Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Lucas Powell
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
On September 29th the Fayette county 4-H had our first 4-H showcase. The main goal of this program was to promote or program and recruit new members. To accoplish this, through the use of social media and personal contacts with teachers and community members, we invited the community into our office to see what 4-h has to offer. This program was led by one of our council members in conjunction with myself. The showcase allowed for communication between unreached families and our club leaders and
Author: Julia McCloud
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
On, September 23rd the Pendleton County 4-H had the 11th annual 4-H Country Ham auction and dinner. The 4-H country ham project has provided youth with an excellent education about the food industry. This project gives youth awareness of where their food comes from and how it is prepared for us to eat. Youth learn about and complete the curing process of a country ham. Along with this project they have to prepare a speech and be able to give the speech to complete strangers.This year we had 20 y
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Monday August 1st was set for our first county project day after losing our young county fair through COVID. During the early morning on July 28th – the Thursday beforehand- our county along with others in our region was devastated by an unexpected and unforgettable flood. Needless to say, our scheduled project day was not our priority 3 days following. In fact, the morning of August 1st we were experiencing our second flood from additional ra
Author: Emilee Bryant
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
On July 18th, 2022, Powell County 4-H and the Powell County extension office hosted the 1st Cloverbud Day Camp for youth 5-8 years old in the county. In attendance were 40 youth participants, 2 teen leaders, 1 adult volunteer, and the extension office staff. Youth participants were able to participate in a variety of different events throughout the day centered around the core areas of 4-H. Some activities included learned the 4-H pledge and motto, painting and crafting, severa
Author: Dawna Peters
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
For nearly 40 years, Cloverville has been the face of Kentucky 4-H. Cloverville typically has around 6,000 4-H member exhibits from across the Commonwealth in a village like setting where 4-H’ers display their skills and compete for state-level ribbons. 67 of those exhibits came from Leslie County 4-H. Leslie County 4-H stays busy all Summer long preparing for the Kentucky State Fair. We take pride in our Summer Day Camps which are designed to create State Fair exhibits. Summer Day c
Author: Taylor Miles
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
In 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Estill County 4-H started a new program called the 4-H Fair Project Series. This was a fun way to combat the infamous “Zoom Gloom”, and we used this program as a tool to reach and help youth be engaged in our programming. Within each project, youth learned about multiple different program areas including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Expressive Arts, and healthy living. Estill County 4-H had thirty-fiv
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
There are many benefits to joining a club. Clubs provide a sense of community and belonging. They offer opportunities to meet new people, make friends, and network. Clubs can also help you develop new skills and interests, and provide support and encouragement according to an article in Lifestyle Magazine. The Barren County 4-H Council wanted to provide a different opportunity to get parents and youth reconnected with the 4-H program.The 4-H Kick-Off Carnival was a great way to connec
Author: Toni Humble
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Wayne County 4-H Ambassadors held their third annual Pumpkin Walk. The pumpkins were provided by the FFA school garden and were utilized in various ways. The Ambassador group planned the event to include the 4-H Art Club, Cloverbuds, NEP program, 4-H Volunteers and 4-H Teen Council members from Pulaski County gaining valuable networking experience. The Kentucky Reading Association was involved to promote the literacy program and the local elementary school. Ambassadors, painted, decorated, and c
Author: Genaea Sarantakos
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Middle School RetreatAccording to research, middle school is a time where young people explore their strengths and interests in order to find their place in the world (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is essential to provide positive experiences in which young people are able to explore the world in a safe environment. Historically, Kentucky 4-H sees a decline in enrollment numbers for middle school age youth. In an effort to retain this age group, the Area C1-C4 Teen Council worked to plan, i
Author: Christina Hogue
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Monroe County 4-H had not sponsored a wide reaching recruitment activity for many years. Program Assistant, Charolette Arnett, felt it was time to take the 4-H message to the county during National 4-H week. New FCS/4-H Youth Development Agent, Tina Hogue, was hired for the position just prior to National 4-H week, so the timing could not have been better! Monroe County Clover Fest was held at Southern Athletics in Tompkinsville on Thursday, October 5, 2022. Leaders of
