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It Starts With Us
Author: Hunter Carroll
Major Program: Leadership
Teen Conference 2024Success Story The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for yo
Author: Lori Clark
Major Program: Leadership
The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University
Author: Daniel Bell
Major Program: Leadership
According to the National Home Education Research Institute, about 3.1 million homeschooled students in grades K-12 in the United States in 2021- 2022. According to the John Hopkins School of Education, 5% of Kentucky’s K-12 students were homeschooled. In Kentucky's far Mississippi River counties, the number of homeschooled students seems to have significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. As this number continues to rise, homeschool families are looking to take advantage of E
Author: Sharee Schoonover
Major Program: Leadership
The Livingston County 4-H Council has been working tirelessly to provide support and opportunities for the youth in our community. Through their dedication to maintaining a rigorous meeting schedule, they have developed new programs, fundraisers, and goals that have directly benefited our 4-H members. One of their most notable achievements is their commitment to raising funds to support 4-H campers, making camp more accessible to local youth.This year, the Council contributed $125 toward coverin
Author: Renata Farmer
Major Program: Leadership
Research shows that effective leadership is a necessary factor for success within today’s communities and organizations. After looking at our Knox County Community Needs Assessment, it was noted that many individuals in our area thought it was important to promote leadership among our Knox County youth. Knox County 4-H collaborated with Lynn Camp and Barbourville High School's JAG program to promote leadership and communication development at the high school level. Ninety-s
Author: Julie Brown
Major Program: Leadership
Successful leaders must acquire communication, leadership, and civic engagement to be effective. The 4-H program is a great organization for youth to learn and practice these skills to develop into future leaders. With hard work and effort, youth and teens can hone their skills to achieve their goals.Christopher Sweets began his 4-H career as a 5-year-old Cloverbud member attending 4-H Cloverbud Camp with his mom and now has grown into the chairman of the State 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Ambassado
Author: Janet Turley
Major Program: Leadership
Successful leaders must acquire communication, leadership, and civic engagement to be effective. The 4-H program is a great organization for youth to learn and practice these skills to develop into future leaders. With hard work and effort, youth and teens can hone their skills to achieve their goals.Christopher Sweets began his 4-H career as a 5-year-old Cloverbud member attending 4-H Cloverbud Camp with his mom and now has grown into the chairman of the State 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Ambassado
Author: Paula Tarry
Major Program: Leadership
Why should your child be involved in 4-H? A quote from Mollie Webb, Barren County 4-H member and KY State 4-H President 2023-2024 may say it best “Of all of the extracurricular activities I participated in, 4-H helped me to develop the greatest number of important qualities that I use. From working with my peers to accomplish our goals to developing my skills through the feedback of leaders and judges, you are provided the ability to develop your skills and your person overall.” 
Author: Rusty Wolf
Major Program: Leadership
The Boone County Extension Affirmative action plan lists increasing teen involvement in 4-H programs as a priority. And our 4-H group enrollment in Boone County shows a sharp decline in high school aged youth being involved in our program vs middle and elementary. In 2022-23 4-H Program year our program saw 1380 8th grade youth and only 404 9-12th grade youth. So, there is a need for more teenage involvement in Boone County. With this decline we are not getting the long-term outcomes in the thri
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Leadership
Bell County 4-H and Middlesboro Middle School have joined forces to enhance community engagement and provide a valuable platform for the youth to develop essential life skills. This collaboration has not only facilitated transportation to and from 4-H Club meetings but has also resulted in a significant surge in attendance, showcasing the positive impact of such partnerships. The partnership between Bell County 4-H and Middlesboro Middle School has proven to be mutually beneficial, with bot
Author: Paula Jerrell
Major Program: Leadership
Describe the Issue or Situation.In our small county, we need to continue to develop young leaders for the futureDescribe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).We partner with local businesses, Chamber of Commerce, school system to recruit participants, secure funds and plan the educational programming for Leadership BallardProvide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.We target the middle school population for applicants. Last years pa
Author: David Gabbard
Major Program: Leadership
Leadership is a trait that some possess however most can learn leadership also. Leadership among youth, especially high school age is on a decline in the eyes of some communities. Knowing what is stated above the Lincoln County 4-H Agent has made it a focus to enhance Teen Programming for youth grades 6-12. By having monthly teen club meetings, youth learn many skills, communication with others and their abilities to grow are enhanced. There are 12 active youth in Lincoln County 4-H teen club wh
Author: Austin Brewer
Major Program: Leadership
The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference (SRTLC) brings together youth from across the southern U.S., providing them with a chance to develop leadership skills, give back to their communities, and connect with peers from different states. This year, Franklin County was proud to send two delegates to join the 400 participants at the 2024 conference.For many teens, this was their first time attending a regional leadership event, and the experience left a lasting impression. In fact, 85% of p
Author: Gary Druin
Major Program: Leadership
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. Kentucky 4-H has identified development of youth leadership skills as a precedence for community development. 4-H Clubs provide support for youth in developing the ability to analyze their own strengths and weaknesses, set personal and professional goals
Author: Nolan Pettit
Major Program: Leadership
After the formation of our county Teen club we have been working together as our teens are starting to come and volunteer at more 4-H events. We recently had our officer elections for the first time in our clubs, this was a great experience for the teens. I watched as the nominations and elections of officers went smoothly. The teens identified who they thought the best were for every position instead of thinking of themselves and nominated those individuals. We had a smooth supportive elec
Author: Mary Beth Riley
Major Program: Leadership
Studies show that middle and high school students who actively engage in leadership and networking activities are 60% more likely to develop strong interpersonal and decision-making skills, key attributes for future success.The 4-H Teen Retreat, held at West Kentucky 4-H Camp, provided an unparalleled opportunity for 8th-12th grade students to cultivate leadership and life skills in a dynamic and supportive environment. Organized entirely by a committee of 4-H teens and 4-H agents, the retreat r
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Leadership
On November 8, 16 middle school students from Christian and Trigg counties took part in the 4-H Middle School Retreat, an event designed to enhance leadership skills, encourage community involvement, and emphasize the importance of local service. Through engaging, hands-on activities, these young participants laid a strong foundation for future growth both within 4-H and in their broader community. A key focus of the retreat was a community service project in partnership with Wonderfully Ma
Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Major Program: Leadership
Youth spent the day outdoors learning essential life skills including working together as a team, following directions, how to safely use a hammer, trying new foods, noticing nature, and practiced using scissors safely during craft time.Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outco
Author: Genaea Sarantakos
Major Program: Leadership
This year, Fayette County had the pleasure of supporting two delegates for the 2024 Issues Conference. "More than 100 delegates for the 35th annual Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference are convening at Dale Hollow State Park in Burkesville, Kentucky, this month to learn how they can take an active role in tackling the pressing concerns affecting their home counties. The conference, which takes place on Nov. 14–16, brings together youth in grades 9–11 and adults from across t
Author: Gary Druin
Major Program: Leadership
4-H Team Challenge The Kentucky 4-H Core curriculum is used to develop workforce skills that include leadership, teamwork and communication that are important to their career ready development. Young people, whether pursuing a career-path in entrepreneurial ventures or seeking employment opportunities in the future need to build core competencies and foundation skills, which include those identified in the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report. Agents and s
Author: Ralph Hance
Major Program: Leadership
The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference is a multi-state leadership conference that was created to bring together youth from across the southern region. (https://4-h.ca.uky.edu/SRTLC) This year the conference had over 400 attendees and through their community service project, were able to create 1000 paper cranes, dog toys and help spruce up the camp! Trimble County has participated in this conference for over 10 years now. This year we had a record number of youth partici
