Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Aubrey Lawson
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Madison County 4-H Agent offered a four-day 4-H quilting day camp series to eight youth. The development of life skills such as sewing has been shown to increase hand/eye coordination, improve critical thinking skills, develop creative thinkers and serve as an expressive art form. By learning to complete sewing projects youth develop confidence and a sense of accomplishment by completing new projects. The participating youth received 18 hours of instruction on sewing techniques, machine us
Author: Mary S Averbeck
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Opportunities for sewing instruction for youth are limited. Sewing is not offered widely in schools and retail sewing centers charge $15-$20 an hour for sewing instruction. Requests from the public for sewing instruction led to post pandemic sewing for youth. Over 100 hours of instruction were offered in safe physically distanced environment. Instead of clothing construction (which requires close contact,) many other projects were offered. Kenton County 4-H sewi
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
A partnership with a local elementary school, family resource coordinator and Knott Co 4-H provided 25 families of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren with learning opportunities. The afternoon was an outside picnic provided by the school where families were given 4-H cooking meal time basics, 4-H mindfulness/coping and a family craft to demonstrate options for positive family time. Information on local resources were also provided.
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the CDC, empty calories contribute to 40% of daily calories for children and adolescents and most do not consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. In a world full of hectic schedules, fast food and convenience, the challenge for families and children to eat healthy is difficult. At the request of the Knox County Family Resource Centers and the Knox County 4-H Council, the Knox County 4-H program chose to address this in our county by implementing a “Taste of the
Author: Brooke Hogancamp
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Recreational opportunities are rare for youth in rural Carlisle County. This disparity, combined with the isolation youth have suffered during COVID shutdowns showed a need for these young people to come together and share some creative energy. Carlisle County Extension Service facilitated 4 summer project day camp opportunities focusing on different areas of creative interest: baking, photography, arts & home environment, and cake decorating. The Project Days were a huge success
Author: Katherine Alexander
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.Exposure to ultra violet rays is a major risk factor for most melanoma (a common type of skin cancer) diagnoses. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for melanoma in the United States for 2021 are: About 106,110 new melanomas will be diagnosed and about 7,180 people are expected to die of melanoma.All of these statistics were motivation to get infor
Author: Marla Stillwell
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Developed by the University of Kentucky's Family & Consumer Sciences Extension team, the new cookbook "Cook Together, Eat Together" was released in Spring 2021 and was designed to help families enjoy more home-cooked, healthy meals. While the recipes in the cookbook feature easy recipes for breakfast, soups, vegetables, salads and one-pot meals, it also lays out a strategy to enable families to spend more quality time together while preparing the meals that are affo
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Russell Co. 4-H program presented a series of beginner cooking activities to young people in the county. Life skill development is a need identified by the County Extension Council and local 4-H Council. Cooking with young people lets them develop their math and reading skills as well as teaching life skills and promoting healthy eating. Young people will usually try any recipe that they help cook which gives them opportunities to develop their taste for new, healthy foods.  
Author: Heather Coleman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the American Heart Association teaching youth how to prepare their own food will give them a skill they can use for a lifetime and will help to build confidence. Youth who can prepare foods are also more likely to eat a healthier diet as adults. In order to address the growing concern about children not knowing how to prepare food safely led to the development of this program. The Floyd County Extension Staff worked together as a team to plan and implement a three-day youth co
Author: Alexandria Brasher
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Studies have proven that children involved in educational outside of school are more likely to become successful members of society. The 4-H Cloverbud Program is a way to reach kids at a younger age to get them involved in the 4-H Program. This program serves as a steppingstone to introduce youth to all the various 4-H programs and activities. In Henderson County, our Cloverbud program has been confined to short monthly virtual and in person meetings. In an effort to engage younger youth in the
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Family Magazine reports that 76% of middle school age youth are babysitting either family members or other’s children. Childcare training provides life skills in parenting. Babysitting is often a youth’s first gainful employment experience. The Meade County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H program offered an 8 hour 4-H Babysitting Basics programs at Stuart Pepper Middle School as an afterschool program.This program was a collaborative effort between the Meade County 4-H Youth Develo
Author: Madalyn Hale
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The It's Your Reality Program has been happening in Clark County for many years. Last year, due to Covid restrictions and virtual school, the program could not take place as usual but the staff in Clark County created a digital version to take it's place. Since restrictions were lifted we were able to proceed in person with the 2021 It's Your Reality program at Robert D. Campbell Junior High. After planning meetings with the Family Resource Coordinator and 8th grade counselor we made
Author: Joyce Doyle
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
“Thank you to our wonderful Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service for bringing 4-H club to the classroom. We are so lucky to have this amazing program and agency!! Joyce Doyle and Megan Perkinson make our day so much fun!!” Jill Hamilton, teacherI love going into the classrooms and teaching precious children. Cartmell Elementary houses second, third and fourth grade students. I am so fortunate that I am invited to teach all the children in this school.
