Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Ashley Duvall
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The county fair provided the opportunity for our community youth to participate in a project day to create entries for the fair. These youth participants got to express their creativity and skill development by creating water color and acrylic paintings, drawings, and clay/wire sculptures. Children ages 8-18 worked on a goal to participate and compete in their individual categories. There hasn't been any participants in the 4-H fair entries since prior to Covid-19, but this
Author: Kimberly Schrader
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Kentucky 4-H State Fair Project Impact The Kentucky State Fair is a culminating event of yearly 4-H project work. 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, 20
Author: Ryan Spicer
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The problem - Breathitt County’s poverty rate was at 34.3% in 2016. Breathitt County’s Agent for 4-H Youth Development believes that the best way to combat this issue is to teach the children of Breathitt County about the leadership skills they need to achieve, and to be able to overcome the problems of poverty.The educational program response- The agent works to focus on this by taking 4-H’ers each year to the J.M. Feltner 4-H Camp located in London, Kentucky. While at camp 4-
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Kentucky State Fair is a culminating event of yearly 4-H project work. 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 2023, Kentucky 4-H members exhibited
Author: David Gabbard
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Overall enrollment in Owen County 4-H is good, however after discussions with the County Extension Council, and 4-H Council it was not exactly up to the goal that the Owen County 4-H Agent would like, the groups decided to have an "open house" style event to market 4-H in Owen County.The educational program response of the ice cream social event entitled "Get the Scoop on 4-H" was unlike anything we'd seen, it was marketed at the schools open house by various 4-H me
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
In Livingston County, fair week holds a special tradition called "Family Night." Hosted on Thursday night, this is a free event designed to bring families closer together while enjoying the fair's charm. Livingston County has not had a fair since 2015, and the community was excited to see its return.Livingston County 4-H helped make this night a success. They offered a giant slip 'n slide, a watermelon seed spitting contest, a pet show, free popsicles, and glowing fun with glow
Author: Ashley Duvall
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Youth participants took the leadership initiative to help clean up their community and advocate to other citizens for maintaining a litter free environment for future generations. The Clinton County High School 4-H Adventure Club saw a need to clean up their community from the large amounts of litter that is distributed along the bypass. A total of 15 youth participants and 3 volunteers, of different genders and socio-economic backgrounds, worked together to accomplish a common goal
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The 4-H Thriving Model is the theory of change for positive youth development in 4-H. The model illustrates the process of positive youth development in 4-H programs by connecting high quality program settings to the promotion of youth thriving. The skills that the 4-H program offers include but are not limited to self-esteem, making friends, responsibility, communication, citizenship, leadership, record keeping, time management, confidence, independence, resilience, commitment and compassion&md
Author: Jocelyn Kemp
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The problem was that we have a large and diverse community within Hardin County that may not be familiar with 4-H positive youth development. We felt that the community could benefit from being given an opportunity to meet the 4-H community at the Hardin County Extension Office. We felt like there was a large amount of youth and families who were interested in 4-H but not sure how it works or what to do to be involved. The educational program response was quite large and successful. We had
Author: Kellsey Agnew
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
An article written by Betty Jo Krosnicki, Michigan State University Extension - August 06, 2015, states “The county fair tradition is woven into the fabric of nearly every American community. It presents opportunities for young people to foster life skills such as communication, leadership, goal setting, work ethic, responsibility, and sportsmanship.” This year at the Alexandria Fair we had 73 4-H Exhibitors, an increase from 2022. We also saw an increase in projects entered th
Author: Owen Prim
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Alexandria Fair & Horse Show is a culminating event of yearly 4-H project work for Campbell County youth. 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 Coun
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 Developmental Context (4-H Programs) to Youth Thriving (Social, Emotional and Cognitive Learning) to Development Outcomes (Positive Youth Development) to Long-Term Outcomes. As outlined in a 9/6/23 publication by The developmental context
Author: Alyssa Cox
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
According to Keep America Beautiful, a national nonprofit which provides expertise, programs and resources to help people end littering, improve recycling, and restore communities, there are approximately 2,857 pieces of litter per mile of both roadway and waterway in the United States. Rockcastle County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Alyssa Cox, partnered with the Rockcastle County Fiscal Court, the Rockcastle County Solid Waste Division, and Eastern Kentucky PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in a D
Author: Brian Walker