Author: Dawna Peters
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Raising funds is an important part of 4-H programming efforts. In Leslie County without fundraising initiatives it would be very difficult for our youth to participate. Raising funds to cover expenses is necessary. Leslie County is a rural county with the median income for a household being $31,627 with 25.8% of families below the poverty line. Therefore, for youth to be able to fully participate in our programs we must raise money for scholarships to sponsor them.Leslie County 4-H has tradition
Author: Austin Brewer
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation & Kids Rising Up through Support and Healing Thanksgiving Luncheon Kentucky has the 11th highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. Breaking down the statistic, one in ten Kentucky kids have dealt with a parent behind bars. The Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office partnered with the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation (WJRF), and Franklin County Schools High School K.R.U.S.H. (Kids Rising Up through Support and Healing) Group to host a th
Author: Lori Clark
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Rising inflation and an uncertain economy are deeply affecting the lives of millions of Americans, particularly those living in low-income communities. This in turn effects the youth of Kenton County and their ability to participate in positive 4-H youth programs, such as 4-H camp, Teen conference, and many others. Kentucky 4-H State programs such as 4-H camp engage young people in intentional, productive, and constructive ways, while recognizing and enhancing their strengths. These programs pro
Author: MacKenzie Preece
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
In the past two years, several Franklin County 4-H clubs that are traditionally well-attended have come to a halt due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and low attendance. The only clubs that have remained thriving have been the Country Ham Project, Teen Leadership, Clover Buds, Shooting Sports, and Cooking Club. Franklin County 4-H agents Austin Brewer and Mackenzie Preece have made it a goal to revive programs such as Livestock, Sewing, Horse, and Dog Club. The 2022 Franklin County 4-H Club Fair was de
Author: Ola Donahue
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Rising inflation and an uncertain economy are deeply affecting the lives of millions of Americans, particularly those living in low-income communities. This in turn effects the youth of Kenton County and their ability to participate in positive 4-H youth programs, such as 4-H camp, Teen conference, and many others. Kentucky 4-H State programs such as 4-H camp engage young people in intentional, productive, and constructive ways, while recognizing and enhancing their strengths. These program
Author: Lisa Dodson
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Kentucky 4-H leadership program provides opportunities for youth to grow their leadership skills in a safe and welcoming environment. Youth are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and experience new things. Our goal is to help youth gain the leadership skills they will use for life. One opportunity youth have to gain the necessary skills is 4-H Leadership Boot Camp. This year the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Boot Camp was held on February 2nd and 3rd at Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp. Thi
Author: Ari Veach
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
In a 2016 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, one in four youth were unable to name the three branches of government. In addition, in July 2018 the Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 158.141 stated a student must pass a civics test at a rate of 60% or higher, composed of 100 questions to graduate from a public high school with a regular diploma. To address this need, Kentucky 4-H Capitol Experience was est
Author: Carissa Miske
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Numerous observations have been made concerning illegal dumping of trash alongside roads and streams near the Kentucky River in Lee County. As these issues continue to rise, so does the demand for more civic engagement projects and the teaching of environmental education among the community. The Lee County 4-H Teen Club wanted to create an educational program explaining the importance of clean waterways in Lee County. Based on their observations they found numerous examples of illegal dumping an
Author: Sue Ann McCandless
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The partnership between Hardin County 4-H programs and the Ft. Knox youth centers had taken a back seat with the restrictions brought on by covid and a loss of military grant funding over recent years. Over the past 12 months Hardin County Cooperative Extension Agents for 4-H youth development have been working to re-establish support for partnerships with both the Devers Center and the School Age Center on the Ft. Knox military base. Agents have provided support for both centers by conduc
Author: Dawna Peters