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
With the onset and spread of COVID-19 throughout Kentucky and our county, the Knox County 4-H program moved swiftly to deliver our message and reach our clientele in a new way. After conversations with the Knox County 4-H Council, it was imperative to continue to reach youth with positive research-based programming and to do it remotely while continuing to be hands-on. The Knox County 4-H program responded by offering virtual programming and also project kits that allowed youth to co
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Dollars and Sense program has always been a high demand in Bullitt County. The curriculum focuses on engaging youth in real life, age appropriate budgeting scenarios. Each student is given an allowance and how many pets they have to take of financially. When in person learning turned to virtual during the 2020-2021 school year we needed a plan for the highly requested program. So a user friendly Dollars and Sense program was created. Youth would still get to participate in all the same thing
Author: Glenna Bentley
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Upon request of teachers the Lewis County Extension Office collaborated with the Family Resource Centers to conduct the Dollars and Sense Program at Tollesboro Elementary. It was important to do the program because youth need to learn skills that will help them when they get out of school and need to make decisions on how to spend their money. “Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in our four guiding concepts: mastery, belonging, ind
Author: Kellsey Agnew
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Campbell County parents of youth actively involved in 4-H, have expressed interest in programming that allow kids opportunities to learn basic kitchen skills. As a result of that request, a baking program was designed for Campbell County youth. Kentucky 4-H Curriculum, “4-H Cooking 101” and “4-H Cooking 201” were used to develop lessons and provide recipes for each of the sessions. Thirty-two middle school youth met via Zoom to bake along with an instructor. They complete
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The life of a high school senior is full major life-changing decisions: selecting a college, picking a major, choosing a career path, and moving out. Although today’s adolescents are technologically advanced, they sometimes lack basic practical living skills. After being approached by school officials with this very same concern, the Family Consumer Sciences Agent and Family Resource Director at Powell County High School teamed up to create an Adulting 101 program for the senior class stud
Author: Melissa Schenck
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
After two years of limited in-person interaction the desire was high for interactive, hands-on programing for youth. While the impact of social isolation on youth is still being studied, many teachers have expressed concerns about delayed social development. In an effort to be proactive, the Washington County 4-H Advisory Council requested a series of day camps through the 2022 program year. The first in effort was titled Handmade Holli-Day-Camp and focused on crafts to celebrate the Holiday sea
Author: Novella Froman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
4-H Youth Learn Financial Skills through Savings Bank ProgramOne of the needs listed by the Pike County Extension Council meeting is financial management and cross program programming. The Pike County 4-H and Family Consumer Science Agents worked together to conduct the Kentucky Saves Savings Bank Program. One hundred and twenty five youth designed and exhibited savings banks using either recycled or new materials. Five semi-finalists from two schools were chosen to represent o
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Safe Communities Family Day Camp With more and more children being raised by grandparents and drugs affecting many families, young children are finding themselves in unsafe situations. Often, times they do not know where to go for help or what they should do if an emergency arises. Several families and community members reached out to the Bell County Cooperative Extension Service for help to get young children familiar with community helpers in our area and ways to make them fe
Author: Brittany Osborne
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Armed with a passion for serving the community and a talent for sewing, local 4-Her, Sarah Bridges is just trying to do her part. The 16-year-old Reidland resident has been crafting swaddling blankets to donate to Baptist Health Paducah’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Bridges said the project wouldn't have been possible without the teachings of Elaine Stevens — a McCracken County 4-H Volunteer, who taught her how to sew when she was 7. Stevens suggested Bridges speak with h