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Growing Tomorrow's Leaders This year Kentucky State University 4-H team was able to attend the National 4-H Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The National 4-H Conference brought leaders from across the nation together for a week of inspiration, education, and collaboration. This year's conference was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible potential that 4-H programming has and its positive impact towards youth development.This year, over 1,000 4-H members were a
Author: Brian Walker
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
In today's world, you can't have agriculture without STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and educators at Kentucky State University's Rosenwald 4-H Youth Development Center are teaching just that. My name is Brian Walker, a 4-H extension assistant, at the center, this success story come from the State Journal in Frankfort, KY. Brian said his favorite part of the job is teaching children how robots are utilized in agriculture. 4-H is part of the Cooperative Extension
Author: Dawna Peters
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Cloverbuds Day Camp is three fun-filled days of exploring science, creating fantastic arts/crafts, and making simple fun snacks! 4-H Cloverbuds is for youth who are 5-8 years old or in kindergarten through third grade. This is one of our most popular day camps and it always fills up quickly. It has grown tremendously in recent years.Working with younger kiddos a is approached differently than the work we do with our typical 9 to 18 year olds. These programs are packed with fun educational activi
Author: Toni Humble
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Wayne County 4-H began a strong working relationship with our local National Guard unit in 2011. This partnership has brought programming to an underserved audience in our community. Monthly packets have been delivered to soldiers and families with education materials on healthy recipes, family communications, budgeting and more during their monthly drill meetings. The Wayne Co 4-H Ambassadors have taken on the leadership role of serving their Christmas meal, learning how the Guard serves our co
Author: Anna Denny
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The clever 4-H Trailblazers crew noticed that families already gathered for Halloween shindigs the Friday before, but they wanted to add a dash of 4-H pizzazz to the celebrations. Their mission? To spread the word about the program while boosting the fun factor!Our 4-H Trail Blazer club got into the fall spirit by putting together a 4-H Fall Fun Dance. Gaggles of folks, both fresh faces and familiar ones, flocked to the festivities to boogie down, snack up, and flaunt their spooktacular costumes
Author: Brian Walker
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Success Story: The 4-H 2023 Halloween Extravaganza The 4-H team was able to host its first Halloween Extravaganza at the Rosenwald Center for 4-H Youth Development. It was nothing short of a resounding success, leaving a significant mark on the community. This year, the 4-H team’s primary focus was to create a safe, fun-filled environment for youth in the community and surrounding areas, where&nb
Author: Daniel Bell
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Carlisle County Cooperative Extension Service hosted the 4-H pancake breakfast fundraiser December 10th, 2023, in collaboration with the Bardwell Masonic Lodge # 499. The pancake breakfast raised $410 that the Carlisle County 4-H council will utilize to further opportunities to engage local youth in learning opportunities. Every year the 4-H Council provides an opportunity for underprivileged youth to enter an essay for scholarships to attend West Kentucky 4-H camp. This will lower t
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Increased school programming keeps the Grayson County 4-H Agent busy throughout each month, but with that the youth impact is great. With a direct reach of approximately 900 elementary students and nearly 300 7th grade students, the hands on lessons are those the youth will remember for many years to come. Teachers request to remain on the lesson schedule of the agent for the next school year and maintain contact throughout the summer to plan dates and times, knowing how valuable the lesson time
Author: Michael Rose
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
What happens when you put a large group of adults and teenagers in the same room and ask them to identify issues that are affecting youth in the community? Adair County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with Adair County Schools, Youth and Family Resource Centers, and other community partners to hold the Adair County Youth Community Conversation. Facilitators from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, and Community Economic De
Author: Carissa Miske
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The success of the Cooperative Extension Service programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher & Klingborg, 2005). The 4-H Youth Development Programs within Extension especially depend heavily on adult and teen volunteers to play integral roles in 4-H programming by performing a wide variety of duties and functions. The Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a Councils 101 Workshop led by Dr. Ken Culp III, principal exten
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, Emetional and Cognitive Learning) to Development Outcomes (Positive Youth Development) to Long-Term Outcomes. Despite multiple staff development opportunities, implememtation and a
Author: Emilee Bryant
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
4th Grade 4-H members at Stanton Elementary School identified a need for other students, families and even pets in the community to have access to a well-balanced meal, and food security over the upcoming holiday break. After identifying these needs, 4-H club members organized a "Holiday Food Drive for People and Pets". The members designed a flyer to promote their food drive, and developed a plan to collect things from a variety of food groups through the program. Cl
