Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Local Leaders, Volunteers and Youth
Leadership Development
Bridge, Mills, Reed
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical to the sustainability of community infrastructures which support long-term commitment to strengthen families. Locally, the need to continue to train leadership and volunteer development was identified through the Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development councils. This is also an identified strength of the local extension service as by community partners.
Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil ,2000). By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991). Additionally, young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities (Zeldin, & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).
4-H Youth Leadership is about: learning about the concept of leadership and your individual role as a leader, using leadership skills to effectively lead small groups and teams toward common goals, working within the community (club/county/state or beyond) to become an engaged leader who can make a difference and creating a program that encourages, values, promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity at all levels.
Community health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leaders.
Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
Number of people who:
•Practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
•Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
•Apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs
Citizens increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership. KEHA, FCS Advisory Council and 4-H Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
Citizens increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.
Long-Term Outcome: Leaders, volunteers and youth apply skills to solve problems in the community.
Indicator: Number of people involved in addressing significant community issues
Method: Observation of program planning; involvement in community development committees/strategic planning.
Timeline: July 2019 - June 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Leaders, volunteers and youth develop plans to address community needs.
Indicator: Number of people involved in developing plan.
Method: Observations of plan development in planning meetings
Timeline: July 2019 - June 2020
Initial Outcome: Leaders, volunteers and youth meet to discuss and identify community issues.
Indicator: Number of people attending meeting
Method: Observation of conversation taking place during meeting.
Timeline: July 2019 - June 2020
Audience: Extension Homemaker members, County Extension Council members, 4-H Volunteers, general public and chamber of commerce leadership programs
Project or Activity: Leadership Development training
Content or Curriculum: KELD Section 1,2 and 3, 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Inputs: volunteers, paid staff, extension facilities and resources.
Date: September-May, monthly lessons/quarterly meetings.
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy (TLA)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum, Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Inputs: TLA 4-H Agents, TLA Participants, extension specialists, volunteers
Date: Monthly, September 2019 – April 2020
Audience: High School Youth
Project or Activity: Issues Conference
Content or Curriculum: Leadership & Community Needs Identification and Problem Solving
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: November 2019
Audience: Middle School Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summit
Content or Curriculum: Leadership
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: March 2020
Audience: Teen and Adult Camp Volunteers
Project or Activity: Leadership
Content or Curriculum: Camp Training Materials as provided by State 4-H Office
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: 8th grade & High School Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Leadership
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: June 2020
Audience: Middle and High School Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for Leadership programs and projects
Inputs: extension staff, extension specialists, local volunteers, 4-H Council
Date: Monthly, September 2019 – May 2020
Audience: Beef Producers & Agribusiness Leaders
Project or Activity: Demonstration Farm
Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Plan
Inputs: UK Beef Specialist, Volunteers, Meade County Cattleman's Assoc.
Date: Winter 2013-2017
Audience: Local business people
Project or Activity: Leadership Meade County
Content: Ag Statistics and important ag education materials
Inputs: Extension ANR agent, local farmers and agribusinesses
Date: Fall 2016
Audience: Local leaders
Project or Activity: Leadership Meade County
Content: Developed content for program
Inputs: local leaders, past program graduates and extension specialist and agents
Date: September 2019 - May 2020
Audience: Extension Homemaker Leaders
Project or Activity: officer and chairman training
Content: KELD
Inputs: Extension agent, KEHA officers/chairs, specialist
Date: September 2019
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Leadership education builds several important assets in Kentucky youth and provides critical elements of youth development (Search Institute, 2004; Pittman, Irby & Ferber, 2001). The fewer assets young people have, the more likely they are to engage in negative behaviors (Benson, 1997; Eccles & Gootman, 2002). The more assets that are provided to youth, the more likely they are to exhibit positive behaviors. Strong leadership and decision making skills are essential assets in helping sha
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum
"Get STEAM'd up @ Meade County 4-H" provided participants with a variety of opportunities to learn about all the components of a STEAM focused program. 4-H programming addresses science ability (process) and science anchors (content) under guidance of trained (scientifically able) mentors; an increased awareness of SET skills, content, and career possibilities increases engagement of youth in STEAM careers. Youth learned scientific research techniques, responsible pract
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming
4-H youth development programs within Extension depend heavily on adult volunteers and provide extensive education to volunteer leaders. 4-H traditionally focuses on positive youth development, but adult volunteers are the mainstay of the programs. Non-systematic training and the lack of volunteer recognition are two problems identified as crucial to the management of Extension volunteers (Navaratnam, 1986). Education is critical in preparing volunteers for the role they accepted and should
Author: Deana Reed
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The 2020 Coronavirus pandemic brought 4-H programming to an abrupt halt in March 2020. Parents, educators, and local communities began learning how to function in a way that no one had experienced before. One of Extension’s strengths is its flexibility across counties and states to address local needs to achieve locally desired outcomes (Diem, 2016). This statement could not be any truer than in the current environment of COVID-19 and the impact it has, and continues to
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Agritourism Planning
For the fourth year in a row this ANR agent has collaborated with the KY Giant Pumpkin Grower's Association, Meade County Tourism Board, Meade County FFA, and a local Agritourism farm to plan and implement a national weigh-off for a giant vegetable especially pumpkins and watermelons. Over 300 people attended the event from seven different states. It is estimated that this event generates nearly $10,000 for our community. Spectators are given the chance to learn about growi
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
For nearly 30 years this ANR agent has been working the state fair youth beef show as the superintendent for most of those. For many youth, showing at the state fair marks the end of their beef project. One intent of the youth beef project is to encourage youth to produce cattle in their adult lives. Therefore, to help foster this desire, the experiences the youth have during their project need to be real but also, hopefully, positive. As the superintendent of the show, this ANR agent can try to