Author: Bernita Cheirs
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The 4-H Cloverbud program is designed to be noncompetitive, educational, activity-based, cooperative learning centered, safe, developmentally age appropriate, and success-oriented. By allowing children between the ages of 5-8 to participate in a positive learning experiences, it helps them to build life skills at a younger age.The 2021-2022 4-H Cloverbud program began in October. Sixteen Kindergartners through 3rd graders attend each month. Beginning in person meetings have been wonderful so far
Author: Toni Humble
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Many students lack financial knowledge and skills to make wise financial decisions. Money management is one of the most important life skills to be learned. The Wayne County 4-H Council once again identified financial knowledge and money managing skills as areas for improvement and need for more programming. Local school systems continued to support activities that dealt with these issues and requested the 4-H Reality Store program.The Wayne County 4-H Agent collaborated with Wayne County Middle
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Recent years of tough economic times have increased awareness of the need for financial literacy; however, Americans still have a long way to go toward making improvements. In 2014, the Jump$tart Coalition compiled a series of statistics that state that even though youth intend to work and save dollars, more students have increased 36% from the previous years of student and credit card debt. Youth are not getting the financial education which they will need for adulthood. According to the
Author: Hazel Jackson
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In July 2021, 8 4-H youth attended a 4-day Quilting Day Camp. 4 volunteers assisted the FCS agent in teaching the youth to make an Ultimate Scrap Quilt. 12 large blocks made a twin bed sized quilt. The youth learned to sew cut the fabric pieces properly, sew a 1/4" seam and decide on the design when putting the blocks together. 7 of the youth tied the 3 layers of the quilt together with crochet thread and one parent had the quilt of the remaining child quilted profes
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to an article published by the National Association of Students Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), most incoming college students struggle to answer basic financial literacy questions. For young adults entering college or the workforce, having basic financial literacy is vital to their future financial success.In 2020, Money Sense for Graduates was developed as a collaborative effort between the Christian County Family & Consumer Sciences agent, a planning committee, and local
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Nutrition education and healthy lifestyles were identified by local leadership councils to be an educational priority for youth to help combat obesity crisis in the state. According to the Trust for America’s Healthy Survey and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kentucky’s obesity rate for children ages 10-17 has increased to over 21%. Instructing children with the aspects of healthy nutritional choices at a young age is critical to addressing issues of weight. The
Author: Alyssa Cox
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Today’s parents are stretched thin for childcare between heavy workloads, single parenting in many cases, elder caregiving, children’s out-of-school activities, and the overall burdens of COVID-19. Family members are often too busy or live too far away to lend a hand with childcare. Certified childcare centers are not affordable, especially for single income households. They are often being shut down due to illness and being short-staffed.In rural communities, it is often difficult f
Author: Regina Browning
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Shelby County 4-H has a long tradition of offering sewing programs for 4-Hers. Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skills, problem solving, process thinking and visualization. Additionally sewing encourages creative ability. (The Creative Art of Sewing; www.NorthJersey.com; September 13, 2012).Shelby County 4-H offered sewing workshops for fourth and fifth graders in 2022 after a two year break due to the pandemic. The