Author: Elizabeth Easley
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The problem:Volunteers are valuable partners in the 4-H program and aid the Laurel County 4-H program in extending programmatic output and outreach to youth who otherwise might not be served. 4-H volunteers invest their time and talent in helping youth explore their sparks (interest) and providing a positive environment where youth are safe, belong, and thrive. The 4-H Thriving Model incorporates PYD research into a predictive model illuminating characteristics of youth thriving and how thriving
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
On the evening of October 28, 2023, Livingston County gathered for the 2nd Annual Bale Blast, the grand finale of our month-long Bale Trail fundraiser. First held to honor Bale Trail winners and showcase Livingston County Extension, the event faced an unexpected hurdle as the weather threatened to move the festivities indoors. Organizers quickly adapted, transforming the plans and relocating the event inside. This turned a potential setback into a heartwarming showcase of community spirit.Inside
Author: Melissa Goodman
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
According to the Program Leader’s Working Group Task Force on Positive Youth Development, everyone has something they are passionate about, whether it's a skill, talent, interest, or unique quality. In fact, youth thriving research refers to these things as "sparks” (2024 4-H PLWG Standing Committee on Positive Youth Development). These sparks not only bring joy but also provide purpose and direction, especially for adolescents. These sparks are often self-discovered and sel
Author: Lisa Dodson
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The McCracken County 4-H Youth Development program hosted the second annual 4-H Santa’s Elves Workshop in conjunction with the local school system’s scheduled winter break. This annual event provides youth in the community the opportunity to engage in a variety of creative arts as well as participate in activities that increase communication skills. Participants completed multiple projects throughout the day that encompassed Science, Engineering and Technology, horticulture, and culi
Author: Melissa Schenck
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Within 4-H and Extension it is well known that volunteers made an immense impact on the lives of youth but research by the Mayo clinic indicates that volunteering offers significant impact to volunteers including improved physical and mental health, a sense of purpose, access to valuable skills, and beneficial relationships. The Washington County 4-H works to adults interested in volunteering within their community to youth and 4-H Clubs that fit their skills and subject area. Washington County
Author: Ashley Duvall
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Clinton County 4-H Art Club has embarked on a heartwarming mission, blending creativity with compassion to make a meaningful impact within their community. Youth participants visited the nursing home in February to hand deliver over 40 Valentine’s Day cards that were individually designed and crafted. By dedicating their time and talents, these young artists are not only honing their skills but also bringing joy and color into the lives of the elderly residents. Thi
Author: Amanda Potter
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Rowan County 4H partnered with four other counties to put on a retreat for Middle Schoolers within the participating counties. This was done in tandem with the Area Teen Council, in which the council teens aided in the planning of the retreat, as well as helping to put on some of the team building exercises. The main focus of this retreat centered around mental health and accomplishing a service project with the middle school group. Rowan set up a "Warm Fuzzies" area in which students
Author: Christina Hogue
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Volunteers are an integral part of every 4-H program. Monroe County 4-H has many volunteers who give countless hours for the youth and the program. To gain a greater understanding of the Kentucky Extension ‘s volunteer program, I enrolled in Volunteer Administration Academy. As part of the class, I became more aware of the vast opportunities available at the Kentucky Volunteer Forum. With the assistance of a certified livestock volunteer, who has attended KVF many t
Author: Presley Grubb
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
On March 27th, Boyd, Carter, Bath, Menifee, Greenup and Fleming counties came together to host a Middle School Retreat at the Boyd County Expo and Franks Building. We had 28 6th-8th grade participants from the counties. The goal of the retreat was to increase involvement in 4-H participation from Middle School members, allow them to build relationships with youth in our area in their age range with common interest and allow them to give back to individuals in the community that are less fortune.
Author: Lena Mallory
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
What do you do in 4-H? Do the kids do anything? Is it just cows and cookies? All questions asked over the years, but a standard form of measuring the Communications, Leadership, and Civic Engagement impact of Kentucky 4-H programming has not been available. For the 2023-24 program year, Kentucky 4-H has made evaluation tools available with counties able to add their spin as needed. Marshall County 4-H Youth Development Agent implemented these evaluation tools at the
Author: Brian Walker
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The 4-H team at KYSU facilitated their first 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat at the Rosenwald 4-H Youth Development Center. 4-H has worked heavily with first-generation 4-H participants from minority and limited resource audiences who have expressed interest in developing leadership and civic engagement skills. As a result, this retreat is a culmination of upcoming leadership programmatic efforts and a preparatory program for first-generation 4-Hers who have joined 4-H and will be representing KSU a
