenpeel
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Over the last couple of years, the number of entries at the county fair has started to decrease. In an order to increase participation, the Daviess Co. Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, and All Areas Program Assistant created a color collage project for youth at Camp Curiosity to complete. This color collage is a 4-H fair entry under Home Environment. Information sheets were attached to the back side of each collage with the Daviess Co. Fair information a
Author: Gina Ligon
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Art in Bloom The Boone County 4-H Floral Design Club began in October 2021 with two volunteers interested in teaching children how to work with cut flowers. The two volunteers are currently Master Gardener Volunteers that assist with growing a cut flower garden at the Boone County Nature Center Demonstration Gardens.As the club began, six participants showed and learned how to arrange flowers for the very first time. Three months the club grew to fifteen participants, the volu
Author: Lora Stewart
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Theatre Education is vital for a well-rounded youth development. It helps provide self confidence, imagination, empathy, tolerance, cooperation, concentration, communication, problem solving, fun, trust, memory, and social awareness according to Act Too Players. Gallatin County does not have a lot of opportunities for children to perform on stage so Gallatin County 4-H offered a drama camp this summer. They studied the different job opportunities available in the theatre. They
Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Name one benefit of e-filing your taxes? How do you typically pay for a new car warranty? How might a university’s graduation rate influence your decision to attend? These are all examples of questions the Muhlenberg County 4-H Junior LifeSmarts Team studied for months leading up to their debut competition. LifeSmarts focuses on five key topic areas: consumer rights and responsibilities, the environment, health and safety, personal finance, and technology. A t
Author: Jennifer Tackett
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
We know art adds value to everything. A wedding without music and a house without any paintings would both be sad. We also know that expressing ourselves through art helps add value to ourselves. Kentucky 4-H and Arts Extension partnered to present a 6 hour workshop on songwriting for 12 mothers in recovery. A pre and post evaluation showed the following results. 90% change in the parts of a song100% change in identifying songwriting tips300% change in writing a
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
A shy camper decided to attend 4-H camp for the first time in summer of 2021. She struggled with the small groups she had to interact with and spent a good amount of time homesick. To combat this, CEA 4-H Sharee Rushing, provided this camper with materials to draw—an interest the camper had shared and sat with her while she worked on the project. While not a traditional, “camp activity” this camper excelled at drawing, and was able to find her calm and rejoin her group. While s
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
According to the National Council on the Arts, students who have art-rich experiences do better across-the-board academically, and they also become more active and engaged citizens, voting, volunteering, and generally participating at higher rates than their peers.In April of 2022, Pulaski County 4-H agents, Jennifer Cole and Erica Spurgeon, brought Missoula Children’s Theatre (MTC) in for a week-long residency. MTC has been touring for nearly 50 years from Montana all the way to Japan.MTC
Author: Jennifer Cole
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
According to the National Council on the Arts, students who have art-rich experiences do better across-the-board academically, and they also become more active and engaged citizens, voting, volunteering, and generally participating at higher rates than their peers.In April of 2022, Pulaski County 4-H agents Jennifer Cole and Erica Spurgeon brought Missoula Children’s Theatre (MTC) in for a week-long residency. MTC has been touring for nearly 50 years from Montana all the way to Japan.MTC a
Author: Mary Beth Riley
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
According to The World Counts website an average person throws away 4 pounds of trash every day and makes about 1.5 tons of solid waste a year. There are roughly 1,000 students in the Lyon County School district and using that data that would mean Lyon County students would make roughly 4,000 pounds of trash in a day. To encourage recycling, students had the opportunity to participate in the Trash Sculpture contest sponsored by Lyon County 4-H and the Regional Recycling Center. The contest was o
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Face-to-face interpersonal communications skills have taken a backseat to electronic communications among young people, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, youth had to relearn in-person education and communication as they returned to school after the year-long hiatus.Teachers and administration at the elementary schools recognized a need for developing communication skills among the students and reached out to the Magoffin County Cooperative Extension Service to gain a better
Author: Amanda Sublett
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Positive youth development researchers theorize that youth who are confident and who have strong communication skills are more likely to make substantial contributions to their family, their community, and society. One way that youth can develop confidence and their communication skills is by completing a speech competition. In the 2022 program year, approximately 260 youth from Marion County completed a speech with thirty youth advancing to the county level. Seven youth advanced to the Lincoln