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Leslie County 4-H Teen Council members have learned many important skills through their involvement with 4-H. Community Service is one of our main focuses during council meetings. Our members discuss what activities and projects they are interested in. This year they decided to participate in Wreaths Across America. The council members partnered with a local volunteer and retired school teacher Mollie Sizemore. December 17th is National Wreaths Across Day. Teens and their families
Author: Janet Turley
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Ten years ago a socially awkward 9 year old with Asperger’s Syndrome joined 4-H. Prior to joining 4-H, this child felt like an outcast wherever he went, felt that he wasn’t given opportunities other kids got, and wasn’t expected to be a success. This all changed when he joined 4-H. He finally had a place where he had the support to succeed and grow. Fast forward 10 years, this smart, funny and intellectual teenager overcame social barriers and went places he never thought possi
Author: Austin Brewer
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Jekyll Island Success Story Eight middle schoolers from Franklin County were chosen to represent their community at the 4-H Environmental Education Camp on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The trip took place over spring break, and the students were excited to travel to the beach to experience the 4-H Center with a Marine Biology twist.During their time at the camp, the students participated in various beach ecology courses, seining classes, and night hike/astronomy workshops. They learned about the
Author: Gary Druin
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
4-H collaborates with the Ohio County School system to provide research-based 4-H Youth Development educational curriculum to youth in a classroom 4-H club format. Local 4-H, community, and school leaders strongly support the efforts of professional 4-H staff in the classroom settings as these relationships provide a tremendous marketing opportunity of other 4-H programs, including Camp, Teen Conference, workshops, and community clubs to 4-H age youth. Administrators, teachers and sc
Author: Kimberly Schrader
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Kentucky State Fair offers 4-H members a culminating event of yearly project work. Where project work is defined by including the following: “(a) Planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member, (b) Guided by a 4-H adult volunteer who is the project leader, (c) Aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured, (d) Summarized by some form of record keeping, and (e) A minimum of six hours of project instruction” (National 4-H Council, 2013). In 2022, Kentucky 4-H
Author: Brian Walker
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Igniting Youth's Sparks A fresh start for a pre-existing program. This year the 4-H Youth Development team chose to hold back from doing their annual Ignite Conference during the small farms week and chose to do it on it's very own day. This year the program was held on April 21st2023 with new ideas set in motion. The conference drew in 100 middle school youth participants, 40 volunteers, 10 chaperones, and 10 extension staff members. During the conference, the participants got the
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Over 130 4-H’ers and their families attended Taylor County 4-H Awards Banquet on Tuesday, November 15 at the Taylor County Extension Office.97 individual 4-H’ers were recognized and over 150 recognition award pins were given out to honor the youth's hard work, learning and dedication to the 4-H Program through contests, clubs, events and activities throughout the previous 4-H year. Honors were giving out to our most active youth with the awards of All Stars and Superstars. These
Author: Presley Grubb
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The 99th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. 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 acquainte
Author: Julie Brown
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
.Ten years ago a socially awkward 9 year old with Asperger’s Syndrome joined 4-H. Prior to joining 4-H, this child felt like an outcast wherever he went, felt that he wasn’t given opportunities other kids got, and wasn’t expected to be a success. This all changed when he joined 4-H. He finally had a place where he had the support to succeed and grow. Fast forward 10 years, this smart, funny and intellectual teenager overcame social barriers and went places he never thought poss
Author: Lena Mallory
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The 4-H Thriving Model is the science-grounded in practice that describes the “magic” of 4-H. This model takes the science to explain the growth/thriving process of youth because of their 4-H involvement. Moving from the Develpmental Context (4-H Programs) to Youth Thriving (Social, Emotional and Cognitive Learning) to Development Outcomes (Positive Youth Development) to Long-Term Outcomes. The 4-H Thriving Model is best envisioned through what&rs
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The 2023 Taylor County Fair was held June 5th – 10th at the Taylor County Fairgrounds in Campbellsville Kentucky. The fair provides youth an opportunity to share their interests and passions with the community through the Beef Show, Dairy Show, Horse Shows, and Fair Projects Exhibits.One 4-H Club received a great opportunity this year to learn and grow through the fair. The Taylor County Livestock Club contains a group of passionate youth and their families, excited and willing to share th