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Research has shown that increasing sewing and alteration skills in order to make clothing to fit, increases self esteem in young people. Sewing has been an area of much interest within Nelson County, however, seems to be a skill that is not commonly held by volunteers. 4-H Agent worked with a sewing volunteer to schedule a day camp series that worked within the volunteer's schedule as well as spring break of some schools.The program allowed youth to learn and work on skills including identif
Author: Sharayha Clingenpeel
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Daviess County 4-H is able to utilize schools, clubs, and camp settings to promote and support healthy lifestyle choices. At the beginning of this school year, a request came in from Owensboro High School FMD classroom to restart a nutrition program. The 4-H agent and program assistant show up once a month to teach a nutrition lesson. A short lesson is taught followed by a recipe. There are 5-8 students in each class, for a total of about 24 students. Last month the students learned how app
Author: Mary Beth Riley
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
An article published on youth.gov stated that “a survey of 15-year-olds in the United States found that 18 percent of respondents did not learn fundamental financial skills that are often applied in everyday situations, such as building a simple budget, comparison shopping, and understanding an invoice.” As the Lyon County 4-H Youth Development Agent I believe that it is my job to make certain that the youth in Lyon County learn and practice fundamental skills such as financial
Author: Stephen Conrad
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
As a society we have not been very successful in teaching our youth the value of money or passing along the concept of "saving for a rainy day". Because of this, most of our students don’t know how to make financial decisions necessary to survive. Our school systems recognize this trend but has little or no time to spend on money management due to core content obligations. To help them with this need, The Boone County Cooperative Extension Service held a Reality Store at s
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
During the COVID-19 global pandemic and with the absence of a 4-H Agent, the Cloverbud program quickly dwindled over the last couple years in Taylor County. The 4-H Cloverbud program allows children between the ages of 5-8 years old an opportunity to participate in a noncompetitive, educational setting and with age-appropriate activities.In January 2022 the Cloverbud program started back in Taylor County with monthly meetings. At its initial comeback meeting, fifteen Cloverbud and parents learne
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
"Opportunities to develop cooking skills by adolescents may result in long-term benefits for nutritional well-being," “Families, health and nutrition professionals, educators, community agencies, and funders can continue to invest in home economics and cooking education knowing that the benefits may not be fully realized until young adults develop more autonomy and live independently."Oldham County 4-H Chef School is back after a two year pause due to COVID regulations. Shar
Author: Genaea Sarantakos
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
We successfully introduced 236 4th grade students to the realities of financial and consumer education topics. Regardless of how much money a person has, it pays to manage it wisely. Youth learned the difference in a “want” and a “need,” how to create a budget, and how to get the most for the money spent. They had opportunities for positive youth development in our four guiding concepts: mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity. This program fosters ma
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Addressing the need of college and career readiness with local high school students, Knott Co 4-H provided the students with lessons from the national 4-H Build your future curricula. The students were given lessons on career and personal interest exploration. Then they were led through preparing their “awesomeness binder”. This binder is to serve as a central location for all their documents and accomplishments making it easier to apply for college, scholarships o
Author: Heather Coleman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Floyd county 4-H Agent and FCS Agent partnered together to form our first 4-H and FCS home school club. Each month the group met for 2hours focusing on the 4-H Core Curriculum areas of STEM, Family and Consumer Science, Leadership and Agriculture. Each month the club ranging from 3 years old to 14 would focus on a program area with a lesson, hands on activity and craft.
