Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Natural Resources
The Russell County 4-H Shooting Sports program provides young people with a safe environment to explore their passion for target shooting, a place where they feel they belong, and opportunities to form relationships with caring adult mentors. The program includes comprehensive firearms education, recreational pursuits, and healthy competition. Through this young people develop life skills like teamwork, self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, and decision-making. Russell County 4-H
Author: Samantha Saunders
Major Program: Natural Resources
The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr
Author: Lee Ann McCuiston
Major Program: Natural Resources
The 4-H Shooting Sports program, which includes projects in archery, shotgun, muzzle-loading firearms, pistol, rifle, and air firearms is one of the largest and safest 4-H programs. According to Conrad Arnold, program coordinator of National 4-H Shooting Sports, the program was established nearly 40 years ago and now engages 428,000 young people per year (C. Arnold, personal communication, November 26, 2018). When incidents involving firearms make the news, its important to note that those abusi
Author: Rachael Davis
Major Program: Natural Resources
Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition 2024 The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This
Author: Mary Anne Garnett
Major Program: Natural Resources
The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr
Author: Abigail Roy
Major Program: Natural Resources
The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: Natural Resources
Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition 2024 The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: Natural Resources
In 2023, we started an Entomology Club in Campbell County at the request of a volunteer who was a former entomology state champion and a current city council member. Ten students attended meetings, and four submitted first year insect collections. We met at various parks in our county to hike and look for different insects. This was great exercise and entertainment but didn’t result in many insects (playgrounds and hiking trails were more of a distraction).Describe the Outreach or Educatio
Author: Bridgett Poteet
Major Program: Natural Resources
Kentucky 4-H natural resource programs provide young people an opportunity to find their spark through hands-on learning experiences. A variety of projects and activities are offered in the areas of environmental sciences, entomology, forestry, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports. Through these programs, young people connect with other youth members and adult leaders who share similar interests and learn invaluable life skills such as wise use of resources, communication, teamwo
Author: Peggy Jones
Major Program: Natural Resources
The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr
Author: Madison Adkins
Major Program: Natural Resources
Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition 2024 The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: Natural Resources
The 4-H Fishing Friday program is a hands-on initiative that connects youth to the outdoors, teaching them essential fishing skills while fostering an appreciation for nature and conservation. Its impact goes beyond just learning how to fish—it builds character, patience, and confidence in young participants. It helps bridge the gap between technology-dominated lives and nature, teaching children how to appreciate the environment and the importance of conservation. For many participants, t
Author: Brandon Darst
Major Program: Natural Resources
According to NOAA, water quality is a complex issue, impacted by pollution, weather, tides, human activities, and many other factors. In the Keys, threats to water quality are categorized as local, regional, or global in nature. Local threats are issues like stormwater runoff, wastewater, organic debris, sedimentation, and harmful vessel discharges. The CES has been conducting a stream study for Waco Elementary 4th graders for around 15 years to help students realize their impact on our lo
Author: Michael Rose
Major Program: Natural Resources
For the first time, Adair County 4-H has a participant in the 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci). This three-year program is designed to teach middle—and high-school-aged youth about their natural environment. The program's overall goal is for youth to develop a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky while increasing leadership skills. The learning outcomes for the NRESci academy are that scholars will:&nbs
Author: DJ Scully
Major Program: Natural Resources
According to the United State Environmental Protection Agency, “environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions.” The Campbell County Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Environmental Management provides field trips
Author: Madalyn Hale
Major Program: Natural Resources
The 4-H Environmental Camp program provided by North Central 4-H Camp provides youth in 4th grade an amazing opportunity to learn about the natural world around them while experiencing it first-hand. In Clark County the past 3 years, we have been working to recruit all 4 public elementary schools to attend Environmental Camp. Previously, one public school had attending the overnight camp, and one had attended for one year as an extended day camp. This year, I was able to recruit all four public
Author: Alyssa Cox
Major Program: Natural Resources
The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards thr
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Natural Resources
Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition 2024 The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This
Author: Samantha Gabbard
Major Program: Natural Resources
4-H Forestry Field DayUK Forestry and Natural ResourcesMammoth Cave National Park 4-H youth from nine counties attended the 4-H Forestry Field Day at Mammoth Cave National Park on September 12, 2024. More than 100 youth had the opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s trees and forests as well as some of the skills that real-life foresters utilize everyday while on the job. The youth aged 9 to 13 (Juniors) and 14 to 18 (Seniors) years of age were taught and tested on the basics of tree i
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: Natural Resources
Metcalfe County 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Volunteers, 4-H Agent partnered with the Metcalfe County Schools Community Education and KY Fish and Wildlife to offer a “Firearm Safety and Range” program during two weekends in the spring and fall. This program offered a hands-on learning experience providing an opportunity to learn hunter safety information and practice skills on the range. Everyone completing this program would receive their “Kentucky Hunters Safet
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Natural Resources
As monarch butterflies grow/mature, they feed on milkweed. Over the past few decades, the milkweed plant has been removed from much of the habitat in our area. Russell Co. 4-H members worked on a project in September and October to help restore monarch habitat in places where milkweed could grow but not be planted on farmland. Over 200 youth in 4th grade learned about insect anatomy, insect diversity, and incomplete and complete metamorphosis. During the activity, they wer
Author: Alexandria Brasher
Major Program: Natural Resources
The success of many 4-H programs can be attributed to the strong leadership that guides them, and the Henderson County 4-H Shooting Sports program is a prime example. The dedicated leaders of this program have invested hundreds of hours in teaching, planning, and fundraising. Club members practice weekly throughout the year to strengthen their skills, with many competing in regional contests during the spring and summer to prepare for the State 4-H Shooting Sports Contest in September. In 2024,