Author: Brittany Thomas
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
A high school student ambassador group through the Marion County High School with 29 participants was held at the Marion County Cooperative Extension Office. The lesson was presented by the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Agent, using activities from the 4H Etiquette and Manners Day Camp Curriculum. These activities were focused on table etiquette/mealtime manners and table setting.Table manners play a vital role in making a favorable impression. Manners are crucial for students learn for mult
Author: Mary McCarty
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Menifee County Extension office joined with the KY Court Designated Worker Program (CDWP) for 4 nightly programs for their youth enrolled in their court appointed program. This isn’t the first time that the Menifee County Extension Office has worked with the KY CDWP. With Covid 19 restraints the 2022 program was hosted with Zoom. The Menifee County ANR/4-H agent along with the Menifee County SNAP Assistant partnered together with Area E7 Agents to provide life skill v
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Johnson County Extension and 4-H Progam Councils identified Life Skill Development as a program priority in the 4 year Plan of Work. A local middle school teacher and a YSC Director reached out for progamming on Life Skills. The County 4-H Agent along with school personnel planned and delivered and 3 part program series over 4 different 9 week school semesters with lessons featuring Etiquette, Time Management and Financial Planning. Over the duration of the school year, the program was prese
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Cooking club has started back in -person with a bunch of eager youth. This program has created youth and adult partnerships,as well as a young entrepreneur. Coly Amburgery is a 14 year old young man that since starting in the first cooking club and super star chief in Letcher County nine years ago when I became the 4-H agent. Colby has a passion for baking cakes, breads, and pies. In January Letcher COunty had the pleasure of Governor Andy Brashear's making a visit to Letcher County f
Author: Joe Maynard
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
As we progress in to the 21st century a number of factors have gained prevalence within Family and Consumer Science driven by the increase of online and mobile shopping, the rise of video based at home tutorials, and the shifting family structures as evident by 17% of stay-at-home parents being fathers. The ever-changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative FCS program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they
Author: Patrice Thompson
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
From Fall 2021 until January 2022, Ms. Jeannine at Fairdale Elementary consulted with myself, FCS Agent Ms. Jenie Carter, SNAP Assistant, Ms. Emma Robinson, and CRD Ms. Jessica Marquez on how to reach Spanish speaking families and help them make better eating choices. During our meetings we discussed the needs of the families as it pertains to education on what we eat and how to eat. Ms. Jeannine made it clear that there were a high number of Spanish speaking families that needed to be rea
Author: Martika McCoy
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In 2019, Martin County, Kentucky had a census of 11,287 with 31.9% of that population living in poverty. More than a quarter of them are children. Those children often experience food insecurity and lack access to nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables. In 2015, 35.9% of Martin County’s adult population were considered obese, and 31.6% were considered physically inactive. Martin County currently lacks access to public transportation, grocery stores, clean drinking water and nutritiou
Author: Glenna Bentley
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Forty percent of Lewis County adults are overweight and only five percent eat the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables according to Kentuckyhealthfacts.org. Because of high rates of obesity, fifth grade students learn about nutrition using the Professor Popcorn curriculum during their monthly 4-H club meetings. Seven lessons were taught to 146 fifth grade students on nutrition. Students learned about eating healthy, serving sizes, the importance of trying new foods, eating from the five f
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Grayson County 4-H Agent and community volunteer began a new series group called 4-H Everyday Entrepreneurs for 4-H aged youth interested in business development and marketing. The purpose of this group was to teach youth what is an entrepreneur, development of a business and business model, and marketing and branding of the business and products. The series group met monthly from September through April of program year 2022. The group began with 8 youth with business ideas that ranged from hand
Author: Glenna Bentley
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the on-line source, Nutrition Source, “A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.” Learning this early and using this information though out one’s life can have lifetime health benefits. Knowing that nutrition education is importan
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Hopkins County 4-H and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistant, Melissa Webb, partnered with Hanson Elementary School's Family Resource and Youth Service Center with a "Let's Cook Together" program. The program was a virtual program that were prerecorded for the families that signed up to watch at their convenience. Each month a new recipe was selected to cook "with" the families. We went step by step to show how to create the finished product and gave pointers on maki
Author: Owen Prim
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the National Council on Economic Education, a high percentage of youth do not understand the concept of money and are not being taught financial information to the degree needed. To meet these needs, the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Newport, Dayton, Ft. Thomas and Southgate School Districts to conduct 4-H Reality Store Programs. The 4-H Reality Store is a hands-on financial education activity that gives students the opportunity to e
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Bell County Cooperative Extension agents recently participated in Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Middlesboro Campus summer day camps. The Bell County Food and Consumer Science and 4-H Youth Development agents partnered to provide programming to 58 youth. The programs consisted of creating a windowsill garden kit, making their own butter from whipping cream and making homemade freezer jam. The youth created their own garden kits by planting seeds into peat moss. They will take
Author: Presley Grubb
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Greenup County Extension Office saw the opportunity to engage cloverbud youth in the county 4-H program. Extension partnered with Homemaker volunteers and identified sewing as a valuable asset and skill to educate the youth and provide a new opportunity in the county 4-H program. “Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skills, problem solving, process thinking and visualization. Additionally, s
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
While cooking classes in person is the most ideal way to work with youth and teach a skill, especially in the kitchen, the consensus from the previous program year indicated to keep cooking classes virtually. The biggest reason for the request was for busy family schedules. Keeping the classes virtual allowed parents the chance to continue to work or farm during the meeting and reduce travel. Participants could come home from school, log on and work together virtually to prepare the meal for the
Author: Cecelia Hostilo
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
4-H Cooking Club, Baking Edition was created to meet several needs in Trigg County. First was the need to teach young people to prepare foods at home and not be as dependent on processed foods from the grocery and fast food businesses. Obesity and chronic disease is a problem for nearly half of all adults in the county. A second need was an economic one. Family finances are very unstable right now and inflation can be seen in our grocery stores. Youth who have a var
Author: Ari Veach
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Babysitting made easy for all! What an amazing two days we had at the extension office with Babysitting Basics! We hosted 9 4-Hers ranging from 5th grade to 10th grade! They were able to learn about becoming better babysitters! The youth were able to cover basic CPR procedures, basic first aid, developmental stages of youth, toys, an learned new games/activities to do with their kids they watch. We were able to partner with the Williamstown Fire Department to learn some CPR basics and Dry Ridge
Author: Lucas Powell
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Recent years of tough economic times have increased awareness of the need for financial literacy; however, Americans still have a long way to go toward making improvements. In 2014, the Jump$tart Coalition compiled a series of statistics that state that even though youth intend to work and save dollars, more students have increased 36% from the previous years of student and credit card debt. The It's Your Reality Program is designed to teach youth in late middle school to early high school r
Author: Jacqueline Jacob
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Most families today are on the go and children are not learning important life skills such as cooking, cleaning, sharing, and teamwork. The 4-H poultry barbecue day camps held in the summer help with all these life skills. During a three-hour period, the participants learn how to set up an efficient workstation for barbecuing, how to start and maintain charcoal as the cooking source, food safety in the handling of poultry meat (chicken thighs and ground turkey), and proper barbecue techniq
Author: Maria Harris
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
This 2022 summer; Uplift which consists of Ken Jones, Kerri Ashurst, Allison Young, Chandra Deramus, Tyrone Atkinson, and Maria Harris; offered youth life skills programing during the Grand Slam Summer camp at Crawford Middle school in Fayette County. This 2 week camp focused on various topics from participating partners and Uplift was privileged to be one of those partners and address multiple areas of life skills with the participating youth. During the camp, our programming covered
Author: Stacey Potts
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The primary goal of the Kentucky 4-H Sewing program is to teach youth about the art and skills of creating useful items using needle and thread. This includes not only the use of a hand needle and thread, but also the sewing machine, serger and even the iron. Sewing can be used to create clothing and wardrobe essentials, as well as useful items for daily living. Even simple sewing projects require several hours of work to complete, especially for youth who are learning. &
Author: Annette Buckman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Many youth today are ending their educational journey the day they graduate from high school. According to the Union County Kentucky workforce data profile, 30% of youth obtain some college or Associate degree and 10% acquire a Bachelor's degree or above. One of the most common reasons for not furthering their education is the expense of college. The school system wanted a program to teach students how much college cost and ways to pay for higher education. The "
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Sewing camps are more than needles and thread. Learning basic sewing skills provides youth with not only an ability to do basic alterations on their clothing but also allows them to practice motor skills, follow directions, learn patience, engage creatively, and practice communication skills. With the support of our Knox County Extension Homemaker volunteers, 4-H & FCS Agent and program assistant, Sewing Camp 101 has taught approximately 50 youth
Author: Annette Buckman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Youth from the age of 5-8 have so much spirit and enthusiasm. Cloverbuds program is a way to help develop the young students through hands on activities which promote healthy life skills (social, mental, physical and emotional). This program allows the students to experience at a young age, "learn by doing". Cloverbuds group meets once a month, with students experiencing hands on lessons and activities that express the life lessons in 4-H and what it has to offer to o
Author: James Cecil
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Longest Day of Play here in Clinton County is designed to teach families how to play and exercise together. There were several vendors with heath information and exercise tips for parents and their children. It is important that parents and Children learn to play and exercise and have fun while doing it. There were a total of 108 people who participate in the Longest Day of Play.
Author: Shelley Crawford
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
4-H Cooking Club, Baking Edition was created to meet several needs in Trigg County. First was the need to teach young people to prepare foods at home and not be as dependent on processed foods from the grocery and fast food businesses. Obesity and chronic disease is a problem for nearly half of all adults in the county. A second need was an economic one. Family finances are very unstable right now and inflation can be seen in our grocery stores. Youth who have a var
Author: Shelley Crawford
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the American Heart Association, teaching youth how to prepare their own food will give them a skill they can use for a lifetime, they will be more likely to eat healthier as adults, and build self-confidence. (Cooking With Your Children; Web MD; May 30, 2008.) A California Department of Education survey indicated that 87 percent of fourth to eighth graders said that they cook and make some of their meals or snacks. However, youth who lack healthy cooking knowledge may rely on packag
Author: Cecelia Hostilo
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the American Heart Association, teaching youth how to prepare their own food will give them a skill they can use for a lifetime, they will be more likely to eat healthier as adults, and build self-confidence. (Cooking With Your Children; Web MD; May 30, 2008.) A California Department of Education survey indicated that 87 percent of fourth to eighth graders said that they cook and make some of their meals or snacks. However, youth who lack healthy cooking knowledge may rely on packag
Author: James Cecil
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Christmas Village is a program that we work with our FCS Agent on and it is held at the Early Childhood Center her in Clinton County at the Early Child Hood Center or ECC. This program is designed for families to be able to bring their children to be able to do Christmas shopping for their family. We assist the children in finding the perfect gift for their family members that they can afford to buy for them. They get to learn how to make good decisions and how to manage their
Author: Carrie Derossett
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky has one of the highest prevalence for pediatric obesity in the nation. Approximately 38% of Kentucky children ages 10-17 years are considered overweight or obese according to BMI-for-age standards. Half of Kentucky’s children in poor families are overweight or obese. According to the 2006 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System, 35.3% children ages 0-4 years in Kentucky are overweight or obese. To address this iss
Author: Carrie Derossett
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Community Early Childhood Council that we, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, seek to improve school readiness in Logan County by educating, encouraging, and engaging families. Kindergarten readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. The kindergarten screener measures readiness in five important domains,
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In preparation for the 2022 Taylor County Fair, Taylor County 4-H collaborated with 8 Taylor County Homemakers to offer three County Fair Project Day Camps to help the youth prepare projects for the fair. They included a Jewelry Making Day Camp, Visual Arts Day Camp, and Home Environment Day Camp. The 38 participants learned about and created different projects each day they were able to exhibit at the County Fair the following week. During the process of creating their project they learned many
Author: Chanda Hall
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
According to research involving kids in the kitchen, cooking can help build basic math and reading skills, encourage an adventurous palate, invite youth to explore their senses, and boost confidence (Garvin, 2021). When kids are able to cook it helps to increase their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthier eating habits. In Jefferson County, there are limited occasions for inner-city youth to participate in hands-on cooking programs. Improving cooking skills and
Author: Alexandria Brasher
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Family Magazine reports that 76% of middle school age youth are babysitting either family members or other’s children. According to a new American Red Cross poll, parents say that good babysitters are hard to find and they want to entrust their children to babysitters trained in first aid, CPR and childcare skills. Childcare training provides life skills in parenting. Babysitting is often a youth’s first gainful employm
Author: Rebecca Hayes
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
21 youth participated in the 3-day Super Star Chef camp. They learned basic knife skills, how to measure wet and dry ingredients, kitchen safety, my plate, and got to cook their own lunches. There was a handful of youth that were very adamant about not liking the vegetables that we made, before even trying them. I am happy to say that every youth at least tried each vegetable in the different forms that they made and some were even shocked by enjoying them!
